USA > Missouri > Harrison County > History of Harrison County, Missouri > Part 11
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Eagleville Lodge No. 257, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, was organized about 1867. Mount Lebanon Lodge No. 332, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, was organized at Mount Moriah about 1868. This lodge surrendered its charter, however, about five years later. A Masonic lodge was also organized at Lorraine when that town seemed to have a promising future and was maintained there until 1885, when it was trans- ferred to Washington Center and in November, 1886, to Ridgeway. This lodge was originally known as Lorraine Lodge 128, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
There are now Masonic lodges in Harrison County at Cainsville, Hat- field, Eagleville, Gilman City, Bethany and Ridgeway, and a Knights Templar Commandery and Royal Arch Chapter at Bethany.
Odd Fellows.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows was the first fraternal organ- ization in Harrison County. Marian Lodge No. 129 was chartered at Bethany May 19, 1850. Among the first members of the organization here were the following: D. C. Threlkeld, O. L. Abbott, D. D. Boyce, John E. Creyton, J. F. Collier, David Groucher, James Sevier, James Richster, Ephraim Stewart, H. M. Cuddy, P. H. Maxey, C. A. Nelson, William Mar- tin, E. S. Munton, James Price, A. M. Dean, Samuel Ross, William P. Carson and Samuel Downey.
Cainsville Lodge No. 199, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized at an early date but the exact data on the organization of this lodge is not available. Eagleville Lodge No. 166, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized March 27, 1867, but owing to a decrease in its membership on account of deaths, removals and other causes the charter was surrendered in 1887. Mount Moriah Lodge No. 269 was organized about 1870, but owing to reduced membership the charter was later surrendered.
Ridgeway Lodge No. 377, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted October 1, 1881, with a membership of about twenty-five, most of whom had belonged to the Lorraine Lodge. February 16, 1877, the membership of Eagleville Lodge No. 166 was also transferred to Ridgeway.
There are now in Harrison County organizations of the Independent
J
I. O. O. F. HALL, MIRIAM LODGE, No. 129, BETHANY, MO.
PYTHIAN CASTLE HALL, BETHANY, MO.
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Order of Odd Fellows located at Melborne, Gilman City, Cainsville, Ridge- way, Blythedale, Bethany, New Hampton, Martinsville and Hatfield. The only Encampment in the county is located at Bethany.
Knights of Pythias.
Lodge No. 87, Knights of Pythias, was established at Bethany in 1883. The following were the charter members: S. W. Leslie, J. C. Wilson, F. R. Aufricht, W. J. Taylor, Frank Meyer, W. S. McCray, E. Dunn, J. H. Casebolt, J. D. Good, T. O. Tucker, W. L. Barry, J. T Corcoran, Joseph Newland, H. D. Poynter, W. A. Templeman and Max Keller. This lodge continued for about three years when on account of diminished member- ship the charter was surrendered in 1886. However a Knights of Pythias Lodge was later established at Bethany which is now one of the strongest fraternal organizations in Harrison County. Knights of Pythias Lodges are organized at New Hampton, Bethany, Ridgeway and Eagleville. On December 30, 1913, the Knights of Pythias dedicated a fine Pythian building at Bethany. This is an imposing structure of brick and of neat design and was erected at a cost of $10,000. Herman Roleke, grand ex- chequer of the Knights of Pythias Lodge for several years, lives at Bethany.
Grand Army of the Republic.
Grand Army of the Republic, T. D. Neal Post No. 124, was organized at Bethany November 22, 1883. Cainsville Post No. 216 was organized October 7, 1884. Rheutendale Post No. 223, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized at Eagleville in December, 1883. Bradshaw Post No. 201, Grand Army of the Republic, was established at Mount Moriah in Septem- ber, 1885. Elwell Post No. 140, Grand Army of the Republic, was organ- ized at Ridgeway January 22, 1884. Wilson Stanley Post No. 208 was chartered at Blythedale September 22, 1884. Many of these Grand Army of the Republic Posts which had large memberships and flourished in former days, are now practically abandoned, owing to the fact that the ranks of the veterans of the Civil War have been greatly depleted by the "grim reaper" in recent years.
