USA > Indiana > Vigo County > History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections > Part 62
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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
Rev. Hayes, pastor at West Vigo, attended this church as its first pastor, in connection with his other congregation. A free-for- all church, called New Hope, was built across in Sugar Creek town- ship as early as 1824. Its chief builders were Presbyterians, and every one furnished a log for the building. After it was well a- going, a South Carolina abolitionist came along and preached his doctrine, and this rent the church, and it is supposed that each man went and pulled out his log and it was no more.
Pisgah Methodist Episcopal Church was put up in 1839. It is on Section 4, of Township 12, Range 10, near the State line in the north- west corner of the town. It was the first frame erected, all hewed and cut with the whip-saw. It was eventually burned. In the early eighties another one was built.
Bethseda Methodist Episcopal Church is about four miles due west of Terre Haute, about one mile north of the National road; built in 1849.
West Vigo Presbyterian Church is west of Terre Haute four miles on the Paris road. It was built by one portion of the New Hopers, who had withdrawn from the first church in the township. The Goodmans and a few others joined with the Congregationalists and put up a small frame building.
South Vigo Congregational Church, a small frame, is southwest of Terre Haute, and in the southwest corner of Sugar Creek town- ship. It was built in 1859.
Honey Creek Regular Predestinarian Baptist Church is in the north part of Prairie Creek township; built in 1845; has fifty members. The church was organized in 1830-fifteen members, under Elder James Lee, Benoni Trueblood and Elder Asel Staggs. It is now served by Elder Cyrus Moffatt.
Missionary Baptist Church at Middletown is a comfortable frame, built about 1842, to take the place of the first log building. First a log, then a frame, and third the present building. This was the first Baptist church in the county, Elder Huston in charge.
Christian Church, Middletown, is a fine large frame, and was built about 1850.
United Brethren Church, in Prairie Creek township, situated near the center thereof, is a frame, and is served regularly from a distance.
Methodist Episcopal Church, in the village of Prairieton, is a flourishing institution, built in 1845. The oldest church in the county was in this place, a Quaker meeting-house. This building was put up by the United Brethren Church, and sold to the Methodists.
United Brethren Church on Section 3, Prairieton township, is a
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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
neat little frame church of this denomination. It was built in 1860.
United Brethren Church, in the village of Prairieton, is an old organization. This building is a frame, and was erected about 1840.
New Harmony Church, in Prairieton township, near the south line thereof, is Missionary Baptist; a neat frame, built in 1856.
Missionary Baptist, in Linton township, near the northwest cor- ner, is one of the old church organizations. They built about 1826 a small log house, and in 1840 built their present frame building.
Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, pastor, Samuel Slavens, is in the southern part of Lost Creek township, built in 1890. The con- gregation before had worshiped in a school-house.
Methodist Episcopal Church .- As early as 1837 the Methodists built a log church near where is now Seelyville. They worshiped in this until 1855, when they erected a large frame. This was burned soon after completion by an incendiary; they liad had a split in the congregation. It was not rebuilt.
Christian Church ( Disciples) in 1858 built their church on the southeast corner of Section 29, Lost Creek township, about five miles west of Terre Haute, on land donated by L. N. Trueblood. It took the name of Union Christian Church of Lost Creek. The congregation was organized in August, 1855, under Elder W. D. Ladd. Anderson Ward was the first regular preacher.
Old Salem Baptist Church in Lost Creek township, in the south- east part; first was a small log house. In 1874 they built their present edifice. Once a flourishing society, but now much reduced, this church has a woman for pastor, Rev. Mrs. Chapman.
Colored Methodists have a church in their settlement in the north part of Lost Creek township, built about 1840.
Colored Missionary Baptists have a church in Lost Creek town- ships; built in 1862; it was burned in 1867, and the next year rebuilt.
Hamilton Chapel, is a Methodist church formed in what is Riley township as early as 1820, named after an early pioneer, Brother Hamilton; services held for years in private cabins. In 1857 was erected Hamilton Chapel-a frame. In the northern part of the township a log church (Methodist) was built on Section 1, at an early day. A handsome brick edifice was put up in 1872, called "Plymouth Chapel.
