The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-17
Reelected Secretary for KAN
sas of the Eastern Star.
Mrs. Matte Davis of Independ-
ence, Grand MatrOn.
GREATEST SESSION IN HISTORY
Between 1,50O and 1000 Dele
gates Are in Topeka.
Closing Sessions of Order at
AuditOSium Tonight.
Tonight-6 O'clock

TOnfght-S O'clock.
Installation of grand officers at city au-
The grand chapter of Kansas. Or
der of the Eastern Star, is today In
Topeka closing the best attended and
most Impressive convention of the
order eyer held in this state. When
today's program began in Representa-
tive hall at o'clock this morning. it
was officially estimated that between
$500 and 1000 delegates and visitors
are attending the last days session.
The most of today was occupied
with the election of officers. Ballot
ing began early this morning and was
continuing late this afternoon. New
officers elected up until this afternoon
were, Mrs. Matte Davis. Indepen-
dence, grand matron; Elmer S. Nance.
Oswego, grand patron; and Mrs. Julia
Holm, Marysville, associate grand ma
tron. Mrs. Della Bennett. Topeka,
was reelected grand secretary.
The offices of associate grand pa
tron, grand treasurer, grand conduc-
tress and associate grand conductress
were being balloted upon this after
noon.
Due to the success of the Topeka
convention, the order, always one of
the most prominent in the state, has
attained greater recognition in every
corner of Kansas. Ceremonies con-
Quoted have been as beautiful and
imposing as those of any convention
ever he'd here.
If Representative hall, the princi-
pal assembly place, was crowded
Thursday, it was jammed to its
utmost capacity when the delegates
assembled this morning for the cleo
tion of officers for the ensuing year
and to hear the reports of committees
on Jurisprudence and finance.
Distinguished Visitors.
Visitors to the convention include
many notables in the order besides
thirty past grand patrons and past
grand natrons. A number OF the
distinguished visitors introduced on
the floor during the assemblies are:
George NJ. Hyland, most worthy
grand patron, Portland, Ore; Mrs.
Elizabeth Wheeler, worth grand ma
tron, Los Angeles; Mrs. May Craw-
ford, worthy grand electa, Argentine,
Kan; Mrs. Julia McCool. grand ma
tron; William H. Tate. past grand
patron; John Pickard, grand patron:
Mrs. Mary weedemann, associate
Grand r.atron, and Mrs. Julia Frey
man past grand matron, all of Mis-
souri,
Erect Girls Cottage.
At a business meeting Thursday
afternoon, thru adoption of report
8. director of the Kansas Masonic
home board. the lodge of Kansas
pledged itself to erect at the Masonic
home at Wichita cottage for girls
costing 100000. The cottage will be
an exclusive Eastern Star contribution
to the home, which is being rebuilt
after being destroyed by fire.
The new structures at the home, II
Is cited in the report, will consist of
seven separate buildings connected by
corridors. The money for the Eastern
Star cottage will not be raised by def
mite assessment but will be obtained
nv contributions from individual
members and lodges over the state.
Patriotic. Activities.
Plans for greater patriotic activities
on the part of the order and its lodges
were made at the various sessions. 1t
was decided to have every chapter
meet once a month and send mes
sage to their men in service More
stars, it was brought out today. viii
also be added to the great service
stars. The grand chapter, by the way.
also owns $1,000 worth of liberty
bonds. IA
i Reports submitted during the ses-
sions show that the membership of the
order in Kansas is 5000, against 3d.
426 last year.
Decorations Mt Auditorium.
One of the features of the conven-
ton was the degree work as exempli-
fled by grand officers at the city au-
ditorium Thursday evening. The stage
and auditorium were decorated es-
pecially for the affair. and Topekans
who have attended scores of auditor
ium events declare that the place was
never more beautifully decorated.
Patriotism formed the keynote of the
trimmings" and stage settings and
scenery were set off by palms. flags.
other patriotic emblems and flowers
Those in charge of the decorations in-
cluded Mrs. Myrtle Suit, Elizabeth
| Wilson. Emma Greif and Dolly Till
ford.
The convention will close tonight
with the installation of grand officers