There are a number of other lodges and fraternal organizations in Harrison County. In fact most of the leading fraternal orders are repre- sented here.
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American Legion.
The American Legion, Wilson-Axline Post No. 216, at Bethany, Mis- souri, was organized at Bethany February 5, 1920, by the following charter members: Oscar Tschudin, C. E. Neff, G. J. Dippold, Melverne Cole, L. L. Coffelt, E. Newton Carter, Elvis W. Nice, Randall Wilson. Edwin Wightman, Arthur Hammons, H. H. Cowan and G. C. Logsdon. The membership was rapidly increased from the start and at this writing there are now over 150 members.
Wilson-Axline Post No. 216 was named in honor of Captain Carlisle "Chuck" Wilson and Lieutenant Arthur Andrew Axline, two Bethany boys who made the supreme sacrifice in the World War.
Captain Carlisle "Chuck" Wilson died in France November 7, 1918, from wounds received in the battle of Argonne Forest, September 27, 1918. He was the son of J. C. and Alice Wilson and was 27 years, three months and nine days old. He was captain of Company G, One Hundred Thirty-ninth Infantry.
Lieutenant Arthur Andrew Axline was killed in action at the Battle of Argonne, in France, September 28, 1918, at the age of twenty-nine years, eleven months and one day. He was first lieutenant of Company G, One Hundred Thirty-ninth Infantry, but at the time of his death he was commanding Company E. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Axline, of Bethany.
The first officers of Wilson-Axline Post were E. Newton Carter, post commander ; Edwin Wightman, adjutant; Virgil Nelson, chaplain ; DeWitt Newland, historian ; and H. L. Collins, financial officer. The following are the present officers and are the second set of officers of the post ; Melverne C. Cole, post commander; Robert H. Cowan, vice post commander; W. Merle Tyner, adjutant; Ben G. Crouch, finance officer; Rose L. Bender, corresponding secretary ; Oscar L. King, sergeant-at-arms; Dr. W. S. Welsh, chaplain; and Ray J. Tilley, historian.
Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
The first organization of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union in Harrison County was organized in the fall of 1883. Mrs. Clardy, the state president, came to Bethany to get the women interested, going from one church to another, before she could get any interest at all. She called
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on Mrs. Elizabeth Allen Roberts, who had become a member of the organization in Colorado under the leadership of Frances Willard in 1882, and has the distinction of being the first W. C. T. U. woman in Har- rison County.
The first local union was organized in Bethany on Monday morning in October, 1883, at the old Methodist Church, there being only the scriptural numbers present, seven women. Mrs. Z. P. Hamilton was elected president, Mrs. J. M. Roberts recording secretary and Mrs. J. C. M. McGeorge treasurer. From this nucleus of women grew the great Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Harrison County.
Local Unions were soon organized in other towns in the county and speakers of note came, such as Colonel George Bain, of Kentucky, Sobieski, Colonel C. J. Holt, Luther Benson, Ainsley Grey, Joe Critchfield, Clara Hoffman, Callie Howe, Carrie Lee Carter, Nelle Burges, Eliza Ingalls, and a host of others too numerous to mention.
Harrison County was in the old fourth district, which comprised five counties, Worth, Gentry, DeKalb, Daviess and Harrison, and was pre- sided over by Mrs. Maud Allen as district president, and one of the untir- ing workers. In 1896 under the leadership of Mrs. Ella Wren the Bethany Union entertained the state convention and many were the praises of Bethany sung by the women attending the convention.
In 1911 Harrison with the other counties of the state was made a district by itself, thereby making the county president a member of the state executive and one of the vice-presidents of the state.
