Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1936-08-20
FINE CELEBRATION HONORS
MIR. TRAVIS BIRTHDAY

Not IN the 81 years HiotoIy "
Valley lodge, No. So, l. Q. 0. F., ha'
one of it's members been so signallJ
honored as was Captain Irven Trav
is. Monday evening, the occasion be
ing his 87th birthday anniversary
Word had been given out that it was
Mr.. Travis birthday, and if possible
it was to be a surprise-a thins
many felt could not be accomplished
because of the keen, penetrating
mind of Mr.. Travis. But it was 8
complete one Some weeks ago Mr.
G.. B. Ray preached the subject OF
celebrating Mr. Travis birthday
and so remarked to Atty G. 0. Nc.
Gonagle, and soon plans were under
way.
At a meeting of the lodge it was
suggested that they have an open
meeting and invite the Grand Master
to be present. Mr. Travis who is
Noble Grand of Valley lodge, read
lily consented. AS is well known
the birthdays of Atty G.. 0. McGon-
agile and Mr.. Travis fall on the same
day, and for many years they nave
celebrated the occasion by going to
the home of Mr. McGonagle's moth
er in Bristol township, for the big
birthday dinner, and spending the
day there That plan was carried
out Monday, and Mr.. McGonagle
and Mr.. Travis returned here in the
evening. When lodge convened, Mr..
Travis was anxious to get through
the regular meeting promptly, in Or
der that they might get into the
open meeting. 1t was not until Mr..
McGonagle who had been chosen to
preside, made reference to the fact
that the meeting was in honor OF
Mr.. Travis birthday, that the latter
understood, and the surprise was
complete. Then the program was
under way-a program Mr.. Travis
had assisted in getting up-never
once surmising what it would be for.
1t started with singing of America,
led by Samuel Clawson, followed
with a brief address by Mr.. McGon-
agile in which he referred to it as
"Mr. Travis birthday party" Next
ON the program was reading by
sacred solos by Samuel Clawson,
with Mrs. Mildred Adrean accom-
panying on the piano. Two young
boys, Ivan and Bob Benjamin, ac-
companied on the banjo by Elmer
Henderson, sang several duets, af-
ter which Grand Master Williamson
was introduced.
The Grand Master said it was
time in his life when he hardly knew
what to do Or what to .say-that 1t
was an exceptional meeting, as
sembled for the purpose of honorlng
a distinguished citizen. He took as
his subject, "a Man Among Men"
which he aptly applied to the "guest
of honor"-and those who have
known Mr.. Travis know just how
fitting that subject would be-they
know he is a man among thousands,
and during Mr.. Williamson's ad-
dress he repeatedly spoke OF his
pleasure in being present for the
occasion--in fact he said he knew
that he was more elated at being
present with Mr.. Travis, than Mr.
Travis could be in having present
the Grand Master of the lodge, OF
which Mr.. Travis has been an hon
ored, faithful, active member for
more than 65 years. The speaker
concluded with the thought that it
is a great thing to be man among
men; and how fine thing it is to
stop along the pathway of life to
honor 'this man Mr. Travis and
closed his remarks with verse OF
the poem, Friendship is chain OF
gold"
The response by Mr.. Travis was
timely, and again demonstrated his
keen wit that never fails him, and
his ability to rise to all occasions.
He said his birthday surprise had
been a great success, and stated that
being an Odd Fellow had been a
great benefit to him, and had given
him opportunity to meet and get ac-
quainted with many good people, on
many different occasions. He made
Just one error in his remarks, when
he said the honor that was being con-
ferred on him was not deserving
eve all know that was not the case,
it was all deserving and then some)
but he said it was very gratifying.
The next speaker was the Grand
Secretary Charles T. Cross, who re-
marked that it was a great honor to
him to be able to stand before such
an audience assembled for such a
worthy event. He took occasion to
compliment those who had taken
part in the program, and especially
mentioned the boys who had part,
stating they reminded him Of the
boys in the /. 0. 0. F. home, and
spoke briefly of how we'll they are
being cared for there, and how as
result, good, useful, citizens are be-
ing turned out. He said "This great
meeting should be advertised" and
should find a place in the official
publication of the order. To Mr..
Travis he said Don't count your
age by your years, but by your
friends"
Others made brief remarks, among
them being Samuel Clawson. Fred
McInturf, district deputy grand mas
ter, recited a poem; ]. l.. Shilling
sang solo, as did also young Geo.
Bricker of Columbus, grandson OF
Atty McGonagle. Mr.. Travis gave a
humorous selection; also played sew
eral selections on his cigar box vio-
lin, which he always keeps handy
lknowing he would be sent after 1t
if he left it at home) on "open meet
ing occasions Other musical Sc
lections included piano duet by the
Misses Kate Stanton and Marjorie
Sheridan; and throughout the even
ing the Parcel-DunIap dance orches-
ira Of Center township played many
selections. The personnel of this
orchestra is w. S. Dunlap, William
and w. w. PARCEL, Denny Laudex-
ter and Irwin Minck, with Esther
Parrish, pianist Selections were al
so played by Basil Brothers, violin
list, of Glouster, and Robert Savage