History of South Dakota, Vol. I, Part 73

Author: Robinson, Doane, 1856-1946. cn
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 998

USA > South Dakota > History of South Dakota, Vol. I > Part 73

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1886.

The eleventh annual session was held at Watertown May 18, 1886, H. J. Rowe, grand master, presiding, forty-nine lodges being rep- resented. Seventeen new lodges were organized during the year, viz: No. 73, at Altoona (now Hitchcock) ; No. 74, at Hope ; No. 75, at Hurley ; No. 76, at LaMoure ; No. 77, at Alpena ; No. 78. at Wittenberg; No. 79. at Carthage; No. 80, at Artesian; No. 81, at Wessington Springs; No. 82, at Milnor; No. 83, at Frankfort; No. 84, at White Lake: No. 85. at Mellette; No. 86, at Park River: No. 87, at Larimore: No. 88, at Parker; No. 89, at Highmore. Total member- ship January 1, 1877. 2,955. Total paid for relief. $4.674-73. Harvey J. Rice was elected grand master and R. R. Briggs was re-elected grand secretary.

1887.

The twelfth annual session met in the city of Grand Forks May 17, 1887, Harvey J. Rice, grand master, presiding, and fifty-eight lodges being represented. During the year ten lodges were instituted. viz: No. 90, at St. Thomas: No.

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HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

91, at Hunter ; No. 92, at Arlington; No. 93, at Ludden : No. 94, at Kimball; No. 95, at Tyndall ; No. 96, at Vilas ; No. 97, at Centerville ; No. 98, at Volga; No. 99, at Parkston. 667 new mem- bers were initiated during the year. Total relief paid by lodges, $4,867.71. Abbott H. Smith, of Deadwood, was elected grand master and R. R. Briggs, grand secretary.

1888.

The thirteenth annual session was held at Huron May 15, 1888, Abbott G. Smith, grand master, presiding, and sixty-two lodges being represented. Four subordinate lodges and one Rebekah lodge were instituted during the year, viz: No. 100, at Dickinson; No. 10I, at To- ronto: No. 102, at Drayton ; No. 103, at Milton ; No. 4, Rebekah Lodge, at Spearfish. 616 new members were initiated during the year, and the several lodges paid for relief, $4,958.05. Frank S. Emerson, of Sioux Falls, was elected grand master and R. R. Briggs, grand secretary.

1889.

The fourteenth annual session was held at Jamestown and was called to order by Frank S. Emerson, grand master, all other grand officers being present and eighty-six subordinate lodges being represented. Four subordinate lodges and two Rebekah lodges were organized during the year, viz: No. 104, at Armour; No. 105, at Bryant ; No. 106, at Salem; No. 107, at North- wood; No. 5. Rebekah Lodge, at Watertown ; No. 6, Rebekah Lodge, at Ashton. Total initia- tions during the year, 619. Total relief paid by lodges, $5,552.1I.

At this session the representatives at the sovereign grand lodge, who were Abbott G. Smith and Harvey J. Rice, were instructed to take the necessary steps in the sovereign grand lodge to divide the jurisdiction, as the territory of Dakota had been divided by congress and North and South Dakota admitted into the Union as two states, said division of the grand lodge of Dakota to take place at the annual session in May, 1890. A. E. Nugent, of Fargo, was elected grand master and R. R. Briggs as grand secretary.

1890.

The fifteenth annual session convened at Deadwood May 20, 1890, A. R. Nugent presid- ing. Nine past grand masters were present and representatives from ninety-six lodges. During the year six subordinate lodges and four Rebekah lodges were instituted, viz: No. 108, at Wheat- land, North Dakota ; No. 109, at Oelrichs, South Dakota ; No. 110, at Warner, South Dakota; No. Ill, at Hamilton, North Dakota; No. 112, at Hot Springs, South Dakota ; No. 113, at Britton, South Dakota ; No. 7, Rebekah Lodge, at Sioux Falls, South Dakota; No. 8, Rebekah Lodge, at Deadwood, South Dakota; No. 9, Rebekah Lodge, at Fargo, North Dakota; No. 10, Re- bekah Lodge, at Dickinson, North Dakota. Total relief paid by lodges during the year, $7,731. At this time the total membership was 4,330. The total amount of invested funds of lodges, $90,- I33-74.

