Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-04-22
LOCAL ELKS ENTERTAIN
VISITING BROTHERS
SPEECHES BY PROMINENT MEMBERS OF THE
ANTLERED HERD


other cities, the EIks home lccat-
ed ON the east bank of the Wiscon-
sin river was, Saturday evening,
most ittingIy and appropriately ded-
icated The event was most propi-
tous; the good fellowship was 50
abundant as to be absolutely imesis-
table; and the enthusiasm of old
and new Elks like infectious. ..,
These ceremonies marked a new
date in the history of the city of
Grand Rapids and our visitors gather
ing here from every section of the
state marvelled at the spirit Of in
Iuatry everywhere manifest and to
the local patriotism and good will
that would reindeer the building Of
such a complete and beautiful home
possible in a city OF this size.
It is somewhat of a coincidence
as wen aus Of great qualification to
the citizens Of this city thatthe Of
ficiating of1icer, who by the rules of
the order is charged with such duty,
should be one of our own citizens an
a local member of the Elks, but
from all the comments. we. have heard
regarding the way District Deputy
Judge w. D. Conway discharged the
duties incumbent upon him, and pre-
sided over the ceremonies Of Satur-
day evening, would leave little. doubt
as to his being the right man for the
plaee and he has undoubtedly set a
high mark as a successful presiding
officer for the masterly way in
which the details of the program
were carried out. Their ewas not a
dull moment from the hfaH of the ga
vel calling The meeting to order un-
til the adjournment which occurred a
the clock was toHing the hour of
midnight.
The responses to tine various .toasts
were replete with beautiful senti-
meBts and reflected great credit and
ability on tIaa various speakers.
Promptly at the hour of eleven b.
W Wmdfelder of Milwaukee lodge
arose and delivered the Eleven
O'Clock Toast" which we are told
was one of the finest efforts of its
kind ever listened to by those pres
ent Judge John c. Karel,P. J. Kel-
IN and G. W. Yockey Of Milwaukee,
We're called upon and delivered. very
interesting and stirring addresses per
taiGin& 10 the occasion.
The cal members feel deeply in
debted to the members of Milwaukee
lodge for the services rendered
which contributed 50 largely to the
success OF the occasion. 1t means
something when we consider that six
ty-three business men of the city of
Milwaukee lodge will charter a spec
fal TRAIN and travel nearly two hun
dred miles and remain over Sunday
to render this splendid service to
their brethereu in Grand Rapids 1t
is a sacrifice ON their part most
highly appreciated not only by the
local lodge of Ellls but by the citi-
zens generally.
Although there were many present
at this dedicatory ceremony upon
whom the presiding officer would
liked to have called but owing TO the
length Of the prosram and the limit
ed time, it was impossible to do so,
However. these were heard from dur
ing the ceremonies Sunday afternoon.
The lodge was specially fortunate in
having present at this dedication sue
men of national Importance in Elk
dom MS the Hon. Thomas B. Mills,
Past GRAND Exatled Ruler, of Super
ior, and William f. SchaI, GRAND Es-
teemed Leading might, of Milwaukee.
Nearly 500 EHks from different
parts of the state attended the dedi-
cation OF the new club house Mil.
waukee came up IS strong and had
an entire special train to themselves.
The special arrived i'll Grand Rapids
At 5:45 O'clock Saturday afternoon
and departed ON the return journey
at IL O'Clock Sunday night
The dedication ceremonies com
menced at 9:I5 O'Clock when District
Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler w J.
Conway called the meeting to order
and from that time ON until twelve
o'clock when the meeting came to 4
close, there was not a dun moment
Mr.. Conway surprised his friends by
the way he conducted the meeting
and he certainly set a new mark
as a presiding officer, Following mu
sic BY the ElkS orehsesra, the open
ing cree monies of the dedication pro
gram were carried out. More musi,
by the orchestra followed by thes,
ceremonies after which Exalted Bul
Ter c. A. Normington of the loca
lodge welcomed the visiting brother
Mr. Normington Welcomed the visit
ing brothers to the city and ex
tended the hand Of fraternal weloom
to them. He save q short histny o
tn local lodgee and showed the cal
iber of the men who comprised
by saying that they had built thi
handsome SS5.000 club house wit
a membership OF Us ate the time
was started His remarks were. .brit
and to the point.