Bristol County, Massachusetts - Chapter 13: Military and Fraternal Organizations, 1924

Reunions of those who were comrades in successive war-time periods have developed a number of military-social groups, with their auxiliaries, and maintaining their distinctive Attleboro traditions and usages. Some of

Grand Army of the Republic - William A. Streeter Post, No. 145, G. A. R., was instituted only six years after the close of the Civil War. The first Memorial Day service in the town was held Saturday, May 29, 1869, the address being given by Rev. Rufus P. Stebbins, D. D., of Cambridge. A meeting of soldiers and sailors of the war Lelonging to this section was held for the purpose on May 26, with J. B. Savery as chairman, and E. R. Read secretary, and EK. S$. Horton was chosen marshal for the day. This was probably the beginning of active interest in the institution of the post, which was mustered in on June 12, 1871, at Union Hall. The first regular meeting place after that was at Bates Hall, in August of the same year; in September removal was made again to Union Hall; the following spring, in 1872, the post gathered at Dean's building, and on August 11, 1873, permanent meetings began to be held at Briggs block and in the old Y. M. C. A. building. In 1872 the town began to make its regular appropriation for the expenses of the Memorial Day observance. The post was presented with State flags July 4, 1872, by the women of the East Village, and in January, 1877, by the women of Attleboro. Their altar was presented November 3, 1876, by the Women's Relief Corps. The headquarters of the post have many interesting relics of the war; and the post owns a lot in Woodlawn cemetery with a suitable monument.

These are the post commanders from the first: D. H. Smith, E. S. Horton, FE. C. Martin, A. T. Wales, W. H. Wade, W. H. Goff, W. J. Thompson, Edwin J. Horton, M. Q. Wheaton, E. W. Rhodes, F. L. LeBaron, T. K. Gay, George L. Jillson, E. D. Guild, George A. Taylor, Edwin Leach, Daniel EK. Adams, Edwin Leach, Cyrus Getchell, Edward E. Rhodes, Welcome B. Aldrich, Nathan H. Read.

In 1906 the town voted to erect a monument to the memory of the soldiers and sailors who had enlisted from Attleboro and lost their lives in the War of 1861-1865, and a committee of seven was appointed to carry the project through. As a result, a monument was set up at Monument square, at a cost of $8,500, and the memorial was dedicated, with the assistance of William A. Streeter Post, No. 145, G. A. R., June 20, 1908. The committee consisted of Everett $. Horton, William H. Goff, Edward Caufy, Emmons D. Guild, George A. Sweeney, Charles O. Sweet, Edward A. Sweeney. In 1922, an avenue, at right angles to the memorial avenue at Capron Park, and running south, was named G. A. R. avenue, the dedication being accompanied with the presence of a Confederate veteran.

William A. Streeter Woman's Relief Corps, No. 45, was instituted September 18, 1884, by Mrs. Sarah B. Fuller, department secretary, with twenty-two members. The corps, which had a membership of 156 in 1923, dedicated the entrance for the G. A. R. avenue at Capron Park, Memorial Sunday that year. Upon that avenue they have planted a tree for every past commander of the post, and in time there will be planted a tree for every member. The organization of patriotic women has placed flags in all schools and in all Sunday school rooms, and provided flags for the Boy Scouts. In 1914 the corps was honored by having one of its members elected department president of Massachusetts, and Mrs. Laura I. Smith, who was accorded that honor, was elected national senior vice-president the

