Alma record., 1915-09-16
.ELWELL |. 0. Q. F.
TEMPLE DEDICATED
Impressive Services Held
Wednesday Evening in
New $4, 500 Home.
400 ATTEND BIG BANQUET
Opening of New Temple Attended by
Representatives of Ten
Lodges.


The new s4,5O0.OO I. 0. O. f. Tenn
pie of Elwell was officially dedicated
at big service held in the building
yesterday afternoon at three o'clock
before one of the largst gatherings
of the year. Additional importance
was given the service by the presence
of the Noble Grand Master of the
State Miles F. Gray of Lansing
and the Grand Chaplain, Rev. McLain
of Ithaca. The beautiful services
were fitting climax to the compile
tion of this splendid temple which
has been made a possibility through
the efforts of enterprising and pro-
gressive Elwell men and many farm
ers of the surrounding community.
Six years ago the lodge was first
organized. The membership was not
large and the lodge was under large
debt for the expenses of organiza-
ton, paraphenalia, ETC. Last year the
debt was wiped out and the finances
of the lodge showed a substantial
amount on the credit side Then il
was that the long cherished hope of
the members began to crystalize in
the actual decision to build a temple
of their own and the starting of
building operations.
The Temple is thirty-seven feet
wide and eighty feet long, outside
measurements. 1t is built of brick
two stories high, on the main street
facing the west. 1t is a fine appearing
building from the outside and will be
a source of much pride for Elwell
people. They may we'll be proud of
it.
The first floor is divided into two
large apartments, the south half be-
ing given over to general grocery
and millinery store and the ice cream
parlor owned and conducted by Mrs.
Ed. Mathewson. This is a very at
tractive room and as a store is al
ready enjoying a large business. The
north half will be used for a banquet
and dining hall, kitchen, and storage
room. The banquet hall lie eighty
four feet long and sixteen feet wide.
1t is equippd with large tables and
many fine chairs. The kitchen ad-
joining the dining hall measures six
teen by nineteen feet. 1t is equipped
with modern convenience. A storage
room behind the banquet hall meas
Ires five by sixteen feet.
The main lodge room is sixty by
-hirty-six feet. 1t is unusually
light. Up-to-date furnishings were !
everywhere used, and some fine eff I
'ects in color harmony are brought
'ut. The ceiling is self-supporting,
'ver thousand feet Of bridging be-
ng used for this purpose. Like all
he rooms in the building it is well d
with electric lights.
There are two stairways leading to I
he second story, one from the front \
md one from the rear. The front. !
tairway leads to very comfortable I
reception room and smoker, fifteen \
" twenty-five feet. "
Next to this is the property room {
f slightly smaller proportions than
he reception room. Inner ante and Il
loak rooms for the Odd Fellows and
'ebeccas leads from the property
nd reception rooms to the main lodge
all. The arrangement Of the rooms
; exceptionally good, the plans for the
'hole building being drawn up by j. =
|. Sadler, who with Will Schiff, has -
verseen its erection. The building u
ommittee of the lodge consists of IL
Will Hutchinson, Levi Pritchard, f.
iiller, Will Schif, J. f. Nor y
an and j. A. Sadler. Next to 't
his block and built along similar x
hes though much smaller is a store :, :,
uilding occupied by c. J. Kelley, VINO !"
onducts a barber shop and pool and :, =
illiard hall. He has been in business u,
Ei"ei lOI nNe years.
At the big dedicatory service the "
rand Marshall was Frank French.
rand Chaplain p. c. Collister Her -
Ids Mrs. Bert Culver, Mrs. Marion a.
isher, Mrs. Marion Taylor and Mrs. 'e
Iazel Kelley. The regular evening :"
'r !. o. o. F. meetings is Tuesday, "
lille the Rebeccas will hold their ". W
egular meetings on every alternate III
aturday evening.
The following are the officers of the
lwell ]. o. o. F. lodge; Acting Past eli
rand Master J. A. Sadler, Noble til
rand j. II. Osborn, Vice-Noble Grand ar
I'LL Shong, Recording Secrtary Mar 22
n Fisher, Finance Secretary S. ell
omine, Treasurer Will Hutchinson. si'
Sixty members Of the Alma /. O. G. de
Continued on Page ~ pc