The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1916-10-25
HUNDRED ATTEND
EXERCISES LAYING
CORNERSTONE OF
ELKS' NEW HOME
Lodge Members Parade From Their
Hall to the Location of New
Building.
ATTORNEY E. E.. M'DONALD
DELIVERS ABLE ADDRESS
New Building Dedicated to Cause of
Elkdom at Beautiful Ceremony
This Afternoon.
ATTORNEY E. E.. M'DONALD
DELIVERS ABLE ADDRESS

| AuAS AIcIuOOu.
| The cornerstone of the Bemidji
Elks' new home, in course of con-
structiOn at the corner of Beltrami
avenue and Fourth street, was laid
at 2:3O o'clock this afternoon. The
building will be dedicated to the
cause of Elkdom-dedicated to char
ity, justice, benevolence and good
dedicated to the benefit of
mankind
The home, which will be completed
in the early part of next year, will
cost about $4,000 and will be two
story structure.
Ceremonies Beautiful.
The ceremonies at the cornerstone
laying this afternoon were very beau
tiful and hundred persons attend
| ed. The Bemidji Elks paraded from
their hall to the new home.
j. M. Herbert, esquire of the
lodge, was in charge of the arrange
ments. -
Exalted Ruler E. A. Barker and
| E. H. Jerrard took part in the cere-
monies.
Attorney E. E. Mcdonald in an
able address told of the organization
of the lodge, what it stands for and
| what the new home means to the
city. His address in part follows:
"The order of Elks sprang from a.
rather insignificant effort. The Ben
evolent.and Protective Order of Elks,
recognized as one Of the leading or
! ganiZatiOns in our country, was born
in 1867, as the result and outgrowth
of some oppressive conditions in the
city of New York. It found it's BIRTH
place in humble boarding house in
which few congenial spirits were
housed. The love of liberty, and the
appreciation of good fellowship and
good cheer brought it into existence.
Spirit of Good Fellowship.
'The hearts of a few men thus
thrown together, and who founded
the order, were bound together by
this spirit of good fellowship and
friendship, and from that day to this
the. prevailing, promoting and guild
ing spirit of the order are the undis-
solvable bonds of friendship, the firm
resolution of each member to make
life brighter and pleasanter for 9TH
ers, 'ministering to the sick, reliev-
ing the distressed, aiding the unfor-
tunate and working together for the
common good of all mankind. The
organization is pledged to the loyalty
of its members, to our country, to
protection of the home and to love of
friends.
"When it was first organized, the
order was given another name, and
on Sunday, Feb. 16, 1868, the pres
ent name was selected.
Spreads Far and Wide.
"Of course, an organization of this
kind with such aims, dedicated to
such work, could not but succeed.
The order spread to every American
city of any note, gathered under its
banner over three hundred thousand
members who represent the highest
and best type of American citizen
ship and manhood.
"ThOugh not beneficial order, it
has been said of it that it spends
more in unostentatious charity than
any other organization in the world
"For such an organization as this
it is proper that we construct and
maintain an appropriate home. The
foundation should be substantial and
we'll laid, the cornerstone carefully
and properly placed, the building
planned and constructed in keeping
with the ideals of the order, the com.
fort, good fellowship and good cheer
of its members and as a credit to oul
city. The plans and specifications
the character of the work performed
and contemplated, insure this result
When constructed the order will have
a home surrounded and filled with
: the atmosphere of true Elkdom. This
atmosphere is filled with lofty
: spirit of loyalty to our country, o1
protection to the sacred home and the
, love of friends. No one can live
within, yes, no one can come within
this atmosphere without being bet
ter citizen, a truer friend, fondel
husband and father. Those who
linger in this atmosphere will be leaG
in the direction of that life which
we are taught to live in order tc
inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. Thus
steadily and certainly within the in.
fluence of this building and our order
will be steadily worked out the per-
manent upbuilding of mankind,
4 Conspicuous for Charity.
4 1T is perhaps violation of the
I canons Of. the order to even refer to
|, the good work that they are doing.
Z 4. (C00finuod a. Pa00 6 !.