Sons of Veterans. - The present William A. Streeter Camp, No. 133, Sons of Veterans, was instituted in March, 1921, with twenty-seven charter members, the work of organization having been forwarded to success by Commander Harold E. Kenyon. The S. V. C. was Frank A. Chase, jr.; the J. V. C., Arthur A. Whipple; the treasurer, Harry E. Cooper; secretary, Roy W. Inman. Mr. Kenyon resigned his command in 1922, and was succeeded by W. W. Peckham. The S. V. C.: was A. T. Gunner; the J. V. C, Henry Pierce. The membership in 1923 was eighty-nine, and the officers 'were; Commander, A T.|Gunner; S. V. C., R. E. Sherman; J. V. C., C. H. Bliss, with the same secretary and treasurer as at first. Two camps had been started previously - one in April, 1884, with a charter membership of twenty-three, and with the following-named officers: Captain C. Adin Smith; first lieutenant, O. W. Hawkins; second lieutenant, E. H. Davis; chaplain, George Pierce; orderly sergeant, W. H. Streeter; quartermastersergeant, EF. A. Wales; color sergeant, C. H. Meyers; sergeant of the guard, J. A. Thayer; corporal of the guard, L. A. Wales; camp guard, L. B. Kingman; picket guard, J. F. Woodward; principal musician, F, I. Jackson. After a few years this camp disbanded, and it in turn was followed by another similar organization. The present camp has a flourishing and progressive status. With the organization of the new camp, an auxiliary was formed.

William A. Streeter Auxiliary, S. of V., No. 133, was instituted in April, 1921, by Margaret Waters, past division president. There were fifty-three charter members, and Lorrian Hyde Kenyon was given the honor of the past presidency. The first officers were the following-named: President, Gertrude Eldridge; vice-president, Maude Card; chaplain, Lucy Walker; treasurer Minnis E. Inman; secretary, Gertrude Whitney; patriotic instructor, Annie Clark; guide, Mary Morrison; assistant guide, Evelyn Slater; color guards, Lois Vickery and Elvira Coyne; inside guard, Nellie Cummings; outside guard, Martha King; press correspondent, Maude Vickery; musician, Melvina Hilkins; judge advocate, Harold Kenyon. The following year, the officers were reélected. In 1923 they were: President, Georgianna Knight; vice-president, Etta Gunner; chaplain, Lena Bell; treasurer, Grace Gunner; secretary, Anne K. Jost; patriotic instructor, Josephine Peckham; guides, Mary Morrison and Evelyn Slater; color guards, Agnes Fisher and Agnes Fittz; inside guard, Edith Tillson; outside guard, Lena Sherman; press correspondent, Elizabeth Stearns; pianist, Grace Austin; past president, Gertrude Eldridge; judge advocate, Albert Gunner. There was a membership of seventy-two in 1923.

W. V., observed its fifteenth anniversary January 10, 1923. During the latter part of the year 1907, writes Carl J. Gronvald (thirteen years quartermaster of the camp), headed by Major George H. Sykes, the war captain of Company I, Fifth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, several of the men who had served in contingents in the Spanish War began to hold preliminary meetings at the old G. A. R. Hall, corner Bank and Park streets, Major Sykes presiding as commander pro tem., Captain Lawrence W. Cook as adjutant, and Alfred P. Whitehill as quartermaster. At these meetings it was decided to name the camp after Major Herbert A. Clark, who served as major of the Fifth Massachusetts Infantry during the war with Spain. The first officers elected were as follows: Commander, George H. Sykes; S. V. C., Joel M. Nichols; J. V. C., James W. Rhind; officer of the day, Max London; officer of the guard, Frank J. Blaine; surgeon, George A. Menard; trustees for three, two and one years respectively: Carl J. Gronvald, Harry C. Brandt, Frank C. Abbott; and the commander made the following appointments: Adjutant, Captain Lawrence W. Cook; quartermaster-sergeant, Edward M. Spencer. The camp mustered in, January 10, 1908. Captain Lawrence W. Cook was appointed commander in place of Major Sykes, who declined to serve, for business reasons. William H. Chadbourne was appointed adjutant in place of Commander Cook.

