The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-07-23
Visit to Mooseheart.

Editor Daily Item:
When I left Chicago on the 23rd OF
June, l promised to write you about
Mooseheart, and this is the first time
I have had a chance for a few minutes
to put down my impressions about
this place, because after leaving Chi
cago l have encountered bad roads
all along the line. ant-e-rry evening
was so tired l could not concentrate
my mind on any single subject. Since
nv arrival home, found so much
work on my desk. that it will take me
a good many days yet before can
have my desk cleared up enough to
look at the world again.
As to the trip as whole l may
write something in the future, When
business is not so rushing, and my
head is clearer, at present only want
to tell YOU a few things about Moose
heart, for the benefit of the members
of the order at Sumter, as well as for
the information of those who are in
terested in fraternal endeavor.
The Loyal Order of Moose is fra
ternal organization Of recent and mod
ern structure, born in ST. Louis, IN
1887. and now counting over half
million members in the United States.
1t is a fraternal organization pattern
ed after many old orders, exempll-
fed on modern lines. While it has
social features of very high type, its
principal object is the practice OF
fraternity among its membership and
their dependents. believing in aid love
and progress. The headquarters or
Supreme Lodge is situated at Moose
heart H., in the Fox river valley
about 35 miles east of Chicago, where
they own a tract Of land about 1,Cl4
acres and where all the buildings, halls
and schools and farm are located.
Among it's membership are several
governors Of States. senators. mayors.
business and professional men in
cluding ex-president Roosevelt and
Vice President Marshal
On the 22nd Of June / had the
pleasure of attending Ythe Supreme
Lodge Convention. and it was a great
occasion from the character of men
who made and composed it. Each
man who made unit in this assem-
blage was one who, in his own home
raised his "antlers" above the herd; a
man who had room in his heart for
love Of his kind, for patriotic devotion
to his country, for Symp pathy for all
affiliction and distress, and who had
also executive power and mental alert
ness to give practical form and direc-
ton to the impulses of the heart. Here
men of common purpose and inspira-
ton have built a foundation of alb
for the orphan which shall have no
faint of charity, and no suspicion Of
aIms-g giving. To me it was most
momentous occasion to witness a bus
mess meeting of mankind which
calls from their various engrossine
pursuits. thousands of active men to
journey across vast stretches of a
great continent to foregather in rural
fields. remote from scenes of excite
ment. injured by hope of amuse-
ment, undrawn by motives of selfish
interest or personal ambition. yet in
tent and striving to serve and give and
promote for the welfare of those in
need or>distress. 1t is wholesome, i!
is inspiring. it is great.
At the present there are 720 or
phaned and needy Moose children
ranging from one to II years of age
that are housed, fed, educated and
trained at Mooseheart. Each one is
taken care of and looked after until
they become self-sustaining and pro-
vided for the pursuit of natural lie
and enjoyment.
Here are buildings to take care OF
all the inha bitants of this little city
it's managers teachers, mechanics and
laborers They have their own kin
dergarten. primary and grammar
schools, colleges, dormitories. ma
chine shops. dairies. gardens. planta-
tons. swimming pools, skating rink,
baseball parks. athletic halls, print
ir~ plant department store. stock
p: