Madison County, Indiana - Chapter 16: Societies and Fraternities, 1914

Agricultural Societies - Fair Associations and Fairs - Anderson Lyceum - Old Settlers 7 Association - The Patrons op Husbandry - Horse Thief Detective Association - The Masonic Fraternity - Independent Order op Odd Fellows - Knights op Pythias - Im¬ proved Order op Red Men - Grand Army op the Republic - A Liv¬ ing Flag - Benevolent and Protective Order op Elks - Loyal Order op Moose - Miscellaneous Lodges and Societies - Trades Unions - Daughters op the American Revolution.

One of the first societies to be organized in Madison county was an agricultural society. In May, 1835, the county commissioners ordered '' That notice be given by posting up manuscript advertisements at Pendleton, Andersontown and New Columbus, that a meeting for the purpose of organizing an agricultural society in Madison county will be held at Andersontown on the last Saturday of May, instant, and that the sheriff be required to give said notice. 77

No record of what was done at that meeting can be found, but it is quite probable that a society of some sort was organized, as the com¬ missioners records for March 7, 1837, contain the following entry: ' ' Ordered by the board, that the sum of twenty-five dollars of the county funds of Madison county be, and the same is hereby, appropriated to the agricultural society of said county, which sum shall be audited by the clerk and paid by the county treasurer to the president of said society. 7 7

The first fair in the county, so far as can be learned, was a private enterprise, projected by Archibald Parker and Joseph Barnes, and was given upon the public square in 1837. No admission fee was charged and no premiums were awarded except the red and blue ribbons. The next fair was at Huntsville in 1839, but little can be ascertained con¬ cerning it, further than that William Roach, Isaac Busby, John H. Cook, Conrad Crossley and John J. Lewis were the active promoters of the fair.

There is no record showing that the agricultural society of 1835 ever gave an exhibit of farm products. This society did not live long and in 1850 a second society was organized with Dr. Townsend Ryan as pres¬ ident. The first fairs held by this society were on grounds at the west end of Tenth street, on what is now known as the Sansberry homestead. In June, 1862, William Crim, one of the county commissioners, was ordered by the board to purchase twelve acres of the Michael Ryan land, near Anderson, "for the use of the Madison County Agricultural Society (Fair Ground), said purchase not to exceed $33 per acre." At the September term following Mr. * Crim reported the purchase of lots Nos. 13 and 14, Thomas Moore's addition to the town of Anderson, each containing six acres, for the sum of $406. The purchase was approved by the board and on the same day the lots were donated to the agricultural society, on condition that the society would fit up and properly maintain a fair ground upon the same. Failure to comply with the conditions imposed would cause the lots to revert to the county. In June, 1868, the society paid back to the county the purchase price of $406, with interest, and received a deed to the fair grounds. Lots 13 and 14 of Moore addition were immediately north of Eighth street and west of the Michigan division of the Big Four Railroad, extending north to the vicinity of the present Third street. They have since been subdivided and are now covered with comfortable homes.

Under the act of February 20, 1867, the Pendleton Agricultural Society was organized at a meeting held in Judge Hervey Craven's office on June 20, 1867, when a committee of ten was appointed to solicit stock subscriptions. On July 27, 1867, a second meeting was held and the articles of association were adopted. That same month the society purchased of W. V. Shanklin eighteen acres of ground for a fair ground. On February 8, 1868, J. H. Kinnard w^as elected president of the society; E. Williams, secretarj% and J. W. Bomgardner, treasurer. The first fair was held by this society in September, 1868, and annual exhibits were held thereafter until 1876, when the society was disbanded.

In the meantime the Madison County Joint-Stock Agricultural Society had been organized in May, 1868, with William Crim as pres¬ ident, Dr. Townsend Ryan, secretary, and John P. Barnes, treasurer. On the last day of that month a tract of ground a short distance of the old fair grounds was leased and the first fair was given by the society the following fall. A considerable sum of money was expended in mak¬ ing improvements upon the grounds and fairs were held annually until 1890. The last three fairs preceding that year had not been well at¬ tended and the society underwent some financial reverses. The land in the meantime had increased in value, proceedings had been instituted for opening streets through the grounds, and in 1890 they were sub¬ divided into residence lots and the old joint-stock agricultural society passed out of existence.

From 1892 to 1894 the North Anderson Driving Park Association held annual races on grounds in North Anderson. Of this association H. C. Ryan was president; C. K. McCullough, secretary; W. T. Durbin, treasurer; N. A. Free, superintendent. Large stables and a mile track were provided, but the races were not patronized as liberally as the asso¬ ciation had anticipated, the stockholders refused to meet the assess¬ ments, and the grounds were sold by order of the circuit court in 1894.

The last fair ground established in the vicinity of Anderson was situated on the right bank of White river, at the east end of Ninth street. Fairs were held here for a few years, but they were not suc¬ cessful, owing to a general lack of interest, and the fair grounds were sold to the city of Anderson for a public park. This park was dedicated on July 4, 1913, and is known as ' 4 Foster Park," from the fact that the land was purchased during the administration of Hon. Frank P. Foster as mayor.

The Elwood Driving Park and Fair Association was organized on October 3, 1895, with C. C. Dehority, P. T. O'Brien, D. G. Evans, M. J. Clancy, H. G. Harting and F. M. Harbit as the first board of directors. Fairs have been held here annually since that time and have been fairly well attended. Horse, corn and poultry shows are given every year at Alexandria, Lapel and Pendleton.

A society known as the Anderson Lyceum was organized in 1858 for the purpose of discussing current topics and such questions as might come before it. One of the questions debated soon after the society was organized was the ''Kansas Question," which just then was attracting universal attention. Among the debaters were such men as Dr. Townsend Ryan, Neal C. McCullough, Thomas N. Stilwell, Milton S. Robinson, James M. Dickson, Thomas W. Cook and I. N. Terwilliger, all of whom were more or less prominent in public life in later years.