Christie's Chapel, Methodist Episcopal, in Riley township, Sec- tion 4, is an old church organization ; in 1862 erected a frame church; this was sold in 1872 and the present one erected.
604
HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
Liberty Christian Church ( Disciples) is near the south line of Riley township, central part, south of Lockport; was organized in 1840.
Simpson's Chapel, Methodist church, stands about one mile east of Lockport; the house was erected in 1840.
Christian Church ( Disciples), in the village of Lockport; was built in 1879; frame, and cost about $1,500.
Union Baptist Church .- Moses Pierson, from whom Pierson township takes its name, was a Baptist preacher. His brother, Willis Pierson, also a preacher, came to this county with him, and they were the earliest settlers in what is now Pierson township, coming in 1820. Joseph Liston moved over from Prairietown township to their settlement. In 1822 they organized the Union Baptist church, the first in the southeast part of the county. In 1826 they built a log church, used this three years, when they put up a brick build- ing, 30x50, southeast of the old log. In May, 1851, they built a frame on the sight of the old brick. The congregation organized with fifteen members, and grew to 120. Old Joseph Liston was clerk from 1824 to 1855.
Mount Olive Christian Church is in the southwest corner of Pier- son township, on Section 31, built on the Swinford farm, a frame; it was first organized in 1868.
Fletcher's Chapel, Methodist Episcopal, is about one mile nearly north of Mount Olive church, on Section 30, Pierson township; was built in 1871. The congregation first built a log house in 1855; a prosper ous community.
Pleasant Grove Centenary Church of the United Brethren or- der is on Section 15, Pierson township; a log house was built in 1864 and in 1876 a frame.
Christian Church, Pimento, occupies the lower story of the Town House in the village. It was organized at the Union School- house March 17, 1867, having twenty-three members. In 1872 it was removed to Pimento.
Baptist Church, Pimento, has no building; holds meetings in the Town House, joining in the use of the house with the Christians and Old Baptists.
Regular Baptist, Pimento, has a good-sized frame house in the village, built in 1869. Their congregation was formed years ago.
Grove Church, Honey Creek, is Methodist; built in 1860. There was a church organization in the Lambert and Dickson neighbor- hood as early as 1818. For years was at settlers' cabins, and then in school-houses. The Grove church was built near the Durham school-house.
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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
Mount Pleasant Methodist Episcopal Church, in Honey Creek township, was built in 1833. It is in the northeast part of the township.
Mount Zion Baptist Church was built in 1855. Rev. Samuel K. Sparks organized the society in 1841, and was its pastor twenty- nine years.
United Brethren Farmers' Chapel is on section 33, Honey creek ; a frame; cost $800, and built in 1874. A noted camp-meeting ground; is near Hull's school-house. First camp meeting in the county was at this place.
Union Church, for all Protestant denominations, was built in Otter Creek township, on the old Lafayette road, about a quarter of a mile north of Otter creek. It has continued a Union church.
Melhodist Episcopal Church, in Otter Creek township, is on the Lafayette road near the Parke county line; built of brick.
Rose Hill Methodist Episcopal Church is in Otter Creek town- ship. It is on the range line a mile and a quarter north of the creek. This is by far the finest church building in the township; built in 1869.
Christian Church, two and a half miles northwest of Fontanet, was the first church building in this part of the county. It has rotted down, and the logs have been either hauled away or decayed.
Otter Creek Union Church, a frame church building, the work of all denominations, contributing and using it in common, was built in 1855.
United Brethren Church (New Goshen) is a nice brick building, built in 1883; one of the old and flourishing congregations.
Christian Church (New Goshen) is a very comfortable frame building, erected in 1880. They are served from a distance.
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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
SOCIETIES.
M ASONRY 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 Demas 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. D .; Andrew Brooks, steward; Robert Brasher, tyler. The total of the brotherhood, in addition to the officers, were John T. Chunn, John Gough, Robert Sturgus, Eleazer Aspenwall, Thomas H. Clarke, Jacob Burnap, Joseph A. Norton, Asa Hawley, William Woodward and Luther Franklin.
This lodge flourished, and of its members was nearly every lead- ing man in the county of the early settlers.
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.
