The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1913-07-05
ELKs' HOME DEDICATED.
Handsome New Building Formally
Opened with Notable Ceremonies
Beautiful Ball Crowns Days
Program Of Delightful Functions.

| keeping with the reputation OF the
order for making glorious success
of whatever it undertakes, Donald
| sonville Lodge No. 1853, B. P. o.
Elks, Yesterday afternoon dedicated
it's magnificent new home in Railroad
| avenue and formally opened to its
| membership one of the best equipped
and most elegant structures of its
| kind to be found in q city of this
size anywhere in the country. An at
tractive program had been arranged
| in honor of the notable event, and
| the subtle courtesy and cordial good
fellowship which has ever been the
glory Of the great order of Elks was
very much in evidence, the occasion
being real "housewarming" in
every sense of the term. All the
leading merchants of the city dis
played the proper spirit of patriotism
by closing their places of business for
| the day at 2 p. m, and the people OF
! the community co-operated to make
the affair success by attending the
exercises in large numbers and other
wise displaying good will and friend
ship to the antlered herd.
The program was opened at p.
m. with a general reception to the
public and inspection of the home,
hundreds Of citizens being shown
through the beautifully furnished
rooms by members of the lodge. The
home had been open during the fore
noon hours, and local and visiting
Elks foregathered in large numbers
To ha of
the clubrooms and to partake of the
liquid refreshments which were gen
erously dispensed for the asking.
At p. IN. the formal dedicatory
exercises took place in the spacious
lodge room, and were of a most en-
tertaining and interesting character.
Judge Pierre Crabites, American rep
resentative on the International court
at Cairo, Egypt. who is presently on
visit to relatives in New Orleans,
was the orator of the day and de-
liyered an eloquent and scholarly ad-
dress, which was greatly enjoyed. Eu-
gene Cazedessus, Of Baton Rouge,
and DR.. E. K. Sims, Of this city, al
so made interesting talks, the speech
making in general being of an un-
usually high order of forensic force
and thoughtful diction. The cere-
monies were preceded hy an organ
solo by Terrier P. Blanchard, organ
list of the lodge, and the impressive
dedication exercises were coBducted
by Exalted Ruler Walter Lemann
and officers of the lodge. The pro-
gram was interspersed with appro-
pirate musical selections by the Peer
less Brass Band. ~.
The grand ball and reception to the
Elks and their ladies took place in
the lodge room at 8 p. m, and was
one of the most elegant and enjoy
able social functions Donaldsonville
has ever known. The spectacle was
a striking one, with the commodious
ballroom thronged with lovely women
handsomely goWned, and the gentle
men all arrayed in white or cream
colored suits. The grand march was
gracefully led by Exalted Ruler Wal
ter Lemann with Mrs. Ferdinand B.
Lemann, to the strains OF the STIR
ring march song which has been
adopted by the Grand Lodge as the
official song of welcome for the an
nual meeting of that body in Roch-
ester, n Y, July Z. The marchers
sang the words of the song as they
threaded the several pretty and
graceful evo1utions which were di-
rected by the accomplished leaders,
and the effect achieved was most
inspiring and original one. Refresh
ments consisting of vchampagne
punch, lemonade and cakes were
served during the course Of the eve
ming, and exquisite music was rem
dered by the crack Peerless Orches-
ira, J. H. Coquille, former resi-
dent of Ascension parish and at pres
ent engaged as staff photographer of
a New Orleans paper. was in Don
jacksonville for the occasion and took
several views during the ceremonies,
and flash-light picture of the lodge
room while the ball was in progress.
The home was artistically decorated
with cut flowers and pot plants, and
was brilliantly Illuminated both in
side and outside. The letters s'B. P.
O.E." and the number of Donaldson
vile lodge, "1153," emblazoned in
purple and white incandescent lights,
were SuSpSllutu DStWteu LIE dICUeS
of the second-floor balcony, thanking
a five-pointed star in the middle
arch, and long streamers of electric
lights extended from the top Of the
flag-pole surrounding the building to
the two front cornices, and from the
balcony to trees growing on the side
walk in front Of the home. The H.
lum1n&tions were the most effective
ever seen here, and formed a strik
ing setting for the handsome home,
which was itself ablaze with lights
and radiating with good cheer.
Many prominent Elks from various
portions of the state were in attend
ance to participate in the festivities,
and the visitors were cordially enter
tanned by the local brethren, much
good fellowship and fraternai hospi-
tally prevailing.
The committee in charge of the ar
rangements for the dedication of the
home was composed of R. N. Sims,
chairman; Sidonius Goette, Alex.
RIoomenstia1 f. Thibodaally r