Probably the first old settlers' meeting in the county was held at Pendleton in 1856. Among those who participated were John Marklc, John H. Cook, Thomas Silver, Isaac Busby, Conrad Crossley, Samuel D. Irish and Abel Johnson, all of whom have since passed to their reward. The next meeting of this character, of which there is any account, was held at Alexandria in July, 1873. It was attended by people from all parts of the county and by some from adjoining counties, and a general interest was awakened in the importance of perpetuating the history and traditions of pioneer days. The following year the old settlers of Mad¬ ison and Hamilton counties held a meeting near Perkinsville. Other meetings were held at various places during the next twenty years, but it was not until July 16, 1894, that steps were taken to form a perma¬ nent Old Settlers' Association. On that date a meeting called by Sam¬ uel Harden, Rufus H. Williams and others assembled for the purpose. John L. Forkner presided at the meeting and William P. Newman acted as secretary. In the organization of the association Francis Watkins was elected president and a vice-president was chosen from each township in the county. The first meeting held under the auspices of the associa¬ tion was in Ruddle's grove on August 30, 1894. It was largely attended and John H. Terhune, then major of Anderson, welcomed the visitors in an appropriate address. A number of speeches were made by old residents, among whom were J. M. Farlow, Dr. Ward Cook, James Hollingsworth, Charles Fisher, James W. Sansberry, Samuel Myers, and David S. Gooding. Since then meetings have been held every year and a record of the proceedings of the association has been kept. This record contains many interesting facts concerning the manners and customs of pioneer days and some day it will prove a veritable mine of information to the historian. The last meeting of the association was held at Mounds Park, near Anderson, Sunday, August 10, 1913.

In the early '70s an organization called the Patrons of Husbandry came into existence and in a short time spread over the entire country. It mi'ght be. called a union of farmers, whose objects were to secure bet¬ ter prices for their products and better transportation rates on rail- roads. One of the cardinal principles was to do away with the middle¬ man as far as possible and buy directly from the manufacturer. To carry out this principle cooperative stores were established by the order in a number of towns and cities. Local societies were called granges, and the members of the organization soon came to be known as Grangers. The first grange in Madison county of which any definite account can be gathered, was Normal Grange, No. 218, which was organized on July 3, 1873, with F. M. Wood as master and A. E. Swain as secretary. Dageon Grange, No. 348, was organized on July 12, 1873, with thirty-three charter members; P. S. Baker, master; M. H. Hannon, secretary. On August 8, 1873, a grange was organized at Osceola, and on the 28th of the same month Manring Grange, No. 357, was organized at the Manring schoolhouse in Monroe township, with thirty-five charter members. Jesse Hall was elected master and N. H. Manring, secretary. Richland Grange, No. 464, was organized at the College Corner schoolhouse in Richland township, with David Croan as master and Jonathan Dillon as secretary. Charity Grange, No. 588, was organized on October 6, 1873, with J. S. Guysinger as master and Lenox Gooding as secretary. Two days later Fishersburg Grange, No. 554, was organized with Harvey Gwinn as master and Harrison Quick as secretary. On the 9th Adams Grange, No. 590, so named from the township in which it was located, was organized with fifteen charter members, but the membership in¬ creased rapidly and before the close of the year was over fifty. Ander¬ son Grange, No. 520, received its charter on October 10, 1873, with twenty charter members, but the names of the first master and secretary cannot be learned. On October 12, 1873, Markleville Grange, No. 625, was organized by William G. Lewis, of Grant county, Indiana, who was one of the regular organizers of the order and assisted in the establish¬ ment of most of the Madison county granges. Pleasant Grove Grange, No. 495, was organized on October 21, 1874, with twenty-one charter members. Buttonwood Grange, No. 891, was organized on November 6, 1873, with sixteen charter members. Boston Grange, No. 1122, was organized on December 23, 1873, with J. R. Boston as master and J. L. Fussell as secretary. Huntsville Grange, No. 1166, was organized on January 9, 1874, with thirteen charter members. Richmond Chapel Grange, No. 1167, was organized on January 13, 1874, and there were also granges organized in Union and Fall Creek townships about the same time, or a little before. They were known as Union Grange, No. 422, and Fall Creek Grange, No. 544, but nothing of their history can be ascertained.

There were a few other granges established in the county and by the close of the year 1874 it was estimated that over 1,200 Madison county farmers were members of the order. It was not long until design¬ ing men gained admission to the Grange and began using it to further their political ambitions, so that the usefulness of the organization was destroyed. There is no doubt, however, that the agitation begun in the Grange movement, as it was called, has been responsible for much of the subsequent legislation regarding freight and passenger rates on railroads. Women were eligible to membership and held offices in the local granges.

Some years ago a Horse Thief Detective Association was organized in the state of Kansas for the purpose of running down horse thieves, thefts of that character being of common occurrence. Other states took up the idea and a National Horse Thief Detective Association was the result. Bankers and merchants were admitted to membership and a robbery or burglary committed against one of the members soon enlists the aid of the entire association in the effort to apprehend the offender. Several branches of this association have been established in Madison county. They are Central, No. 40; Jackson Township, No. 46; Pleas¬ ant Grove, No. 74; Lilly Creek, No. 88; Alexandria, No. 114; Frankton, No. 132; Scatterfield, No. 136; Monroe Township, No. 141; Good In¬ tent, No. 159; Elwood, No. 173; Lapel, No. 175, and Anderson, No. 210.

