The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-02-22
ADDRESS BY W.
c. HARRIS AT
GKS' SESSION
SEEECH is DELIVERED ON
FEBRUARY IA, DURING OBJ.
SERVANCE OF 65TH ANN.
yERSARY OF ORDER

The following is copy of the
address delivered by VIM. Curry
Harris in Key West Lodge, B. P.
o. E., on the occasion of the 65th
anniversary of the order, Feb. IA:
Exalted Ruler and Brothers:
sit has often been said and it
lis indeed a fact that no organiza-
ton of men is entitled to the ap-
pellation of worth while" until it
can look back through the past
and recall with pleasure and pride
the acts OF doings of its founders.
in keeping with this truth, ! have
been asked to make a few remarks
relative to the founding of our
local Lodge No. 551 of Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks.
ut had long been the cherished
idea of some of our leading citi-
zens of Key West to found an or
|ganization that would contribute
to the social pleasure of its mem
bers, as well as inculcate the gem
eral principles of morality upon
which all great and lasting orders
are founded. In the Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks, they
recognized an organization of
Brqtherly Love, Justice, Charity
and Fidelity, had for its object
the promotion of social welfare of
list members.
Among those who interested
themselves to great extent in
petitioning for a charter were
George w. Allen, Joshua Curry.
Jefferson B. Browne, Jamie Ma
varro, G. Bovine Patterson, Milton
w. Curry, Peter T. knight, Will
liam H. Williams (T.) and Ramon
Alyerez. These gentlemen were
most ably assisted by w. u.
Simons, who was the meteorologist
in charge of the local Weather
Bureau. Mr.. Simons was already
an Elk, member of another
lodge. These gentlemen secured
forty members to form the nnclues
of our local Lodge and on Feb
ruary IA, 1900, charter was is
sued by the Grand Lodge to Key
West Lodge No. 551, B. P. O. F..
The class being composed of so
many members, it required two
nights to conduct the initiation
ceremonies which were held on
both occasions at the Odd Fellows
Hall. 1 have been informed that
the initiation was rather rigorous
and contained, as now, q few
tricks which a bridge player would
describe as being mot according
to Hoyle."
"As fitting celebration of the
institution of Key West Lodge
No. 551, on the second night of
the initiation ceremonies gala
banquet was held at the Hotel Key
West which was later known as
the Hotel jefferson. 1t has been
said that the banquet was prob
ably the most elaborate one that
Key West has ever seen. No de-
tail or expense was spared either
in cuisine or in the decoration of
the festive board. The tables
We're arranged in the form of a
large .E" and were profusely
heaped with roses. The remark
was made at the time there We're
50 many flowers upon the table
that it was only with difficulty
that room could be found for the
plates.
'.The first home of Key West
Lodge No. 551 was situated in
the upper story of John w.
Sawyer's store at the corner of
Front and Fitzpatrick streets and
the home consisted of a general
recreation room, several card
rooms and buffet, not to mention
q spacious porch. Both the Lodge
and the Club. especially the latter.
were successful from the start
so much so, that in about Two
years time the Club was able to
purchase from Mrs. Josephine
Bolo the building which she OPP
Grated as the Dual Hotel. which
was situated on Duval street OPP
posite the Hotel jefferson. This
building is now better known as
the old Chamber of Commerce
building.
.sThe Elks Club of Key West has
always been known as q gentle
mans club, and one of the many
attractive features instituted BY
our early members was weekly
ladies' afternoon. On these oc-
casions the Club and everything
therein contained became the prop
erty of the wives and daughters of
the members. Lavish refresh
ments were provided and every
thing was done to make the after
noon an enjoyable one for the
ladies'. Perhaps such an innova-
ton would not now be aniss in our