Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1917-11-03
Hon. Samuel B.. Montgomery and Judge James
w. Robinson Principal Speakers at
Meeting Held Here
Efforts of Berkeley County's Oldest Resident
Had Much to Do With Growth of
the Knights of Pythias

Washington Lodge No. ] Knights of
Pythias beittingly celebrated the
Tooth birthday of the Rev. DR.. Will
liam Gerhardt, founder of the order
in West Virginia, and one of the old
est residents of West Virginia, last
night at the hall of the Junior Order
United American Mechanics.
The event was planned for some
time since and everything was in
readiness for 1t. A few days ago a
banner, bearing the picture of DIR.
Gerhardt, was exposed in front OF
the X. of p. hall in the People Trust
Company building. As this hall was
not large enough for the celebration,
however, the Junior Hall was secur-
ed.
q T. Brantner, superintendent OF
the Baltimore and Ohio shops, opened
the big meeting with prayer. C. II.
Wolfes, one of the leading Knights
Of Pythias in this section. presided and
introduced the speakers. The prin-
cipal addresses were made by Hon.
Samuel B. Montgomery. commissions
er Of labor in West Virginia, who is
grand keeper of the record and seal,
and by Judge James w Robinson,
Of clarksburg. grand chancellor of
the order in this state.
Principal Speakers.
Both speakers made a fine impress
sion upon the audience, which was
large, and spoke on the principles of
the order, referring to the prominent
part DR.. Gerhardt had taken in the
rise Of P~ythianism throughout this
state; how he, o at the age of 100
years, could look back, and look with
pride, at the history of the organi-
zation which he founded in the Lit.
tie Mountain State.'
Or. Gerhardt Talks.
DIR. Gerhardt was called upon to
deliver a short talk, and responded
willingly. Despite his advanced age
ne spoke forcibly and explicitly and
could be heard at the far end of the
nah. He was given a great ovation
al the conclusion of talk, as were
me other speakers.
Others on the Program.
Mrs. Montgomery was also called
upon for a short address and respond.
60. She Is one of the most prominent
members Of the Pythian Sisters, well
SHOWN organization of West Virgin
as womanhood. DIR. Charles S
trump. pastor of st. Johns Lutheran
enureh, pronounced the b~enediction
PRIOR TO which he made a few remarks
music was furnished by Comrey's or
enes'ra' and several selections were
furnished by a quartet and by Mr.
and Mrs. Edward Reynolds.
HeF. Gerhardt came to the United
n.a'es as a redemptioner in infancy
IAs was a rule that persons unahlf
pay their passage to America were
eAeh on ship on condition of beine
'0ia INTO servitude for a term o
vars for their passage. Redemp
.Ouers were much in demand BY
"efican farmers, who thus secure
OIL service for a Comparatively
"an sum. His parents, when start
Jug IN life, were well to do, but a
was the fate of many in those times
~e drain upon the country, cause
seae N~apoleonic war ana the famine
SAoWing in the wake Of that war, re
41'eu them materially in their cir
s'~s'ances 4. To engage the draft
saM~stanees. To escape the draftin,
'ueir sons into the army, and in thu
oi lettering their condition, the.
aO'Ved to leave their ~fatherland ar
uneir fortune in the land of free
yum and plenty.
AVailing themselves Of the rule O
susnptiOn, the family took passag
m and after a stormy pass
" forty days, landed at Baltimor