The Masonic fraternity was the first of the charitable or benevolent secret societies to establish a lodge in Madison county. On January 29, 1841, nine Masons met at Pendleton to consider the question of applying to the grand master for a dispensation to organize a lodge in that village. These nine men, who afterward became the original members of the lodge, were John H. Cook, James L. Bell, Thomas Adamson, Archibald Cooney, Henry Wyman, Samuel D. Irish, William H. Mershon, William Roach and Thomas Silver. All signed a petition to the grand master for a dispensation, which was granted, and on February 10, 1841, the lodge was formally instituted. On May 15, 1841, Bernard Thomas received* in this lodge the degree of Entered Apprentice, being the first man to be initiated into Masonry in Madison county. The first officers of the lodge were James L. Bell, worshipful master; William H. Mer shon, senior warden; Samuel D. Irish, junior warden; John H. Cook, secretary; Thomas Silver, treasurer; Joseph Chittwood, senior deacon; Thomas Adamson, junior deacon; William Roach, tiler.

This lodge continued under dispensation until May 24, 1842, when it received a charter from the grand lodge as Madison Lodge, No. 44, and on June 17, 1842, it was formally instituted under the charter by Thomas Silver, who was appointed a special deputy for the purpose. Meetings were at first held in the second story of a dwelling owned by John H. Cook, but in 1853 a Masonic hall was built by the lodge. After many years this building was torn down and the present Masonic Temple was erected in 1892 on the same lot, situated on the west side of State street. It is three stories in height and cost about $8,000 in the begin¬ ning, but improvements costing $1,100 were later added. On December 31, 1912, the lodge reported 124 members, to which additions are con¬ stantly being* made by the initiation of new members. In 1913 Ray O. Golder was worshipful master of the lodge, and George A. Phipps was secretary.

Chesterfield Lodge, No. 53, was chartered on May 27, 1844, with G. W. Ballingal, worshipful master; G. W. Godwin, senior warden; Edward M. Farland, junior warden. This lodge met in the hall over the school room for about thirty years, when it became so weakened by death and removal of members that it surrendered its charter in May, 1875.

Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 77, at Anderson, was organized under a dispensation on May 23, 1848, and received a charter on June 1, 1849. It was instituted in one of the second story rooms of the old courthouse, with Henry Wyman, worshipful master; Adam Reed, senior warden; Robert Wooster, junior warden; Richard Lake, secretary; G. T. Hoover, treasurer; Townsend Ryan, senior deacon; Burkett Eads, junior deacon.

Lodge meetings were held in the courthouse for awhile, when a room was secured on the third floor of the old United States Hotel. It appears that the traditional ' 4 peace and harmony / 9 did not prevail in the lodge after a few years, and in January, 1855, the charter was surrendered. A few months later a petition signed by twenty-eight Masons was pre¬ sented to the grand lodge, praying for a restoration of the charter, and on June 23, 1855, the petition was granted and the lodge was reorgan¬ ized with the original name and number. From that time until the completion of the Masonic Temple in 1896, Mount Moriah Lodge held meetings in various places, the last meeting place being in the old Union hall at the southeast corner of Eighth and Main streets. Regular meetings are now held in the temple on the second and fourth Mon¬ days of each month. In 1913 Henry W. Gante, Jr., was worshipful master, and George W. Bickford, secretary. This lodge now numbers about four hundred members.

Anderson Lodge, No. 114, was granted a dispensation on September 16, 1865, when a number of members withdrew from Mount Moriah and formed the new lodge. This was not the result of any dissension, but merely due to the fact that the membership of Mount Moriah had become so large that it was considered the part of wisdom to found a new one. On May 20, 1866, the lodge received a charter, taking the number 114 from Unity Lodge, of Perrysville, which had surrendered its charter. The first officers under the charter were H. J. Blacklidge, worshipful master; J. W. Smith, senior warden; W. Mitchell, junior warden. For some years the lodge held meeting in the same hall as Mount Moriah, when the two lodges were consolidated.

The corner-stone of the Masonic Temple at Anderson was laid on May 21, 1895, by J. A. Thompson, according to the rites of the order, and on March 23, 1896, the building was formally dedicated. It is located on the east side of Meridian street, between Tenth and Eleventh, in the business district of the city and is one of the finest Masonic Temples in the state. The ground floor is divided into business rooms, the front of the second floor consists of several nice suites of offices, in the rear of which is a club room and banquet hall, and the third floor is used exclu¬ sively for lodge purposes. The front of the building is of Indiana oolitic limestone and presents a handsome appearance. The total cost of the temple was about $40,000.

Ovid Lodge, No. 164, was instituted at New Columbus (now Ovid) under a charter dated May 24, 1854, with fourteen charter members and the following officers: B. W. Cooper, worshipful master; Joseph Peden, senior warden; William Malone, junior warden. For about six years the meetings of the lodge were held in the second story of a log building on the west side of the village, but on July 14, 1860, a new lodge room was dedicated by Joseph Eastman, William Roach and others who were deputized by the grand lodge officers for the occasion. After the cere¬ mony of dedication the members of the lodge and their guests joined in an open air dinner, after which a number of short addresses were made by those present. The charter members of this lodge all came from old Madison Lodge at Pendleton. On December 31, 1912, the lodge reported thirty-five members. Emrnor Williams was the worshipful master for 1913, and Loren Stohler was the secretary.

of probation under a dispensation. The first officers under the charter were: Andrew J. Griffith, worshipful master; J. M. Dehority, senior warden; David Barton, junior warden. At the close of the year 1912 the lodge numbered 345 members. 0. D. Hinshaw and George W. Osborn were the worshipful master and secretary, respectively, for the year 1913. Quincy Lodge has a comfortable home and is in a prosperous condition. Regular meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.

Alexandria Lodge, No. 235, was organized under a dispensation dated October 3, 1856, and received a charter bearing the same date as that of

Quincy Lodge - May 25, 1858. The first officers of the lodge were R. H. Hannah, worshipful master; John Cobum, senior warden; Moses Harris, junior warden. The first hall owned by this lodge was 20 by 60 feet. It now owns the third floor of the large brick building at the northeast corner of John and Harrison streets, where regular meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. In 1913 Blaine H. Bail was the worshipful master, and Frank E. Henshaw was the secretary. Alexandria Lodge has about two hundred members.

