USA > Ohio > Hardin County > A twentieth century history of Hardin County, Ohio : a narrative account of its historical progress its people and principal interests, Vol. I > Part 34
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The purpose of the Hardin County Sunday School Association is
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to attain closer fraternal interdenominational relations. It is under the general direction of the state Sunday School Organization and holds an annual meeting. Each township is organized and has its own set of officers. Much good has been done to bring about cordial relations between the various denominations, and to help all the Sunday schools of the county. The officers are: President, Rev. M. A. Peters; vice president, Prof. Ladd, Forest ; secretary, A. A. Slagle; treasurer, D. H. Wagner; elementary superintendent, Mrs. R. Taylor; intermediate department superintendent, Ida Sehluep; adult department superin- tendent, Rev. D. C. Yoder; teachers' training department superintend- ent, Agnes Welty; home department superintendent, Mrs. Ella Grove; missionary department superintendent, Miss Anderson; temperance de- partment superintendent Mrs. Loretta Durbin; executive committee, J. HI. Cessna. L. H. Robey, Carl Price and S. J. Wagner.
The Knights of St. Jolm, St. Anthony Commandery, No. 229, was organized February 18, 1893, with thirty-nine charter members. Its first officers were: W. P. Steffen, president; Edward Lunney, vice president and captain; Alfred Mathews, recording secretary; J. M. Arndt, financial secretary ; Paul Watts, treasurer; F. A. Schwartz, first lieutenant, and C. D. Logsdon, second lieutenant. This is a social, religious and benevolent order, with insurance and sick and accident benefits connected with it. The Knights of St. John own their own elegant and comfortable building at the corner of Cherry and North streets, in which they meet the first and third Thursdays of each month. The present officers are : Chas. Schindle, president; A. B. Waitley, first vice president ; A. M. Brown, second vice president; John G. Ferner, re- cording secretary; Leo F. Schwartz, financial secretary; Joseph Book- myer, treasurer ; Edward Frieds, captain ; Joseph Rusch, first lieutenant ; C. A. Dick, second lieutenant; Cæsar Cardosi, messenger, and Henry Karl, guard.
St. Antonia Ladies' Auxiliary, No. 113, Knights of St. John, Kenton, was organized June 24, 1903, with the following officers: Mrs. W. P. Steffen, president; Miss Lena Kurtz, first vice president; Miss Kate Dick, second vice president ; Mrs. J. B. Dugan, recording secretary ; Miss Clara Ritzler, financial secretary, and Miss Madge Ward, treasurer. This lodge meets every first and third Thursday of the month, and is similar to the men's organization, in that it has its insurance features and siek and accident benefits. The present officers are: Miss Frances Steinhauer, president; Miss Lena Kurtz, first vice president; Miss Maria Diehl, second vice president; Miss Maria Rohr, recording secretary ; Miss Eva Knab, financial secretary; Miss Isabel Shira, treasurer; Miss Agnes O'Melia, messenger, and Miss Emma Diehl, guard.
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The advent of Masonry into Hardin county was truly a pioneer movement, surrounded on all sides by an earlier settlement and organ- ization, yet except in Marion, Ohio, there was no Masonic organization ; there was none in Hancock county on the north, none in Allen county on the west, none in Logan or Union counties on the south, and but for the zeal and perseverance of the two earliest and youngest members, Brothers John Stevens, Jr. and Dr. John A. Rogers, its advent would have come at a much later day.
On the 17th day of June, A. D. 1848, Abner Root, James Munford, John Souls, Joseph Ullman, John Stevens, Jr., Rev. Hibbard P. Ward, Rev. S. D. Seymour and Dr. John A. Rogers were granted a dispensation by Grand Master Michael Z. Kreider of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, with power to transact in accordance with the ancient regulations of the order, all such business as is usual in a Lodge of Masons, until the next session of the grand lodge, which met in the following September. A full transcript of their work was by the master, Abner Root, carried up to the grand lodge, examined and approved and a charter granted for the new lodge to be known as Latham Lodge, No. 154, Free and Accepted Masons, to rank in the grand lodge and elsewhere from the 26th day of September, A. D. 1848. Of the eight charter members all have passed to the Celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Grand Master of the universe presides, the last being Brother John A. Rogers, who died March 15th, A. D. 1909, in the ninetieth year of his age.
