USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people, Vol. I > Part 54
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"The vaudeville shown in the basement was one of the greatest things in the show. Torleton and Torleton, comedy-musical artists, gave an almost continuous performance of high elass musieal entertainment. Mitchell, a special comedy artist engaged for the occasion was assisted by Miss Mitehell, a vocalist. Thirty minutes of vaudeville turns of unusual quality held the attention of a large audience.
"Certificates of deposit upon the Bank of Joplin are dispensed at the Elks' bank in charge of Mrs. A. If. Waite, cashier, assisted by a corp of tellers in white dresses. A $25 deposit was awarded to E. II. Moore who was the holder of the lucky number, 219 at the elose of the first evening. Mrs. Waite was assisted by Mrs. J. A. Cragin, Mrs. E. G. Nix, Mrs. T. W. Osterloh, Mrs. Frank Church, Mrs. Millie Porter, Mrs. J. H. Spencer, Mrs. J. H. Taylor, Mrs. F. H. Spring, Mrs. Finke, Mrs. Dugan, Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Evans.
"The gypsy booth, with its beautiful red lights and artistically gowned women, is another of the popular places. Mrs. D. C. Hoover, with her corps of assistants, undertook the management of the booth, reading any hand for ten cents.
"The 'Mike the Duek' game of chance, in which the chancer al- ways got some, was quite amusing. Five cents was put in the bird's pipe and then he dueked his head and brought up a small gift in his beak. These were always satisfactory. This booth was in charge of Mrs. C. N. Stark and her assistants were Mrs. J. B. Serage, Mrs. C. Jones, Mrs. C. Foster, Mrs. D. Bolton, Mrs. Chas. Hart, Miss Buchanan and the Misses Deiter.
"Some of the other booths were the handkerchief booth, the colonial booth, the souvenir booth, the flower booth, the lemonade booth and the bon-bon booth.
"The auction booth was one where all kinds of valuables were knocked down to the lowest bidder. The ceaseless hnmn of the Elks "buggy" wheel enlivened one of the eozy nooks of the building and the number which the pointer indicated determined to whom went the valuable prizes. These prizes consisted of donations made by public spirited members of the Elks and their friends and were of considerable value.
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Among the prizes were a 40-acre farm donated by John D. Cameron, in southwest Missouri; a city lot in Schifferdecker's addition to Joplin by Schifferdecker; a fine antomobile by John Wise; a $150 cut glass punch bowl and cups, many carloads of coal, sacks of ore, artieles of furniture and household goods of every description. In addition to these were several $25 cash prizes and one prize of $50 in gold. Also the Elks were presented with two large elegant vases, a Japanese tea set and a Japanese chocolate set from Count Kogora Takahira, the Japanese minister. The secretary of the Japanese legation wrote the committee, in behalf of the minister, conveying his pleasure in being able to contribute to the Joplin Elks.
"Among the things to be raffled was an annual pass on the South- west Missouri Electric Railway donated by President Rogers, a $1,000 life insurance policy in the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany donated by Franklin M. Smith, and an old Dutch mission elock donated by the C. M. Spring Drug Company.
"The 40-acre farm was won by George Layne, the city lot was sold at auction and bought by Arthur Bendelari, Charles W. Bartlett won the eut glass punch bowl and set, and John Worth, Sidney Wilkins, John R. Holmes and Mrs. Albert Newman each won a carload of coal donated by different coal companies. The purse containing $50 in gold, donated by a prominent Elk, was won by O. B. Chaney. The old mission eloek was won by R. R. Campbell, commercial agent for the Katy railroad. Mrs. C. E. Baker was the winner of the silk dress pattern given by P. A. Christman to the Elks' fair management.
"The bon-bon booth, with its arches of green cedar lighted by myriads of red shaded electrie lights to represent cherries, was very popular. A great feature of this booth was the large candle stick, thirty- eight inches tall and two and a half inches in diameter. A candle was burned in this each night and therein lay the money-making powers of the candlestick, for gnesses as to how long it would take to burn it down were sold at five cents apiece. This was donated by Mrs. Louie Reinhimer and Mr. Reinhimer gave a handsome cut glass dish.