Since the new organization, 1845, the following brethren have presided in the east and filled the master's chair: Elijah Tillotson,
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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
James S. Freeman, Dayton Topping, A. Lange, Robert Wharry, George F. Lyon, Arba Holmes, Thomas I. Bourne, James S. Weyeth, R. W. Thompson, James D. Wright, Alexander Thomas, William Jenkins, Lynd A. Smith and R. Van Valzah.
Officers of Terre Haute Lodge No. 19: Jacob D. Early, W. M .; George E. Pugh, S. W .; William C. Laws, J. W .; Frank R. Byers, treasurer; Alexander Thomas, secretary; William C. Durham, S. D .; William Penn, J. D .; William H. Graul, S. S .; Charles E. Car- ter, J. S .; Charles E. Cregar, tyler; membership 327.
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, Josiah D. Jones, James K. Allen, Robert M. Harrison and John H. Cliff.
Officers: James K. Allen, W. M .; James N. Hickman, S. W .; William Clelland, J. W .; Wilson Naylor, Treas .; W. Mayfield Mc- Lean, Sec .; William Mc Williams, S. D .; George W. Crapo, J. D .; Leonidas L. Williamson, S. S .; Isaac O. Woods, J. S .; Adam H. Kildaw, Tyler.
Humbolt Lodge No. 42, A. F. & A. M., was chartered June 23, 1870; past masters: Philip Schloss, Fredrick Schmidt, Will- iam E. Hendrich, Joseph Erlanger, Adolph Herz, Fredrick Faust, August Busch, Jonas Strouse.
Officers: Andrew Geyman, W. M .; Andrew Roesch, S. W .; Emil Teitge, J. W .; Peter Miller, Treas .; John C. Reichert, Sec. ; Solo- mon Arcel, S. D .; Julius Hintermeister, J. D .; Frank Peker, S. S .; Mathias A. Bauman, J. S .; Charles E. Cregar, tyler; membership seventy.
Euclid Lodge No. 573, A. F. & A. M .- Charter bears date May 25, 1885; membership sixty-five. Past masters: Julius F. Roedel, Charles H. Goodwin, Western Harper, John R. Coffin.
Officers: William O. Patton, W. M .; William C. Isbell, S. W .; Charles Balch, J. W .; John K. Graff, Treas. ; Charles, H. Goodwin, Sec .; Alonzo C. Duddleston, S. D .; Emil Froeb, J. D .; John C. Warren, S. S .; Frank Dupell, J. S .; Charles E. Cregar, tyler.
Terre Haute Chapter No. 11, A. F. & A. M., was chartered May 26, 1849; membership 250. Past high priests : James S. Freeman, George F. Lyon, John F. Cruft, Robert Wharry, John Sayre, Will- iam Durham, Alexander Thomas, Simeon Wolf, Aug. L. Chamber- lain, Robert Van Valzah, Thomas B. Long, James K. Allen, Will- iam C. Eichelberger, Philip Schloss, Frank C. Danaldson.
Officers: Frank C. Danaldson, H. P .; Jolin W. Davis, K .; Will-
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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
iam E. Boland S .; William C. Durham, C. of H .; Charles Balch, P. S .; Alexander L. Crawford, R. A. C .; W. H. Graul, M., Third V. ; Thomas J. Griffith, M., Second V. ; John L. Seeman, M. First V .; Uriah Shewmaker, Treas .; Charles H. Goodwin, Sec .; Charles E. Cregar, guard.
Terre Haute Council No. 8, A. F. & A. M., was chartered May 20, 1856; membership 126. Past illustrious masters: John Sayre, George F. Lyons, Robert Wharry, William Durham, Aug. L. Chamberlain, Alexander Thomas, Asa M. Black, John K. Graff, Thomas B. Long, Albert Maginnis, James K. Allen George Flood, John H. Cliff, Robert Van Valzah, Leonard S. Briggs.
Knights Templar, Terre Haute Commandery No. 16, A. F. & A. M .- Chartered April 8, 1868; membership 139. Past eminent commanders: Charles Cruft, Jonathan B. Hagar, Alexander Thomas, Francis C. Crawford, James B. Armstrong, Henry H. Boudinot, John G. Williams, Robert Van Valzah, John W. Cruft, George E. Farrington, Thomas B. Long, Edward Gilbert, Jacob C. Kolsem, Charles M. Daggett, Leonard S. Briggs.