The Camp had its first inspection February 7; and on May 30 attended its first Memorial Day service, that has been the usage ever since. Uniforms were secured that year, and a $100 set of colors purchased. There were forty-eight names on the charter list in September. In December the Camp commenced to hold meetings at Barden's Hall, and June 1, 1911, admitted as a member James E. Murphy, who was a member of the crew of the "Merrimac" when that ship was sunk in Santiago harbor. May 17, 1917, the members of the camp offered their services to the mayor, and Liberty bonds were purchased June 7 and October 8. The year closed with sixty-three members. The present quarters on Pine street have been U. S. W. V. headquarters since 1919. The camp has participated in all the World War events, and in various of the municipal parades. The past commanders: Lawrence W. Cook, 1908-09; Joel M. Nichols, 1910; Charles E. Cunningham, 1911, and part of 1912; Charles H. Card, balance of 1912; William F. Douglas, 1913; Jacob Eugster, 1914; Felix Dorsett. 1915; Walter E. Gorman, 1916-17; Clyde R. Barnhill, 1918; Maurice Wheeler, 1919; Herbert EF. Bennett, 1920; Charles H. Card, 1921; Walter N. Jutras, 1922.

A Ladies' Auxiliary for the camp was formed March 23, 1910. Mrs. W. E. Gorman was the first president. The officers in 1923: President, Mary Lee; S. V. P., Fabiola Jutras; J. V. P., Anna Jackson; chaplain, Caroline Videtto; secretary, Inez Cunningham; treasurer, Alice Burnhill; historian, Mollie McEnroe; patriotic instructor, Agnes Wing.

American Legion. - The call for the organization of a Post of the American Legion in Attleboro was effected by Captain Charles T. Crossman and Herbert C. Crowell. The first meeting for organization was held at Chamber of Commerce headquarters, May 26, 1919, with the followingnimed attending: Captain Charles T. Crossman, Herbert C. Crowell, C. Raymond Carpenter, John A. Ferguson, Earl Williams, Joseph L. Fuller, Wiiliam Ebert. The next meeting was held a week later, at the residence of C. Raymond Carpenter, when it was decided that the post be represented at the Worcester convention of the Legion, June 6, 1919. By that time twenty-one members were enrolled. Messrs. Crossman, Crowell, Carpenter, Lawson and Pinkham represented the post at the convention, where the charter was received. Five members represented the post at the national convention in November, and Captain Crossman was a delegate to the national convention at Minneapolis. These were the first officers: Commander, John A. Ferguson; vice-commander, C. Raymond Carpenter; adjutant, Herbert C. Crowell; treasurer, Dr. John A. Reese; trustees, Charles T. Crossman and G. Roger Sturtevant. Officers in 1920: Commander, Harold Semple, upon whose resignation Dr. John W. Clarke was elected to that position; vice-commander, Lawson Pinkham; finance officer, Dr. John A. Reese; assistant finance officer, Herbert S. Faulkner; adjutant, C. Raymond Carpenter; sergeant-major, Joseph C. Fuller; chaplain, Harry Chalmers; historian, Solomon Rotenberg. The officers in 1921: Commander, Dr. Joshua W. Clark; first V. C., Raymond Knight; second V. C., Daniel Lammond; adjutant, C. Raymond Carpenter; finance officer, Dr. John A. Reese; Chaplain, Charles T. Crossman; historian, Frank H. Straker ; sergeant-major, Miss Catherine Woodward; assistant finance officer, Frederick Hawkins; sergeant-at-arms, John A. Ferguson. The membership of the local Legion in 1923 was about 200. The organization purchased the J. M. Bates estate on North Main street, and furnished the barn in the property as club-rooms. The officers for 1922: Commander, Forster C: Burbank; S. V. C., Ralph Simmonds; J. V. C., Charles B. Cooper; chaplain, Peter Whalley; adjutant, Fred Walker; finance officer, Fred Hawkins; assistant finance officer, Harold Bates; sergeant-major, Frank White, Jr.; historian, Pearl Baker. For 1923: Commander, Charles B. Cooper; S. V. C., Emory Boudreau; J. V. C., Lindred C. Thurber; chaplain, Peter Whalley; finance officer, Anton Butziger; assistant finance officer, John Ferguson; adjutant, Alfred H. Patterson; sergeant-major, Edward Martineau; historian, Pearl Baker.