This was the most notable session ever held by the grand lodge of Dakota, or perhaps that will ever be held by the two grand lodges grow- ing out of it. Space will not permit going into the details of this eventful meeting. During the fifteen years of existence the official roster of the grand lodge remained unbroken. Now those who had during that time labored together for the upbuilding of this institution were to separate, some never to meet again.

The sovereign grand lodge had decided that the grand lodge of South Dakota should be the legal successor of the grand lodge of Dakota and should retain its present charter, and instructed its grand secretary to endorse thereon, "The Grand Lodge of South Dakota." The division occurred on the afternoon of the third day's session, May 22, 1890, which will never be for- gotten by those present. The following brothers participated in the exercises : A. E. Nugent, re- tiring grand master; H. J. Rowe, past grand master ; W. A. Bentley, past grand master ; O. S. Basford, grand master-elect; E. W. Miller, the first grand master: A. E. Clough, past grand master; A. G. Smith, past grand master; Zina Richey, past grand master; H. J. Rice, past grand master; R. R. Briggs, past grand master ;

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HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

F. S. Emerson, past grand master, and George W. Freeman, grand chaplain.

After the exercises the representatives from North Dakota withdrew to another hall, where the grand lodge of North Dakota was duly or- ganized by Harvey J. Rice, special deputy grand sire.

Brother O. S. Basford, of Redfield, was elected grand master of the grand lodge and Ivan W. Goodner was elected grand secretary. Brother R. R. Briggs having declined a re-elec- tion.

1891.

The sixteenth annual session was held at Yankton May 19, 1891, and was called to order by Grand Master O. S. Basford, sixty-two lodges being represented and seven past grand masters present. Four Rebekah lodges had been in- stituted during the year, viz: Colfax Rebekah Lodge, No. 9, at Huron; Evangeline Rebekah Lodge, No. 10, at DeSmet; Esther Rebekah Lodge, No. 11, at Woonsocket; Fountain Re- bekah Lodge, No. 12, at Yankton. The grand secretary's report showed 3,122 active members and $7,083.49 paid for relief. In addition to this amount, $8,241.98 was paid out as special relief for seed grain to members in drought districts, making a total of $15,325.47. H. A. Piper, of Hill City, was elected grand master and Ivan WV. Goodner, grand secretary.

1892.

The seventeenth annual session was held at Madison and was presided over by H. A. Piper, grand master. Sixty-four lodges were repre- sented and seven past grand masters were in at- tendance. Five lodges were instituted during the year: No. 114, at Revillo; No. 115, at Webster ; No. 116, at Letcher; Rebekah Lodge, No. 13, at Iroquois; Rebekah Lodge. No. 14, at Hot Springs. The amount paid for relief during the year was $7,451.30.

The first death among the past grand mas- ters occurred March 17, 1892, it being that of Justus A. Wallace, at his home in Elk Point. Brother Wallace was an earnest Odd Fellow in

its truest and fullest sense and was greatly missed. George W. Snow was elected grand master and Ivan W. Goodner retained as grand secretary.

1893.

The eighteenth annual session was held at Sioux Falls May 16, 1893, and was presided over by George W. Snow, grand master. Seventy- five lodges were represented. During the year eight new subordinate lodges and seven Rebekah lodges were instituted, viz: No. 177, at Doland; No. 118, at Hill City ; No. 119, at Belle Fourche; No. 120, at Bristol; No. 121, at Custer ; No. 122, at Worthing; No. 123, at Fulton; No. 124, at Elkton ; Rebekah Lodge, No. 15, at Bristol; Re- bekah Lodge, No. 16, at Milbank; Rebekah Lodge, No. 17, at Canton ; Rebekah Lodge, No. 18, at Miller; Rebekah Lodge, No. 19, at Car- thage ; Rebekah Lodge, No. 20, at Hitchcock ; Re- bekah Lodge, No. 21, at Dell Rapids. $6,894.07 had been paid for relief by the lodges during the vear. C. J. Bach was elected grand master and Ivan W. Goodner, grand secretary.

1894.

