Allen County, Ohio - Chapter 17: Fraternal, Benevolent and Business Organizations of Lima, 1906

Chapter 17: Fraternal, Benevolent and Business Organizations of Lima

Sweet Charity - History of the First Lodge of Masons Organized in Lima - Masonic Societies of To-Day - The Masonic Temple - -Independent Order of Odd Fellozvs - Odd Fellozos Societies of To-Day - Knights of Pythias - The Nezv Ritual, the Work of Walter B. Richie - Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks - Improved Order of Red Men - Ancient Order of United Workmen - Knights of the Maccabees and Ladies of the Maccabees - Modern Woodmen of America - Other Fraternal Insurance Societies - Catholic Societies - Grand Army of the Republic and Woman's Relief Corps - United Spanish War Veterans - The Crusade and the W. C. T. U. - Young Men's Christian Association - The Lima Club - The Business Men's Association - The Lima Progressive Association.

Sweet Charity

One of the noblest attributes of the human heart is benevolence. Sad indeed would be this old world were men not actuated to noble deeds by the impulse of charity. From Christ himself man has learned that the strong should bear the infirmities of the weak.

In order to more fully comply with this divine instruction men have organized many societies for the purpose of alleviating human suffering, as well as to extend the social spirit. Benevolent organizations, both within and without the church, have collected millions of dollars, and with it they have made bright the dark places of earth, and have carried the blessings of Christian civilization to the poor, the sorrowing and the helpless at home and abroad. The humanitarian spirit has ever flourished in Lima, and throughout the country. The leaders in benevolence have ever taught the masses that 1 here's a wideness in God's mercy,

The Masonic Order

Lima Lodge, No. 205, F. & A. M. - On January 1, 1851, when Lima was only a little struggling hamlet of a few hundred inhabitants, under dispensation granted by Grand Master Hubbard, Lima Lodge met and organized in what was then the Jacobs Block on the present site of the Lima House, with the following officers: Orrin Curtis, worshipful master; Seth W. Washburn, senior warden; Samuel A. Baxter, junior warden; Thomas K. Jacobs, treasurer, and John Id. Meilv, secretary. David Id. Anderson, Zeno Bates and Phineas Edgecomb were also present at this first meeting.

Howard for the entered apprentice degree were received. On the 3rd of February the degree was conferred on Samuel Sanford, and on the 10th of February on Napoleon B. Howard. These young men were business partners, were about the same age and were the first to receive the degrees.

On the 5th of May, 1851, the first Masonic funeral was held over the remains of Ezekiel Hover, and in June of the same year Edmund S. Linn, the first victim to succumb to the scourge of cholera, was given a Masonic burial. During the siege of cholera, wherever there was a case of the dread disease, there were found members of Lima Lodge and their wives, bravely ministering to the sick, the dying and the dead. Of these heroic workers is still living one who pre-eminently deserves honorable mention in Lima Masonic history. For more than half a century the wife of the first secretary, although not permitted on bended knee to assume the lodge's vows she has followed its precepts and practiced its teachings. She has been foremost in deeds of charity and pure beneficence, has nursed the sick, soothed the dying, provided Christian burial for the dead. All this has been done without hope or expectation of reward. All honor to Mrs. Meily ! Surely for her, as she "descends the final slope" that ends the shadowy valley, the darkness will be edged with light from the Land beyond the border.

In the spring of 1852 the lodge voted to turn over all the available assets to Thomas K. Jacobs as a partial compensation to him for having provided for the wife and children of a deceased brother during the preceding winter. There is also an instance of three members of Lima Lodge, who took turns for more than a year in sitting up with a sick brother. This is the kind of Masons they had then and that the kind of lodge to which they belonged.

The second home of the lodge was in the third story of the Badeau Block, built by Edmund S. Linn. The room was carpeted and that carpet was the cause of much tribulation to the brethren. The traditional mud of those days exceeded in amount all that could be found in the Black Swamp in springtime. "Uncle" Phineas Ldgecomb, the tyler, did not propose to have that carpet spoiled, neither could he afford to travel 10 miles from his country home to sweep it at 25 cents a week. So he solved the problem by issuing an edict that those brethren who did not provide themselves with slippers should enter the lodge room neither barefoot nor shod, but in their stocking feet.

At the dose of the fiscal year July 1, 1851, Orrin Curtis, Seth YV. Washburn, Samuel A. Baxter, Thomas K. Jacobs, John FI. Meily, Zenas Bates, William S. Baker, Andrew Schindler, Lott Turner, Michael Leatherman, John M. Anderson, George Cowles, Henry Grove, Napoleon B. -Howard, William L. Hartley, Grimes McConahy, Thomas Milligan, Phineas .Ldgecomb. Mathias H. Nichols, James M. Nash, William S. Rose, Samuel Sanford, Henry Sharp, Daniel Swalley, A. N. Smith, Richard Thomas, Eli Bond and William Winn constituted the lodge.

The first meeting under the charter was held November 3, 1851. The officers installed were : Orrin Curtis, W. M. ; Seth Washburn, S. W. ; Samuel A. Baxter, J. W. ; John H. Meily, secretary; John M. Anderson, S. D. ; Zenas Bates, J. D. ; Phineas Edgecomb, tyler ; and thus came into full maturity Lima Lodge No. 205, formerly known as Charity Lodge.

For some time after this period the accretions were fitful - at times active, at other times dormant, but at no time dead. There have always been faithful members and few regular meetings were ever adjourned for lack of quorum or lack of business.

On December 27, 1852, Benjamin F. Metcalf was the presiding officer and delivered the address at the first public installation, which was held in the old Court House.

The next home of the lodge was in the Langan Block, now the City Bank corner, and on December 27, 1867, >t established its quarters without pomp or ceremony in the rooms over Melville's drug store, which it continued to occupy until the completion of the new Masonic Temple in 1900.