The Women's Auxiliary unit of Attleboro Post, No. 20, American Legion, was organized at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce, January 19, 1920, with the following-named officers: President, Alice A. Clarke ; vicepresident, Rosamond Carpenter; treasurer, Lizetta Fiske; secretary, Minnie L. Wiggmore; assistant secretary, Ethel Faulkner. The temporary charter was received April 5, 1920. Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Carpenter and Mrs. Crossman were delegates to the State convention at Boston. The officers for 1921: President, Alice A. Clarke; vice-president, Clara Jeffers; secretary, Rosamond Carpenter; treasurer, Florence Lamond; chaplain, Annie Geddes; guard, Gertrude Bates; conductress, Nabby Coffey. The Legion and Auxiliary visited Norfolk Hospital on Christmas eve, and entertained the Norfolk post at a basket-ball game at the armory, January 7. The first meeting at the Legion Home, 120 North Main street, was held May 2, 1921. Dinner was served all ex-service men at the Legion Home, Memorial Day, 1921. The W. R. C. presented the auxiliary with an altar-cover June 6, and the Spanish War Veterans Auxiliary presented them with a gavel. Officers for 1922: President, Alice A. Clarke; first vice-president, Alice Angell; second vice-vresident, Mary Patterson; secretary, Ethel Faulkner; treasurer, Florence Lamond; chaplain, Florence Straker; sentry, Gertrude Bates; historian, Jessie Walker.

On Mothers' Day, in May, the members of the auxiliary called upon every gold-star mother. The banquet this year for ex-service men was in charge of Mrs. Emma Allen, and the auxiliary assisted the Red Cross membership drive and the tuberculosis stamp drive. Officers for 1923: President, Alice Angell; first vice-president, Gertrude Crossman; second vice-president, Mary Patterson; secretary, Ethel Faulkner; treasurer, Myrtle Baker; chaplain, Florence Straker; conductor, Gladys Moore; guard, Gertrude Bates; historian, Vera Palmer. There was a public installation January 16. The May festival was conducted by the Legion, with Mrs. Roy C. Woodworth of the auxiliary as chairman. The membership August 1, 1923 was 241.

Veterans of Foreign Wars. - Almost upon the arrival home of the men who shared in the World War, the work of organizing a Post of Veterans of Foreign Wars was begun. First meetings were held in Spanish War Veterans Hall, and on the evening of March 21, 1918, Gilbert-Perry Post was formed as a memorial to Jerome F. Gilbert and Joseph Perry, two Attleboro boys who lost their lives in the war. At about the same time the new post organized a drum and bugle corps. The first officers were: Commander, John H. Candelet; senior vice-commander, Joseph Gilbert; junior vice-commander, Roy Matteson; adjutant, Roy Gronvald. The Veterans have been occupying their County street hall since 1919. In succession, the presidents of the post have been Joseph Gilbert, Thomas Monahan, and in 1923, Otis Barton. The other officers in 1923: Senior vice-commander, Harry Ayette; junior vice-commander, J. Davignon; adjutant, William Wetherell; quartermaster, Carl J. Gronvald; quartermaster-sergeant, William Beland; chaplain, Harry Lessart.

The Ladies' Auxiliary to Gilbert-Perry Post, V. F. W., was formed October 20, 1919, with forty charter members. The first officers were: President, Maud Candelet; senior vice-president, Hattie Burns; junior vicepresident, Martha Sylvia;'treasurer, Alice Cronan; secretary, Jennie Cronan; chaplain, Elsie Cook; conductress, Ethel White; historian, Mildred Matteson; patriotic instructor, Esther Flanagan. The president in 1921 was Martha Sylvia; and the leading officers in 1922 and 1923: President, Mary McDonald; secretary, Lola Seeton; treasurer, Sadie Witherell. There were 104 members in 1923.

Company I Association. - The present Company I Association, as organized in 1923 by Captain Charles T. Crossman and a number of other veterans of wars, has for its purpose the perpetuation of the name and patriotic aims of the old Company I, Fifth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, that was mustered into service June 15, 1861. At the first meeting for organization in 1923, there were thirty-two charter members, and the membership the latter part of that year numbered ninety-seven, the officers being Captain Charles T. Crossman, president; Major George H. Sykes, vice-president; David L. Low, secretary; Ernest F. Childs, treasurer; Fred Northup, his-' torian. The outline of the story of Company I during the Civil War has been told in the chapter relating to that event. For years after the war, and after that company had been disbanded, a desire had been expressed to form an independent military company here, and the opportunity to do so came in 1887, when under a new law, the military force of the State was increased.