Mrs. Martha Miner, of Ridgeway, was the first woman in the county to fill this difficult place in a most acceptable manner, for it was a difficult office to fill when the districts were under reconstruction. In 1912 Mrs. Melissa Platz, of Blue Ridge, became president and Mrs. Martha Miner vice-president, and later Mrs. J. C. Ruby treasurer. To these three untiring workers belongs the credit of bringing the Harrison County district up to one of the leading districts in the state. Twice has Har- rison County won distinction for the best press work in the state, once through Mrs. Alice Blackburn, state press superintendent, who presented the Alice Blackburn Star, and once by Mrs. Sarah German, who won back the star for the best press work in the state. Mrs. Ruby has been acknowl- edged by the state officers as one of the best treasurers in the state.
In 1916 Harrison County gave the greatest number of votes per capita for prohibition of any county in the state. To Harrison County
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belongs one of the illustrious workers for the prohibition cause in north- west Missouri, Judge Burrows, of Cainsville, whose wife has been local president of the Cainsville Union for many years and whose daughters, Mrs. Minnie B. Oden, became the third president for Harrison district October 1, 1920, at the annual convention held in Ridgeway.
There have been so many loyal workers in the temperance work in this county that a history of the work is not complete without mention of them, such as Grandma Ruby, Mother Crossan, Julia Towns, Sadie Alden, Nellie Nevill and others. Space forbids mention of them all, but this we know, that in the other world every one will receive the credit due them for the blessing they have brought to humanity .- Elizabeth Roberts, Melissa Platz.
The Military Sisterhood of the World War.
The Military Sisterhood of the World War was the first organization of relatives of soldiers, sailors and marines of the great war, founded after it became a certainty that the United States would enter the war.
The organization was conceived and organized by Mrs. C. L. Martin, of Topeka, Kansas (wife of General C. I. Martin, who had command of the Seventieth United States Infantry Brigade in which our own Company G of the One Hundred Thirty-ninth United States Infantry was a part, and he accompanied them overseas and commanded them in their trench warfare in the Vosges Mountains), and by her the by-laws and constitu- tion and name of the organization were copyrighted.
The first chapter was organized June 14th, 1917, at Topeka, Kansas, by charter under the laws of the state of Kansas with power to organize in the other states.
Our motto is "Justice," not charity, "for our Soldier Boys." The object of our organization as said by Bethany's worthy Mayor Roleke, during the war ,"Is to maintain the military spirit among our people, to assist the soldier and his family ; to encourage his family and help main- tain his home until he returns from his service for Uncle Sam; and in case of their sickness to assist in furnishing them necessary care and attention; to assist in furnishing to the soldier in camps and trenches as well as on the battle field any and all aid and encouragement that will relieve their suffering and lessen the burdens which they will have to bear; and many other good motives too numerous to mention; to this I
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might add the purpose of our organization during the war was, also, to specially interest and promote fellowship, sisterly love and mutual help- fulness in keeping the men in military service up to the highest standard of efficiency, to stimulate and encourage loyalty and patriotism among our citizens and to encourage our men to enlist and serve their country ; to maintain a helpful co-operation with their families, to unite in actions conducive to the welfare of all men and their families engaged in military and naval service; to bring together the women related to the American soldier, sailor and marine engaged in the international struggle for democracy-and lastly, to create and maintain in our membership that spirit of sacrificial loyalty and devotion to our country that is becoming in those from whose ranks and homes marched the defenders of the American principles."
And now that the war is over, the object of our order is to aid the veterans of the war-those that were spared to return-in re-establish- ing themselves in civil life; to help them and their families in again maintaining their homes and good citizenship; to continue in maintain- ing the high standard of patriotism aroused during the war; to keep alive the purposes for which they fought; and to perpetuate the memory of our loved ones-their comrades who made the supreme sacrifice; and finally to bring us all together in a common bond of love and sympathy and understanding.
Any loyal American woman who is the wife of or related by blood to a soldier, sailor or marine, who has honorably served in the World War or has an honorable discharge therefrom, can become an active member of this organization.
