The Lamar register., 1919-05-21
Vivian Died in Leadsille

hours before he rested 1T Mount
Hope. 1t was in far Leadville, Colo
redo, in the late seventies and early
eighties 4 rough shack mining town,
roaring with the pulse of a mining
boom, that the first Elk executive
died, Of pneumonia contracted while
playing in his last theatrical venture
an open air theater of pine boards.
Nothing but a pine board, with the
rude scratching Of some sharp in
strument to mark his nam, marked
that grave until an old Elk minstrel,
seeing the neglected plot, told the
story that brought W. C. Vanderlip of
Boston Lodge No. 10 speeding west
ward, who with the aid Of w. +.
Bachcl Of Omaha Lodge had the re-
mains exhumed on April rs, 1889 and
taken eastward 10 rest in state with
honors due the orders fourder.
1t is one Of the anomalies Of human
events that the only large absolutely
American order should have been
founded by an Englishman almost be-
fore ne got i breath Of real American
air. Vivian, who was born in Eng
land and was musical performer
came TO New York in November
1867, and almost Immediately organiz-
ed the actors there into the Jolly
Corks" 1t was from this jolly bunch
the great order sprang.
Vivian, in London, had been
member OF the Royal Antediluvian
order of Buffaloes, an order dating
back into the dim mists of history
and numbering among It's members,
known famillarly as Bluffs such
historical figures as Richard Occur
dc Lion, KING John of Magma Charta
fame and Henry IL.
Vivian wanted to adopt the name of
Buffalo, but the committee that met
to make bylaws visited Barnum's
Musium while waiting for some OF the
tardy members to arrive and were
struck by the superior nobility and
grandure OF the elk's head over that
OF the other animals and decided to
adopt that name, and Vivian was one
Of the first to switch his vote.
Exhaustive Investigations OF the
elk followed. The natural histories
at Coopers Institute informed the
committee that tn elk was a native
of the North American continent,
was distinguished FOR its fleetness
combined with an absolute lack of
viciousness, and avoiding all combat
save in defense OF the female elk, and
Of the young, helpless and weak of
its species. Then it became one of
the fiereest Of natures fighting ami
mails. battling to the death.
These Investigations confirmed the
selection.
lnnumernblc Legends already cluster
around the circumstances Of the
names adoption. But these situations
here reeounted are generally accepted
As the accurate account.
February l6, 1868. the constitution
and rules and regulations Of the order
we're formally adopted. That date is
the natal day Of Elkdom.
The first ball Of the new order was
given in Ferrero's assembly rooms, a.
Broadway and Twenty street.
April l6. 1868
1t was also in 1868 that the Eleven
O'Clock Toast was started by George
f. Mcdonald, who launched the ''To
Our Absent Brothers" ceremonial that
has become conspicuous landmark
in the fraternity.
At the close of the first calendar
year Of the Elks' existence showed the
roll reaching the magnifi-
cent height of 76 Members. d. Kel-
ly Of New York being the last mem
ber initiated that year.
The first death in the order was that
of Albert Hall. the first tiler. who was
No. 27 on the membership roll. Hall
was on tour at his death. and had
been an active theatrical and circus
man.
The first public Lodge Of Sorrow
was held at Clarendon Hall, ia West