With the preliminary meeting in Engine Hall, October 5, 1887, and with temporary organization effected, George A. Adams was elected captain, Thomas K. Gay first lieutenant, O. P. Richardson, Jr., second lieutenant. There were sixty-four charter members, and on November 18, 1887, the company was mustered into service by Colonel Bancroft as Company I, Fifth Regiment, M. V. M., the names of the original company being as follows: George A. Adams, George L. Bullard, Bradford Bullock, C. E. Briggs, F. B. Eldridge, Thomas K. Gay, FE. L. Gowen, O. W. Hawkins, F. E. Keeler, Charles Allen, E. H. Briggs, W. B. Bliss, H. A. Clark, A. G. Fuller, F. C. Gray, L. F. Goff, A. S. Ingraham, O. A. Knight, W. B. Allen, Pee esiackinton, jr., C: IT. Burr, J.° D.Chilson, Co BP Borrester, "As A. Guild, W. H. Goff, L. B. Kingman, D. L. Lowe, J. H. Lewis, W. T. Mason, Samuel McCartney, A. W. Parmenter, G. F. Power, C. F. Rhodes, C. H. Swift, C. A. Sturdy, F. E. Tripp, D. E. Wilmarth, H. C. Luther, Eugene Martin, T. T. McAdams, G. A. Pierce, O. P. Richardson, jr., C. E. Richards, G. E. Snow, David Smiley, E. A. Taylor, G. O. Wilmarth, E. F. Young, F. L. Morse, R. D. Manchester, G. C. Parker, H. R. Packard, A. M. Richards, C. A. Richardson, G. H. Sykes, F. E. Smith, J. F. Woodard, M. L. Wood; and February 27, 1888, the following-named were also mustered in: F. E. Allen, F. C. Power, O. P. Bliss, I. W. Smith, J. E. Pagney, George White. ; These were the first commissioned officers of the company: Captain William H. Goff; First lieutenant George A. Adams; Second lieutenant O. P. Richardson, jr., and the non-commissioned officers appointed by the captain were: Sergeants - Fred L. Morse, Herbert A. Clark, Thomas K. Gay, D. E. Wilmarth, Clarence FE. Richards; corporals - Frank E. Keeler, George H. Sykes, Amos S. Blackinton, Charles A. Sturdy. From the time of its first inspection, Company I held a high place, and it has always maintained that standard. Regimental field day manceuvers were held here in 1890 as a compliment to the company. In 1896, Captain William H. Goff retiring, Herbert Clark was elected captain. George H. Sykes was appointed the captain of the company upon the retirement of Captain Clark in 1897, and so continued through the period of the Spanish-American War. Upon the reorganization of the company after that war, Charles A. Richardson was captain, his brother O. P. Richardson, Jr., having been an officer in the company previously. Upon his retirement in 1900, William H. Goff, Jr., became the company's chief officer, his father, William H. Goff, having been the original captain. In 1904, Fred Northrup was captain, and so continued to 1906, when the office was held by Lawrence Cook. In 1913, Thomas J. Williams was the captain, and with it went to the Mexican border, when Charles T. Crossman was first lieutenant, and Henry Neville second lieutenant. The company was called out to the service of the World War, July 25, 1917. In August, 1917, it was broken up at Framingham, and merging with the Ninth Massachusetts formed the 101st. Thus closed the military history of Company I and of the Fifth Regiment as such organizations by name.