Garrett IVykoff Lodge, No. 585. F. & A. M., was organized under dispensation July 28. 1900, with Davis J. Cable, worshipful master under dispensation. The name was given to the lodge in commemoration of Garrett Wykoff, an old and honored Mason of Lima. The charter was granted October 25, 1900. The past masters have been D. J. Cable, U. D., YV. K. Boone, William M. Melville and F. M. Frey.

Lima Chapter, No. 49 R. A. M., was organized under dispensation March 27, 1852, and chartered October 21, 1852. The following is a list of past high priests : Orrin Curtis, D. H. Anderson, Thomas Milligan; Eli Bond, Milton Scott. D. C. P. Tirrill G. W. Overmeyer, Calvin Plalladay, E. H. Johns, Garrett Wykoff, W. K. Boone, G. W. Walker, L. T. Furnas, A. B. Crall, G. Wins. Van Rennselaer, H. C. Scheide, P. A. Lown, James McBeth, Thomas Cahill C. E. Lanphier Gus Kalb, W. J. Shepherd and Henry C. Seebers.

Charles H. Cook, K. ; George B. Holland, S. ; Perry A. Lown, C. H. ; John W. Witmer, P. S. ; Charles M. Shaeffer, R. A. C. ; Robert P. Jones, treasurer; Wallace Landis, secretary; William E. Smith, G. M. 3rd veil ; Carl W. E. Boegel, G. M. 2nd veil; John S. Patton, G. M. 1st veil ; and John W. Crum, guard. The membership is 198.

with Eli Bond, William L. Hartley, D. H. Anderson, Thomas Milligan, S. F. Heffner, George Arnold, A. Youngkin, Alclen Beasee, and W. S. Gallagher as members. It was chartered October 13, 1854. Eli Bond was thrice illustrious master and D. H. Anderson, deputy master. The past thrice illustrious masters have been : Eli Bond, Milton Scott,

D. C. P. Tirrill, Calvin Halladay, C. I. Neff, D. S. Fisher, E. H. Johns, G. Walker, Garrett AVykoff, A. B. Crall, Miner A. Atmur, H. C. "Scheide, D. R. G. Rouch and W. J. Shepherd.

Shawnee Commandcry, No. 14, K. T., was granted dispensation November 14, 1855, with Eli Bond, eminent commander. The charter was granted October 16, 1857. Tbe following is tbe list of past eminent commanders: Eli

Thus the Masonic fraternity in Lima has steadily increased each year, numbering at present some 921 members. Its labors have always been for strong and resolute manhood, for virtue that is more than a name, for gentle deeds and kindly forbearance with the weak and erring.

Trinity Chapter, No. 16, 0. E. S., while not strictly a Masonic organization, is composed of the wives, daughters and sisters of Masons, and holds meetings in the Masonic Temple. It is distinctly a social organization, and was chartered October 28, 1893. Mrs. Lettie Lown was the first worthy matron, while Mrs. Mary Fall is at present in that office, and Mrs. Anna B. Frisbie is tbe secretary of the chapter. Its membership numbers about 130.

der grew and prospered as the Masonic order does everywhere, recognized and revered as the parent of all secret organizations. A number of years ago the need of a modern home, for this and the several integral and constituent bodies or lodges growing out of the original organization, was keenly felt. For several years prior to that time the Masons had utilized the third floor of the building at the southwest corner of Main and High streets, now known as the "Old Masonic Building," for their home and meeting place. At one period the order owned this entire corner, extending from Main street west to the alley, but from time to time disposed of the property until the main building, fronting on Main street, was sold to Jacob Wise, the Masons, however, reserving the third floor for lodge purposes, and also erecting a third floor to the present City Building, which for a time was also utilized as a lodge room.

The sentiment in favor of a more modern and more commodious home for the different orders rapidly grew and at the beginning of the present decade, or, in fact, toward' the close of the past decade, had assumed such proportions and gained such foothold among the members of the allied orders that definite steps were taken to secure an establishment in keeping with the prominence and importance of Masonry in Lima.

A company composed of members of the order was organized and incorporated under the laws of the State, bearing the title "The Lima Masonic Hall Company," the capitalization being set at $50,000, and the sale of stock, of course, restricted to members of the order. The value of shares was placed at $10 each, and members were permitted to subscribe a sum of that amount or its multiples. The subscriptions were payable in installments and certificates were issued on payment of the amount subscribed. The stock sold rapidly several of the individual members taking as high as $1,000 each, while a number of the lodges, from their treasuries, invested heavily in the stock.

the success of the enterprise was assured, plans for the structure were accepted, George S. Mills, of Toledo, being the successful competing architect; and a short time later a contract for the construction of the building was let, the firm of H. J. Spieker & Company, of Toledo, being the successful bidders for the construction. Ground was broken early in the year 1900, and the corner-stone was laid on the 1 8th of July of that year, amid great ceremony Past Grand Master Nelson Williams, of Hamilton, being present and officiating. Construction work was pushed as rapidly as possible, and it was completed and accepted from the contractors about the first of January, 1901. The ground plan of the building is 100 feet on High street extending west from Elizabeth, and 40 feet on Elizabeth, extending south from High street. The building is practically six stories and a basement in height, and the entire fourth, fifth and sixth floors, are devoted to the use of the different Masonic orders. The three lower floors are rented as offices and places of business. The structure is one of the handsomest in the city, of fine, gray, vitrified brick and tiling to correspond, while the interior finish is entirely in keeping with its exterior appearance.

