It Was A Happy Day

Monday was a great day in several ways, but especially fnr the members of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows in the city. It was the day set apart for the dedication of their new hall and rooms on the 3d floor of the Henning block. At about 10 o'clock a. m., members of the order donned their regulia. Those of Aun Arbor Cantón, Patriarchs military heading the procession in full uniform, and in step with the thrilling music of the Washtenaw Times band, they marched to the various rallroad stations to meet their incoming guests, and escort them to the headquarters, which had been established at the American House for the day. The formal dedicatory exercises of the day began in the hall at 2:30 p m. Grand Master W. F. Wiselogel, of Muskegon, assuming the direction of affairs, assisted a little later on by Grand AVaren E. H. Sellers, of Detroit. The following were tlien appointed as fficials to take part in the ceremonies : xrand Warden - Russell C. Keeves, of )exter; grand marshal - GeorgeScott; rand chaplain - Henry Richards ; grand ïeralds- Mis. George Scott, Mrs. C. S. Elmer, Mrs. G. W. Clarke, Mrs. J. J. erguson ; grand guards - George H. Iiller, George W. Clarke, Lawrence Curtís, John R. Willctitt, Chas. Winkle, S. P. Hill, W. F. Stiegelmaier, J. J. erguson ; builder-Edward Winders. The venerable Past Grand Master Jonathan Sprague, of this city was given a seat of honor by the side of the grand master. The ceremonies ai this time consisted in the construction in the center of the rooms of a symbolic altar, consisting o: six different colored stones in the following order : For the foundation a white stone representing Purity ; on this was laid a pink stone representing Friendship; then a blue stone representing love ; a scarlet stone represent ing Truth ; a green stone representing Faith ; a royal purple stone represent ing charity. These stones were lak by the heralds of the North, East South and West, the ladies holding these positions being attired in flowing robes of white, blue, pink and scarle respectively. Surmounting the altar was placed a white altar rail. The alta thus beautifully and impressively buil was then dedicated as the hall of whicl it was a representative to the busines purpose of Odd Fellowship. Charles E Godfrey, chairman of the hall or build ing committee, through whose energy and activity the fine hall is in the hand of the Ann Arbor brethren, formally presented the key to Grand Maste Wiselogel, who completed the exercise and returned the key to the committee Brief remarks by the Grand Master anc Grand Warden closed the dedication Appropriate music was furnished a intervals during these exercises by a quartet choir consisting of Mr. and Mrs R. E. Staebler, Miss Mary Allmen dinger and Henry Meuth, Miss Lillian Frost being at the piano. At a special meeting to be held this evening, the building committee will forrnally surrender the keys and the hall to a board of trustees, consisting of three members of each of the two local lodges, of which Herman Krapf is president, John Fisher secretary, and George H. Miller, treasurer. Bat it was in the the evening that the most brilliant part of the program was carried out. ïhere were at least 250 ladies and gentlemen present at the banquet, for which Hangsterfer cartered, and very successfully. Rev. T. AVYoung of the Baptist church invoked the blessing. After the guests had partaken of the feast, Capt. Chas. H. Manly acted as master of ceremonies, and announced the numbers of a very interesting program. After a piano solo by Homer B. Godfrey, Mayor Chas. E. Hiscock was called upon and gave a glowing description of this beautiful city of Ann Arbor, and its many desirable features. He dwelt upou the great strength of the forty secret societies which flourish here, said tö nclnde fulLy one-half oí the ad uit mulé iopulation of the city. Grand Master Wiselogel told the audience what Odd Fellowship does for its inenibers, and told it in a very pleasing and convinciii'J way. Ainong other thinurs lie stated that the order had over 400 lodges and 25,000 members in tliis state, and over 300 lodges of the ers of Rebekah. Grand Warden Sellers, of Detroit, nswered ïr the fuss and fenthere of ie Uniforuied Degree, givhig a good lea of its aims and works. Judge H. Wirt Newkirk, of Dexter, is ne of the best after-dinner speakers in his part of Michigan, and a program 'ithout him loses inucli. Tbis evening ie had a very felicitous subject "The isters of the Order," and felicitously id he handle it, reciting in an exceedngly entertaining way the story of Reekah His reuaarks were happily illusrated with pat stories. Miss Ernma E. Bower spoke good aturedly, and yet a trifle of sarcasm ould be traced in the application of her words, of the Brothers of the Order, laj. Harrison Soule stepped in the reacb made by tlie absence of Dr. Conad Georg, and put the andience in the best of humor by his remarks, telling vhy the order was a secret one. Past Grand Master Jonathan Sprague aid a glowing and deserved tribute to American Odd Fellovvship; Glen V. lilis told why he became an Odd Felov, and roasted the toastmaster in reurn for a roast ; and Rev. W. L. Tedrow losed the speaking bv bringing words of greeting from other fraternal orders of the city. During this part of exercises instrumental nmsic was furnished by Walter Crego on the cornet and Miss Minnie Davis on the piano.