Buchanan County, Missouri - Chapter 27, 1900

Philharmonia, The Mendelssohn Society Ribbon Club

LODGES, BENEVOLENT, SOCIAL AND TRADE ORGANIZATIONS. _ FREE MASONS, ODD FELLOWS, AND OTHERS. - THE TURN VEREIN, MAENNERCHOR AND OTHER GERMAN-SPEAKING SOCIETIES. - TURNFESTS AND SAENGERFESTS. - MUSICAL DEVELOPMENT IN ST. JOSEPH. - THE ST. JOSEPH PHILHARMONIA, THE MENDELSSOHN SOCIETY AND ( )THER SIMILAR ( )R( yANIZATK )NS. - THE RED RIBBON CLUB.

The first fraternal organization in Buchanan County was Sparta lodge No. 46, instituted May 11, 1841, under a dispensation, and originally called Katzeel lodge. It was chartered October 8, 1841. Eli Hubbel was worshipful master, J. Brownson senior warden and J. A. Anthony, junior warden. R. Duncan was treasurer, T. Wavmire secretary and G. Selsil tyler. This lodge was merged into De Witt lodge, organized in St. Joseph under a dispensation in October, 1845. 1° 1846 the dispensation was surrendered and a charter granted, dated October 14, 1846. The name was changed to St. Joseph Lodge and the number, 78, was affixed by the grand secretary. Sinclair K. Miller was worshipful master, 1845 1° 1850. This lodge is still in existence.

The following are the other Masonic bodies now existing in St. Joseph as they appear in order in the Masonic directory: Zeredetha lodge, No. 189, chartered May 28, 1859; Charity lodge, No. 331, chartered October 13, 1870; King Hill, No. 376, chartered October 13,1870; St. Joseph chapter, No. 14, R. A. M., chartered May 23, 1849; Mitchell chapter, No. 89, R. A. M., chartered October 5, 1876; St. Joseph council, No. 9, R. and S. Masters, chartered October 6, 1871 ; St. Joseph commandery, No. 4, K. T., chartered October 5, 1875; Hugh de Payens commandery, No. 51, K. T., chartered May 10, 1887; Moila Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., organized December 17, 1887; Moila court, Daughters of Isis, established October 14, 1896; St. Joseph chapter, No. 198, O. E. S., chartered May 5, 1890; Radiant chapter. No. 88, O. E S., chartered October 1, 1897; King Hill

The office of grand master of the state has been held by the following residents of St. Joseph: Wm, R. Penick, Joseph S. Browne, James W. Boyd and Harry Keene.

The office of most illustrious grand master of the Council of Royal and Select Masters has been held by Joseph S. Browne, Wm. R. Penick, Wm. G. Hall, W. A. Ford, Ulrich Schneider and E. F. Hartzell.

The Odd Fellows are a close second to the Masons in St. Joseph in point of age. King Hill lodge, No. 19, was instituted on October 15, 1846, at the residence of Joseph Hull, on the west side of Main street, between Francis and Jule streets. The charter members were D. B. Welding, Eli Hewitt, S. U. Ueonard, Eli Bowman, C. F. Emery and Dr. J H. Crane. In 1858 this lodge erected a three-story building, facing west, at the southeast corner of Fifth and Felix streets. The lower floor was for business, the second for lodge rooms and on the third floor there was an auditorium. This was for some years the first class theatre of the city and, among other notables, Edwin Forest played there. At one time there was a stock company connected with the theatre. The hall was also used for social and political gatherings. During the war the property was lost by the provisions of a mortgage and was acquired by J. W. Bailey and \\ m. R. Penick. When it was destroyed by fire, as mentioned in a foregoing chapter, in January of 1879, it was occupied by J. W. Bailey & Co., with a large dry goods business. In 1880, Mr. Bailey, Isaac Curd, J. B. Brady and Uouis Hax built the block facing Felix street, which extends from Fifth street east to the alley.

Humboldt lodge, No. 130, was instituted April 19, 1859. This lodge works in German. Eclipse lodge, No. 143, was instituted April 18, i860. Enterprise lodge, No. 232, was instituted April 19, 1870. During the summer of 1898 this lodge purchased the large building at Seventh and Charles streets, which had been erected by the St. Joseph Turn Verein and which had been lost by that association. St. Joseph lodge, No. 432, was instituted in 1883; Invincible lodge, No. 470, in 1893, and the South Park lodge in 1898.

