Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-04-27
Elks Haze Had a Remarkable
Growth With An Inter sting
History Concerning The Order

The B. P. o. E. is a great secret or
der. The following interesting article
has been furnished the Times-Recorder
concerning the Elks:
In the conception ana birth of the
Benevolent and Protective Order Of
F.lks few men-ju5t seven in number
furnished the genius upon which was
built the greatest American fraternal
order in the country and enc of the
greatest orders in the world.
1t was in 1867 that number of sing
ers, dancers and public entertainers or
ganized themselves into what was
known as the Free and Easies," and
gave concerts several times a week In
the lower part of New York for their
own amusement
The honor of being the originator OF
this great order lies with Charles Al
gernon Sidney Vivian, the son of an
English clergyman. Charles Vivian
vas an actor, and one of the popular
ballad singers of the time. Together
with other members of the theatrical
profession Vivian stopped with Mrs.
Geisman, whose boarding house was
located at 1873 Elm street, in the me-
tropolis, and was famous among the
profession of that day. 1t was in that
house that the Order of Elks was
| born.
During the winter months of 1867,
/ the male members of Mrs. Geisman's
professional family would meet each
Sunday afternoon for social inter
course, and it is probable that a punch
bowl held a place of honor in some
part of the room, with happy songs
and witty stories, and not infrequently
a small collection for those no so for
tunate; these men laid the foundation
for this Great American Order.
1t was not long before professionals
Joined and regular Sunday outings
were had The small aggregation of
theatrical artists and others took on
the name of Jolly Corks," which was
due to trick which was often played
on the unwary. The understanding
was that every man was to hold
cork in his hand and was not to drop
it until give ma signal. All of the
members onto the trick held to their
corlIs, and the dupe, anxious not to be
stuck" for the drinks, quickly drop
ped his cork. 1t was from this trick
that the club took its name.
The Jolly Corks" after numerous
meetings, and seeing that the idea
was a popular one, decided to organ
ize permanently and to make a benevo-
lent organization of it.
1t is not fact which an Elk parades,
but it is nevertheless true that all but
few of the governors of thes tates in
| the American union are members OF
The order, four-fifths of the members
of congress (the house and senate)
are members, and most of the cabinet
and other high officials in Washington
are in the order. Ex-President Taft
himself belonged. The order includes
in its membership in every community
WV bSoJ VI ClJlAtuS, anu especially
young men who are progressive, mill
tant and always in the forefront Of
community affairs.
In all the cities in the country to be
an Elk is to be good fellow. If
man is an Elk he stands for something
in his community. Hence it is that
Young men in business or in profess
ions anXiously seek membership, and
there has never yet been recorded a
voluntary retirement from the order.
Many ministers belong to the order.
The Jolly Corks" grew very rapidly,
adding to their membership the most
prominent professional men of the
metropolis. In its growth, the wiser
members could foresee a splendid flu
ture. Some, indeed, were so enthus-