"The flower booth in the center was the most beautiful of all, draped in white with a row of electrie lights running around the top. Chief among its many beautiful plants was a handsome Boston fern, homegrown, by Mrs. MeKee, the chairman. This fern was perhaps the largest in Joplin at that time, many fronds measuring two yards in length. This was donated by the chairman and chances taken on it at ten cents each. Arthur Spencer won this beautiful fern.
"A new feature was introduced the last two days of the fair-a baby show, conducted by T. C. Malloy and C. W. MeAbee.
"The babies were held on the stage by their mothers, where they were viewed and reviewed by the admiring visitors and voted on at five cents a vote. Every baby was tagged with a number, while a bal- lot box of the same number stood by. The first prize of $5 was won by No. 2; second prize, $3 in cash by a chocolate colored baby, and the third. $2 in cash, went to a very dark baby."
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THE INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS
In 1903 the Missouri State Independent Order of Odd Fellows conclave was held in Joplin and, although the convention proper was a small gathering-the representatives being selected by legislation dis- tricts (one delegate for each)-it brought together the membership of the three linked fraternities in Joplin. At the date of the grand meet- ing, the seven Odd Fellows' lodges of Joplin had a combined mem- bership of 1,200 and over 1,000 of these, headed by the ever-popular Canton Lincoln, escorted the delegates through the streets of the city to the place of meeting, the High School auditorium.
As mentioned in our Chapter of the seventies, the Odd Fellows was the first fraternal society to be established in Joplin, and will soon celebrate the fortieth anniversary of its organization.
If a full and complete history of Odd Fellowship in Joplin were written it would make a large volume and the book would be filled with innumerable acts of kindness, the doing of which has made life more worth living, and the recollection of which brings sweet memories to the men who have exemplified the tenets of friendships, love and truth.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS
Joplin Lodge, No. 40, Knights of Pythias, during the past ten years has had an eventful history, having not only conducted a number of most successful social functions, among them the entertainment of the Grand Lodge of the state, but has, on account of its many activities, gained a state-wide reputation. Two of its members have been called to state positions of honor. Col. Joel T. Livingston, of the Third Regi- ment, U. R. K. P., having been elected in 1903, brigadier general com- manding the Missouri brigade, U. R. K. P. which position he held for four years, and Horace Merritt having in 1910 attained the highest office in the gift of the Grand Lodge, being chosen grand chancellor and serving with distinction.
THE RATHBONE SISTERS
In the Pythian life in Joplin no part of it has been more prominent or deserves more comment than the ladies' auxiliary, the Rathbone Sisters, and more recently called the Pythian Sisters.
This organization was brought about through the appointment of a committee by the Knights of Pythias to formulate plans for the found- ing of a Rathbone temple. The committee consisted of Mrs. L. C. McCarty, Mrs. Frank Myers, Mrs. L. A. Hunter and Mrs. Lenora H. Livingston. The Rathbone temple has participated in every social function of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias and has been a most helpful auxiliary, sharing, with the Knights, the pleasures that attended their successes and, with tender hands and loving hearts, extending the broad hand of Pythian charity.
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Joplin Temple, No. 78, Rathbone Sisters, was organized in 1902, Mrs. S. J. MeKee being its first presiding officer and, on account of her very excellent rendition of the principal part of the degree work of the annual convention of the Rathbone Sisters, arose by rapid promo- tions to the position of grand chief of the state, and, at the 1908 con- vention, being eleeted one of Missouri's delegates to the Supreme Lodge. The first affair of the Pythian Sisters, of which the temple was the hostess, was the entertainment of the eleventh district Rathbone con- vention of Joplin, in March, 1903. The Joplin Daily Globe gives the following mention of the convention : "The Third distriet convention of the Rathbone Sisters of Missouri was held Monday at Pythian hall, No. 413 Main street with an afternoon and evening session. It is spoken of by all who were in attendance as a most successful convention. The hall was a picture of beanty in the colors of the lodge, which are blue, yellow and red, and the arrangement of the decorations reflect great eredit upon the ladies of the Joplin temple.
