Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 September 1903 — ODD FELLOWS IN CONCLAVE. [ARTICLE]

ODD FELLOWS IN CONCLAVE.

Boverelcn Grand Lodge of the Order Meets at BaltimoreThe opening exercises of the annual convention of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows began in Baltimore Monday morning in Ford’s Opera House. The Sovereign Grand Lodge previously assembled at Rennert’s Hotel and marched to the opera house under command of Grand Marshal John R. Cockburn of Indiana, escorted by the patriarchs militant. Grand Master Edward Rossman of the Grand Lodge of Maryland delivered an addrecs of welcome, which was responded to by Gov. John W. Smith for Maryland and Mayor Robert M. McLane for Baltimore. Grand Sire John B. Goodwin of Georgia then made an address, after which the Sovereign Grand Lodge proceeded to Odd Fellows’ Temple and began its secret deliberations. The annual report of Grand Sire and Commander in Chief John B. Goodwin Shows the order to be in a flourishing condition. At the close of 1902 the returns were as foliowsr Subordinate lodge membership, 1,069,906; encampment membership, 1544)50; Rebekah Lodge membership. brothers, 151,195; s&tere, 258,850, sad, adding Australia, sex not given, 1,914, making total Rebekah membership 411,955; patriarchs militant membership, 17.754. The total membership of the order, which includes the subordinate lodge membership and the sisters only of the Rebekah lodge membership, is 1,329,966. The encampment membership and the brothers of the Rebekah lodge are not included in the above total, os they are subordinate lodge members.