The interior finish is in handsome quartered oak, while the light and all other interior fixtures are of the best, handsome in appearance and convenient in use. The building is complete in all its details. It is equipped with a hydraulic elevator, supplied with water from a deep well in the basement of the building, pumped by machinery located therein. The basement contains an extensive heating plant, including a large boiler, and the heating system is one that has proven most satisfactory and is the only one of its kind in the city. It is what is called an indirect heating system. At the southeast corner of the basement is a huge network of steam pipe coils, through which steam may be forced either from the boiler plant of the building or from the mains of the city steam heating plant. Fresh air is brought from outdoors over these coils and heated, then is drawn by a large exhaust fan into a commodious duct and forced through smaller channels or ducts into every room and hallway of the building, entering the rooms through small registers fn the sidewalls. Thus, in addition to supplying heat, the system furnishes fresh air, and the temperature may be easily varied. In the summer time when heat is not needed, ventilation and plenty of pure air may be forced into the rooms by this same appliance.

When the building was erected, its machinery equipment included a very large and powerful double gas-engine, intended for operating a dynamo by which the building was made independent of an outside lighting plant, as well as power supply for its elevator, which at that time was electrically driven. But it was found that the gas-engine was too energetic, caused too much vibration, made too much noise, and that the maintenance of this system of power and lighting supply was more expensive and less satisfactory than to obtain it from outside sources; hence the big engine was dispensed with. There are now several medium-sized motors in the basement performing the various functions for which they are intended such as pumping water and operating the fan-heating system.

The Masonic Temple stands a monument to Masonry, and a place of interest in Lima, whose citizens are proud to point it out to visitors as one of our handsomest and best buildings. The present official board of The Masonic Hall Company is as follows : President

Independent Order Of Odd Fellows

Allen Lodge, No. 223, was instituted in Lima, April 12, 1853, 'n what was then called the old Badeau Block, on the southwest corner of the Public Square and Main street. The charter members of the lodge were Charles Bloem, Eli Bond, J. J. Knox, D. S. Taylor, Samuel Ebersole, William Gibbs and A. R. Kincaid.

The secret society is an important factor in promoting brotherly love and a closer fellowship among men, and in those early days Allen Lodge helped to inculcate the principle that "each is not for his own sake." The membership rapidly increased and such names as William Cunningham, David Dellinger, Reubdn Hardesty, C. D. Coldron, W. B. Stump, Calvin Halladay, Frank Ashton, S. A. Smith, J. L. Keve, J. M. Bond, W. H. Kemper, and later, Benjamin C. Faurot, Jacob Crites, A. R. Creps, J. C. Musser, Daniel Angel, D. E. Fritz on its list show the high esteem in which the order was held by the notable and solid men of the village. It has always been true to its fundamental principals and has always labored for the good of mankind.

When the lodge was about 15 years old, larger and more commodious quarters became necessary. In 1866 Hudson Watt put up a two-story building and a contract was made with him to add a third story as a home for the lodge. The walls were up and the timber on for the roof when one of the worst storms that has ever visited Lima came up and demolished the structure. This was a serious blow for Allen Lodge, for into this building had gone almost the entire funds, amounting to nearly $3,000. A discouraging era for the lodge was this, but the membership went on increasing and in 1869 Ashton Hall was rented, where the lodge held many profitable and enjoyable meetings.

Lima Lodge, No. 581. - There comes, however, a time of branching out to all things that grow - in fact branching is a proof of growth - and in 1874 some of the old members grew dissatisfied, separating from Allen Lodge and instituting Lima Lodge, No. 581. The spirit of rivalry kept both lodges working hard and the membership grew rapidly.

Solar Lodge, No. 7S3. - In process of time Lima as a city stretched out and spread very much to the south of the river. Here another branch was added to the order under the name of Solar Lodge No. 783, which was instituted

The venerable parent lodge still lived on in the old Ashton Block, toiling away in this place for 37 years. But the old Square grew too noisy and a quieter place was sought for. This proved to be the Central Building on North Main street where Allen Lodge is now located.

The oldest member now living and still under the care of Allen Lodge is G. YV. Osborn, of California, who is in his 86th year. The oldest initiated member still living is W. H. Kemper, of Lima. J. L. Keve joined the order in the year 1859. His son, Samuel Keve, joined in 1901. At present there are about 700 Odd Fellows in the city.

Daughters of Rebekah. - There are three Rebekah lodges in Lima : Golden Gate Lodge, No. 260; Shawnee Lodge, No. 280; and Estella Lodge, No. 355.

Knights Of Pythias

Lima Lodge, No. 91, was instituted in the afternoon and evening of July 27, 1875, by Supreme Representative E. T. Haines, dispensation being granted by Grand Chancellor John G. Thompson.

Richie, H. H. Cole, J. C. Edmiston, J. W. Sullivan, James Harley, Henry G. Hadsell, Elton G. Metheany, Thomas Gillespie W. W. Mc- Cormick and J. C. Musser. Of these charter members, five have passed away and Walter B. Richie is the only one of the charter list that remains and is now a member of Lima Lodge. On August 5, 1875, J°hn F. Hauenstein and John N. Hutchison applied for membership and were initiated on August 9th. Two hundred and seventy-six constitute the membership at the present time.

moved to the Langan Block, which location is now occupied by the magnificent red-stone City Bank Building. These quarters were meagre and crude and in the year 1883, the lodge having grown in membership, a committee consisting of Walter B. Richie, F. A. Holland and Dr. P. H. Brooks was appointed to secure new quarters, which were finally obtained of Harmon Kibby and John Martin for the present quarters located at the northwest corner of Spring and Main streets. The entire arrangement and furnishing was left to the committee, the lodge refusing to hear a report from them until all was finished. None of the members knew what was in store for them until the night before the dedication of the hall, when such property as was desired to be transferred was transferred to new castle hall and the same, elegantly furnished, was lighted up to the delight of the membership of the lodge.

