Vigo County, Indiana - Chapter 36: Societies, 1891

MASONRY goes back in its history in Terre Haute to the year 1819. October 6, 1870, the society of Terre Haute Lodge No. 19, celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. In the Masonic calen¬ dar of 1890, the date of the first charter of the lodge, is given as September 13, 1821. The first dispensation for this lodge was granted in 1819, and the records of the Grand Lodge show that for that year Peter B. Allen was a representative to the Grand Lodge from Terre Haute, and he was also the representative for the next year, 1820. In 1821 Hemas Deming represented (in charter) Lucius H. Scott in 1822; Peter Allen again in 1823, and also Robert Sturgus. July 12, 1819, the Terre Haute lodge was consti¬ tuted a regular lodge of Free & Accepted -Masons. First officers: Peter Allen, W. M. ; Elihu Hovey, S. W. ; Lucius Scott, J. W. ; John Britton, treas. ; Curtis Gilbert, sec.; Samuel McQuilkin, S. D. ; Zebina C. Hovey, J. I). ; Andrew Brooks, steward; Robert Brasher, tyler. The total of the brotherhood, in addition to the officers, were John T. Cliunn, John Gough, Robert Sturgus, Eleazer Aspenwall, Thomas H. Clarke, Jacob Burnap, Joseph A. Norton, Asa Hawley, William Woodward and Luther Franklin.

In 1832 it ceased, and the work was abandoned and the charter lapsed. There was no lodge in Terre Haute from 1832 to 1845, when it was revived. Ten Master Masons in the fall of that year met and petitioned the Grand Lodge for a dispensation to assemble and work together as a regular lodge. The signatures to that peti¬ tion were Elijah Tillotson, James S. Freeman, Thomas Dowling, David Bell, Macom McFadden, William Naylor, Samuel McQuilkin, Asa Dille, Samuel Hager and Louis Levy. From that day to this the society has been one of the most flourishing in the State. It has been a steady growth for "old 19," and from it has sprung the two lodges - " Social " and " Humbolt." The total membership of these is now 561.

James S. Freeman, Dayton Topping, A. Lange, Robert Wliarry, George F. Lyon, Arba Holmes, Thomas I. Bourne, James 8. Weyetli, R. W. Thompson, James D. Wright, Alexander Thomas, William Jenkins, Lynd A. Smith and R. Van Valzah.

A. F. & A. M., Social Lodge No. 86 , was charted May 29, 1849; has a membership of 237; past masters: Thomas Mar¬ shall, Macom McFadden, Philander B. Brown, William K. Edwards, John Sayre, John J. Baugh, Henry S. Briggs, Aug. L. Chamberlain, W. Mayfield McLean, James Wyeth, Simeon Wolf, Hardin A. Da¬ vis, John Abbott, Paul K. McCoskey, John K. Graff, Josiali D. Jones, James K. Allen, Robert M. Harrison and John H. Cliff.

Huvibolt Lodge No. 42 , A. F. & A. M., was chartered June 23, 1870; past masters: Philip Schloss, Fredrick Schmidt, Will¬ iam E. Hendricli, Joseph Erlanger, Adolph Herz, Fredrick Faust, August Busch, Jonas Strouse.

Knights Templar, Terre Haute Commandery No. 16, A. F. & A. Chartered April 8, 1868; membership 139. Past eminent commanders: Charles Cruft, Jonathan B. Hagar, Alexander

Owl Nest No. 8. - A side degree of Masonry. This Nest was oiganized in Terre Haute April 28, 1890. St. Louis Nest came ovei, Nest No. 1, and conducted the solemn ceremonies. A great number were initiated, and the following officers were elected: Dr. Bobeit Yan Yalzah, sapient screecher; Judge T. B. Long, first vice sapient screecher; E. E South, second vice sapient scratcher; W. C. Dui ham, sapient scratcher; F. P. Sargent, director of cei'emonies; G. W. Ballew, lord high executioner; John F. Graul, captain of the guard, T. H. Menifee, marshal; John N. Whonhart, band master; M . E. Boland, leader of the band ; George E. Pugh, recording owl ;

