Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-05-18
ODD FELLOWS or VERMONT
Grand Bodies in Annual Session
in This City.
First Dny Given Up TO Pntri"rchs
Militant. who Parade. Drill and
Dance after Business
Meeting.

The first days session of the annual
convention of the grand bodies OF the
odd Fellows of Vermont was devoted
chiefly to the activities of the Patriarchs
Militant of the organization, the conven-
ton opening with the annual session Of
tho department at nine O'Clock in Odd
Fellows hall on Church street. A pa
rade of the Patriarchs Militant at two
o'clock in the afternoon was followed by
a competitive drill by teams from four
cantons represented in the parade which
was won by Canton Benton, No. ., OF
Barre, with Canton Lafayette, No. 1. of
Burlington. second. General Il. a. stock
or. general commanding of the Patri-
archs Militant, conferred the degree of
the grand declaration of chivalry upon
col w. j. Cain of Brattleboro, retired,
and the degree of the declaration of chiv-
airy upon Mrs. Angie c. E,ndress of Ben
ninc\on. president of the Rebekah assem-
bly,, wNh impressive ceremonies before a
largo audience in the upper hall of the
armory in the evening. The comforting Of
the degrees was followed by tho grand
bah of the Patnarchs Militant, which
was held in the main hall of the armory,
with moro than 200 couples in attendance.
VI
cd by tho Odd Fellows orchestra under
the leadership of u. G.. Preston of this
city The floor committee in charge OF
the arrangements for the ball was com
posed of Gen. r. A. stocker. Col. Alcxan-
der Duncan. G. G. McGaffey. Harry ".
Chase, r. c. Smith and Frederick Brain
crd
col Alexander Duncan of Barre pre-
sided at the session of the patriarchs
Militant held Tuesday morning at Odd
Fellows hail. There was no election of
officers this year. as their term of Office
! Is two years but the usual annual re-
ports were read and accepted. The COM
handing general of the ratriarchs Mill
tant. r. a. Stocker of Miamlsburg Ohio
delivered the principal address Mt this
meeting and complimented those present
upon the nourishing condition OF the order
of odd Fellows in Vermont.
The parade of tho Patriarchs Militant
| formed at two o'clock at the armory The
| parade was headed by a platoon of police
| followed by Sherman's Military band
after which came the first regiment Of
! Vermont patriarchs Militant, with Col
! Alexander Duncan of Barre in command.
Among the officers on Colonel Duncan's
staff were Lieut. Col w. T.. Frank of
| bennington, Past Col. w. r. Haigh OF
Brattleboro Past COL W. ]. Cain Of Brat
tleboro; Past Col. Frank w. Jackson OF
Barre. The cantons represented in the
parade were Burlington. Barre. St. Johns
bury and Rutland. The marchers We're
not whit disheartened at having to
tramp through muddy streets ~ the re-
suit OF the rain which fell early in the
day, and moved along with military step
and bearing. The line of march extended
over the principal streets Of the city, after
which the regiment passed in review be-
fore the grand officers and their wives,
who had followed the line Of march in
automobiles.
The parade was followed by an interest, =
, ing competitive drill by teams from the
! various Cantons. which was won by Can
ton Benton. No. Q, of Barre with Canton
! Lafayette No. !. of Burlington second.
The exercises In the evening were at
tended by an unusually large and inter-
eStcd audience.