A Masonic lodge was organized at Perkinsville on June 3, 1858, under dispensation, and on May 25, 1859, it received a charter as Perkinsville Lodge, No. 247. At one time the lodge numbered over sixty members and owned a well furnished hall, but reverses came and it finally sur¬ rendered its charter.

Frankton Lodge, No. 290, received its charter on May 27, 1863, with A. G. Tomlinson as worshipful master; William R. Stoker, senior warden; Lafayette Osborn, junior warden. The writer has been unable to learn the history of this lodge, but it evidently has undergone a re¬ organization of some kind, as the Masonic lodge at Frankton now bears the number 607. The lodge has a comfortable, well equipped hall and the secretary's report to the grand lodge for the year ending on Decem¬ ber 31, 1912, showed sixty-one members. Regular meetings are held on the first and third Fridays of each month. In 1913 Wayne L. Hobbs was worshipful master and Elmer E. Carter was secretary.

Rural Lodge, No. 324, at Markleville, received its charter from the grand lodge on May 24, 1864, and was regularly organized with ten charter members and the following officers: John Justice, worshipful master; John Boram, senior warden; F. L. Seward, junior warden. Meetings were at first held in the second story of Samuel Harden's dwelling and later over a shoe shop and in the second story of Hardy & Lewis' store building. In March, 1879, the lodge surrendered its charter, most of the members uniting with the lodge at Ovid. A few years ago Markleville Lodge, No. 629, obtained a charter from the grand lodge, and on December 31, 1912, reported forty members. For the year 1913 Lundy Seward was worshipful master and Frank Barnett was sec¬ retary. Following the old Masonic tradition, this lodge holds its regular meetings on 44 Thursday before the full moon."

A dispensation was granted to twelve Masons living in the vicinity of Fishersburg, in September, 1875, to organize a lodge in that village. No charter was ever obtained and in May, 1877, the lodge surrendered its records and furniture to the grand lodge.

Lapel Lodge, No. 625, located in the town of that name, is one of the youngest Masonic lodges in the county, but its membership is composed of men who believe in the tenets of the order and consequently is in a prosperous condition. The membership is small - only thirty-nine on December 31, 1913 - but constantly growing. Regular meetings are held on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. In 1913 Herbert Bates was worshipful master and Willard H. Thomas was secretary.

Fellowship Lodge, No. 681, which meets on the first and third Fridays of each month in the Masonic Temple at Anderson, received its charter on May 24, 1911. The worshipful master for 1913 was Edward Podmore

The youngest Masonic lodge in the county is located at Summitville. It was first organized under a dispensation granted on July 6, 1912, with Robert B. Given as worshipful master; Glen Lawrence, senior warden; Samuel B. Gilman, junior warden. A charter was granted by the grand lodge which met in Indianapolis in May, 1913, when the lodge was officially designated Summitville Lodge, No. 691. At the close of the year 1912 the lodge reported twenty-one members. The master and secretary for 1913 were respectively Robert B. Given and Carl L. Iliif. In the summer of that year a new building was erected just south of the bank, and the lodge acquired an interest in it by adding a story for lodge purposes, thus owning its own meeting place.

There are four Masonic chapters in the county, located at Pendleton, Anderson, Alexandria and Elwood. Pendleton Chapter, No. 51, Royal Arch Masons, is the oldest in the county. It was organized about the close of the Civil war and holds its regular meetings on the third Friday of each month. Anderson Chapter, No. 52, was organized in 1866 and meets on the first Monday of each month. Alexandria Chapter, No. 99, holds its regular meetings on the second Thursday of each month, and the meetings of Elwood Chapter, 109, are held every Thursday evening. All four of these chapters are prosperous and number among their members some of the best citizens of the towns in which they are situated.

Councils of the Royal and Select Masons are located at Pendleton, Anderson and Alexandria, and there is one commandery of Knights Templar, which is at Anderson. This commandery was organized on April 29, 1885, and holds its regular meetings on the third Thursday of each month.

The Order of the Eastern Star, a degree that is open to the wives and daughters of Master Masons, has chapters at Elwood, Pendleton, Anderson and Alexandria. Elwood Chapter, No. 71, meets on the sec¬ ond and fourth Wednesdays of each month; Pendleton Chapter, No. 138, meets on the same dates; Anderson Chapter, No. 154, holds its meetings on the first and third Tuesdays, and Alexandria Chapter, No. 179, meets on the first and third Fridays.

This benevolent order originated in England in the latter part of the eighteenth century. In 1812 delegates from the lodges about Man¬ chester met in that city and organized the " Manchester Unity, Inde¬ pendent Order of Odd Fellows." Thomas Wildey and another Odd Fellow came from England in 1818 and the next year organized a lodge at Baltimore, Maryland, receiving their charter from the Manchester Unity. On February 1, 1820, Washington Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Maryland was organized and a few years later the order in this country severed its relationship with the Manchester Unity.

first officers were G. W. Bailey, noble grand; James Beck, vice-grand; W. N. Lummis, secretary; George Brown, treasurer. For some time the lodge held its meetings in the Masonic hall, where it was organized, but in 1880 the trustees purchased a lot and in January, 1891, the Odd Fellows' hall was dedicated with the customary rites of the order. At the close of the year 1912 this lodge reported 282 members. Harry Stevens was then noble grand and S. B. McKee was secretary.