K. of P., Oriental Lodge No. 81 was organized May 30, 1878. The charter members were James B. Lyne, Andrew Grimes, Henry Stakeman, Joseph H. Schell, Peter J. Kaufman, R. L. Badgley, Emil Froeb, Ellis Nichols, John F. Roedel, W. W. Byers, Gerhard Eshman, F. O. Froeb, Frank C. Fisbeck, A. B. MeWhinney, G. C. Lindeman, A. B. Stoner, E. A. Badgley; membership, 168. Offi¬ cers: E. F. Williams, P. C. ; A. C. Duddleston, C. C. ; W. M. Lyons,

K. of P., Endowment Lank, Section 115, was organized March 4, 1878. The charter members were: Charles S. Gobin, J. C. Kolsam, C. W. McDaniel, A. B. Stoner, W. H. Rippetoe, A. R. Summers,

Stoll, James B. Lyne, E. Rothschild, J. L. Clemens, Frank Fisbeck, Gerhard Eshman, W. W. Hewett, J. H. Riddle, A. B. Mewhinney; membership, 28. Present officers: A. Shewmaker, Pres., A.

Terre Haute Oratorio Society. - Some of the vocal musicians of the city began to have frequent informal meetings in 1878. The active members of these musical gatherings were R. L. Alder, John Wilkes, Henry Hawtin, Prof. Anton Shide and others. In¬ formal organization was followed by a regular incorporation in 1885. Present officers: George A. Scott, Pres. Dr. W. R. Elder, Y. P. Allyn Adams, Treas. - Mater, Sec. Board of managers: John Taylor, Edward Hazeldine, R. L. Alder, James Couper and Dr. J. B. Worrell; musical director, Prof. R. L. Alder; member¬ ship, 75.

let ic Haute Scientific Club. - This is exclusively a society for gentlemen and its purposes are fully indicated by its name; pres¬ ident, Prof. L. C. Mace; secretary. W. 8. Blatcliley.

A. O. U. W.No.2, gave their first public installation July 7, 1890; following officers: Ered Otto, M. W. ; John Baker, fore¬ man; Louis Merring, overseer; J. Knott, guide; W. A. Sheap Fin. Sec. ; H. N. Draper, Receiver.

Bailrocid Societies. - These labor organizations are so called because they are of the employes of railroads solely. In the minds of most men, who simply get their ideas from the street, these are a part of that common expression of the conflict of labor and capital. The facts are that the most of the orders now in exist¬ ence are rooted in the fundamental idea of aid, accident and death benefits to members, and if the question of the "conflict" enters into their purposes at all it is secondary. Practically these labor organizations have come as recently as the unparalleled growth of the railroads of our country, not because of any one special thing peculiar to our country, because they are all over the world, and are growing in mighty strength except in strong military monarchies - those countries where all power is in the rulers and none in the people. Russia is not bothered with labor organizations, but has its far more dangerous elements, the Nihilists. The great little Ger¬ man emperor is not troubled by them, but he has his Socialists. In these countries there is no conflict of labor and capital - the mili¬ tary attends to that - -and in this respect "the empire is peace." The word "strike" is even newer than the latest editions of our dictionaries, and thousands of our people laugh at the idea of any conflict of labor and capital. Others are alarmed and secretly pray for more soldiers to keep the peace here. Constantly new questions in our economics are arising, and it is probably equally unwise to be too much alarmed or to pooh at them. It is better to see them and dispassionately examine them.