There have been two sessions of the state grand lodge in St. Joseph - the fifty-third session, held in 1890, and the sixtieth session, held in 1898. The office of grand master of the state was held in 1 86 1 by Col. John Doniphan, who, however, lived at Weston at that time; in 1869, by R. J. S. Wise, of St. Joseph; in 1874, by L. T. Minturn, of Amazonia, who held his membership in St. Joseph, and in 1894, by R. M. Abercrombie, of St. Joseph.

There are five Rebekah lodges: Evening Star, No. 5, instituted in 1892; Enterprise, No. 140, 1894; Humboldt, No. 146, 1894; Eclipse, No. 157, 1894; King Hill, No. 219, 1896. There is also a branch of the Patriarchs Militant, Canton St. Joseph, No. 3. instituted in 1879. Of the encampment degree there are two branches, Hesperian encampment, No. 8, and St. Joseph encampment. No. 51. R. M. Abercrombie is the grand patriarch of the state encampment.

Fhe other fraternal orders having organization in St. Joseph are as follows: Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order of United Workmen, American Order of Annuity, Catholic Knights of America, Knights of Father Mathew, Independent Order of Foresters, Catholic Foresters, Fraternal Aid Association, Grand Army of the Republic, Sons of Veterans, Union Veteran Legion, B'nai Brith, Free Sons of Israel, Court of Honor, Knights of Honor, Sons of Herman. Ancient Order of Hibernians, Daughters of Erin, Improved Order of Red Men, Knights and Ladies of the Maccabees, Modern Woodmen of America, Woodmen of the World, W oodmen's Circle, National Reserve, National Union, Knights and Ladies of Security, Royal Arcanum and the Royal Court. The latter order originated in St. Joseph during the past year.

The negroes have two Grand Army posts, five Masonic bodies, one lodge of Good Samaritans and two lodges of Knights and Daughters of the Tabernacle.

Of the benevolent associations now in existence, the German Benevolent Society is the oldest, its organization dating back to 1847. St. Francis Xavier Benevolent Society (German) was organized in 1865, St. Patrick's Benevolent Society in 1871 and the Gruetli Verein (Swiss) in 1874. Other German societies now in existence are: St. Joseph Benevolent, South St. Joseph Benevolent, Badische Gesellscliaft, Landwehr Verein, German Military Veterans, Plattdeuscher Verein, St. Joseph Bavarian Society, Schwaben Verein and Sehuetzen Verein. The German Central Society is composed of delegates from the various German societies in the city.

The German-Americans have been prominently identified with the history and development of St. Joseph from an early day. The Turn Verein, one of the most active agents in this work, was formed May 23, 1855, with Charles Zipf as first speaker, Charles Jessen as second speaker, Charles Albrecht as secretary, A. Althaus as master of property and Peter Walter as treasurer. The corner stone of the old "Turnhalle" was laid March 29, i860, and the building was occupied during the following August. When the civil war broke out the Turners staunchly avowed loyalty to the Union, their hall was dubbed the "cradle of liberty" and the stars and stripes boldly flung to the breezes. When the mob that had taken the flag from the postoffice declared that these colors should also be torn from the staff, two Turners, Valentine Moosman and J. H. Schaefer, went upon the roof in the face of danger, guarded by Robert Bradshaw with a drawn pistol and Charles Mast with a rifle, lowered the flag and brought it safely into the building. Moosman then tore down a Confederate flag that had been hoisted on Market square. Among the St. Joseph Turners who served in the war were the following: W. Baumer went to Omaha and was made colonel of the First Nebraska infantry ; Herman Lund went to Quincy and rose to the rank of captain ; Charles F. Ernst and Charles Springer were in the Twelfth Missouri cavalry, the former as captai nand the latter as lieutenant. Charles Weideman died from wounds received at the battle of Lexington, while Louis Graffenstein and Charles Ludi were killed at Missouri City.

The St. Joseph Turn Verein was affiliated with the St. Louis Turnbezirk until May 1, 1866, when the Kansas Turnbezirk was formed. The first Turnfest of this federation was held in this city October 1-3, 1866. Leavenworth, Kansas City, Atchison, Wyandotte, Lawrence, Brunswick, Junction City and Fort Scott were represented.

In 1870 ground was purchased at the northeast corner of Eighth and Sylvanie streets for the purpose of building a new hall, and the corner stone was laid. This project was abandoned, however, and the ground sold.

A second Turnfest of the Kansas Turnbezirk was held in St. Joseph August 6-9, 1870. In 1885 the Missouri Valley Turnbezirk was formed and the first turnfest of the new federation was held here August 14-17, 1886.