Anderson Lodge, No. 131, the second in the county, was instituted on April 18, 1853, in the room occupied by the Sons of Temperance in the old courthouse. The first officers were: G. R. Diven, noble grand; R. N. Clark, vice-grand; A. M. Williams secretary; William Wilson, treasurer. Meetings were at first held in the room where the lodge was organized, but in 1854 a room was secured on the third floor of the old

United States Hotel, at the southwest corner of Ninth and Main streets. In 1867 an agreement was made with the owner of the lot at the north¬ west corner of Ninth and Meridian streets, by which the third story of a new building was added by the Odd Fellows for a lodge room. This hall was destroyed by the great fire of May 17, 1875, but was rebuilt. When the Presbyterians built their new church the old one at the southeast corner of Ninth and Jackson streets was purchased by the Odd Fellows. The building was remodeled, a new front added, and here the lodge has one of the most comfortable and best arranged fra¬ ternal buildings in the state. The lodge now numbers about five hun¬ dred members. In the grand lodge report for 1912 the name of Brice Dille appears as noble grand and C. W. Benbow as secretary.

The next Odd Fellows' lodge to be established in the county was Quincy Lodge, No. 200, which was instituted at Elwood (then Quincy) on July 30, 1858, with twelve charter members and the following officers:

Culpepper Lee, noble grand; John B. Frazier, vice-grand; B. T. Call¬ away, secretary; Mark Simmons, treasurer. This lodge now has a mem¬ bership of about four hundred and owns one of the best halls in the county. Roy F. Mossy was noble grand and Ephraim Remmel was sec¬ retary at the end of the year 1912.

Perkinsville Lodge, No. 207, was instituted on May 18, 1859. A comfortable hall w r as later acquired by the lodge and meetings were held regularly on Tuesday evening of each week for a number of years. Then a decline set in. Some of the members moved away, others died, and about 1885 the lodge surrendered its charter.

On November 21, 1860, Necessity Lodge, No. 222, was instituted at Alexandria w r ith ten charter members and the following officers: Cyrenius Free, noble grand; John Heagy, vice-grand; R. H. Cree, secre¬ tary; S. B. Harriman, treasurer. The lodge now owns a substantial three story brick building on West Church street and has about 240 members. Michael Furst w T as noble grand and I. S. Kelly secretary when the last grand lodge report was issued in 1912. This is the only fraternal society in Madison county that owns a cemetery, an account of which may be found in the preceding chapter.

An Odd Fellows ' lodge w r as instituted at Fishersburg in the spring of 1875 with eight charter members, A. J. Fisher, noble grand; H. G. Fisher, vice-grand; George Dunham, secretary. Five years later the lodge numbered thirteen members, but it never prospered and after struggling along for a few years more it surrendered its charter.

Summitville Lodge, No. 475, w r as organized on December 14, 1875, with fifteen charter members. S. Fenimore was the first noble grand, Thomas J. Clark, vice-grand; L. S. Williams, secretary; E. Runyan, treasurer. In 1892 a building was erected by the lodge, wdiich now numbers nearly 150 members. At the close of the year 1912 Lemuel Dickerson was noble grand and A. F. Kaufman w r as secretary.

Other Odd Fellows ' lodges in the county, with the membership and principal officers at the close of the year 1912, were Frankton, No. 711, John Hartley, noble grand, Dolph Meltzer, secretary > 109 members; Gilman, No. 745, William E. Smith, noble grand, J. M. Morgan, secre¬ tary, 54 members; Active (located at Anderson), No. 746, A. J. Dowe, noble grand, H. F. Wright, secretary, 260 members; Chesterfield, No. 786, R. C. Hall, noble grand, J. M. Heath, secretary, 68 members; Linwood, No. 793, H. C. Warren, noble grand, R. S. Thompson, sec¬ retary, 97 members; Lapel, No. 805, Albert Russell, noble grand, Perley Schultz, secretary, 106 members. All these lodges are in good condition and some of them own their own buildings. In connection with each lodge, except the one at Gilman, has been organized a lodge of the Daughters of Rebekah, a society to which the wives and daughters of Odd Fellows are eligible.

Sinai Encampment, No. 54, located at Pendleton, was organized on March 12, 1857, and is the oldest encampment in the county. On Ma> 21, 1867, Star Encampment, No. 84, was instituted at Anderson. Since then the following encampments have been established in the county. Ehvood, No. 168; Alexandria, No. 212; Frankton, No. 271; Gilman, No. 322; Activity (at Anderson), No. 331; Lapel, No. 335.

Within the Odd Fellows is a uniformed organization known as the Patriarchs Militant, the local branches of which are called cantons. Three cantons have been organized in Madison county, viz: Anderson, No. 3; Elwood, No. 33; and one at Alexandria. Anderson Canton was organized in 1883 by Dr. Horace E. Jones, who drilled them so thor¬ oughly that in a contest at Indianapolis in May, 1884, on the old state fair grounds, they easily won first prize. Upon their return to Ander¬ son the members of the drill team were given a banquet at the Doxey House. A band composed of members of the order accompanied the canton to Columbus, Ohio, at a later date, and here the drill team again won first prize and the band, under the leadership of Dallas K. Elliott, one of the best cornet players in the country, was awarded a medal. In 1886 the canton again took third prize at St. Paul, Minnesota.

Elwood Canton had for a drill master Captain Nett Nuzum, under whose instruction the drill team became so efficient that it won several prizes in the latter '808. In September, 1891, at St. Louis, Missouri, Captain Nuzum entered his team into a competitive drill contest with the leading cantons of the country and carried off first honors.

On February 15, 1864, Justus H. Rathbone, Robert A. Champion, William H. and David L. Burnett, and Edward S. Kimball, five govern¬ ment clerks at Washington, D. C., met and listened to the ritual of a new secret order that had been prepared by Mr. Rathbone. As the basis of the ritual was the friendship of Damon and Pythias, the new order was named the Knights of Pythias and on February 19, 1864, Washing¬ ton Lodge, No. 1, was formally organized. A few weeks later Franklin Lodge, No. 2, was instituted, and early in April the grand lodge was organized at Washington. Just at that time the country was in the throes of civil war and the order made slow progress. On May 1, 1866, Franklin Lodge was the only one in existence. It was used as a nucleus, around which the organization was strengthened, new lodges multiplied and on August 5, 1870, the supreme lodge was incorporated by act of congress. Since then the order has prospered and has been extended into every state in the union, as well as to foreign lands.

