Putnam patriot., 1919-04-04
Grand and State Officers Pres.
ent. - Speeches, Minstrel
Show and Refreshments
Probably Largest Class Ever Taken
into An Order In Putnam.-Mem-
bership Now 43l and Still Growing.

between five and six hundred men,
bers and prospective members, Put
nam Aerie of Eagles admitted to
membership a class of 112 candidates
in their hall in Union block, Sunday
afternoon. In all probability this is
the largest class initiation ever held
in Putnam, and Putnam Aerie.' with
a present membership of 431, is the
largest fraternal organization. nu-
merically. in the city.
Sunday afternoons affair was one
of the biggest things that Putnam
Eagles ever put over There has
been a membership drive on and it
will last 30 days more from April list
Already there have been ITO appli-
cations received, and there will be
another class initiation during the
first week in May. The Aerie takes
in from Wauregan to the south, to
North Grosvenor- Dale on the north,
and the territory is being combed for
prospects. Several from North Gros-
venor-Dale applied Sunday, but as
that is in the Webster jurisdiction.
these applicants had to be refused
Among the. honored guests of the
day were James Tevlin, New York,
formerly of New London, state presi-
dent; Thomas F. O'Hern, New Ha-
ven inside guard of the Grand Aerie
kJohn A. Mclaughlin, New Faven,
state secretary; Peter P. O'Connor.
Hartford, state treasurer; William p
Powell, Norwalk, state conductor,
Samuel Stevens of Danbury, state
vice president, started for Putnam
but missed connections and did not
arrive. There were also visitors
from North Adams, Middleboro.
Southbridge, Webster, Norwich, New
London, Willimantic and other plac-
es.
The gathering was called together
and the aerie opened for business by
the president, Theodore N. Bouley
As soon as opened, the meeting was
turned over to the visiting officers.
who conducted the initiatory degree
feature of which was the singing Of
"Veni Creatore," by Messrs BreauIt,
Brodeur and Boudoine, which added
much to the solemnity and excellence
of the work
Following the initiation there were
addresses by the visiting officers,
Messrs. Tevlin. O'Hern, Powell, o.
Conner and Mclaughlin, and by
Brother LaBelle, president of the
Southbridge aerie All spoke on the
order, the marvellous growth it has
had, the benefits it offers and all com
plimented Putnam Aerie for its ex-
eellem showing.
Putnam Aerie was organized in
1910, and up to about six years ago
it had but so members In the past
six years that membership has in
creased to 431, the largest fraternal
organization in Putnam, and by the
close of the drive will doubtless reach
the 500 mark, if not it will be very
close to it, The order offers sick
and death benefits as we'll as a social
side with well appointed club room,
etc
All the more pleasing because
sprung as a surprise was a minstrel
show put on after the speakers had
finished. The show was under the di-
rection of "BilP' Brennan, one Of the
best known producers of amateur
minstrels in this section. 1t went
with a snap and rush and the jokes
were local hits. The songs were well
chosen and Well sung.
Secretary John J. McGarry acted
as interlocutor, and after the opening
number the program was presented
as follows;
Rose of No Mans Land"
Arthur Brodeuf
"Strutters Ball. Arthur Vannose
ASLEEP In the Deep" Lucian Giard
Never Did That Befote,"
wired MartlnedG
"Send Me Rose
Arthur Martinell
when Tony Goes Over the Top
Joseph Boudoinc
Till We Meet Again"
Merle Fish
"If I'm Not At Roll Call,''
David Breault
Dixie Henry Tetreault and entire
company.
The ends were handled by Messrs
Vannose, Martineau, Boudoine. Mu-
sic was by Armand Gagne and Edgar
Champeau.
Following the minstrel entertain
ment there were refreshments Of
sandwiches and coffee, followed by .
social hour lasting well into the eve