A new hall was built upon the site of the "cradle of liberty," at Seventh and Charles streets, in the summer of 1890. The corner stone was laid with parade and appropriate ceremonies on Sunday,

June 8, 1890, and the dedication took place October 26, 1890. The new building cost $50,000. In August of 1897 the property was sold under a deed of trust and purchased by the creditors. During the summer of 1898 the property was purchased by Enterprise lodge of Odd Fellows, and is now known as the Odd Fellow building. The Turn Verein is at present without a home of its own.

Since the earliest times there has been a tendency in St. Joseph toward high-class music. Rosenblatt's brass band, which was formed by Herman Rosenblatt in 1854, was welcomed and given all possible encouragement by the people of those days, and for many years this organization was famous throughout the West. But the brass band was not commensurate. There were many excellent voices and much latent musical talent, which craved development and expansion. In 1857 Prof. Otto Behr was induced to come to St. Joseph. To this gentleman is due the credit of erecting and maintaining a standard of excellence which will be regarded with admiration and reverence for years to come. Professor Behr was born in Germany and educated at Leipsic. He located in New York some years before coming to St. Joseph. In the summer of 1898 he returned to his old home, almost blind and light in purse, after spending the best part of his life here. He had met with financial reverses before his eyes began to dim. But he is none the less esteemed and revered in St. Joseph, where he wrought so nobly and so successfully for his art.

In 1866 the St. Joseph Philharmonia was organized and placed under the direction of Professor Behr. This society embraced the best instrumental and vocal talent of the city, and there was also a large list of honorary and contributing members. Five or six grand concerts were generally given each season. The Philharmonia existed for about ten years.

The St. Joseph Maennerchor was another successful musical society. It was organized May 22, 1868, and the membership was mostlv German-American. This societv was affiliated with the

Pioneer Saengerbund, and two of the annual song festivals of the federation were held in St. Joseph. The first "Saengerfest'' began on April 30, 1873, continuing several days, and formed a part of the general festal programme in honor of the completion of the bridge. The second was held in June of 1883. Maennerchor hall was on the third floor of the McLaughlin building, at Third and Felix streets.

Among those who served as musical directors were Prof. Felix B. Canfield, Professor Kaiser and Prof. Wm. Plato. The Maennerchor was merged into the Turn Vereindn 1888.

Professor Behr's second successful effort to organize the talent for the exemplification of high-class music was represented in the Mendelssohn Musical organization, which was formed in 1882, modeled after the Philharmonia, and which existed until 1891. Concerts were given in the court house, where a suitable auditorium had oeen prepared, until the destruction of that building by fire, in March of 1885. Various halls were then used until the completion of the Y. M. C. A. auditorium.

Of the labor organizations in the city, Typographical Union No. 40, is the oldest. It was organized in June of 1859, and has had a continuous existence. Other labor organizations existing at this time are: Bricklayers' union, No. 5; Brewery Workers' union; Cigar makers' union, No. 95 ; Hod Carriers' union ; Machinists' union. No. 10; National Alliance Theatrical Stage Employes, No. 43; National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, No. 10; Printing Pressmen's union; Boiler-Makers' union; Tailors' union, No. 61; United Brotherhood of Leatherworkers ; Carpenters and Joiners' union ; Barbers' union and Butchers' union. There are also the following organizations of railroad men : Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, No. 107; St. Joseph lodge, No. 43, Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen; Order of Railway Telegraphers; P. Lavelle lodge, No. 92, Brotherhood of Railway Brakemen ; St. Joseph division, No. 141, Order of Railway Conductors, and an organization of switchmen. Central Labor Council is made up of representatives from the various unions.

A famous local organization in its day was the Red Ribbon Reform Club, which was organized December 16, 1877, by J. C. Bontecue, a temperance revivalist. There was a membership of 1.200. The club occupied rooms in Tootle's opera house until May, 1878, when the upper portion of the three-story building at the southeast corner of Second and Francis streets was fitted up, with a library, stage, etc. Theatrical and literary entertainments were here given. The place is yet known as Red Ribbon hall. The organization flourished for about four years. The first officers of the club were : Mor- decai Oliver president; C. B. Wilkinson, first vice-president; Thomas F. Ryan, second vice-president; William H. Wood, third vice-president; James C. Cozine, secretary; E. A. Smith, financial secretary; T. Van Natta, treasurer; J. A. Winsch, first marshal; R. A. Craig, second marshal ; Thos. J. Huyler, sergeant-at-arms.

The St. Joseph Mechanical and .Scientific Library Association was incorporated February 27, 1886. George R. Mann was president and Charles A. Pfeiffer secretary and treasurer. Charles Nowland and F. W. Gensen were also members. A large number of public documents which had been collected were turned over to the public library in 1892.