At the annual election in December, 1881, Walter B. Richie was elected grand outer guard and in the succeeding year was elected grand chancellor, the chief officer of the State. The enthusiasm and zeal of Lima Lodge kept it in great prominence throughout Ohio and this was due to a royal coterie of workers, among whom none was more prominent than Dr. P. H. Brooks and F. A. Holland. The enthusiasm and prominence of Lima Lodge resulted in the selection of Walter B. Richie asrepresentative to the Supreme Lodge within 15 minutes after he had vacated the chair of grand chancellor, and that position was by him occupied until 1892, when he was unanimously elected from the floor of the Supreme Lodge to the position of supreme vice-chancellor and at the bi-ennial meeting, two years later, in the same manner was elected supreme chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, which position he occupied for a period of two years.

During this time it became apparent that a revision of the ritual for the order should be bad and under authority from the then Supreme Chancellor Douglass, in 1886 Mr.

Richie began the preparation of a new ritual, and had it in such complete form that in 1890, at the convention of the Supreme Lodge in Milwaukee, a committee was appointed, headed by Mr. Richie, to prepare and report at the next convention a new ritual for the order. This was done at Kansas City in 1892 and the new ritual was exemplified by a team selected from Lima Lodge, who, upon invitation of the Supreme Lodge, were present to exemplify the work. This team was made up of the following members : W. W. Andrews, F. M. Bell,

In recognition of their services the Supreme Lodge made an appropriation of $1,000 to defray their expenses and unanimously adopted the following :

"Resolved that the thanks of this Supreme Lodge are due and are hereby tendered to the team of Lima Lodge, No. 91, of Ohio for the beautiful rendition of the proposed new ritual witnessed by this body, without which an adequate conception of the work could not have been attained."

The result of this was that the work of the committee was adopted without the change of a single word by the remarkable vote of 1 1 5 to 3, the three apologizing for their vote solely upon the ground that they had been instructed by their Grand Lodge to vote against any change.

It may have been something more than mere chance that caused the founder of the order, Justus IT Rathbone, when taken ill while upon a lecturing tour, to come to Lima where the best of surgical skill and every kindness and courtesy of the membership of Lima Lodge were extended to him. On November 18,

1889, Drs. Hiner, Steiner and Harper performed an operation upon Mr. Rathbone for carbuncle, expressing, however, no hope for his recovery. Nurses were provided and physicians kept constantly in attendance. Just at this time the Lima House was being closed for repairs but Mr. Rathbone's room was left undisturbed. His illness resulted in his death on the afternoon of December 9, 1889. There were at his bedside at this time : Mrs. Mary D. Pease (his sister) and his two daughters - Lucetta S. and Sara JDwight Rathbone. The body was embalmed and at seven o'clock was taken to the castle hall of Lima Lodge, where T. J. Morris, D. W. Morris and K. P. Cleveland acted as guards during the night and were relieved during the next day by E. Hover, Will Deakin and George A. Greenland.

Immediately upon the death of Mr. Rathbone, the supreme chancellor, William Ward, of Newark, New Jersey, was notified and that officer telegraphed Supreme Representative Walter B. Richie to spare no expense. On the evening of December 10th a memorial service was held in the castle hall and there were present, in addition to the members of Lima Lodge, Past Supreme Chancellor Howard Douglass and Supreme Representative Butterfield, of Cincinnati; General Carnahan, of Indianapolis; Grand Chancellor Franklin Ellis, of Troy and Supreme Representative John C. Burns, of Mansfield. Rev. A. L. Fraser, of Christ Protestant Episcopal Church delivered an address which was followed by addresses from others present. A special train had been chartered, consisting of baggage car and two sleepers. On the first was the remians of Mr. Rathbone with escort from the Uniform Rank consisting of F. C. McCoy, W. E. Booth, B. F. Schwab, Bruce Oyler and E. Hover. The second car was occupied by distinguished members of the order and the third car by the relatives. The remains were taken to Utica, New York, where interment was made and afterward on July 26, 1899, tlie order universal erected a handsome monument at the grave of its founder and again was Lima Lodge represented by the then Past Supreme Chancellor Richie, who delivered the address at the time.

Thus it will be seen that no lodge of any fraternity occupies so important a place with its society or has had so much to do with its history as Lima Lodge has had with the order of Knights of Pythias. Its motto has been to select for its membership men of such character that no member need be ashamed to introduce them to the loved ones of their homes. Lima Lodge has lived up to the full limit of its opportunity and upon its rolls are found a goodly representation of the best citizenship of Lima.

Benevolent And Protective Order Of Elks

Lima Lodge, No. 162, was organized on February 2, 1892, in their present lodge rooms in the Hold Block on South Main street. L. M. Hadden, at that time district deputy for Ohio, had charge of the installation services.

The lodge started out with a charter membership of 25, comprised of the following: Walter B. Richie, T. A. Robinson, William R. Mehaffey, George Monroe, Alex. McDonald, E. W. Hiner, Ed. Horn, E. B. Mitchell, C.'D. Crites, W. L. Mackenzie, Jason Lamison, F. E. Baxter, Charles M. Hughes, E. E. Linn, John Lamberton, Ralph L. Bates, William Mc- Comb, Louis J. Stueber, W. H. Woolery, A. M. Frankei, Amos Brown, John Kinney, James Lomison, Charles Pangle and Robert Pearl.

A number of new members were taken in the first year and the lodge has steadily increased until now it numbers over 400, including members from Delphos, Van Wert, Wapakoneta, Celina, New Bremen and Uniopolis.

The Elks have always been both aggressive and progressive. They have as their motto - "That we write the faults of our brothers on the sand - their virtues on the tablets of love and memory," and as their creed : "Believe ideas of right ; be lenient ; protect childhood with tenderness, woman with chivalry, old age with respect ; let others seek to benefit ; do good here and now ; cherish with reverence the memory of those who have passed; enjoy the good things of earth ; keep with thee the glorious sunshine of youth, and above all remain always of good cheer."