Of the present membership, there are living three members, Brothers William A. Kelley, William H. Seymour and Alanson P. Cutting, who have passed their semi-centennial in Masonary.
The location of Latham Lodge in Kenton has not been continuously in the same place. At first it was in the second story of the brick building on the corner of Franklin and Market streets. The entrance to the lodge was by an outside stairway at the north end of the building. This was the home of the lodge for a little more than a year. In the mean- time, Colonel John Stevens, Jr., erected a two story business room on a part of the grounds upon which the Masonic block now stands, where the lodge continued to meet till the fall of 1852, when they removed to a suite of rooms in the third story of a building at the east end of the Reese House (now Hotel Weaver), and which afterward became a part of the said Reese House. This was its home till 1855, when the lodge bought the north half of the third story of the Cary and Kinnear block, over the room now occupied by L. W. Barr as a book store. This property still belongs to the lodge. On the completion of the Masonic block, the lodge leased the entire third story for lodge purposes, which they continued to occupy until February, 1902. The Masonic Temple Association was organized April 20, 1901, and the brick residence on the northeast corner of Main and Carrol streets was purchased, the building enlarged and improved and on the 7th day of February, 1902, the
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temple was formally dedicated and Latham Lodge No. 154 was per- manently located.
There have been admitted to membership in the lodge, four hun- dred and seventy-five. The present membership is two hundred and eighty-five, all the others having died or withdrawn.
Within the original jurisdiction of Latham Lodge, there have been organized and chartered the following lodges, viz .: Ada Lodge, at Ada, Hardin county; Senate Lodge, at Forest, Hardin county; Dun- kirk Lodge, at Dunkirk, Hardin county; Belle Center Lodge, at Belle Center, Logan county ; La Rue Lodge, at La Rue, Marion county, and Marseilles Lodge, at Marseilles, Wyandot county. All of these lodges are in active, healthy and prosperous condition. The following named brethren were appointed by the Grand Master of Ohio, to serve as First Master, viz .: Past Master, Brother J. A. Rogers of Belle Center Lodge; Past Master, Brother David Newcomb of Senate Lodge; Past Master, Brother A. B. Cutting of La Rue Lodge; Past Master, Brother Joseph A. Stansell of Dunkirk Lodge.
The membership of Latham Lodge has always included the best men of the leading class of citizens of the county and state, including ministers of the Gospel, attorneys-at-law, physicians, mechanics, farm- ers, merchants, educational and professional men of all classes. Latham Lodge has the distinguished honor of having one of her members, Brother William A. Belt, elected and duly installed in the high office of Grand Master of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Ohio; also another, Brother Henry H. Ingersoll, elected and installed M. W. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee.
The following brethren have been duly elected and installed Master of Latham Lodge, No. 154:
Brother Abner Root, First Master, 1848 and 1849.
James Mumford, 1850, died in office.
Elias G. Spelman, 1851 and 1852 and 1854.
John A. Rogers, 1853, 1855, 1856, 1861 and 1869.
David Thomson, 1857 and 1865.
David Newcomb, 1858.
William H. Philips, 1859, 1860, 1864 and 1867.
Conduce H. Gatch, 1862 and 1863.
William Pool, 1866.
Alanson P. Cutting, 1868.
John W. Binkley, 1870.
Luther M. Strong, 1871-1878, inclusive, 1883 and 1884.
Solomon Kraner, 1879, 1880, 1881 and 1882.
Oregon E. Rhodes, 1885.
Melvin C. McVitty, 1886, 1887 and 1888.
Thomas E. Strong, 1889 and 1890.
William A. Belt, 1891 and 1892.
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Brother John B. Seymour, 1893 and 1894.
John A. Baird, 1895 and 1896.
James L. Moore, 1897 and 1898.
John E. Rubins, 1899 and 1900.
Edmund Boulton, 1901 and 1902.