Captain Charles T. Crossman, the present president of the association, who left Attleboro as first lieutenant in Company I of the 101st Infantry, was promoted for meritorious service, and was cited for extraordinary bravery while in action in France. Corporal Joseph Perry, who was. with

Company I on the Mexican border, and again when it went to Framingham, was made a corporal overseas, and was killed in action, November 27, 1918. Private Earle I. Brown, of that company, died of wounds in France, September 12, 1918; Private Harry Atterian died October 26, 1918, of wounds received in action in France; Charles O. Fiske died of fever in France, December 17, 1918; Percy E. Cobb died of disease in France, June 14, 1918; Jerome F. Gilbert died of wounds in France, June 15, 1918; Albert Larose was killed in action in France, October 24, 1918; Joseph L. Ritchie was killed in action in France, October 26, 1918; Edward Quintin died in France in October, 1918; Corporal Lester L. Simmons was killed in action in France, October 25, 1918; Sergeant Herbert D. Parmenter died in the service October 24, 1918. Following the battle of Seicheprey, where Company I figured so largely in the casualties, President Wilson, through Secretary Tumulty, forwarded to the editor of the Attleboro Sun a letter of sympathy and appreciation.

Masonic Fraternity. - Ezekiel Bates Lodge, A. F. and A. M., chartered April 9, 1870, may be called the offspring of Bristol Lodge, A. F. and A. M., which was organized in Norton in 1797, moved to Attleboro East Precinct, in 1812, and in 1830 removed to North Attleboro. About the year 1868, twenty-four brothers resident in Attleboro, all but one of them members of Bristol Lodge, eager to establish a separate lodge in the east part of the town, became active to that end, and finally, through the influence of Ezekiel Bates, a resident of the town and a member and past master of Saint Andrew's Lodge, A. F. and A. M., secured a dispensation from the M. W. Grand Lodge, and Ezekiel Bates Lodge was formed under dispensation, with Daniel H. Smith as its first master. Arrangements were made with Lyman Dean to add another story to the block he was then building on Park street for a Masonic hall, which was dedicated, and the lodge formally constituted on September 6, 1871. Brother Ezekiel Bates, for whom the lodge was named, and who presented the lodge with the beautiful jewels now in use for the officials, and who was its benefactor in many other ways, died in March, 1871, before the constitution of the lodge. The lodge grew in numbers, and at the expiration of a five years' lease of Dean's Hall, arrangements were made with Brother James H. Sturdy for more pretentious headquarters in the two upper stories of the brick block he was then planning to build; and in 1876 a fifteen years' lease was taken, and the lodge moved to the Sturdy building, where it remained until 1895, when its apartments in the Bronson building were leased. In 1883, the lodge, some $1,500 in debt, held a three nights' fair in the new watch-case factory of Brother Joseph M. Bates, liquidated all debts, and turned over to the trustees a surplus of $2,600 as a permanent fund. From that time onwards the lodge has prospered and grown to its present large membership.

Attleboro Council, Royal and Select Masters, at the date of precedence, December 11, 1872, had twenty-one charter members. The membership in 1923 was 288, and the officers for the year ending September, 1923, were: Thrice Illustrious Master Ralph C. Estes; deputy master, Fred H. Richards; principal conductor of the work, Charles D. Blaikie; treasurer, Harlan A. Allen; recorder, Illustrious Winthrop F. Barden.

King Hiram Royal Arch Chapter had sixty-five charter members at the date of precedence, March 7, 1876. The membership in 1923 was 322, and the officers were: High Priest, Charles D. Blaikie; king, Benjamin W. Taylor; scribe, William P. Orr; chaplain, James E. Totten; treasurer, Fred E. Briggs; secretary, William W. Josselyn; captain of host, Charles Thomas.

Bristol Commandery, No. 29, Knights Templar, had seventeen charter members when petition to organize was granted May 26, 1871. The membership in 1923 was 418, and the officers for the year ending September that year were: Commander, Eminent Sir Lewis S. Chilson; generalisimo, Sir Robert L. Cooks; captain general, Sir A. Vernon Wilson; senior warden, Sir George A. Knowles; junior warden, Sir Adelbert M. Barden; prelate, Sir George E. Osgood; treasurer, Sir Fred H. Richards; recorder, Sir Harold W. Mason.