One of the most beautiful features of this order is the custom of holding annually, in honor of the departed members, a lodge of sorrow. The last session of this nature was held in the opera house, Lima, on Sunday, December 3, 1905, and as usual the services were very beautiful, pleasingly appropriate and well attended. The program included ritualistic work, musical numbers, furnished by local talent, and the eulogy for the honored dead of Lima Lodge, which was delivered by Dr. D. H. Sullivan, one of the past exalted rulers of the organization. In paying fitting tribute to the memory of the departed brothers, he did not forget to also remind his hearers of the good deeds that the living of the order are doing from day to day in the exemplification of the noble principles of the order - charity, justice, brotherly love afid fidelity. Rev. Crozier G. Adams, a member of the St. Louis Lodge of Elks, who recently accepted a call to the rectorship of Christ Protestant Episcopal Church, also addressed the meeting.

Improved Order Of Red Men

A lodge of this order was first organized in the early '50's by some of the well-known lawyers of the town. Among the first members were Benjamin C. Metcalf, C. N. Lamison, C. M. Hughes and others. Later a second lodge was organized by T. D. Robb who was also a member of the first organization. This lodge died and the third lodge was organized, again by T. D. Robb, and this at present is in a flourishing condition, having about 300 members. The order now has three lodges: No. 267

Ancient Order Of United Workmen

Lima Lodge, No. 64, was organized about 1883. Among its first members were Ed. Hull, W. Wise, John Remagen, Phil. Goebel, G. W. Engle, G. Day, F. Gift, M. Rittenhour, John Blocher and FI. H. Shafer who were elected officers in January, 1883.

Knights Of The Maccabees

The first lodge of this order in Lima was organized February 27, 1893, with some 25 charter members and the membership has grown to about 500 at the present time. The first tent organized was Lima Tent, No. 142, which is still in existence. Two other tents, known as Banner Tent, No. 356, and Petroleum Tent, No. 422, branched from the old one. About a year ago, however, Petroleum Tent, No. 422, went back to the mother tent, leaving but two tents in the city.

The K. O. T. M. ranks high as a fraternal j order, giving substantial insurance to its members at the lowest possible rates. The order also has a sick and accident department which is under the supervision of the Great Camp for Ohio. These great camps are located in all of

Ladies Of The Maccabees

Lima Hive, No. 43, was organized in July, 1893, in the Crall Block with 30 charter members. The following officers were chosen : Clara Calkins, past commander ; Mrs. Eva Gamble, lady commander; Mrs. Della Harboldt, lieutenant commander; Mrs. Edith Stickney, record keeper; Mrs. Mary Lawther, finance keeper; Mrs. Lute Berry, chaplain; Mrs. Nettie Gibson, mistress at arms ; Mrs. Letty Keve, | sergeant at arms ; Mrs. Lindell, sentinel ; and Mrs. Mary Wolkois, picket. The hive has at present a membership of 190. The insurance carried amounts to $90,000. In the last seven years the insurance benefits have reached $10,- 000.

Modern Woodmen Of America

This order operated in 37 different States and Territories of the Union, from Maine to California, is purely a fraternal beneficiary society. Lima Camp, No. 3290, is the local branch of this association and was instituted at Lima, October 15, 1895, in W. T. Copeland's law office in the Saterthwait Block with the following charter members: H. C. Bennett, J.

The society has a membership of about 500. Since organization there have been 13 deaths. Death benefits are paid in amounts varying from $500 to $3,000. The officers for 1906 are as follows: C. A. Graham, consul;

Tribe Of Ben Hur

Osivego Lodge, No. 38 7, was organized January 18, 1905, with 35 charter members, and has grown steadily until its membership now numbers 75.

Catholic Order Of Foresters

high chief ranger; Frank Burger, chief ranger; John J. Sullivan, vice chief range*; Daniel Collins, past chief ranger; John Downey, recording secretary; Otto Geise, financial secretary; John Seiferd, treasurer.

Knights Of St. John

This is a fraternal organization with also an insurance department. J. M. Dufresne is president and Edward McCurran, recording secretary, of Commandery No. 201.

Knights Of Columbus

This is a Catholic society established throughout the United States. It has both a social and an insurance purpose. The local council Lodge No. 436, was organized in Lima on June 25. 1899, with the following officers: Chaplain, Rev. A. E. Manning; grand

Manning; grand knight, Joseph A. Dutton; deputy grand knight, John McNeff; financial secretary, E. Christen; recording secretary, H. J. Pflum ; chancellor, Dr. G. S. Weger; warden, M. J. Callahan; lecturer, C. J. Dimond; treasurer, T. A. Collins; advocate, C. A. Steuve; inner guard, Thomas Keville; outer guard, W. C. Baker; trustees - William H. Duffield, John Finley and Dan F. O'Connor; organist, O. W. Reagan.

Grand Army Of The Republic

Mart Armstrong Post, No. 202, was named after Capt. Martin Armstrong, of Company B, 8 1 st Ohio Infantry, who was killed in the battle of Shiloh, the 6th of April, 1862. The organization of the Post is chronicled in the following words in the post records : "At a meeting of ex-soldiers of the late war held in the office of John McKibben in the Badeau Building, Wednesday, April 19th, 1882, for the purpose of organizing a post of the Grand Army of the Republic, Comrade Dr. R. W. Thrift presided. Seventeen comrades enrolled themselves as charter members and an election held, when Comrade Owen Francis was elected the first commander.

The present commander is A. M. Dildine, who is justly popular among the coterie of veterans here because of bis efficiency and uniform courtesy. The other officers of the post are as follows : E. G. Copeland, senior vice commander; Calvin Osborn, junior vice commander; George Hall, surgeon ; Thomas A. Maltbie, chaplain ; John H. Nye, officer of the day; George Bowers, officer of the guard; W.