The ratio of spread and increase of these organizations, both on the side of labor and of capital, is just now tremendous. At the rate the movement is going on it is but a little while before it will be in the ranks of one side or the other, and the shrewd dema¬ gogues are alert to make hay while the sun shines. If in the end all is simply the better education of the masses - capitalists and labor, rich and poor, the oppressed with wealth and the pinched with poverty, then, indeed, all is well. Capital will learn that labor has rights, and the " striker " will learn that capital has its rights, and that every absolute right is sacred. Both may come to know that they have made many mistakes, and the best for all is to frankly see their own faults, and in a frank and manly way proceed to rec¬ tify them. The striker may learn that often he strikes more against some fellow-laborers than against oppressing capital, and the soul¬ less greed of capital may come to know that the phrase "capital " is not alone the man or company that has its many millions - that many small capitalists are inherently entitled to their rights just as well as the multi-millionaires. The farmers just now are actively organizing all over the west. These are among the last to go into anything of the kind. One feature of the whole has been that each has been a movement by particular classes, all not only independent of each other, but in each society is confined rigidly to its guild. On the railroads, for instance, the engineers, conductors, firemen, brakemen, switchmen, trainmen, etc., have formed, and eligibility to join has been actual working in that particular grade or line. The farmer excludes all but the tillers of the soil. So on through every avocation. Now, for the first time all are confronted with the ques¬ tion of federation. This will inevitably come, unless preceded by a general disbandment. It might have been foreseen from the start. These many heads, each fighting and struggling against the rest of the world, are no more than a headless mob. They may strike hurtful blows, but every one must have its rebound, but with intel¬ ligent federation who can tell exactly the future? Whenever the farmers and wageworkers are once united, and move toward a given common point, with a measured tread, they may easily trample upon anything that would offer to stand in their way. Whatever they may demand of right and justice they may easily gain. There will, then, be but one danger lurking on their way to the goal. That is the fruitful demagogue - the cunning little class of statesmen who would use the strong organizations to scratch out his hot chest¬ nuts. Social and political upheavals often are like the seething waters when the lightest cork rise to the top and the heavier gold and lead sink to the bottom.

B. L. F. - The most important society of laborers in Terre Haute is the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen. This was first oiganized in 18/3, at Port Jervis, N. Y. From the small beginning it grew, not rapidly, but steadily, and in 1876 the first grand lodge of the order met in Indianapolis. This then was the general head¬ quarters for the United States. It was in 1880 removed to Terre Haute, where it is now. Here are the headquarters and main office for tlie United States, Mexico and Canada. Frank P. Sargeant is grand master and Eugene Y. Debs is grand secretary and treasurer. Mr. Debs lias a fine office on Main, near Seventh street, and in his employ are eleven persons. Connected and a part of this, what might be called the chief aim of the general order, is the beneficiary department. Every member pays an annual fee of $20, paid quar¬ terly, and on each death the society pays the family or heirs $1,500, and in all cases of disability from accident or sickness a weekly allowance is made. No other or death assessments are made, the quarterly payment of $5 includes all payments, except $1.50 that are dues to the grand lodge annually. Admission must be pre¬ ceded by one year's work as fireman. There are over 18,000 mem¬ bers of the general order. The subordinate lodges in Terre Haute of this order are:

Vigo Lodge No. 16 was established February 27, 1875, with fifteen charter members. Of these there were but three left, namely : Eugene Y. Debs, James I. Southard and AY. E. Davis; present membership, 100.

Morning Star Lodge No. 66, Switchmen's Mutual Aid Asso¬ ciation, was organized in 1889. Officers: AY. B. Davis, master; J. H. Burg, vice-master; P. J. Curran, recording secretary; John Purden, financial secretary; David H. Vance, treasurer, and P. J. Curran, journal agent; membership, 90.

F. E. Dujpell Lodge No. 231, Trainmen's benefit, was organ¬ ized in the spring of 1889; has a membership of 75, with the following officers : George Andrews, master ; Ed. Taylor, secretary ;

K. Allen, John Leach, S. Horbert, M. AV. AVilliams, AY. M. Slaugh¬ ter, John Abbott and A. R. Summers; all are dead except Summers and Slaughter.

Officers: Noble grand, Mrs. Bertha Harrold; vice grand, Mrs. Eliza Cliff; recording secretary, Miss Carrie Haberland; financial secietai y, Mis. J. V. Mattox; treasurer, Mrs. D. H. Hausman ; mem¬ bership 165.

