The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-05-25
At 30th Anniversary Of the
Founding of the Order
in Barre
A LARGE GATHERING
TOOK PART IN EVENT
City Clerk Jam y -.ckay
Was the rS0N speak
er of t, Evening

rAcAhpcis vi oidH bordOn. NO. IL, u. >.
G., together with their wives and friends
gathered in Clan Gordon hall Saturday
evening to celebrate the 30th anniver-
sary of the instituting OF the order. In
eiuded in the group of over 200 were men
who took prominent part in the organ
ization when it started.
The hall was decorated in harmony
with the occasion and the decorations
consisted not only OF the Scottish en-
blem, but the Stars and Stripes, which
were much in evidence. Scotch plaids
draped around the pictures of deceased
past chiefs, the late William Barclay,
John Parks and James Even, were one
OF the noteworthy features which came
in for considerable notice and comment.
Tables were set for $50 and nearly
that number We're seated when Chief
George c. Cormack, chairman of the
evening, opened the ceremonies, welcom-
ing each and all to the notable event.
he called first on Piper James Edwards
for selection on the bagpipes. This
was followed by well rendered vocal
solo by Clansman James Gall. He was
called back for an encore, as were the
other musicians.
Royal Clan Toast.
The chairman then called on Past
Chief James S. Milne for toast to the
royal clan Mr. Milne did this to every
ones liking and his toast was responded
TO by Royal Deputy William Mcdonald,
whose remarks were as follows:
Worthy Chief, Ladies and Brother
Clansmen. II gives me great pleasure to
respond to the toast. The Royal Clam
Order of Scottish Clans. the fountain
from which springs all true and legiti.
mate authority over grand and subordi-
nate clans.
"The objects of the Order of Scottish
Clans are to unite Scotsmen and their
descendants; to provide a bequeathment
fund from which, on death of a member
in good standing, a sum shall be paid to
his beneficiary as shown bv his certifi-
cate issued to him; to establish fund
for the relief of sick members to cuI-
tivate fond recollections of Scotland. its
customs and amusements.
"The Order of Scottish Clans was in
stituted by James McCash of st. Louis,
Mo, on November 80, 1878. and from
the small beginning in st. Louis. there
are now over 225 subordinate clans in
the United States and Canada. The
Royal clan has always been fortunate in
having able men as royal chiefs who
have given their time and ability to
building up the order.
"In behalf of ROYAL Chief Alex. G..
Findlay of Seattle, Wash congratulate
Clan Gordon, No. II, on this. its Both
anniversary, wishing you still greater
success in your noble work in caring for
the sick and distressed, their widows and
orphans"
Miss Agnes Keith was called upon to.
give Scotch song and this she did very
we'll. The chairman then called on Rob
srt Farquharson, member of Clan Far
Juharson of South Ryegate and one of
he men who came to Barre to institute
his clan. Mr. Farauharson spoke on
he "Toast to Local Clan" He spoke of
he pleasure in taking part in this affair
is well as in the affair which they We're
celebrating 80 years ago.
Founding of Clan Gordon.
His remarks were responded to by
1ity Clerk James Mackay. Mr.. Mac
.ay's speech is as follows: "Although !
eel greatly honored to be called upon
o-night to respond to the toast of Clan
iordon, No. IL. o. S. c. vet l feel that
he honor should belong to some one of
he few remaining, who 80 wears ago,
landed themselves together as charter
members of our clan This | have not
he honor to be, ! came to Barre 30
ears ago this week to make it my
ome, so in celebrating this anniversary.
am getting in what we used to call
oubleheader. ] well remember the ex-
itement that there was in the Scotch
olony' here at that time; a good many
+ them took advantage of the privilege
{ becoming charter members; and be-
ween them and the few who did not
vail themselves of this opportunity
here was many warm argument dur
1g working hours, meal hours and even
1gs. The meetings of the clan and their
ctions were also the source of many
arm debate-a few doubling Thomases
tanding on the outside, predicting land
alf heartedly hopingl that the order
-ould be failure, so that they could
row over those who had undertaken
ne work
"But those who doubted were disap-
ointed. as the order was a success from
ne start and steadily grew in influence
nd number until il now holds the proud
osition of being next to the largest elan
order; and with the united efforts
lould again occupy the position it so
ng held, that of being the banner clan
the order.
"In the beginning, Clan Gordon drew
5 membership from the natives of
berdeen, Dalbeattie and Peterhead, who
4 ,.l -t,A ta,-a -.
lily made up the list of those eligible
II membership.
"After about two years the member
lip was enlarged by the Scotch Cana
ans who began to locate here in great
lmbers and latterly by those of Scotch
scent; then the membership rose by
APPS and bounds until 1892, when we
I'd about $50 members; the memorable
ckout of that year stopped the growth
r a while but when the granite bus
ess started up again, the order began