D. Heffner, quartermaster ; M. F. Allen, H. H. Heman and F. D. Louthan, trustees. The post feels a just pride in having had the office of department commander conferred on one of its most active members, Col. B. M . Moulton, whose administration culminated in the glorious encampment at Washington Court House, in 1905, which was the peer of any ever held in the department.

Mart Armstrong Corps, No. 94, was organized in Lima in October, 1885, with 24 charter members, Mrs. Thrift serving as president. The aim of the society is to aid and assist the Grand Army of the Republic ; to perpetuate the memory of its heroic dead ; to assist unfortunate and enfeebled Union veterans; to extend needed help and sympathy to their widows and orphans ; to maintain true allegiance to the United States of America ; to instill lessons of patriotism and love of country among our children and to promote the great principles of fraternity, charity and loyalty.

United Spanish War Veterans

This is a national society to which the soldiers and officers who participated in the Spanish American War are eligible. The local branch, Lodge No. 39, has 48 members. The officers are as follows : J. Heffner, commander; George Eckert, senior vice commander ;1 Charles Reynolds, junior vice commander; C. N. Breese, adjutant; Robert McPeak, quartermaster.

The Crusade And The W. C. T. U.

When the crusade movement swept our State in 1873, Lima's daughters entered the struggle with a desperate determination to do or die. Not a few of them had sore hearts because of the havoc being wrought in their own homes. A meeting was called at the home of Mrs. J. R. Hughes, and the Crusade in Lima was launched with Mrs. Hudson Watt president, Mrs. Richard Metheany, Mrs. J. R. Hughes and many others, vice-presidents.

Mrs. Metheany has a very vivid recollection of the stirring scenes that followed, and I am indebted to her for most of the facts in regard to it. She was very loath to enter personally into the work, but she could not get away from the pleadings of duty; she was troubled and could not put it out of her mind. She would not go to a meeting but sent her daughter Clara. One day Clara came home and said: "Mother you might as well have gone; they have appointed you vice president." She thought, "I will not serve." Then the meeting was announced to be held at the Baptist Church and as a good church woman she had to go. There she heard her name read off for leader of one of the bands next day. She said to her husband, who was mayor, "How would you like to see me leading a gang of women along the streets and stopping in the saloons?" He replied, "I'd be proud of you." That made her feel worse than ever for she saw that he thought she ought to go. The next day she donned a heavy baize veil - most of the wqmen wore heavy veils. She does not know why they wore them but she wore hers to cry behind.

The plan was to meet at Trinity Church and hold a prayer service, then to march forth two and two. Her impression is that there were about three hundred in line. At the Square they separated into two bands, and taking all the saloons in their course, would meet at the depot, and then all march back to the church to report. She said it was wonderful how the feeling of timidity and self-consciousness left them when once they had fared forth. Women who had never prayed in public knelt on the sidewalk or in the saloon and prayed. Most of the saloon keepers would open the door with a "Walk in Ladies." If they were not invited in, they would sing and pray outside. Favorite songs were : "What means this eager, anxious throng," "Jesus of Nazereth passeth by," "All Hail the Power of Jesus Name," "Nearer my God to Thee."

Doepkins and Herrick were particularly angry with the movement. The former chalked off a large space in front of his place and dedared that any one who stepped over would be arrested. So they kneeled down close to the marks. At Herrick's he ran out with a tin pan and a hammer and made as loud a din as possible, then he went back and armed himselk with a great knife, but he allowed his wife tohold him back. At one place dirty water wasthrown into the throng of Crusaders. At another a trap was set just inside the door with' the intent to precipitate the women into the basement, but some one gave it away and the ladies turned a deaf ear to his urgent invitation to enter. Most of the men would stand and listen to the service with the greatest attention and respect. One man said : "Do you think drink is the worst sin in the world. Some of you do worse than that." The next day Mrs. Webster was chairman of the meeting, and she talked so tactfully and pointedly that the two or three, who were bringing reproach, dropped out. They went three days in the week for several weeks, then they detailed two ladies to go to every saloon and watch.

Later a petition was written asking the saloon keepers to promise to quit the business and women carried it to every one. One blackeyed fellow by the name of Fisher said to them "You are no ladies" and followed them a block or more scolding, but they would not talk back. The late Mrs. Calvin S. Brice delivered several temperance lectures, which are said to have been very fine. Mrs. Will Watt remembers seeing her kneel down in the slush and pray. Quite a religious awakening followed the crusade, and also the Murphy movement, which swept our State two or three years later. Lima was stirred as she never has been since. Great mass meetings were held and a pledge signing revival was soon in progress.

There was wild excitement the night so many prominent lawyers signed the pledge. They had staid quietly in the study until the invitation was given and then many prominent men marched in with them and signed and had the blue ribbon pinned on their coats. Among the many noble women of Lima who entered, heart and soul, into the crusade were: Mrs.

of the pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church; Mrs. Charles N. Lanison, Mrs. T. P. Johnston, wife of the pastor of the Presbyterian Church; Mrs. Martha J. Ballard, Mrs. C. C. Brice, Mrs. Emma Metheany, Mrs. Anna Morris, Mrs. Calvin S. Brice, Mrs. Emma Lynch, Mrs. Holmes, wife of the pastor of the Baptist Church; Mrs. Thomas K. Jacobs, Mrs. W. L. Watt, Mrs. Josiah Williams, Mrs. H. A. Moore, and many others equally devoted to the great cause.