Thomas C. Ferguson, 1903 and 1904.
Pearl M. Magley, 1905 and 1906.
William H. Kaiser, 1907 and 1908.
Since the organization of Latham Lodge in 1848, there have but three officers died during their terms of office, viz. : Brother James Mum- ford, W. M .; Brother Charles C. Merriman while serving his second term as Senior Deacon, and Captain James B. McConnell, Tyler.
A dispensation was granted June 2, A. D. 1869, to the following petitioners, viz. : David Thomson, William H. Philips, James M. White, A. P. Cutting, E. Cary, A. Vance, Jolm F. Henkle, A. W. Janes, John B. Harrod, Charles Mains and A. R. Scott, at a meeting held in the hall of Latham Lodge, in Kenton, Ohio, July 21, 1869. The above petitioners met and read the dispensation granted them by the M. E. Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the state of Ohio. Companion David Thomson was elected chairman; a motion to accept said dispensation and organize a Chapter of R. A. M's. was carried. Companion David Thomson being named as the first High Priest, Com panion William H. Philips as King, and Companion James M. White, Scribe, appointed the following companions to fill the following offices, viz .: Companion A. P. Cutting, Captain of the Host; Companion G. S. Williams, P. S .; Companion J. B. Harrod, R. A. C .; Companion E. Cary, Third Veil; Companion A. W. Janes, Second Veil; Companion A. Vance, First Veil; Companion William Campbell, Guard.
Scioto Chapter continued to work under dispensation till the Grand Chapter convened in 1869, when a charter was granted to Scioto Chapter, No. 119. A stated convocation of Scioto Chapter U. D. was held at Masonic hall in Kenton, Ohio, November 17, 1869, with Companions B. S. Brown and John A. Aull, of Lafayette Chapter No. 60 present, as proxies of the Grand IHigh Priest of Ohio. A charter having been granted, the following named petitioners, viz .: David Thomson, William H. Philips, James M. White, A. P. Cutting, E. Cary, A. Vance, John F. HIenkle, A. W. Janes, J. B. Harrod, Charles Mains and A. R. Scott, Companion B. S. Brown proceeded to install the officers of the Chapter, after which he instituted said Chapter, Scioto No. 119, and declared said Chapter duly constituted, the officers installed and the Chapter empowered to work conforming to the constitutions, laws, rules and general regulations of the General Grand Chapter of the United States of America and of the General Grand Chapter of the State of Ohio. Of the eleven charter members, A. P. Cutting is the only one living.
There have been admitted to membership in Scioto Chapter No.
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119, three hundred. The present membership is two hundred and twenty. The present officers of Scioto Chapter are: Companion John H. Smick, HI. P .; Companion Cary L. Merriman, S .; Companion William II. Gramlich, K .; Companion II. C. IIerren, C. of H .; Companion Edmund Bonlton, P. S .; Companion Jolm Wilson, R. A. C .; Companion Webster Wenner, Third V .; Companion Marshal Porter, Second V .; Companion Panl K. Strong, First V .; Companion William A. Norton, Treasurer; Companion John E. Rubins, Secretary, and Companion Webster Wen- ner, Guard Pro Tem.
Kenton Council, No. 65, Royal and Select Masters: A petition was presented to Samuel W. Courtright, Most Illustrious Grand Master of the State of Ohio, by David S. Fisher, James M. White, Edwin C. Humphreys. Albert C. Ramsey, Wellington McColloel, George H. Zgschwert, Ezra B. Hiestand, John Wilson and A. P. Cutting, and a dispensation was granted to said petitioners March 20, 1876. The Council was duly instituted April 18, A. D. 1876, and the following officers elected : Companion David S. Fisher, T. I. Master; Companion Edwin C. Humphreys, Deputy Master; Companion John Wilson, P. C. W .; Companion James M. White, Treasurer, and Companion Wellington MeColloch, Recorder. Under the charter granted by the Grand Couneil of Olrio January 19, A. D. 1877, Kenton Couneil, No. 65, Royal and Select Masters was permanently instituted and the same officers pre- viously mentioned were again eleeted and installed, with a membership at that time of twenty-eight. There have been admitted to membership in Kenton Council, No. 65, two hundred and two. The present mem- bership is one hundred and fifty-three. The present offieers are: Com- panion Edwin Boulton, T. I. Master; Companion Jolm Wilson, D. M .; Companion John H. Smick, P. C. W .; Companion Webster HI. Wenner, Captain of Guard; Companion E. V. Harper, Steward; Companion R. E. Harris, C. C .; Companion W. C. Koch, Sentinel ; Companion William A. Norton, Treasurer ; Companion John E. Rubins, Reeorder.