"The convention was graciously and efficiently presided over by Mrs. Joel T. Livingston, deputy grand chief of state. Mrs. S. J. McKee gave the address of welcome and her remarks captivated all who heard them, and were a real bouquet of lovely expressions of wel- come.
"A feature which charmed all who heard it was the piano playing of Mrs. A. L. DeArmond, of Carthage. Her first number was the 'March from Tannhauser,' by Vagner Liszt. She was voeiferonsly encored, and responded with 'Tarrentelle,' by Mills. Still her hearers were not satisfied, and a third time she seated herself at the instrument, playing the 'Cradle Song,' by Chopin.
"By this time a superb bouquet of choice roses appeared and were presented to the talented pianiste, who played to the still further de- light of all present a composition of her own, which was an arrange- ment of patriotie airs, or rather airs of the different states of the union. In another number Mrs. DeArmond and Miss Georgie Fitzer, also of Carthage, rendered a duet, 'Boute En Traine,' by Ketterer, and to the inevitable encore Miss Fitzer responded with an arrangement of 'Nearer My God to Thee.'
"The election of officers resulted as follows: Mrs. Eva Rich, of Webb City, grand senior; Mrs. Laura Jackson, of Carthage, grand junior; Miss Davies, of Monett, manager; Miss DeEtta Whitwell, of .Joplin, mistress of finance; Miss Grace, of Carterville, proteetor, and Mrs. b. C. MeCarty, of Joplin, guard.
"During the evening there was a contest between the different lodges in the district in ritualistie work, the prize being a loving enp, and was awarded to Mrs. Tina Oliver, of Carterville. The musical features of the evening session were furnished by Mrs. DeArmond, who played 'Il Trovatore' and an arrangement of 'Home Sweet Home,' played with the left hand. Refreshments of iee cream and cake were served by the ladies of the Joplin temple, and the guests were heard to say that the day and evening were delightful to them."
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EL PLOMO TEMPLE, No. 126, D. O. K. K.
El Plomo Temple, No. 126, Dramatie Order Knights of the Khorassan, was instituted in Joplin, February 24. 1905, and was the Mecca around which the Pythians' social life of JJasper county revolved for the next four years. The D. O. K. K. is to the Knights of Pythias what the Shriners' degree is to Masonry and, while it is no part of the Knights of Pythias proper, its membership is confined to that order. El Plomo temple was not a Joplin society, but was composed of members of the order from all over Jasper county and from Galena, Columbus, Weir City and Pittsburg, in Kansas.
The following were the officers :- Royal vizier, J. G. Richardson, Joplin; grand emir, W. E. Harper, Galena, Kansas; secretary, Will F. Shannon, Joplin; treasurer, L. C. MeCarthy, Joplin ; mehedi, Byron Coon, Joplin ; sheik. Floyd Saxton, Webb City; mokanna, C. J. Shortiss, Joplin; joc, George G. Brader, Joplin; master of ceremonies, F. H. Nesbitt, Webb City; Satrap, George H. Boughton, Galena ; sahib, Henry Sapp, Joplin; escorts, John Gray, of Carthage; Maddaugh Columbus; representative to Supreme Temple, J. T. Livingston, Joplin. John Il. Holmes, imperial nawbob and imperial secretary and II. W. Belding, both of St. Louis, conducted the institution ceremonies. The work of this highly entertaining degree was performed by the officers who had previously been rehearsed in their several parts and was very ex- cellent. Clarence J. Shortiss, who took the part of Mokanna, was es- pecially complimented by the Imperial Nawbob for the masterful way in which he had interpreted his part, saying that he had never seen the work better rendered. J. G. Richardson, Floyd Saxton and George Brader also came in for a liberal share of applause. After the institu- tion of the temple, the one hundred and fifty members partook of a most excellently served banquet at the Clarkton Hotel. Hon. A. E. Spencer was the toastmaster and the following after-dinner speeches were made: The "Doky," by Hon. J. Il. Holmes, of St. Louis; "The Kansas Sunflower," W. F. Sapp, Galena ; "The Missouri Mule," Howard Gray, Carthage; "When Knighthood Was in Flower," J. T. Living- ston, Joplin ; "The Goat," John Flannigan, Carthage; "To the Woman Who is Waiting For Me," John Malang, Joplin.
