Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-09-27
Occasion at Bedford City
Scene of Impressive
Ceremonies
BEAUTIFUL PLATEAU
aged Members of Order Will BE
Given Every Care and Convenience
That :s Possible.

REPRESENTATIVES of all the Vir'
pinia lodges of Elks including Alex
! .nd,;a Lodge of this city were pre-
sent at the laying of the corner stone
of tho Elks' National Home in Bed
ford CITY on Saturday afternoon II
,v,s . notable event for the order al
large and big thing for virginia
The ceremonies took place satuf-
eov afternoon, the procession 1orm-
ing at the temporary Elks' nome
nassine along the streets where Ihe
business houses were decorated WIN
hunting Of purple and whlte' vi. !,
rolors Of the fraternity, and United
States flags, to the site OF the ne"
home, which viii cost approximately
S5O0OO0. There was long ana iih-
posing parade of dignitaries IN au-
tomobiles, carriages and many per-
sons on foot. The ceremonies were
conducted by Grand Exalted Ruler
Iames r. Nicholson, of Boston, Muse
was furnished by the Vinton Mil
tary Band and the Roanoke Machlne
Works Band and vocal selections by
:, quartet from Lynchburg.
The corner stone was laid by the
Grand exalted ruler, grand treasurer
grand chaplain and architect, alter
which the officers returned to the plat
form and the ceremonies were con-
tinued with4a prayer by the grand
chaplain. Fred Harper, to whom more
than any other person is due the Sc
tprinp of the home for Bedford. was
The orator of the occasion.
The ceremonies in all details were
most beautiful and impressive ano
witnessed by large crowd oil VISITORS
and citizens.
The home is luxurious refuge 10Y
the aged and INDECENT members OF the
order, where everything possible Is
done for their comfort and pleasure
In May, 1908 Twelve; years ago
"Hotel Buford" on commanding
height, was purchased by the Elks az
! home for all members of the ira
ternity who were in need OF this pro-
tectine care, but it was later deter
mined by the Grand Lodge, when II
was decided definitely to locate
the home there, that it woul be oe
s;rable to make a complete change II
the character of the building for
nermanent home, and a building
known as the "Jeter Institute" wa!
rendered by the town council of Bed
ford City as temporary quarters 10
the establishment.
The hotel was RACED and the emil
nence upon which it stood leveled TO
broad plateau, upon which has beel
orccted a large administration build
ing and upon either side forming
wide semicircle, three cottages wit
q capacity of twenty two rooms eac
for domitories; there is hosplta
also The main building will contal
the dining, pool and billard-rooms
rcception-room and indeed everythm;
that is conductive to the comfort an
completeness of this ideal home TO
man.
All of the buildings are constructe
tf re-enforced concrete, tiles and III
ed roof, making it as nearly hreproo
as possible.
There will be an ice plant and mug
engine that will heat all of tn
buildings. probably by vapor 1'ea'
The electric power has been secure
from the town.
There will be an extensive lawn
the foreground, while in the rear
a large and beautiful grove that WI
later be converted into a park. Ihel
are ninety four acres of land attache
to the home.
All of the buildings are in cours
of construction.
Charles L. Mosby the superintel
dent of the home, left nothing undor
that could contribute to the succe:
of the occasion and comfort of Il
guests from far and near, and Mr.!
Moshy was an able second