Robert Bruee Lodge, No. 101, Knights of Pythias, Kenton, was instituted September 4, 1876, Dr. J. L. Cilley, of Cincinnati, Ohio, being the instituting offieer. The following offieers assisted Brother J. L. Cilley in the institution of the lodge: P. C., Walter B. Ritehie, of No. 91; P., F. O. Bateh, of No. 67; V. C., H. B. Brown, of No. 67; I. G., George T. Brandon, of No. 67; O. G., W. H. Moore, of No. 67; M. Ex., F. O. MeIlvain, of No. 67 ; M. F., G. W. Hull, of No. 91, and K. R. & S., II. F. Snyder, of No. 51. The following brothers were elected and in- stalled as the first offieers of the lodge: P. C., W. J. Niblock; C. C., A. B. Johnson ; V. C., J. D. King; P., F. M. Childs; K. R. & S., H. C. Bolmar; M. Ex., W. D. Dean; M. F., H. Sagebiehl, and M. A. Dorr White. This lodge was instituted on the third floor of what was known as the Brunson building, on the corner of Franklin and Detroit streets,
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and had a charter list of thirty-seven members. The lodge grew and prospered and became one of the leading secret orders in the city.
After seven years of success, a number of the members of Robert Bruce Lodge, thinking they could advance the interest of Pythianism in Kenton, instituted Pythian Lodge, No. 164, July 10, 1883. For twenty years the two sister lodges worked together in harmony, and at the end of this time it was deemed advisable to consolidate the two lodges, which was effected April 1, 1903, Pythian Lodge retaining its name, "Pythian," and Robert Bruce its number, "101;" and thus dropping the name, "Robert Bruce" and the number, "164." The lodge. as consolidated, is now known as Pythian Lodge, No. 101, Knights of Pythias, Kenton, Ohio, with a membership of 250. The regular con- vention is on Tuesday evening of each week, in the Merriman block, North Detroit street.
Kenton Temple, No. 267, Pythian Sisters, was instituted March 23, 1904, with a charter membership of forty-three sisters and thirty-nine brothers, by Chief Ruth Arnold. The first officers were as follows : Past Chief, Florence Slater; M. E. Chief, Manta Seedle; Excellent Sr., Sarah Hanners ; Excellent Jr., Maggie Cramer; Finance Keeper, Lydia Rish ; Mistress of Records and Correspondence, Mary Ommert; Manager, Essie Johnson; Protector, Eva Brown, and Pianist, Lizzie Simpson. The present officers in the order of the above are: Past Chief, Mary Kettle; M. E. Chief, Eva Brown; E. S., Anna Lick; E. Jr., Cora Shell- house ; M. of F .. Nancy Bonham ; M. of R. and C., Leona Kayser ; Man- ager, Anna Bechtol; Protector, Mary Vermillion; Outer Guard. Rebecca Bloom, and Pianist, Jessie Lease.
In 1846 an effort was made to start a lodge of Odd Fellows in the little village of Kenton, and on November 21st of that year a charter was granted to the lodge of this place. On February 17, 1847, Amicitia Lodge, No. 79, was instituted by Brother Charles Runyon of Spring- field. assisted by Brother Lewis of Ogentz Lodge, Brothers Godfref and Knapp of Logan Lodge, and Brother MeAdrel of Republic Lodge, and Brother Cronise of Seneca. The first officers chosen and installed that night were : Jeremiah McLene, N. G. ; S. H. Donald, V. G .; J. K. Goodin, Secretary, and E. T. Stevens, Treasurer. During that year the lodge initiated eighteen members and took in two on card.