Veterans Odd Fellows Association No. 1, was instituted October 24, 1890. James Hook, Pres.; Asa R. Summers, Y P - C W Brown, Sec. ; Jacob W. Miller, Treas. James Hook, aged seventy! five; Aaron B. Barton, sixty-nine; Richard Cottom, seventy-four- William E. McLean, fifty-nine; Isaac Ball, sixty-two; C. }V Brown' sixty-seven; William H. Ball, fifty-one; Bazaleel Holmes, fifty-six' Jacob W. Miller, fifty-six ; Cyrus Knapp, fifty-seven; John D. Wil-' son, fifty-six; Henry A. Winter, sixty-seven; Richard L. Bale sixtythree; Asa R. Summers, seventy-six; William M. Slaughter,' sixtyone; John R McCalla, seventy-four; Albert G. Balch, fifty-nine; Thomas B. Carr, seventy-three; John F. Thompson, sixty- two;

I. O. OF., Comet Lodge No. 615, Centerville. - The post-office is Lewis. It was organized May 7, 1885. Charter members: Dr. L. K. Stock, W. M. Tichenor, John H. Mattox, J. S. Bryan. First officers: W. M. Tichenor, N. G. ; J. S. Bryan, Y. G. ; Dr. L. K. Stock, Sec.; Elizah Criss, Treas. Present officers: D. A. Mahon,

A. F. & A. M.,Vigo Lodge No. 29, Centerville, commenced work under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge, June 5, 1871. The lodge was organized May 29, 1872. Charter members: William T. Payne, A. J. Purcell, Jesse S. Harrold, Thomas J. Scott, John Harris, F. M. Garrett, John R. Bledsoe, James T. Foreman, John Zink, Kenneth W. Self and J. F. Thomas. The first officers were: W. T. Payne, W. M. ; Jesse S. Harrold, S. W. ; Thomas J. Scott,

A. F. & A. 31., Pimento Lodge No. 292, was instituted De¬ cember 14, 1861; charter dated May 27, 1863. They own the upper floor of the Town House. The organizers and first officers were : John Wiley, W. M. ; William Brown, S. W. ; James Foreman, J. W. ; Joseph McGrew, Sec. ; M. S. Gunn, Treas. ; G. T. Bailey, H. L. Boyll, W. O. Collins, G. F. Hampton, James G. Kester, C. W. Russell, E. Gaskins, J. French, O. P. Boyll, G. F. Dougherty and R. Bennett.

G. A. R., 3Iorton Post No. 1, was originally organized May 10, 1879, as Post No. 51, Illinois department. The Indiana depart¬ ment was organized October 7, 1879, and on same date Morton Post No. 1, Terre Haute. Following department commanders: J. B. Hager, 1879-80; G. AY. Miller, Sr. Y. C., 1885; H. L. Miller, Jr.

Woman's Relief Corps. - Terre Haute Woman's Relief Corps was organized by George W. Miller, April 6, 1885. First presi¬ dent was Mrs. A. L. Rankin, who served in 1885-86; Mrs. Mary Mc- Ilvaue, 1887-88; Mrs. Mary' Wimer, 1889; Mrs. Mary J. Miller, the president, with Nancy J. Hines, Sr. Y. P. ; Mrs. Laura Ander¬ son, Jr. Y. P. ; Mrs. Dorsey, Sec. ; Miss Ella Wimer, Treas. It was organized with twenty-two members; present membership eightyeight.

Sons of Veterans. - Terre Haute Post was organized in Septem¬ ber, 1887, with twenty-four members; now have thirty-two. Offi¬ cers: Captain, Charles H. Gephart; First lieutenant, - ; Sec¬ ond lieutenant, Harley H. Sargent; chaplain, Walter Haley; First sergeant, George W. Kretenstein; quartermaster sergeant, Paschal Miller; S. of G., John W. Corbin; C. S., Everest Yoorliees; musician, John Woodall; C. of G., Harry E. Lewis; C. G., A. E. Owens; P. G., John A. Johnson; trustees: Jerome Perry, Everest Yoorliees and Walter A. Haley,