El Plomo Temple held a semi-annual ceremonial at some point in the district during each of the years up to 1909, having exemplified the work and been royally entertained at Galena, Webb City and Pitts- burg. The finaneial distress which followed the panie of 1907, how- ever, somewhat dampened the ardor of the Pythian hosts of Jasper county and no ceremonial was had in 1909 or 1910. At this writing (1911) the Knights at Webb City, which lodge is enjoying a boom of no small dimensions, is reviving the spirit of Khorassan chivalry and it is quite probable that a ceremonial will be held at the Twin Cities during 1912.
The D. O. K. K. numbered during its palmy days three hundred Pythians brave and true.
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THE SCOTTISH RITE MASONS
The principal interest in Masonic circles during the decade was the establishment, at Joplin, of the several Scottish Rite Masonic or- ganizations. The importance of this will be more readily understood when it is cited that Joplin is but one of three cities in the state where the highest degrees of this rite are conferred, and that the Joplin Consistory draws its membership from a radius of one hun- dred miles around, bringing to Joplin, at the spring and fall convocations of the rite, large numbers of prominent members. The following Scot- tish Rite Masons, holding their membership at Kansas City, began in November, 1900, the agitation for the establishment of the Scottish Rite, at Joplin, to-wit-George B. Paxton, Robert A. Wilson, George C. Bayne, Levi Riseling, Charles Regan and J. W. McAntire. Their efforts met with success, and in 1901 Martin Collins, sovereign grand inspector for Missouri, recommended to Hon. Jos. D. Richardson, sovereign grand commander, that a Lodge of Perfection be established in Joplin.
JOPLIN LODGE OF PERFECTION, NO. 5
The first regular work of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, at Joplin, occurred at Fellowship Hall. As a preliminary meeting to the organization of Jopliu Lodge, No. 5, the degrees from the fourth to the fourteenth were conferred in a class of twenty-seven, the fol- lowing officers being in the chair: Illustrions Brother Martin Collins, sovereign grand inspector general; George Bailey Paxton, venerable master; William B. Waugh, senior warden; George G. Bayne, junior warden; Jos. . W. McAntire, orator; Charles Regan, Almonder; O. H. Picher, treasurer; Robert A. Wilson, secretary; Douglas E. McDowell, master of ceremonies; Cyrus N. Stark, expert ; Moses H. Lyon, assistant expert ; Albert E. Whitney, tyler. The temporary charter was granted April 8, 1902. The following gentlemen have filled the office of vener- able master: 1901, George Bailey Paxton ; 1902, Cyrus Nathaniel Stark ; 1903, Martin Toner Balsley; 1904, William T. Branham; 1905, William Latour; 1906, William Latour; 1907, Thomas Herron; 1908, Thomas Herron ; 1909, Frank Sansom; 1910, Frank Sansom; 1911, Clyde Scott Poole.