From that time on the lodge grew rather slowly, though in 1848 sixteen were admitted. In 1849 they took in four; in 1850, two; in 1851 only three, and so on until 1865, when thirty-three men joined. It started with eleven charter members, and since that time has had in all 692 members initiated and admitted on card. From the time the lodge was instituted until the present, sixty-eight members have died; 250 have been dropped for non-payment of dues: fourteen have been ex- pelled, and 106 granted final cards, leaving a membership of 250. Of
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the charter members only one is living, W. G. Kishler of Shawnee Lodge, No. 75, St. Marys, Ohio.
Amicitia Lodge elaims to have the oldest Odd Fellow in Ohio, in point of continuous service, in the venerable Luther Furney, who be- came a member April 12, 1847, and has seen the organization grow from a feeble beginning to its present strength in the community. Twice the members became so disheartened that they talked of sur- rendering their charter, and on two occasions motions were made to that effect-November 18, 1850, and February 2, 1852-but in both instances the idea was finally abandoned.
The Rebekah Degree was conferred for the first time in this lodge May 23, 1853, upon five brothers, and a short time after this upon a number of ladies-the wives of some of the members-but the Rebekah Lodge was not instituted until July 21, 1891.
One of the early members of this lodge was Joel K. Goodin, who afterwards became a prominent state official of Kansas, and the roll shows the names of many other sturdy pioneers of Hardin eounty. Amicitia Lodge first assembled in the second story of a briek building on East Franklin street, and continued to hold their meetings there until 1850, when they moved into a frame building at the corner of Franklin and Market, northeast, and thence to the Leighton building where the St. Nicholas now stands. In April, 1858, they moved to the Goodin hall at the corner of Detroit and Franklin streets, and there they continued until April 14, 1879, when they moved into their present location which they recently purchased. The emblems of the lodge were purchased October 16, 1854, and the seal March 5, 1855. Amicitia Lodge celebrated the ninetieth anniversary of the founding of the Odd Fellows Lodge on April 26, 1909, with fitting ceremonies.
The Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal beneficiary society, organized under the laws of the State of Illinois. It was organized January 5, 1883, with twenty-one charter members, and at the last trien- nial conclave, held at Peoria, Illinois, in June, 1908, numbered over one million members in good standing. It is probably the greatest life in- surance fraternity in the world. The social and general benefits of the organization are very much the same as other seeret societies-the fun- damental principles being the uplift of the individual; the eultivation of all those things which go to make up the best type of American citizen- ship; the helpfulness of one toward another while living, and the care of the widow and orphan after death.
The local lodge, Scioto Camp, No. 11,206, M. W. A., was organized in Kenton May 6, 1903, with twelve beneficiary members and one social member. The names of the charter members are as follows: Orren P. Blue, Albert Born, Dr. W. D. Combs, Dr. Williard II. Gage, John Gem- mell, Dr. C. D. O'IIara, Simon H. Rodabaugh, W. W. Ratcliffe, Francis
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY 335
L. Runser, James Russell. Erwin C. Sells, Winro G. Young and R. W. Scott. J. A. Robison, already a member at Wooster, Ohio, immediately transferred to Kenton.
It seemed a difficult task to get fifteen charter members, the number required to organize ; so a special dispensation was asked from national headquarters, at Rock Island, Illinois, to institute the new lodge at Kenton, with the lucky thirteen above named. The same was granted and on the evening of May 6, 1903. in the old Knights of Pythias hall on the west side of the public square, another secret organization for Kenton was ushered into existence. From this handful of charter men- bers, in six years, under the leadership of the faithful, the Camp has grown to a membership of about two hundred and fifty. O. P. Blue was elected to the head office of the local lodge on the evening of its organization, in which position (being re-elected every year) lie con- sented to serve his fellow Neighbors, continuously, until the first of January, 1909, when J. R. Stillings was chosen to that position. Scioto Camp continued to occupy the old Knights of Pythias hall and U. V. U. hall on the west side of the square, until the building of the Ahlefeld block, when it moved to the third floor thereof, having leased the same before the third story was built, and where the brethren now "hold forth" every Wednesday evening.