The first Knights of Pythias lodge in Madison county was son Lodge, No. 106, which was instituted on January 19, 1883, with twenty-one charter members. On November 23, 1894, this lodge dedi¬ cated a hall on the third floor of the Donnelly block on Meridian street between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets, the third story of that building being owned by the lodge. According to the last available report of the grand lodge, Anderson Lodge had 188 members at the end of the year 1912, when F. E. Neal was chancellor commander and W. A. Boyden was keeper of the records and seal. The regular meetings of this lodge are held on Tuesday evening of each week.

Elwood Lodge, No. 166, the second in the county, was instituted on March 31, 1887. It is now the strongest and wealthiest lodge in the county, having a membership of nearly four hundred and owning real estate valued at $18,000. Regular meetings are held on Wednesday evenings. John W. Grimes, of this lodge, was the deputy grand chan¬ cellor in 1912 for the Tenth district, composed of the counties of Hamil¬ ton, Tipton, Madison and Delaware. At the same time Claude Wright was chancellor commander of the lodge and L. M. Gross was keeper of the records and seal.

Sicilian Lodge, No. 234, located at Pendleton, was organized on December 19, 1889. It now has a membership of about 225 and owns real estate valued at $10,000. The lodge meets every Tuesday evening.

Frankton Lodge, No. 315, was instituted on April 30, 1891, and now has over one hundred and fifty members. It owns real estate valued at $1,800 and is in a prosperous condition. Regular meetings are held on Thursday evenings,

Alexandria Lodge, No. 335, was instituted on December 3, 1891, and now owns real estate worth $4,000. The membership is about two hundred and fifty and the regular meeting night is Tuesday of each week. In the last grand lodge report the name of Will F. Schmitz ap¬ pears as chancellor commander and that of W. C. Stewart as keeper of the records and seal. In 1912 Blaine H. Ball of this lodge was a member of the grand lodge committee on constitution and by-laws.

On May 5, 1892, Gas Belt Lodge, No. 362, was instituted at Summitville. It now has about one hundred and seventy members and owns real estate valued at $2,100. Wednesday evening of each week is the time for regular meetings. Ludie Warner was chancellor commander at the close of 1912, and R. B. Givens was keeper of the records and seal.

Lapel Lodge, No. 386, was instituted on April 6, 1893, and now has about one hundred and twenty-five members. Regular meetings are held on Monday evenings.

Banner Lodge, No. 416, located at Anderson, was instituted on April 17, 1895, with eighty charter members, many of whom had withdrawn from Anderson Lodge for the purpose of organizing a new one. In 1912 the lodge reported 231 members and is constantly adding new ones to the list. Its regular meeting night is Thursday. J. C. Shuman was chancellor commander and A. L. Jacobs was keeper of the records and seal when the last grand lodge report was issued.

Orestes Lodge, No. 471, and Markleville Lodge, No. 479, are the two youngest lodges in the county. The former was instituted on May 29, 1899, and the latter on February 16, 1900. Orestes Lodge owns real estate valued at $1,800 and has about eighty members. It meets every Thursday evening. Markleville Lodge has over fifty members and owns real estate worth $500. Friday evening of each week is the time for holding regular meetings.

The lodges at Pendleton, Anderson and Elwood have companies of the Uniform Rank, and in connection with all the principal lodges are temples of the Pythian Sisters, the ladies' degree of the order. The oldest and strongest of these temples are the ones at Anderson, Elwood and Alexandria.

bens of the Sons of Liberty, disguised as Indians, who destroyed the tea rather than pay the unjust tax, and this incident was made use of when the Improved Order of Red Men was reorganized at Baltimore in 1835. The local lodges or societies are called tribes and the principal officers of the tribe bear Indian titles, such as sachem, prophet and sagamore. There are three degrees - Adoption, Warrior and Chief - for the men, and a degree called the Daughters of Pocahontas for the wives, daugh¬ ters and sisters of the male members. There are also a uniformed rank and a subordinate degree called the Haymakers. During the decade ending in 1910 the order paid out in the United States over $6,000,000 for relief, burial expenses and the support of widows and orphans.

The first society of this order to be organized in Madison county was Ononga Tribe, No. 50, which was instituted at Anderson in 1874. For about three years its growth was slow and then a large number of members came in. Two other tribes were later organized from Ononga, viz.: Mingo and Kamala. The former was instituted on October 19, 1892, but has been discontinued, the members upiting with the other tribes. Kamala Tribe, No. 157, was instituted on October 18, 1893. Both Ononga and Kamala tribes are in flourishing condition and are two of the strongest fraternal societies in Anderson. Each has an organization of Haymakers.

After the organization of Ononga Tribe at Anderson, the next to be established was Mashingomisha Tribe, No. 110, at Alexandria. This tribe meets every Friday evening and the Mashingomisha Haymakers on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

Seneca Tribe, No. 113, located at Elwood, was the next organization of Red Men in the county. This tribe owns a handsome building and is one of the strongest tribes financially in Madison county. Regular meetings are held on Tuesday evenings and the Seneca Haymakers hold meetings on Friday evenings.

Oconee Tribe, No. 159, was instituted at Pendleton on November 26, 1892. Meetings are held every Wednesday evening. Subsequently the Oconee Haymakers were organized and they hold meetings on alternate Monday evenings.

Neoskaleta Tribe, No. 149, was organized at Summitville in the sum¬ mer of 1892, and Onaway Tribe, located at Lapel, was instituted about the same time. Both these tribes are in prosperous condition.

The councils of the Daughters of Pocahontas in the county are as follows: Wyoming, No. 49, at Elwood; Oconee, No. 78, at Pendleton; Tahoma, No. 82, at Anderson; Kamala, No. 124, at Anderson; and Winona, No. 143, at Alexandria.