As everyone knows, the outgrowth of the crusade was the Woman's Chistian Temperance Union. The first union was organized in Lima in 1882 by Mrs. Mary A. Woodbridge. It did not long survive but was reorganized in 1899. Ih 1895 South Lima perfected an organization and the two unions flourished for a time. They did a good work among the children. The North Side had a "Boys' Brigade,'' with 200 boys. Mrs. Henry Moore and Mrs. Eb Davis had charge. Captain Gale drilled them. On the South Side Mrs. W. E. Crayton was the superintendent and had 200 children enrolled in a "Loyal. Temperance Legion.'' For a time the unions had their own headquarters. The present organization was prefected in 1903. In 1904 an effort was made to provide a rest and recreation room for women, but failed to receive the encouragement that would warrant launching the scheme. It is still under advisement and will doubtless be consummated at no distant day. In 1890 a very successful State convention was held at Lima in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 1892 the mid-year meeting was entertained. Temperance lectures have been frequently given and pledge cards provided for the Sundayschools of the city and in many ether ways the cause of temperance has been aided.

The first attempt to establish a Young Men's Christian Association in Lima was made in the year 1870. Iniatiatorv steps were taken and an organization effected. A constitution and code of laws was adopted for its government. Officers were elected, committees appointed and funds to the amount of $500 were raised for the support of the institution. A pleasant room was rented near the southeast corner of the Square in which were placed the weekly papers, monthly magazines and other choice reading matter. J. R. Hughes was president for the first year and H. Parham, secretary. For the second year, R. K. Darling was president; A. M. Metheany, G. W. Walker and D. S. Cross were vice-presidents and E. F. Davis was secretary; D. Newell was treasurer; Messrs. Dixon, Coldron, Moser, Selfridge, T. E. Cunningham and D. Angell constituted the board of managers. After two or three years the organization died out and though considerable talk was indulged in from time to time relative to starting a new organization nothing definite was done until November 7, 1887, when with Prof. Fred Bell as the leading spirit an organization was affected. There were at first 125 members. Rooms in the Collins Block were secured and improvements made on them to the amount of $1,000. The members struggled bravely during the first year to hold the association together. The work about this time received a new impetus under the able management of Mr. Gordon and Mr. Street and in the fall of 1888 a number of new members were received. The united cooperation of every minister and layman in Lima and vicinity made the February of 1890, when Mr. Yatman came, a memorable time and a high-water mark in the religious work for Lima.

The association at present (1906) is in a flourishing condition and has about a thousand members. 1 he building which they occupy was finished in 1894 and is one of the handsomest structures in the city. There are 24 rooms in the building. These include the parlor, reading rooms, plunge, gymnasium, etc., and they are equipped and furnished with everything that may add to the comfort or convenience of its members. The Y. M. C. A. today is a very potent factor for the good of the State, in that it works for the upbuilding of character. No part of the young man's life is neglected or overlooked. Railroads, and all large employers of men. now recognize the

In Lima's Y. M. C. A. special emphasis is given to educational work for men and boys in the night classes. In these classes young men are supplied with a splefndid opportunity to make use of their spare time and improve their earning power and ability. There are classes in mechanical drawing, ordinary and shop arithmetic, bookkeeping, penmanship and business English. The cost to the student of attending a class is merely nominal. Practical talks on subjects of general interest are also a feature of the educational work. These are offered free and also to all men whether members of the association or not. The association's reading room, stocked with all the popular magazines, newspapers and technical periodicals, is visited by hundreds of men every week.

The chief purpose of the association is the development of character and therefore the strongest emphasis is placed on such lines of religious effort as are best suited to develop strong, manly men. At the; same time the liberty of every man to decide these things for himself is thoroughly recognized and attempts to force religious ideas upon any one are avoided.

The excellent work of Lima's Y. M. C. A. is shown by the following figures taken from the report for the fiscal year ending April 30, 1905. The year beginning May 1, 1904, there was on hand to the credit of the association $1,697.04. There was received during the year a total of $10,978.09, chiefly comprised in these items: Subscriptions $6,485.92; memberships, $3, 309.03; towels and baths $323.25; educational fees, $298.75; rent, $262.50; sundries, $104.- 96; and Sunday collections, $69.43. There was paid out during the same period a total of $12,191.47, leaving a balance on hand of $483.66. The assests of the institution amount to $41,665.07, of which the chief items are: Real estate, $35,000 and furniture and fixtures, $3,000. The liabilities amount to $5,- 595-79- During the year there was an attendance at all religious meetings of 13.274; total attendance at educational classes, 931; while the attendance at social meetings, comprising seven banquets, three lectures, six receptions and nine socials, amounted to 2,409. There were eight gymnasium classes with class enrollment of 430 and total attendance of 10,001. The total membership of the association, as given in the report, was 974, of whom 174 were boys. The executive officers are : Frank Eberhart, general secretary; N. L. Snider, assistant secretary; H. M. Spaulding, office secretary ; and W. S. Shepard, physical director. The president of the board of directors is A. L. White, vice-president, J. A. Bendure ; treasurer, L. H. Kibby and recording secretary, GA. Herrett.

The Lima Club

K. Boone; vice-president, J. W. Van Dyke; secretary, Herbert L. Brice; treasurer, G. E. Bluem; board of trustees - William K. Boone, J. W. Van Dyke, J. B. Vail, Samuel A. Baxter, F. A. Husted, Herbert L. Brice and Owen Francis; house committee - J. G. Neubauer, William M. Melville and F. E. Baxter. The officers for 1904-05 were: President, F. C.

The pleasant and well-furnished club home is located at the corner of Elizabeth and High streets The membership of the club is limited to 100. The membership in 1905 was as follows: W. T. Agerter. R. W. Argue, R.

The Lima Club was instrumental to a large degree in securing for Lima the State Hospital for the Insane, as it was in their club rooms that the members entertained the business men at a social session, and started the machinery going, resulting, as everybody knows, in a victory for Lima.

"One of the flourishing social and business organizations of Lima, and one that is highly appreciated by its extensive membership is the Business Men's Association.

"This organization first saw the light of day a little over a year ago, there being at the time of its institution the names of about 20 of our merchants on the rolls. Since that time it has grown and broadened in its field until to-day its membership embraces more than 100 of the foremost business men of the city, in fact practically all the leading men in the various lines of mercantile life in Lima.