The local lodge has been honored by having entertained some men of high rank in the order, and also, by having one of its members (at the state convention at Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1908), O. P. Blue, elected to the triennial national convention, held at Peoria, Illinois, in June, 1908. The present officers of the local society are as follows: O. P. Blue, Past Consul; J. R. Stillings, Consul; H. Weatherholt, Worthy Adviser ; W. H. Sherman, Banker; J. A. Robison, Clerk; Ray Hauden- shild, Escort; Ethan Williams, Watchman; Arthur Stanfield, Sentry; N. D. Johnson, W. H. Black, J. M. Sweitzer, Trustee; Doctors H. D. Belt, C. D. McCoy, E. A. Stickle, Camp Physicians.
The families of deceased members of the Kenton Lodge have been paid thousands of dollars. Approximately, a quarter of a million dollars of life insurance is held by the members of the local order. Scores of individuals, members and families, have been assisted in various ways in their struggle to overcome the misfortunes of this life. The local order of the Royal Neighbors of America, the ladies' auxiliary to the M. W. A., meets in the same hall every first and third Tuesday evening of each month.
Kenton Lodge, No. 157, B. P. O. E., was organized February 27. 1890. Officers were elected and installed by Urbana Lodge, No. 127, the same evening, and were as follows: Joseph Timmons. Exalted Ruler ; H. L. Runkle, Esteemed Leading Knight; J. B. Fletcher, Esteemed Loyal Knight; G. H. Palmer, Esteemed Lecturing Knight: W. P. Hen-
-
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derson, Secretary ; P. A. Campbell, Treasurer, and C. F. Southard, Tyler. The lodge worked under a dispensation until the charter was granted by the Grand Lodge on July 10, 1890. The following named were charter members: Joseph Timmons, H. L. Runkle, J. B. Fletcher, G. II. Palmer, W. P. Henderson, P. A. Campbell, F. L. Bain, George W. Rutledge, D. W. Sullivan, Ben Garretson, James C. Hall, Dell Gage, George E. Crane, E. P. Dean, Chas. B. Fink, William Wendle, C. W. Bridenbach, C. F. Southard, George H. Harris, John L. Gross, George S. Binckley, E. L. Miller and H. E. Hoge.
The following named have served as Exalted Rulers: Joseph Tim- mons, 1890; John B. Fletcher, 1891; E. P. Dean, 1892; F. D. Bain, 1893; C. M. Milhorn, 1894; George S. Binekley, 1895; J. R. Stillings, 1896; J. N. Allen, 1897; P. C. Robinson, 1898; J. F. Andrews, 1899; James Bastable, 1900; Frank C. Dougherty, 1901; Burk L. Johnson, 1902; C. F. Southard, 1903; P. M. Crow, 1904; H. E. Hoge, 1905; H. E. Pearce, 1906, and W. W. Durbin, 1907-09.
Present officers: W. W. Durbin, Exalted Ruler ; N. E. Hutchinson, Esteemed Leading Knight; Charles R. Price, Esteemed Loyal Knight; Kent P. Johnson, Esteemed Lecturing Knight; Henry Born, Jr., Sec- retary ; Hugh L. Runkle, Treasurer ; John W. Nolan, Esquire; John N. Kilgore, Tyler; T. C. Mahon, Chaplain; J. A. Baird, Inner Guard, and C. F. Southard, H. E. Hoge and J. F. Andrews, Trustees.
The present membership of the lodge is 250, and the number joining this lodge since its organization, 265. The increase in membership in the year 1908 was 100. The lodge is in a very flourishing condition, and has always been the leading social organization in the city since its founding.
Kenton Lodge, No. 157, first met in the Letson block, in rooms now occupied by the Drifters. They remained in these quarters about five years, then moved to the Munson block, and next occupied Military hall for some years. They then moved to their present quarters in the Palucei block on West Columbus street. The lodge has always pros- pered, and Kenton's leading citizens have been its officers and members. The present prosecuting attorney, Mr. J. R. Stillings, has the honor of being the first Elk initiated after organization.
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