We have held three national conventions, the first in June, 1918, at Topeka, Kansas, at which convention the following officers were elected: Mrs. Lou Ida Martin, Topeka, Kansas, president; Mrs. Alice E. Wilson, Bethany, Missouri, first vice-president; Mrs. Maud C. Benedict, Des Moines, Iowa, second vice-president; Mrs. Daisy M. Roberts, Oskaloosa, Kansas, recording secretary; Miss Nell Sutton, Bethany, Missouri, treas- urer; Mrs. Grant Hibarger, Wichita, Kansas, registrar; Mrs. Addie Brown, Lawrence, Kansas, historian; Mrs. E. C. Fable, Topeka, Kansas, auditor.
Our last national convention was held at Des Moines, Iowa, in April, 1920, and the following officers were elected: Mrs. Lou Ida Martin, To- peka, Kansas, president; Mrs. Alice E. Wilson, Bethany, Missouri, first
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vice-president; Mrs. J. A. Benedict, Des Moines, Iowa, second vice-presi- dent; Miss Helen K. Ostertag, Atchison, Kansas, patriotic instructor ; Mrs. Aaron Blanke, Downs, Kansas, registrar; Mrs. Albert Linxwiler, Jefferson City, Missouri, recording secretary ; Mrs. Glenwood MeLain, Beaver, Wyoming, treasurer; Miss Thelma Shawhan, Los Angeles, Cali- fornia, historian; Mrs. T. C. Wilson, Victor, Colorado, chaplain; Mrs. T. Robuck, Moberly, Missouri, auditor; Mrs. I. S. Lewis, Topeka, Kansas, corresponding secretary.
Bethany, Harrison County Chapter, has the honor of the first chap- ter of the Military Sisterhood organized in Missouri. This chapter was organized January 24, 1918, at the home of Mrs. J. C. Wilson, with seventy-six charter members and the following officers elected: Mrs. J. C. Wilson, president ; Mrs. F. H. Broyles, first vice-president; Mrs. A. C. Logsdon, second vice-president; Miss Nell Sutton, recording secretary ; Mrs. Lewis Omer, treasurer; Mrs. F. W. Sawyer, historian; Mrs. Jake Noll, auditor; Mrs. E. S. Miner, parliamentarian; Mrs. Bert S. Allen, corresponding secretary ; Mrs. Glen Broyles, registrar.
These officers served three years with the exception of Miss Nell Sutton, Mrs. Glen Broyles, who served two years, and Mrs. Robert Stock- well served the third year in Miss Sutton's place, as her school work took her out of the county. Mrs. Ed Skinner served the third year in Mrs. Broyles' place. At our last election the following officers were elected : Mrs. A. C. Logsdon, president; Mrs. F. H. Broyles, first vice- president; Mrs. H. N. Burgin, second vice-president; Mrs. M. C. Cole, recording secretary ; Mrs. E. F. Harding, treasurer ; Mrs. F. L. Sawyers, historian; Miss Mamie Buis, registrar; Mrs. Jake Noll, auditor.
During the war we did all kinds of war work, such as sending sub- stantial supplies and delicacies as well as flowers, books and magazines , to the soldiers in the hospitals and the camps throughout the United States as well as in France and other foreign countries. Our members were among the most active Red Cross workers and wherever there was work to do the members of the Military Sisterhood were always willing and anxious to do their part.
We made it possible for our country to have the beautiful service flag which was dedicated July 4, 1918. This flag was demobolized July 4, 1920, and a beautiful gold glory flag was presented to the county by the Military Sisterhood at the time, this being our "welcome home" day for all those who were fortunate enough to return.
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We have a chapter at Moberly known as the "Wilson Chapter," in honor of Mrs. J. C. Wilson. We organized a chapter at Des Moines, Iowa, and Mrs. J. A. Benedict, a former Bethany girl and sister of the lamented Lieutenant Arthur A. Axline, was elected president. This chap- ter is known as the "Arthur A. Axline Chapter" in honor of the late Lieutenant Axline, of our city, who was killed in the battle of the Argonne.
Our organization has representatives working from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border.