"Quoting from the constitution and bylaws of the association it is found that its objects are to unite all classes of business and professional men to work for the general good and promote by all legitimate means the social,, moral and business interest of its members. Among the special objects sought to be attained are the following:

"As is too frequently the case in all towns and cities, there is also in Lima, or rather there was, a sort of jealous rivalry among merchants, especially among those in the same or similar lines of business which carried to the extent of almost open enmity. One object of the organization of the Business Men's Association was to wipe out this situation and to create a deeper sentiment of brotherly love between the merchants of Lima ; to obliterate this senseless opposition and to create a bond of unity and good feeling which would make it possible in times of a desirability of union of action to get together and work together to a common end. That it has been successful in this regard is evidenced by the good work accomplished by the association last year in the matter of the new State Hospital. But for the prompt and energetic work performed and assisted by it, it would never have been possible to accomplish the desired end in raising the guaranty fund.

"Another point in this same project was the entertainment tendered the visiting members of the commission, when more than 100 business men, members of the association, gathered in the parlors of the Lima Club to welcome the commissioners and aid in showing to them our deep interest in the project, and in convincing them that Lima first, Lima last, and Lima all the time was the proper location for the institution. A closer bond of unity, a better and more brotherly feeling to-day exists among the business men of Lima than has obtained during the last 20 years, and it is all due to the organization of this association.

"The association again gave evidence of its power for good when it obtained from the lighting companies a much lower rate for the curb lighting than either city officials or political parties were able to obtain. It wields an influence and a power in private and in public business affairs which cannot be ignored.

"The association has agitated the question of taxation in this city with the result that the levy for 1906 is lower than it has been at any time during the past 10 years, while the general tax rate has been reduced from that of last year.

"Another object sought and attained by the association was legislation prohibiting the use of the Public Square and Main street by fakirs who heretofore came into the city, opened up shop and proceeded to dupe the people by selling to them all kinds of worthless stuff at fabulous prices, taking good money out of the city and leaving nothing in return for it.

It was upon their initiative also, that the ordinance was finally passed by the Council requiring the express wagons and moving vans to vacate the Square and Main street.

"One of the objects of the association during the present year will be to show to the people of Lima the absolute foolishness and poor policy of patronizing mail order houses, who take money out of Lima but never send a dollar of it back to pay taxes, wages, the doctor bills, rent and the grocery and meat men. The association will endeavor to convince the people of Lima that a dollar spent at home in the long run buys much more than the dollar sent to Chicago or New York.

"The association celebrated the first anniversary of its organization with a banquet at the parlors of the Y. M. C. A. building at which more than 200 covers were laid. On that evening new officers were chosen for the ensuing year to succeed President George L. Newson,

Wohlgmuth, T. F. Drake, N. L. Michael, F. E. Harman, George L. Newson, J. E. Grosjean, Charles Herbst and J. R. Rickoff. The power and prerogatives of the executive board are practically unlimited, and it will act for the association in all matters where authority is required. The organization of this board was made almost imperative from the fact that it is almost impossible to secure a majority attendance of the association for action on anything but matters of the utmost importance, and a smaller and more mobile organization for executive action was a necessity."

The Lima Progressive Association

Stands for the development of the commercial and industrial interests of the city, and the organization, backed by men of sound business sense and integrity, is beginning to make itself felt. With this particular means of inspiring a movement toward bigger and better things, the men with capital to invest, where the element of safety is sufficiently assuring, have shown a desire to respond to the recommendations of the executive committee of the association.

The primary purpose of the association is to advance the interests of the city in every way possible and look after conditions that suggest improvement in order that fundamental principles of a live and up-to-date city may not be lost sight of.

Since the election of a permanent secretary, the association has come into close touch with the manufacturing institutions of Lima and the natural and healthy growth of most of them is an assurance of success for others that will come to be established where the best of facilities are offered as the first inducement.

ent population within the next io years is not deemed an extravagant prediction. To accomplish this much desired end a feverish haste is not necessary, but every-day push and energy that will keep everlastingly at a thing until it is accomplished.

It is to lead the way, offer means and methods, accept and investigate suggestions, advertise the city and bring its unsurpassed facilities for factories and homes to the attention to the outside world, that the Lima Progressive Association was organized, and to-day the secretary's office in the Masonic Building is an active and busy one.

It is not the intention to make Lima the dumping ground for worn-out industries, but the association offers the open door to any solid institution, large or small, that will bear close investigation. Thd secretary receives almost daily bulletins of factory and industrial movements, the information covering every state in the union. A single letter is often times sufficient to make further investigation mere waste of time, but at present there are several propositions that have proven to be worth probing, and will be presented to the stockholders as soon as the executive committee has carefully weighed every point in the controversy.

The movement to establish an iron rollingmill in Lima was inspired by the desire of a similar concern to move its plant here, but the original proposition was declined as impracticable. The association had no desire to encourage the idea of giving absolute control to a foreign corporation which could operate the mill at its pleasure. PIowever, the idea took root and those in touch with the project agreed that Lima, with its splendid railroad advantages and nearness to points of consumption, was an ideal location for just such an industry. It is also conceded that around an iron mill invariably cluster smaller factories that desire to be in close touch with the raw material, so that the proposed institution has a double value.

It is as necessary to advertise a city and its advantages, as it is to advertise a man's private business and to this end the association is now working. A handsome prospectus of the city has been compiled by the secretary of the association, which is illustrated with many halftone cuts of factories!, business blocks, residences, street views, public buildings, parks, etc.; the prospectus contains just the information that men desire who are looking for a good town in which to live or do business.

The association has been given just the sort of encouragement that is needed to accomplish the purpose for which it was organized. The membership committee made a few days' canvass and secured a long list of new members and since then many have come in voluntarily.