Officers : William S. Roney, E.C .; William E. Perryman, G. ; Rob- ert P. Davis, C. G .; Rev. James D. Stanley, P .; William C. Eichel- berger, S. W .; Samuel S. Early, J. W .; David C. Gressier, Treas. ; Maxwell C. Wood, Rec .; John G. Heinl, St. B. ; Charles D. Griffith, Sw. B .; Charles C. Luckey, W .; Orville E. Raidy, third G .; Will- iam J. Briggs, second G. ; Lewis P. Stone, first G .; Frank P. Sar- gent, organist.
Terre Haute Chapter No. 43 .- Charter dated April 15, 1880. Membership 169. Past worthy matrons: Alice E. Graff, Mary Cliff, Anna V. Lakin, Eva M. Hollinger.
Officers: Mary Haggarty, W. M .; Charles Forrestal, W. P .; Ida Calvert, A. M .; Mary Hedges, conductress; May Mahan, Asst. conductress ; Sallie Allen, Sec. ; Mrs. Merry, Treas. ; Bonnie Merry, Adah; Maime O'Mara, Ruth; Gertrude Berge, Esther; Florence Bardsley, Martha; Olive A. Spears, Electa; Hettie Duddleston, warder; Mary Siedentopf, pianist; Charles Cregier, sentinel.
Owl Nest No. 8 .- A side degree of Masonry. This Nest was organized in Terre Haute April 28, 1890. St. Louis Nest came over, Nest No. 1, and conducted the solemn ceremonies. A great number were initiated, and the following officers were elected: Dr. Robert Van Valzah, sapient screecher; Judge T. B. Long, first vice sapient screecher ; E. E South, second vice sapient scratcher; W. C. Durham, sapient scratcher; F. P. Sargent, director of ceremonies; G. W. Ballew, lord high executioner; John F. Graul, captain of the guard; T. H. Menifee, marshal; John N. Whonhart, band master; W. E. Boland, leader of the band; George E. Pugh, recording owl;
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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
R. A. Campbell, assistant recording owl; Frank C. Danaldson, property owl; Theodore Debs, assistant property owl; F. F. Peker, blinker.
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. Me Whinney, 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, V. C .; D. W. Wilkerson, P .; A. E. Eiser, M. of E .; L. C. Clemons, M. of F .; J. H. Lutz, M. at A .; William Ulrich, I. G .; F. P. Stubbs, O. G.
Royal Arcanum, Equity Council No. 324 was instituted in 1879. Charter members: J. B. Lyon, J. Hyde, S. Owen, Charles M. Smith, W. M. Linton, James Van Eaton, N. W. Hewitt, Richard Dahlen, James Cox, Joseph C. Kelly, George H. Thomas, Robert G. Watson, L. H. Bortholomew, H. M. Pound,, Joseph Carhart, John D. Wilson, Morgan Layman, L. Finkbiner, Sam L. Fenna, C. L. Smith, A G. Austin, Henry D. Smith, J. T. H. Miller, J. A. Marshall, Charles R. Ray, N. H. Page, W. F. Walmsley; present membership, 75. Present officers: M. Seiler, R .; W. W. Byers, V. R .; I. H. C. Royse, O .; W. C. Isbell, P. A .; W. C. Lawes, Sec .; I. K. Clatfelter, C .; Bartis McCormick, Treas. ; John C. Warren, Chap .; W. B. Steele, G .; J. D. Wilson, W .; H. C. Miller, L. Trust- ees: I. H. C. Royse, A. G. Austin, W. S. Roney.
K. of P., Endowment Rank, 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, W. M. Slaughter, Wiley Summers, W. A. Atkins, George W. 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. Lentge, V. P., A. B. Stoner, Sec. and Treas.
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, V. 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.
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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
Terre 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. S. Blatchley.
