The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1913-06-27
PALATKA KNIGHTS
TO HOLD MEMORIAL
Service Tonight for Departed
Members--0ratiOn by
Judge {. Noble
Calhoun
Lodge Has Wonderful History Of
Beneficient Service in Palatta.

Lodge Has Wonderful History Of
Beneficient Service in Palatla.
St. Johns Lodge, No s, Knights OF
Pythias of Palatka. That is a name
revered by Pythians of Florida be-
cause of the active, forceful life led
by the organization from its found
ing, way back in June, 1885.
In all the years that follow that
date of organization, st. Johns Lodge
has been a potent factor in the fra
termination of the various elements
of business and professional life, and
has done it's full part in making Pa
latka a town and city where, despite
the envies of business competition
and the variances and vicissitudes in
political and professional warfare,
the men who went out to battle have
found rest and peace and could clasp
hands in mutual friendship.
There have been other orders with
the same benefcent motif which have
done their full part in the work of
offering a common ground upon which
its members might meet and forget
their differences, but st. Johns Lodge
suffers none in a comparison Of re-
suits.
The Lodge, as has been said before,
has a wonderful history. 1t was mi
stituted June 11th, 1885, with the
following charter members:
E. T. Lane, F. P. Mercereau, C. F.
Eaton, George Weller, VIM. P. Cou-
per, Geo. w. Lansing, C. S. Gowan,
A. N. Edwards, Robert Gamble, Fer
dinand Hubbard, W. B. Cross, F. A.
Won Eberstein, j. C. Donnelly, J. l..
Rolling, John Bixler, A. H. Lockwood,
Houston Ellidge, Geo. p. Fowler, L..
A. Ming, Geo. A. Haskell, Calvin S.
Barbour, B. J. Grooms, B. F. Bowen,
and c. F. Sulzner.
The first Castle Hall of the lodge
was a building which stood upon the
site of the present ice factory. Later
the third story of the Dunn (now he
Welch) building on First street was
used Later still and for several
years the hall now used by the Elks
lodge at the corner of Lemon and
Second streets was used.
In 1906 st. Johns Lodge purchased
the Cunneely building on Water street
and this after a thorough reftting
and remodeling has been the commo-
dious and pleasant home Of the Lodge
since
Since the institution of the Lodge
upwards of 400 men have been mi
tiated into its mysteries and taken
upon themselves its vows of lifetime
adherance to the principles of friend
ship and helpfulness.
Three of the charter members are
still MISUNDERSTOOD. w. Lansing, F.
7. Mercereau and W. B. Cross, while
number of members now on the ros-
ter have held continuous membership
for twenty-five years.
Four members of the Lodge have
been elevated to the Grand Chancel-
lorship of the State, viz: Robert j.
Riles, S. L. Lowery, Marshall w.
Stewart and Samuel j. Hilburn. The
first two were also honored by being
made Supreme Representatives of
Florida to the Supreme Lodge.
Herbert Crook, also a former Grand
Chancellor of Florida is now and for
several years has been member of
st. Johns Lodge.
Today st. Johns Lodge ranks first
in point of money in hand and valu-
alton of property of X. of P. Lodges
in Florida; fourth in membership, and
there, are only three lodges which
outrank it in age, viz: Pensacola,
No. 3, Phoenix (Sanford) No. 6, and
Eusts, No 7.
Many of PalatKa's most prominent
citizens of the past 25 years have
been upon the lodge roll, and since
its organization forty-four members
have passed to their eternal home.
1t was in order that the memories
of these departed members might be
kept fresh in the minds Of the living
who are Fastening on to the same
shadow lands, that tonight's SER
vice is held. 1t is an annual event
and one which summons all members
| together.
The service is h most impress
lively beautiful one and will Iinger
long in the memories of those present
Besides the usual ritual service by
members of the order, there will be q
beautifully rendered quartette of
male voces-Messrs. Merriam, Aus
! tin, Thorpe and Moragne, and a duet
| by Mrs. Mann and Mr.. Thorpe.
The grafton, or memorial address
will be delivered by Judge f. N. Cal
houn of st. Augustine, one Of the most
brilliant and effective public speakers
in all the Southland. twill not be the
privilege of The News to hear this
beautiful and touching Grafton, but
from its knowledge of the man anC
his wonderful power in holding mer
and women enthralled, we feel that
we have lost one of the rare pleasure,
of life
The following is the list of Palat
ka Pythians who have been promoted
through death:
DR.. j. c. Donnelly, A. N. Edwards
Fred. Hubbard, Irving Gillis, Simol
Baer, w. P. Lawshe, R. H. Warren
w. H. Mabry, Benz. J. Grooms, J. H
Gravener, VIM. H. Speck, r. c. San
derson, l.. F. Durham, O. E. Adams
Frank c. Blanchard, Gov. F. Peek, 1
w. Gerber, A. Favors, J. G. Robinson
H. ]. Sloan, F. U. Villeret, Parker A
Smith, w. r. Ramsaur, V. F. Moody
d. C. Farmer, Walter M. Davis, ,
Murphy, F. H. Hafer, c. w. Cumming
T. B. Scale, Horace NJ. Weller, r.
Shields, l.. d. Cutting, G. w. Whit
DR.. l.. d. Eaton, J. Hanna, Guy c. f.
ties, Joseph Price, J. N. Walton, Wn
q Boyd, Robley Bruce, A. NJ. McIve
q Eugene J. Gay. L. Parrott.