The constitution provides that the legislative body of the organiza- tion shall hold a national convention annually, to be held in April of each year, composed of two delegates from each local chapter and alternates from each state, the District of Columbia, and from each territorial pos- session of the United States.
We have $1,000.00 in our memorial fund with which he hope to help build a memorial building in the city of Bethany in the near future in honor and in memory of all those who so willingly gave their all that we might continue to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
We hope within the next ten years to be become one of the strongest patriotic organizations in the United States.
Daughters of the American Revolution.
The Elizabeth Harrison Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, an organization devoted exclusively to patriotic and historical interests, was formed in Bethany, Missouri, October 23, 1913, receiving from the national society the chapter number 1161.
In choosing a name the charter members honored the memory of Elizabeth Harrison, the wife of Benjamin Harrison, a signer of the Dec- laration of Independence, and the mother of President William Henry Harrison.
Working along patriotic lines the chapter has been active in inspiring celebrations of special days in our national history. Washington's birth- day and flag day have always been observed in some befitting manner; sometimes with patriotic addresses and parades, at other times with re- ceptions with patriotic programs.
The chapter has also given prizes in gold to pupils in the grammar school, writing the best essays on patriotic subjects, and has presented the High School with a handsome portrait of General George Washington.
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Historical interest and love of their native heath caused the daughters to conduct a column of local history in one of the county newspapers. They compiled and published much valuable history, beginning with early days before the organization of Harrison County. To aid in this work pioneer settlers were persuaded to write articles dealing with life and conditions in early days in the county, and these articles were printed in the Bethany Republican with pictures of the pioneers and views of early scenes in and near Bethany.
During the great World War the daughters of Bethany participated in all war activities and gave leaders to many departments of work. They made the first surgical dressings in the county in 1917 under the direction of Dr. Frances Burgess and sent the first relief to the Belgians the same year. In addition to the regular Red Cross work the members joined with other women of the town in providing boxes and barrels of food for Harrison County soldiers ; in sending pillows, books, magazines; in writ- ing letters, preparing Christmas packages and doing everything possible that would help sustain the morale of our fighting men. The daughters had a beautiful service flag containing twelve blue stars and not one of them was turned to gold. They also made the service flag of the county for the county superintendent of schools, which he presented to the state at Jefferson City, where it is kept on display.
During the entire period of the war the daughters were foremost in Red Cross work, Council of Defense, Liberty Loans and other war activi- ties, and furnished the following department chairmen :
Mrs. E. W. Prentiss, director of Women's Work in American Red Cross; chairman Woman's Committee of National Council of Defense; district chairman Liberty Loan campaign; district chairman Young Women's Christian Association campaign.
Mrs. William Roleke, chairman Patriotic Education; chairman of Conservation.
Mrs. A. S. Cumming, assistant chairman of Surgical Dressings for American Red Cross.
Mrs. T. E. Stone, treasurer of American Red Cross Chapter, chair- man of Publicity of National Council of Defense; chairman of Publicity for American Red Cross.
The roster of the Daughters of the American Revolution comprises over forty names, Americans all, proud of their heritage which has come through generations of loyal ancestors, who have formed the warp and
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woof of our nation's glory and whose work it is their duty and privilege to carry on.
The twelve charter members: Hazel Wanamaker Allen, Elizabeth Hockridge Barlow, Miss Charline Crossan, Lillie Skinner Freusham, Mabel Barlow Kautz, Lillian Neville Prentiss, Stella Skinner Joyce, Mary Fuller Weber, Bessie Templeman Wanamaker, Harriett Templeman Stone, Miss Bess Agnes Vandivert, Marian Templeman Yates,
Non-resident members: Mrs. Ruth Teas, Mrs. Elizabeth Everett, Miss Effie Hart, Mrs. Marie Webb, Miss Ivan Long, Mrs. Emma Arney, Mrs. Florence Sanders, Mrs. Bertha Fells, Miss Kathleen White, Mrs Acklyn Edson.
Deceased members: Miss Charline Crossan, Mrs. Edith Roleke.