The nineteenth annual session was held in Sioux Falls May 15, 1894, and continued the usual three days, C. J. Bach, grand master, pre- siding. Seventy-eight lodges were represented. During the year one new subordinate lodge and three new Rebekah lodges were instituted, viz: No. 125, at Hartford; Rebekah Lodge, No. 22, at Revillo; Rebekah Lodge, No. 23, at Mitchell; Rebekah Lodge, No. 24, at Pierre. $7,245.85 had been paid for relief. Brother N. C. Nash, of Canton, was elected grand master. Brother Ivan W. Goodner, who had served four years as grand secretary, declined a re-election on ac- count of other duties, and Harvey J. Rice, past grand master, of Huron, was unanimously elected grand secretary.

1895.

The twentieth annual session met at Yank- ton May 21, 1895, and was called to order by N. C. Nash, grand master, eighty-five lodges

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being represented. Seven subordinate lodges and eight Rebekalı lodges had been instituted during the year, viz: No. 126, at Chamberlain ; No. 127, at Waubay ; No. 128, at Alcester ; No. 129, at Westport; No. 130, at Beresford; No. 13I, at Edgemont; No. 132, at LaDelle; Re- bekah Lodge, No. 25, at Elkton ; Rebekah Lodge, No. 26, at Brookings; Rebekah Lodge, No. 27, at Gettysburg ; Rebekah Lodge, No. 28, at Ver- million : Rebekah Lodge, No. 29, at Plankinton ; Rebekah Lodge, No. 30, at Oelrichs; Rebekah Lodge, No. 31, at Worthing; Rebekah Lodge, No. 32, at Frederick. $5,912.67 had been paid for relief. 455 new members had been admitted. Brother George W. Freeman, who for twelve years had been grand chaplain of the grand lodge, died at his home in Elk Point March 13, 1895. Willis E. Benedict was elected grand mas- ter and Harvey J. Rice, grand secretary.

1896.

The twenty-first annual session met at Hot Springs May 19, 1896, and was called to order by the grand master, Willis E. Benedict. Eight past grand masters were present and represent- atives from eighty-four subordinate lodges. During the year three subordinate lodges and seventeen Rebekah lodges were organized, viz: No. 133, at Hermosa ; No. 134, at Wilmot ; No. 135, at White; Rebekah No. 33, at Parker; Re- bekah No. 34, at Edgemont; Rebekah No. 35, at Hartford; Rebekah No. 36, at Sturgis;

Rebekah No. at

37, Groton ; Rebekah No. 38, at Waubay; Rebekah No. 39, at Alcester ; Rebekah No. 40, at Beresford; Re- bekah No. 4I, at Hurley; Rebekah No. 42, at Custer : Rebekah No. 43, at Webster; Rebekah No. 44, at Central City; Rebekah No. 45, at Gary; Rebekah No. 46, at Big Stone City ; Re- bekah No. 47, at Rapid City ; Rebekah No. 48, at Bristol; Rebekah No. 49, at Hill City. The total relief paid by lodges during the year was $5 .- 571.74. Ivan W. Goodner, of Pierre, was elected grand master by the unanimous vote of the grand lodge and Harvey J. Rice was re-elected grand secretary by acclamation.

It was decided to establish an Odd Fellows

Home, for which nine trustees were elected, viz: For three years, A. E. Clough, P. G. M., H. A. Piper, P. G. M., and I. W. Goodner, P. G. M .; for two years, S. E. Wilson, of No. 112, J. W. Abbott, of No. 115, and N. C. Nash, P. G. M .; for one year, George W. Snow, P. G. M., C. J. Bach, P. G. M., and M. A. Heath, of No. 53.

1897.

The twenty-second annual session was held at Aberdeen May 18, 1897. Present, Ivan W. Goodner, grand master, and all of the grand officers, ten past grand masters and represent- atives from eighty lodges. Two Rebekah lodges were instituted during the year, viz: Rebekah No. 50, at Warner, and Rebekah No. 51, at Aberdeen. Voluntary contributions for the Home fund were received amounting to $645.54. $7.759.84 was paid by lodges for relief. Peter Marquart, of Madison, was chosen for grand master and Harvey J. Rice, grand secretary. L. D. F. Poore, past grand master, died May 25, 1897.

1898.

