The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-02-16

Hhl6RtR member by JHiy, 1889, when
the grand lodge meets at Atlantic City.
The founder Of this organization
that is today Americas greatest fra
ternal order? He was strolling Eng
hsh actor! He never lived to know
how well he and his little group of
brother actors had builded
His body rests today in Mount Hope
cemetery, Boston, Mass, beneath q
great granite boulder bearing a bronze
plate with the inscription:
Charles AIgernou Sidney Vivian
Founder of the Order OF Elks Died
March 90, 1880. Aged 50 years. A
lover OF his kind, who founded a great
order and in so doing wrought much
good"
Vivian, who was the presiding "Jolly
Cork at the momentous meeting in
1868 when the II men voted to orga-
nize under the name of 'Elks." died
in Leadville, Colo, after a life of the
atrical vicissitudes that ranged from
touring in affluence at the head of his
Town company to being stranded pen
niless in Denver. There in LeadviIle
,, his body rested, his grave marked only
by a weather-stained pine board on
which an inscription was scratched
with some sharp instrument, until on
April %, 1889, Boston Lodge No. 10.
| +. =. o. Elks, exhumed the body, took
it to Boston, and buried it there with
I splendid ceremonial.
Only in F,lkdoms archives and the
memories of the few surviving "old-
timers" is the history Of the Jolly
Corlts" held intact. And only one
charter member of Elkdom still sur
wives. He is Joe" Norcross of New
York
Only handful recall the name of
w. /. Brown of New York today. Yet
it is to him that the "Elks" owe their
name. On the second ballot he switched
his vote from Buffalo" to Elk" Wv
ian, in the chair, though an ardent ad-
vocate Of ''Buffaloes," ratified the ma
iority of one, and the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks was born.
One other circumstance, little known.
paved the way for the name of "Elks."
The committee charged with selecting
name was to meet at Broadway and
Ann street. New York. Some were
tardy. Others, weary Of waiting.
strollcd into Barnums museum on
that corner. and wandered through the
famous animal collection.
Bears" was suggested, but discard
ed as animals of few inviting traits,
coarse, brutal and morose. Beavers
ere brought up as examples of indus
try, but cast aside as too destructive.
Foxes" suggested, were voted down
as too cunning and crafty. A large
moose head attracted attention, but
was at last turned down. Then an
elk's head, with graceful, spreading
antlers, met with general approval and
divided honors with "Bufaloes," which
Vivian had advocated strongly but
which half the committee opposed be-
cause they did not wish TO copy the
name of an existing order.
From this trip to Barnum's museum
the committee went to the meeting
where the name Of "Elks" was chosen.
Since then the order has grown by
giant strides. 1t embraces American
citizens from the humblest to Warren
G. Harding. president OF the United
States, and lfe-member of Marion
(Ohio) Lodge No. 80, 3. 2. o. EIks.
In 1922, Elkdom with gifts to char
ity already totalling more than $40
600, 600 stepped out of the role Of the
purely fraternal organization into the
rank of one of Americas greatest hu-
manitarian brotherhoods.
William w. Mountain OF Toledo,
Ohio grand exalted ruler of the order,
announced his policy:
Make every Elk lodge the civic and
humanitarian center of the commu-
nifty in which it makes its home"
In Chicago, by Lincoln park, over
looking Lake Michigan. the Elks are
building their $4,000 national me-