The Grand Army of the Republic is an organization of volunteer soldiers who served in the war of 1861-65. It was founded soon after the close of the war, but for the first fifteen years of its existence was of rather slow growth. About 1880 there came a revival and during the next decade the order spread to every state in the union. The pur¬ poses of the order are to collect and preserve war relics and records, maintain fraternal relations, and assist needy comrades. The local organizations are called posts. The strongest post in Madison county, though not the oldest, is Major May Post, No. 244, at Anderson. It was organized on September 18, 1883, with seventy-one charter members. For several years it met in various halls about the city, but in 1895 arrangements were made with Major Charles T. Doxey to provide a permanent home in a building at the northwest corner of Ninth street and Central avenue. This hall was completed in May, 1896, and the post met there for some time. It now has quarters in a room in the courthouse basement. The present membership is about 150. A few years ago an Anderson photographer (Mr. Clark) made pictures of nearly all the members of this post and arranged them in a group, which is here presented that the reader may see the type of men Madison county furnished to the country's defenders in 1861.

This post was named in honor of Isaac M. May, who was mustered into the volunteer service of the United States on July 29, 1861, as captain of Company A, Nineteenth Indiana Infantry, was promoted to major of the regiment and was killed at the battle of Gainesville, Vir- ginia, August 28, 1862. In connection with the post is the Womens Relief Corps, No. 70, which was organized in 1887, and which meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.

Elwood Post, No. 61, was one of the first to be organized in this section of the state. It was at one time also one of the strongest, but the scythe of time has cut down many of the old veterans comprising it a membership. Meetings of this post are held on alternate Saturday afternoons. Elwood Women's Relief Corps, No. 117, meets on alternate Monday afternoons.

Major Henry Post, No. 230, located at Pendleton, was organized on August 28, 1883, and was named in honor of Major Samuel Henry, who entered the service as captain of Company B, Eighty-ninth Indiana

Lew Taylor Post, No. 243, at Alexandria, was established in the summer of 1883. Its meetings are held on the second and fourth Tues¬ days of each month, in the afternoon, and the Alexandria Women's Relief Corps, No. 200, meets on alternate Thursdays.

Hiram G. Fisher Post, located at Lapel, was named in honor of a Madison county boy who was commissioned captain of the Fishersburg Union Guards in the summer of 1861 and later entered the volunteer service as first lieutenant of Company E, Thirty-fourth Indiana Infantry.

One of the most notable events in the history of Anderson was the entertainment of the state encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic in May, 1903, when the citizens of the city expended over $7,000 in caring for members of this patriotic order. A feature of the encampment was a living flag, composed of Anderson school children, placed upon an inclined scaffolding reaching from the sidewalk to the roof of the courthouse and facing on Eighth street. The idea originated with Captain Jerome J. Musser, of Major May Post, who had charge of the erection of the scaffolding, and the children who participated in forming the national colors were under the guidance of Prof. John W. Carr, then superintendent of the Anderson public schools. No other city in Indiana has ever attempted to rival this demonstration and at each subsequent state encampment the "living flag of Anderson" has been a topic for conversation.

The order known as the Sons of Veterans is represented in Madison county by R. L. Leeson Camp, No. 305, at Elwood, and J. P. Condo Camp, No. 364, at Alexandria. Major Doxey Camp was organized at Anderson some years ago, but it has lapsed into a state of inactivity.

This order was first established at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1888, and for a few years enjoyed a fair growth, reaching a total of thirty lodges and a membership of five thousand. Then came a decline and in 1907 there were but three lodges and less than three hundred members. About that time James J. Davis, of Anderson, undertook the work of reorganizing and building up the order. He associated with him Rod¬ ney H. Brandon, then the presiding officer of Anderson Lodge, No. 1, the first to be instituted under the new regime. In 1908 Mr. Brandon was elected supreme secretary and the offices of the supreme lodge were removed to Anderson. On September 30, 1913, the order showed a total of 1,425 subordinate lodges, with a total membership of over five hundred thousand. Recently the supreme lodge has purchased one thousand acres of fine land near Aurora, Illinois, where the order is erecting a vocational school for the children of members and a home for dependents, both young and old. The two Moose lodges in Madison county are located at Anderson and Elwood.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks had its foundation in a club organized in New York soon after the close of the Civil war, when a number of "good fellows'' were in the habit of meeting at some suitable place to beguile the evening with singing songs, telling stories, etc. At first the club, the plan of which was originated by a young Englishman named Charles S. Vivian, was known as the "Jolly Corks.'' By 1868 the membership had increased to such proportions that it was decided to establish a secret order. A committee was appointed to select a name. Upon visiting Barnum's museum the committee saw an elk and learned something of the animal's habits, which inspired them to select the name of Elks for the new society. The motto of the order is: "The faults of our brethren we write upon the sands; their virtues upon the tablets of love and memory." As there is no state grand lodge, the work of obtaining information concerning the individual lodges is some¬ what difficult.

Anderson Lodge, No. 209, was instituted on June 30, 1891, with thirty-one charter members, in the Odd Fellows' hall, and the ceremony of institution was followed by a banquet at the Doxey Music hall. The lodge new owns an equity in the building at the northwest corner of Main and Eleventh streets, where the members have well appointed club and lodge rooms on the third floor. From the membership of Anderson Lodge have been formed Elwood Lodge, No. 368, and Alex¬ andria Lodge, No. 478. The former has club rooms in the second story of the building formerly occupied by the First National Bank, and the latter has its headquarters in the Alexandria Opera House building. All three of the Madison county lodges are in prosperous condition.

There are in the county several orders represented in the principal cities and towns, of which it was impossible to get detailed information. So far as possible a list of these lodges is given below, together with any historical information that could be procured.