Hope Chapter, Order Eastern Star, at its precedence, October 23, 1893, had forty-one charter members. The membership in 1923 was 449. The officers for the year ending the first Monday in January, 1924: Worthy Matron, Mrs. Alice A. Joselyn; associate matron, Mrs. Margaret T. Gilmore; worthy patron, Robert L. Cooke; secretary, Mrs. Minnie A. Briggs, P. M.; treasurer, Mrs. Caroline T. Sears, P. M.; conductress, Mrs. Mabel B. Dunham; associate conductress, Miss Phyllis W. Sadler; chaplain, Mrs.

Odd Fellows. - Orient Lodge, No. 165, I. O. O. F., was at first composed entirely of members of Aurora Lodge, thirty-four in number. Gideon Horton and twenty-nine others petitioned for a charter, and the lodge was instituted October 2, 1873, at Briggs block, in the present G. A. R. Hall. August 10, 1884, Orient Lodge removed to Horton's block; and in May, 1887, to new quarters in the Bates Opera House. The first elective officers were: N.G., Gideon M. Horton; V. G., John Baxter; R. S., Elijah R. Read; treasurer, Stephen T. Smith; P. S., C. H. Pond. The membership in 1923 was about 400. The officers at that time: N. G., John Perry; V. G., John Torry; secretary, Harold Pierce; financial secretary, Henry Pearce; treasurer, Elmer Potter.

St. John's Council, K. of C. - St. John's Council, No. 404, Knights of Columbus, has had a long and pleasing history, and ranks well up in the front with the councils in this part of New England. It was instituted by James Gorman, district deputy of Fall River, February 13, 1899, with Thomas E. McCaffrey as the first grand knight, and with fifty-five charter members. The following-named have been grand knights of the council since the start: Thomas Nolan, Thomas Bradley, W. J. Kenney, James Currie, M. A. Galligan, Hugh Gaffney, John Foley, W. J. Corcoran, Charles Crehan, Dr. J. L. McCarthy, Hugh EF. Butler, Henry V. Kelly, George J. Leach, H. Earle Brown, W. E. Coffey, W. J. Duffy, John H. Lahey, Joseph A. Smith, Edward F. Colvin, James J. Murphy. Few councils can show so fine a record for World War service as this one, as fifty-five out of a total membership of one hundred and sixty-five entered the military and naval service of the United States during that war. The sum of $3600 was raised in the Attleboro Knights of Columbus drive in the year 1917, this being apart from their contribution to the general drive of 1918. The membership in 1923 was 265. The officers in 1923: Grand Knight, James F. Murphy; deputy grand knight, Richard A. Cleary; recorder, John Lyons; chancellor, Fred J. Franz; financial secretary, T. E. Colman; treasurer, W. J. Duffy; warden, John Gaboury; inside guard, Louis Clarkin; outside guards, Frank Brady and Louis Mulligan; advocate, Russell Blaine; board of trustees: Joseph A. Smith, Edward F. Colvin, Louis J. Blaine; chaplain, Rev. Father D. F. Sheedy.

Alcazaba Council, No. 65, Daughters of Isabella, meets the second and fourth Wednesdays in Manchester Unity Hall. The officers in 1923: Regent, Eleanor Robinson; vice-regent, Agnes Garrick; secretary, Katherine Foley; treasurer, Monica Bowen.

of Boston Lodge, No. 34, New England supervisor. The first dictator was Louis E. Porter, the secretary Ernest M. Fuller. There was a charter membership of 661. The membership in 1923 was 648. The dictator was William H. Oldenberg; the secretary, George E. Keagan.

Mary A. Fallon Court, No. 178, M. C. O. F., was instituted June 8, 1900, with eighteen charter members. The membership for the year ending 1922 was 160. The court is located in Emmett Hall, 45 Park street.