Transferred members: Miss Bess Agnes Vandivert to Seattle, Wash- ington ; Mrs. Clare Darr Webb to Springfield, Missouri.
Honor roll: Hazel Allen Alquist, Sergeant George Patton, Virginia ; Elizabeth Barlow, Daniel Wharry, New York ; Charline Crossan, Lieutenant Groton Avery, Connecticut; Mabel Kautz, Daniel Wharry, New York; Lillian Prentiss, James Neville, Virginia; Stella Joyce, William Simpson, Pennsylvania; Harriett Stone, Sergeant George Patton, Virginia; Bess Agness Vandivert, Sergeant George Patton, Virginia; Bessie Wanamaker, Sergeant George Patton, Virginia; Kathleen White, James Neville, Vir- ginia ; Marian Yates, Sergeant George Patton, Virginia; Mary Weber, Mathew Fuller, Vermont; Martha Wood, Samuel Wood, Virginia ; Florence Sanders, Mathew Fuller, Vermont; Bertha Fells, Nathaniel Cushman, Con- necticut; Maude Frisby, James Neville, Virginia; Effie Hart, Daniel Wharry, New York; Edith Roleke, General John Armstrong, Pennsyl- vania ; Marie Webb, Sergeant John Bryant, Virginia; Loie Brandon, Cap- tain William Ward, Massachusetts, Reuben Melvin, Massachusetts; Cora Cumming, Samuel Wood, Virginia; Pearl Nelson, Joseph Sylvester; Amanda Garton, Mathew Fuller, Vermont; Ida Garton, Mathew Fuller. Vermont; Ruth Teas, Mathew Fuller, Vermont; Innie Hamilton, Major Nathaniel Burwell, Virginia, Robert Harvey, Virginia; Elizabeth Everett, Lieutenant William Wallace, New York, James Wells, New York; Harriett Wilson, William Brown, Pennsylvania; Emma Arney, Mathew Fuller, Ver- mont ; Hallie Hubbard, Mathew Fuller, Vermont; Ivan Long, David Lamb, Massachusetts; Daisy Crossan, Lieutenant Groton Avery, Connecticut ; Shirley Zingerle, Lieutenant Groton Avery, Connecticut; Eva Frisby, Thomas Tucker, North Carolina; Lane Frisby, Thomas Tucker, North
(9)
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Carolina ; Acklyn Edson, Sergeant George Patton, Virginia; Minnie Haas, James Bryant, Virginia, John Bryant, Virginia; Maretta Nally, Daniel Wharry, New York; Claudia Lee Webb, Lyttleton Cockrell, Virginia ; Dortehy Slatten, Thomas Tucker, North Carolina; Watie Leazenby, Lyt- tleton Cockrell, Virginia; Irene Bridges, Elijah Evans, Pennsylvania.
CHAPTER XXII
CIVIL WAR.
LOYALTY OF HARRISON COUNTY-MASS MEETINGS-FIRST REGIMENT ORGANIZED -OFFICERS-TROOPS OFF TO THE FRONT-"MERRILL'S HORSE"-OTHER MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS - REGIMENTS - COMPANIES - OFFICERS - ENROLLED MISSOURI MILITIA BY GOVERNOR GAMBLE'S ORDER-COMPANIES AND OFFICERS.
The breaking out of the Civil War in 1861 found the citizens of Harrison County almost unanimously loyal to the Union. There were perhaps twenty-five or thirty men from this county who entered the Confederate Army. However no organized effort was ever made for recruiting troops in Harrison County for the Confederate Army.
On June 3, 1861, a mass meeting was held at Bethany which was addressed by S. C. Allen, Samuel Downey, William G. Lewis, D. J. Heaston and E. Hubbard, all of whom set forth in vigorous and eloquent language the necessity of adhering to the Union. Other meetings of a like char- acter were held in the summer of 1861 at Mount Moriah, Eagleville, Cainsville and other places in the county. In the meantime companies of Home Guards were raised and on July 13, 1861, the various organiza- tions in the county met at a place called Harrison City for the purpose of forming a regiment and electing officers.
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