JOPLIN CHAPTER ROSE CROIX, No. 3
The degrees of this branch of the rite, covering the fifteenth to the eighteen, were first conferred in Joplin. April 10, 1902, on a Class of sixty-three. As in the former body, Illustrions Brother Martin Col- lins directed the work and George B. Paxton. as venerable master, presided. The following are the past venerable masters of Joplin Chapter: 1902, P. N. Davey: 1903. P. N. Davey; 1904, C. G. F. Toepper; 1905, C. G. F. Toepper ; 1906, W. C. Glenn ; 1907. W. C. Glenn ; 1908, H. Scherl; 1909, H. Scherl; 1910, O. P. M. Wiley: 1911, O. P. M. Wiley.
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JOPLIN COUNCIL, No. 3, KNIGHTS OF KODASHI
The nineteenth to the thirtieth degrees are conferred by the Council of the Knights of Kodash. This first work of Joplin Council was con- ferred December 10, 1903. Elroy J. Pratt being the first commander. The work was conferred by the degree team from St. Louis. The fol- lowing have been called to the office of commanders: 1904, Harry Tam- blyn ; 1905, Elroy J. Pratt; 1907, Elroy J. Pratt; 1908, A. Ilaughton ; 1909, A. Haughton; 1910, L. L. Moore; 1911, L. L. Moore.
THIE CONSISTORY
Joplin Consistory, No. 3, Master of the Royal Seeret, was instituted May 5, 1904, and its institution was the crowning jewel in the easket
... ...... .....
PUBLIC INSTALLATION JOPLIN CHAPTER, R. A. M., No. 91
of Masonie gems. The following officers filled the principal chairs: 1904-9, P. N. Davey ; 1910-11, E. J. Pratt. The membership of the Seottish Rite bodies, not counting those who belonged to two or more of the orders, was on June 30, 1911, six hundred and fifty.
GRAND CHAPTER ROYAL ARCH MASONS
The meeting of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in Joplin in April, 1909, like the meeting of the Templars in 1906. brought many splendid masons to the city and their coming was the signal for the Masons of Joplin-and their number is legion-to bring forth the fatted calf, as it were, and extend to the brethren a royal welcome.
On the afternoon of the first day the officers of the Grand Lodge, together with their ladies, visited Christal Cave and here, beneath the bowels of the earth and among the great drifts of the old mine, they
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partook of a well served lunch, after which their pictures were taken by flash light.
In the evening a reception was given which was attended by the members of the craft generally, after which the members of Joplin Chapter, No. 91, exemplified in a most ereditable manner the Royal Arch degree.
At the conclusion of the session on the second day the entertain- ment committee had in waiting four belt line cars, and the entire delega- tion was taken round the loop and shown the interesting sights at Duenweg, Porto Rico, Prosperity, Carterville and Webb City-a ride of twenty-one miles passing through the richest mining district of the county.
W. O. W. LOG ROLLING, SEPTEMBER 10, 1903
The eighth annual log rolling of the Missouri-Kansas Log Rolling Association was held in Joplin, Thursday, September 10, 1903, and was a great event in fraternal circles. Joplin was gaily decorated in honor of the visiting Woodmen and no pains were spared to make the occasion a day of pleasant recollection.
The following executive committee planned and carried out the splendid program : W. L. Cook, chairman, Joplin ; J. J. Barnett, Joplin ; J. A. Brown, Joplin; W. S. Shelby, Galena; J. W. Kaiser, Fort Scott; W. L. Broekman, Springfield; J. E. Smith, Springfield; M. W. Clark, chairman of transportation committee, Joplin, and Hon. Jas. P. Mead Delegate to Sovereign Camp.
The following officers of the association attended and participated in the deliberations of the business sessions: Verne D. Edwards, Kan- sas City, president; George B. Moore, Fort Seott, vice president; T. J. Robb, Sedalia, second vice president; L. M. Hicks, Rich Hill, third vice president ; James E. Fitzgerald, Kansas City, fourth vice president ; F. P. Smith, Joplin, secretary ; W. L. Owen, Joplin, treasurer.
It was, in reality, Woodmen's day in Joplin ; for the ehoppers from far and near had left the forest and had made a holiday, as it were, to renew old friendships, meet new neighbors and to celebrate the great achievements of their society.
