Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 107, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 September 1899 — ODD FELLOWS’ JUBILEE. [ARTICLE]

ODD FELLOWS’ JUBILEE.

Celebration of the Sevent.v-fiffk Anniversary of the Ord-r. The diamond jubilee of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was recently celebrated in Detroit. A public welcome was extended at the Detroit Opera House by Mayor Maybury and Michigan Odd Fellow officials. Representatives from every State and territory and the Canadian provinces were present. Alfred S. Pinkjprton. grand sire, responded to the welcomes, after which’ the sovereign grand ledge representatives proceeded to Harmonic Hall, where the first business session was held. It was estimated that 10,000 persons connected with the various divisions of Odd Fellows were in- the city. The passing in review of 4,500 Odd Fellows and their sisters of ’the Rebekah order was the finest and largest procession seen in Detroit since the great G. A. R. parade in 1890. Fully a score of bands furnished the music. Brig. Gen. Martin, commander of the Michigan department of the Patriarchs Militant, led 1,000 members of the military branch of Odd Fellowship, all in full uniform, carrying drawn swords. Ohio sent six cantons of patriarchs, Indiana three, New York- three, Pennsylvania three, Massachusetts three, Michigan three and St. Thomas, Ont., one. Lodges vied with each other as to turning out the greater number of men uniformed in some striking manner. The representatives of the sovereign grand Ibdge occupied respective carriages, designed by shields hung thereon, bearing the names of the States the- occupants represented. Propositions to make membership in both the Patriarchs Militant and graqd encampment compulsory for representatives of the sovereign grand lodge were defeated in the session of the sovereign grand lodge. A proposition to hold biennial sessions instead of annual was also voted down. Richmond, Va., was chosen as the place of meeting in 1900.