Pendleton Grove, No. 20, United Ancient Order of Druids, was organized on April 5, 1895. A grove or lodge of this order was organ¬ ized at Anderson on July 22, 1896, but after a short existence it sur¬ rendered its charter. Subsequently it was revived as Progress Grove, No. 27, and is now in fairly prosperous shape.

The Woodmen of the World are represented by White Oak Camp, No. 29, at Lapel; Hemlock Camp, No. 18, at Anderson, the regular meetings of which are held on Tuesday evenings; Hemlock Grove, No. 5, Woodmen's Circle, which meets on alternate Friday afternoons; Elwood Camp, No. 95, and Woodmen's Circle, No. 51, at Elwood, the former of which holds meetings on Wednesday and the latter on Friday evenings.

The Modern Woodmen of America camps are as follows: Oak Leaf, No. 3690, at Anderson; Elwood, No. 4416; Alexandria, No. 5976; Pen¬ dleton, No. 14,374. The Anderson camp holds meetings on Monday evenings, the Elwood camp on Wednesday evenings, the Alexandria camp on Tuesday evenings, and the Pendleton camp on Friday even¬ ings. Allied to this order are the Royal Neighbors of America. The camps and times of regular meetings are as follows: Anderson, No. 2607, Fridays; Elwood, No. 3812, first and third Tuesdays of each month; Jewel Camp, No. 5976, Alexandria, Mondays.

In the Knights of the Maccabees the lodges of the men are called tents and the Ladies of the Maccabees meet in hives. This order is represented by Tent No. 39, and Hive No. 62, at Anderson; Elwood Tent, No. 60, and Hive No. 66, at Elwood; Alexandria Tent, No. 112, and Hive No. 61, at Alexandria.

Anderson Aerie, No. 174, Fraternal Order of Eagles, meets every Thursday evening; Elwood Aerie, No. 201, on Wednesdays, and Invinc¬ ible Aerie, No. 1771, of Alexandria, on Wednesday evenings.

Hazelwood Court, Ancient Order of Foresters, was instituted in the early '90s and holds its meetings at Kirkham's hall, Hazelwood. The Improved Order of Foresters is represented by Court Quincy, No. 62, Court Elwood, No. 1097, and Court Madison, No. 4968, all at Elwood; Court Anderson, No. 3110, and White River Court, No. 1094, at Ander¬ son.

The Tribe of Ben Hur is represented by three courts or lodges in the city of Anderson, viz.: Isis Court, No. 32, which meets on Tuesday evenings, and Iderned Court, No. 26, and Amrah Court, No. 30, which meet on call of the officers.

Several societies closely connected with the Catholic church have been organized at Anderson and Elwood. The principal ones are Ander¬ son Council, No. 563, Knights of Columbus, and the Elwood Council of the same order, both of which hold meetings on Tuesday evenings; Anderson Council, No. 646, Catholic Knights of America, which was organized in 1893; Cardinal Manning Council, No. 376, of the Catholic Benevolent Legion, at Elwood; Court St. Joseph, No. 1120, Catholic Order of Foresters, at Elwood; the Federated Catholic Clubs of Elwood; and the Anderson and Elwood divisions of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Anderson Castle, No. 4, Knights of the Golden Eagle, was organized on January 18, 1890, with sixty-eight charter members. Two years later was organized Hope Temple, No. 3, Ladies of the Golden Eagle, and still later were organized the Anderson Commandery, Uniform Rank, and the Supreme Order of Wise Guys, Anderson Retreat, No. 1, an organization intended to promote the welfare of the Knights of the Golden Eagle.

The Knights and Ladies of Honor have lodges at Anderson and Alexandria; the Yeoman at Anderson and Elwood; the Supreme Lodge, Camels of the World is located in Anderson; and the Junior Order American Mechanics at Anderson and Pendleton. Other lodges or societies are the Pathfinders, No. 7, at Anderson; the Daughters of Liberty, at Elwood; the Sons of St. George, at Anderson and Elwood; Post 0, Travelers 9 Protective Association, which meets once a month at the Grand Hotel in Anderson; United Commercial Travelers, No. 182, at Anderson; the United Order of the Golden Cross, at Elwood; the Protected Home Circle, at Anderson; Nest No. 84, of the Orioles, at Anderson; Elwood Nest, No. 66, and Anderson Nest, No. 84, Order of Owls; the Knights and Ladies of Columbia, No. 115, at Elwood; the Equitable Aid Union and the National Union, of Anderson, and Eureka Court, No. 259, also of Anderson. The Order of Plowmen have but one organization in the county - Elwood Council, No. 14. Anderson Lodge, No. 5, Order of Lincoln, was organized on September 22, 1896, with thirty charter members. The only Knights of Honor lodge in the county of which there is any record was organized at Anderson on May 18, 1875, and during the next twenty years paid out nearly $25,000 in benefits.

Among the labor organizations of Anderson, Elwood and Alexandria may be mentioned the unions of stationery engineers, typesetters, glassworkers, sheet metal workers, bricklayers, carpenters, painters and decorators, iron molders, electrical workers, stage employees, barbers, plumbers, musicians, electric railway employees, brewery workers, tai¬ lors, retail clerks, file workers, cigar makers, tin plate workers and a few others, most of which are associated with the Madison County Fed¬ eration of Labor. The trades union came with the discovery of natural gas and has remained after the supply of gas failed, but it is worthy of note that Anderson has never been disturbed by any serious strike, and the same is true of Alexandria and Elwood.

On January 30, 1909, Kikthawenund Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, was organized at Anderson with Mrs. John W. Lovett, regent; Mrs. H. C. Durbin, vice-regent; Mrs. Andrew Ellis, recording secretary; Miss Kate Chipman, corresponding secretary; Mrs. S. E. Young, treasurer; Mrs. I. E. May, historian. This chapter was named for the old Delaware Indian chief whose wigwam once stood where the city of Anderson is now situated.