There were thousands of operative as well as speculative Woodmen present, to contest for the honors to be awarded on the occasion of this big log rolling. Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Ar- kansas, Indian territory and Oklahoma eaeh sent representatives to swell the great multitudes that began arriving on the early morning trains over every railroad entering the city.
The Jayhawker, with his quick, springing step and the breath of the prairies clinging about him, mingled with the tall mountaineer from Arkansas. The Missourian in the meantime mingled with the crowd in the forest, and bid them welcome to the friendship and hospitality which has ever characterized and distinguished the state, believing at the same time that he is a pretty good Woodman himself.
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"Log rolling" is an entertainment promoted in the interest of Wood- craft, and to provide an opportunity for the members, their wives, sons, daughters and friends to enjoy a day of pleasure and innocent amuse- ments, become acquainted and cement the bonds of fraternity, friend- ship and hospitality that have distinguished and adorned the order from its first ineeption. Some of the principal features of these annual log rollings are exhibition drills by the degree teams of the various camps. The proceedings are always witnessed and attended by large crowds. Instead of using guns and swords like military companies, the teams perform various evolutions and movements with axes-the tools used by operative woodmen to fell the trees of the forest.
The following reception committee from the Joplin Club met the several regular and special trains and escorted the Woodmen up town and to the several places of interest about the city: A. V. Boswell, F. L. Yale, D. D. W. Enrich, G. L. Burkhart, Ilorace Merritt, Frank Smith, F. W. Manchester and Walter Barrett. Another . pleasant and much appreciated act was the placing on Main street by the W. C. T. U. of a number of water barrels, which were kept filled with good ice water and from which the tired and thirsty choppers drank freely.
The exercises proper began at 1 o'clock P. M. with a monster parade, in which five thousand Woodmen participated and which was wit- nessed by fully twenty thousand spectators. The parade moved in the following order :
Squadron of mounted police.
First division-Kansas Woodmen, W. L. Cook, marshal; Baxter Springs band and six marehing companies of Foresters.
Second division-Indian Territory Woodmen, F. V. Kruberg, marshal.
Third division-Arkansas Woodmen, J. A. Brown, marshal.
Fourth division-Missouri Woodmen, Captain Fred Nesbitt, marshal.
In the Missouri division were twenty marching organizations, in- eluding the eraek drill teams of Butler, Springfield, Rich Hill, Nevada, Webb City and other southwest Missouri towns. The parade organized at the Central school, moved north on Joplin to Third street, and south on Main to Cox park, where the competitive drills took place. The following were the prize winners:
Class A-First prize, Rich Hill; second prize, Fort Scott.
Class B-First prize, Springfield ;
Class C (hayseed amateurs)-Blendville camp took the first honors.
The other prizes were as follows: Woodmen circle drill team con- test : Little Gem Grove, Blendville.
Largest camp in line: Rieh Hill.
Best appearing and best drilled camp in parade: East Joplin camp.
Best float in parade: Fort Scott.
Best decorated emblematic window : Davis T. Keyser.
Vol. 1-33
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After the drill contests the Woodmen again assembled at the Cen- tral school grounds where a number of splendid Woodmen addresses were made.
GRAND LODGE, KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS
The annual legislative assembly of the Knights of Pythias was held in Joplin, October 17 to 21, 1904, and brought to the city 1,500 members of that great fraternity. The brigade assembly of the U. R. K. P. was held at the same time and there were eight companies of the military branch of the order in attendance, to-wit: Kansas City Company No. 3 and Sicilian Company No. 1, of Kansas City ; Webb City Company No. 11; Neosho Company No. 56; Joplin Company No. 40, of the Missouri brigade, and the companies from Galena, Pittsburg and Girard, Kansas. At that time the company at Girard held the world's championship, having carried away first money in the prize drills at Louisville, Ken- tueky in August of that year. The Pythian parade at the opening of the grand body was an imposing speetaele.
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