Pythagoras Lodge, No. 70, Knights of Pythias, of Attleboro, was instituted May 26, 1885, with forty charter members. The membership December 31, 1922, was 189. The officers for the year were: Edward Sanford, Jr., chancellor commander; Walter Peckham, vice-chancellor; Edward Lane, prelate; Ellsworth Fields, master of work; G. G. Bullock, keeper of records and seal; W. P. Waugh, master of finance; John F. Hempel, master of exchequer; Theo. Wrightington, master-at-arms; Robert Crook, inner guard; Leon Walker, outer guard; William Hochberg and Charles H. Bliss, representatives to Grand Lodge.

Attleboro Lodge, No. 1014, B. P. O. Elks, with meeting place at Odd Fellows' Hall, the officers for 1922: Exalted Ruler, George A. Sweeney; esteemed loyal knight, George E. Macdonald; esteemed lecturing knight, - John P. Eagan; secretary, Virgil Blackinton; treasurer, Ernest M. Fuller.

Pennington Lodge, No. 44, A. O. U. W., was organized in June, 1882. The officers in 1922: Master Workman, August B. Gurn; recorder, Willard I. Alger; treasurer, George A. Sweeney.

Hospitaller Commandery, No. 279, Knights of Malta, organized March 6, 1900, meets the first and third Tuesdays at Odd Fellows' Hall. S. Wesley Hollis was recorder in 1922.

Bernice Sisterhood, No. 19, Dames of Malta, meets at Odd Fellows' Hall, first and third Mondays. The officers in 1922: Queen Esther, Mrs. Sarah Peck; Ruth, Mrs. Ella Fletcher; Naomi, Miss Marion Fountain; keeper of archives, Miss Oliva Ricketts.

New England Order of Protection meets at G. A. R. Hall the second and fourth Tuesdays. The officers in 1922: Warden, Harry Fisher; vicewarden, Ralph Gunner; secretary, Ernest M. Fuller; treasurer, James H. Rogers.

Miscellaneous. - The French people, skilled in jewelry-working, as well as in cotton-manufacturing, have become represented here in numbers by their families during the past twenty years. As almost everywhere else in this country, at least, L'Union St. Jean Baptiste was the first fraternal organization, it having been established about the year 1893. It was this first nucleus of the French inhabitants here who secured the foundation of St. Joseph parish. Soon afterwards, the Laurier Club was formed, that later became merged with the present Civics Club. Then in turn came the fraternal societies such as Les Artisans, and the Forestiers-Franco-Americain, organized in 1908; its president in 1923 was Omer Dupuis. There is a Court of Women Foresters that has been in existence since 1915; Mrs. Omer Laponte is the president. The Ladies' Catholic Benevolent Association, also a French society, was organized with Miss Eunice Danis as the president. Club Nationale, formerly the French Tireurs, was organized in 1921, when Joseph Tharl was the president. The president in 1923 was William Audette.

For twelve years at least the Jewish people have been active in Attleboro in the business, social and patriotic lines, and in their own religious and fraternal interests. The synagogue, Agudath Achim, on Pearl street, a building purchased of the society of the Swedish church, was first occupied by the Jewish people in 1911. With Louis Rotenberg as chairman, a committee composed of the following-named, brought about the purchase of the building and the settlement of a regular rabbi for the congregation: M. B. Sholevitz, Charles Fine, Samuel Friedman, Max London. The first president of the society was J. Rotenberg. Joseph Finberg, prominent in the affairs of the city, is an honorary member of the congregation. Rabbi Zitomersky is the rabbi in charge.

Attleboro Lodge of the Independent Order Brith Abraham, was instituted in 1907, with thirty-four charter members. Maurice Spector was the first president; Joseph Rotenberg was secretary. There are sixty-four members at the present time (1923), both men and women. Oscar Moshkowitz is the president, Joseph Rotenberg is the secretary. Louis Rotenberg is the district deputy. The Jewish people have built forty-nine tenement houses here within the past twelve years.

Historian Daggett declares that it was his belief that the town had four organized companies of militia during the Revolutionary period, namely, the North, South, East and West companies; and that one company was organized during the War of 1812 for special service. In 1832, he states at a muster of brigade in Berkley the Washington Rifle' Corps of Attleboro was among the organizations present.