Germania Society - This is one of Terre Haute's flourishing and pleasant institutions, an index to that love of social life and enjoy¬ ment so characteristic of German life everywhere. The hall is now one of the largest and finest in the State. Germania society was the result of the consolidation of the old-time Mannerchor and Turn Verein societies, which occurred December 14, 1884. First officers: W. W. Statz, Pres.; A. Herz, Y. P. ; F. Siedentopf, Second Y. P. ; Emile Bower, Sec. ; Hugo Heyroth, Fin. Sec. ; Loui$ Duenweg, Treas. Trustees: H. Hulman, Anton Mayer and Louis Finkbiner. At organization had sixty members; present mem¬ bership 120. Present officers: Frank F. Peker, Pres.; Fred Probst, Y. P. ; Henry Meyer, Sec. ; Frank Fisbeck, Treas. The old Mannerchor and Turn Yerein hall, on the corner of Ninth and Main streets, was remodeled and added to in 1888, additional grounds were purchased and the capacity of building more than doubled, at a cost of over $10,000. Tlie general hall is a splendid 100m; a dancing room, turnhall, and stage are provided, and gen¬ eral arrangements where the members and families meet and enjoy music, dancing, athletics, theatricals and the pleasant social circles for which the German people surpass all nations. All the many German societies are here in one, under the general supervision of the Germania society.

Ancient Order Hibernians. - Vigo county has four divisions: Divisions 1, 2 and 3 are in Terre Haute, Division 4 is at Fontanet.' There is a total of 15o members in the countv. The order was or¬ ganized in 1875. First president was P. B. O'Reilly; first county delegate was P. C. Mohan ; the present state secretary is John F. O'Reilly.

Division 1. - President, Patrick Walsh; vice-president, Michael O Loughlin , financial secretary, John L. WAlsh; recording secretary, Patrick Sullivan ; treasurer, Edward Roach ; sergeant-at-arms, Joseph Prindeville ; doorkeeper, Edward Carroll; marshal, C. P. Murphy; stauding committee, William E. Dwyer, Patrick Breen, Daniel Mul¬ len, Charles Haffey and Harry Keffe.

Divison 2. President, Edward O'Neal; vice-president, John McCarthy; recording secretary, John Bropliy ; financial secretary, John Fagan; treasurer, David Fitzgerald.

? Divison 3. President, M. J. O'Connell; vice-president, Edward O'Brien; recording secretary, Thomas Reynolds; financial secertary, M. J. Brophy; sergeaut-at-arms, David Dillon; trustees: M. F. Burke, Martin Cassady and James Fox; marshal, Patrick Burns. Patrick O'Leary has been elected county delegate for Division No. 2.

Division 4 ( Fontanet ). - President, James Caveny; vice-presi¬ dent, Thomas McDonald; recording secretary, James McGow; finan¬ cial secretary, John McLaughlin; treasurer, Dan McKillins.

The post is named in honor of Lieut. -Col. Leslie, of the Fourth Indiana Cavalry, who fell in a gallant charge on the enemy's battery at Fair Garden, East Tenn., January 27, 1864. Past commanders: Laban H. Dickerson, Samuel S. Riplev, Patrick M. O'Connell Membership 45. Officers: Albert G. Reed, C. ; William Holmes' Sr. V. C.; James A. Cooper, Jr. V. C. ; O. N. Hamilton, Adj. ; Jesse

Since organization the following deaths in the post: Henry C. Dickerson, Samuel Ripley, Allen W. Carter, Francis M. Cooper; all charter members.

Literary Society. - This is one of the most interesting associa¬ tions in the city. It is well established, and every year gives a series of monthly meetings, at which many of our ablest men read carefully prepared papers on some subject they are able to treat in an interesting manner. It is equal to a first-class higher grade of school for all classes and ages.

G. A. P., Topping Post No. 158, Youngstown, was organized in 1883; has an active membership of thirty-two. Samuel M. Crandell, C. ; O. P. Smith, Sr. Y. C. ; Samuel T. Jones, Q. M. ; W. P. Sandford, Chap. ; F. J. Smith, Adjt.

G. A. P., Blinn Post No. 85, Prairieton, was organized in 1885; at that time had eighteen members. Henry C. Jones, first commander; Charles Jones, second commander. Present offi¬ cers: John Reynolds, C. ; James Gilbert, Adjt.; W. Burgett, O. D.

There are about fifty loan and building associations in the city; some of these the strongest institutions of the kind in the State; many that have run out series after series, and are constantly re¬ newing and organizing new ones.

Terre Haute Council No. 2, R. T. of T., is one of the strong temperance institutions of the place. P. W. Grubb, S. C. ; B. E. Lockwood, Sec.