K. of G. R., Castle Ivy No. 10 .- The Knights of the Golden Rule organized a Grand Chapter, June 31, 1890, and elected the following: P. G. C., J. B. Lyons; G. C., W. H. Hall; G. V. C., S. C. Collins; G. S., T. J. Chapman; G. I., W. N. Cramer; G. P., James W. Jacobs; G. H., G. W. Justus; G. W., G. H. Carey ; G. S., McElroy B. Glen; grand trustees: Isaac Wilson, C. E. Carroll and G. W. Wood.
A. O. U. W., Schiller Lodge No. 4, was organized July 2, 1873. Charter members: Charles Steumpfle, Chris Stark, Henry Straus, Steve Meyers, William Lotze, John Klein, John Eisenbach, Leo Stark, Conrad Becker, J. Bonzheim, Fred Zigler, George Steumpfle, William Wagner, Richard H. Housman, Fred Kickler, Peter Kaufman, C. Sacks, John Zimmerman, J. S. Schlotterbach, X. Graff, F. Fegh, J. Drayer. Officers: Richard H. Housman, P. M .; William Kisker, M. W .; A. Overbacker, O .; Peter Miller, F .; R. H. Wittenberg, R .; Gotloeb Reaber, Fin .; Peter Dilg, Treas; Jacob Keller, I. W .; Chris Burkhardt, O. W.
A. O. U. W. No. 2, gave their first public installation July 7, 1890; following officers: Fred Otto, M. W .; John Baker, fore- man; Louis Merring, overseer; J. Knott, guide; W. A. Sheap, Fin. Sec. ; H. N. Draper, Receiver.
A. O. U. W., Friendship Lodge No. 66 (German. )-William Retty, M. W .; Chris F. Oeser, Fin. Sec.
Schiller Lodge No. 4 .- Fred H. Huppert, M. W .; W. Witten- berg, Rec .; L. Waldbeiser, financier.
Prairie City Lodge D. of R. Officers .- Mrs. Bertha Harrold, N. G .; Mrs. Eliza Clift, V. G .; Miss Carrie Haberland, Rec. Sec .; Mrs. Kate Mottox, Fin. Sec .; Mrs. Hausman, Treas .; Mrs. B. English, Warden; Mrs. Hathaway, Conductor; Mrs. Alice Summers, Inside Guardian; A. R. Summers, Outside Guardian; Mrs. Mary Poths and Mrs. Roberts, right supporters; Mrs. Lehman and Mrs. Leach, left supporters.
Occidental Lodge No. 18, K. of P., was instituted in January, 1872. Charter members: T. H. Riddle, J. D. Brown, John Seibert, . C. H. Mixer, J. T. Ostrander, A. R. Summers, J. H. Stonner, Benja- min Dresser, George Gorden, J. F. Thompson, J. M. Vanmeter, T. R. Gilman, William M. Slaughter, A. B. Stoner, R. Taller, F. A. Lawnsbery, William Shelden, B. H. Harbert, H. S. Gehman, L. Hirsh, S. T. Nelson, E. L. Girdner, M. T. Kelmer, C. E. Lightner.
Officers: C. N. Cliff, P. C .; C. W. McDaniel, C. C .; O. C. Horn- ing, V. C .; J. B. Wallace, Prelate; Charles Jackson, M. E .; W. D.
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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
Miller, M. F .; William Dean, M. at A .; Robert O. Miller, I. G .; R. P. Schlaman, O. G .; membership, 172.
A. O. U. W., Wabash Lodge No. 1., was granted a charter, February 7, 1877. Charter members: G. F. Cookerly, D. C. South- ard, A. R. Link, J. W. Haley, J. Van Eaton, Jr., A. Eaton, J. C. Kelly George H. Mills, Peter Kifer and Joel Serber. Present offi- cers: L. Teichman, P. M. W .; J. J. Gerald, M. W .; T. H. Good- win, F .; L. Baker, O .; S. M. Young, R .; William M. Slaughter, Fin .; W. W. Byers, Rec .; Robert Orr, G .; C. T. Foristall, I. W .; John Ohmnert, O. W. Present membership is 109.
K. & L. of H., Social Lodge No. 674 .- The present officers are: Mrs. Carrie Lover, P .; Mrs. Dora Helmer, V. P .; R. L. Day, R. S .; Miss Dorrey, C .; Mrs. Bertha Harrold, P. G. P.
Railroad 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
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612
HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
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.
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