The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1912-05-02


i sec'y-c. c. Hunt, Montezuma. !.
\ Treas. w. West, Montezu. 1.
i. ma. 4.
j. j.
4.4-s.ff ]. +f| + F. +f.i.f-s
April Twenty-sixth is the Odd Eel
fellows Fourth ofJuly and the day is
coming into more general observation
in all parts of the land, wherever a
company of Odd Fellows or Rebekahs
are gathered together. No other fra.
ternal organization has anything like
this celebration of the birthday of the
order. 1t has become a characteristic
of the Odd Fellow Lodge and the
members are growing into strong
regard and affection for the day. Dis,
tricts and counties unite and form
special associations for the celebra
ton and whole states or parts OF
states get together in one
great reunion and picnic on the day
The celebration is growing in public
one of the best mediums of advertis
ing that the Odd Fellowship possesses
and it belongs to their order alone.
Oskaloosa was chosen as the place
for the celebration of 1912 and the
hospitality of the town was extended
in a way that reflected credit upon
the local organizations of Odd Fellows
and Rebekahs and upon the citizen
ship generally. Entertainment, ample
for all demands, was provided for the
visitors and the secret work OF the
orders was enough to satisfy the
members interested. Those who have
been in regular attendance at ami
versaries year after year made the
declaration last evening that the Os
kaloosa gathering was the best cele
bration the Central Iowa Odd Fellows
Anniversary Association has ever ell
joyed.
Odd Fellowship had its origin IN
England in the latter part of the
eighteenth century and is now repre-
scented in Great Britain, and many
countries of Europe, United States
Australia, South America and many
other parts of the world. The initial
organization was known as Ancient
and Honorable Loyal Odd Fellows
Then the Union Order of Odd Eel
lows" Upon the secession of con
siderable portion from the parent
body the organization became the In
dependent Order of Odd Fellows
which in the United States is the only
branch. In the United States the
order has had a peculiar and won
derful grawth.
Odd Fellowship had inception In the
gathering together of number OF
young and elderly men for social en-
tertainment Misfortune or sorrow
fell to the lot of some one among the
company and the others contribute
of their means to help the distressed
companion. Later the custom was es
tablished of setting aside a portion
of the funds generally spent at the
gathering to be used in case of need
for some one who had been active in
the circle. Finally penny week
was contributed by each member and
those of the company began to enjoy
certain rights and privileges that led
to more careful and systematic organ
ization and growth. This same prin'
. ciple of Love We one another" per.
meates the order to this day. 1t is
the foundation rock OF the splendid
structure of the organization in the
United States. 49,.
b The first lodge in America was or
ganized in Baltimore in 1919 and to-
day almost every city of any sized in
the whole land has its Odd Fellow as
sociations. Each and every state has
separate organization known as en-
campments, that are in turn subor-
dinate to the Grand Encampment" of
the entire country.
Oskaloosa Odd Fellows organized
and elected first officers July II, 1S4S,
or sixty-four years ago. The Odd Eel
lows are therefore the oldest lodge
organization in the town and it like
wise Is one of the strongest and has
stood the test of time. o.. ..-.'
Afternoon Program.
Following the splendid parade about
tne SJItclo vi tHc City tHt puuiiS pio
gram at the Masonic opera house was
called to order about three o'clock and
terminated In business session at $3.50
o'clock for the selection of officers OF
the anniversary association and NAM
ing of place of meeting next year.
NJ. II. McCannon. president of the
anniversary association, was officer of
the day and presided at the ceremon,
les of the afternoon.
The house was filed to its capacity
and a large number were compelled
to stand. Hosts of visitors tried to
gain entrance, but on account of
crowded conditions were compelled to
forego the pleasure. The program
was opened by a selection by the
Ladies' Band OF Keota, an organiza
tion composed of high-class musicians
and needless to say made hit In Os-
kaloosa. Invocation was offered by
Paw Doeen of KeOta MayOr s. vi