The twenty-third annual session was held at Sioux Falls May 17, 1898, and was called to order by Peter Marquart, grand master, all grand officers being present, and seventy-nine lodges heing represented. The following new lodges were chartered: No. 136, at Erwin; Re- bekah No. 52, at Springfield; Rebekah No. 53 (German), at Sioux Falls; Rebekah No. 54, at Volga; Rebekah No. 55, at Wilmot; Rebekah No. 56, at Columbia ; Rebekah No. 57, at Her- mosa ; Rebekah No. 58, at White; Rebekah No. 59, at Howard; Rebekah No. 60, at Westport ; Rebekah No. 61, at Bryant; Rebekah No. 62, at Lennox : Rebekah No. 63, at Mellette ; Rebekah No. 64, at Tyndall. Total relief paid by lodges, $6.372.24. L. L. Lostutter, of Iroquois, was elected grand master and Harvey J. Rice, grand secretary.

1899.

The twenty-fourth annual session was held at Huron May 16, 1899, Brother L. L. Lostutter, grand master, with ten past grand masters and

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eighty-four representatives present. Two subor- dinate and four Rebekah lodges were instituted during the year, viz : No. 137, at Terry ; No. 138, at Keystone; Rebekah No. 65, at Kimball; Re- bekah No. 66, at Flandreau; Rebekah No. 67, at Salem; Rebekah No. 68, at White Lake. There had been paid for relief by lodges, $7,318.72. The Home fund on May 1, 1899, amounted to $1,961.09. Benjamin F. Teall, of Belle Fourche, was elected grand master and Harvey J. Rice, grand secretary, both by a unanimous vote.

1900.

The twenty-fifth annual session was held at Mitchell May 15, 1900, and was presided over by Grand Master B. F. Teall. Eleven past grand masters were present and representatives from ninety lodges. Seven subordinate and twelve Re- bekah lodges were chartered during the year, viz : No. 139, at Fairfax ; No. 140, at Whitewood; No. 141, at Conde; No. 142 at Ethan; No. 143, at Valley Springs ; No. 144, at Clear Lake; No. 145, at Castlewood; Rebekah No. 69, at Terry ; Rebekah No. 70, at Erwin; Rebekah No. 71, at Lake Preston; Rebekah No. 72, at Fulton ; Re- bekah No. 73, at Conde; Rebekah No. 74, at Marion ; Rebekah No. 75, at Redfield ; Rebekah No. 76, at LaDelle ; Rebekah No. 77, at Parks- ton ; Rebekah No. 78, at Chamberlain ; Rebekah No. 79, at Key Stone; Rebekah No. 3, at Alex- andria. This last Rebekah lodge was instituted in place of the old lodge at Alexandria of the same number, which became defunct in 1888. During the year $648.93 was added to the Home fund. $7.032.63 was paid for relief. The grand lodge paid the dues of all the members who had enlisted in the volunteer service of the United States for the Spanish war. Theron G. Brown, of DeSmet, was elected grand master and Harvey J. Rice, grand secretary, the latter by acclamation.

190I.

The twenty-sixth annual session was held at Canton May 21, 1901, Theron G. Brown, grand master, presiding. Ten past grand masters pres- ent and eighty-nine representatives. One subor- dinate and three Rebekah lodges had been insti-

tuted during the year, viz : No. 146, at Canistota ; Rebekah Lodge No. 80, at Centerville; Rebekalı Lodge No. 81, at Clear Lake; Rebekah Lodge No. 82, at Highmore. The Home fund had in- creased $770.63, making a total on hand May I, 1901, of $3,380.65. Lodges had paid for relief the sum of $9,126.13, $351.00 having been sent to the Galveston sufferers. James R. Sharp. of Rapid City, was elected grand master and Har- vey J. Rice, grand secretary.

1902.

The twenty-seventh annual session was held at Lead City May 20, 1902, James R. Sharp, grand master, presiding, twelve past grand mas- ters being present and ninety-three lodges repre- sented. Two new subordinate lodges were insti- tuted during the year, viz : No. 147, at Langford, and No. 148, at Winfred. A Rebekah lodge was instituted at Pierre, taking the same number of a prior one at this place, which had become de- funct. Total relief paid by lodges was $8,622.63. Received for the Home fund $1,584.45, making a total on hand May 1, 1902, of $4,965.10. James C. Calder, of Plankinton, was unanimously elected grand master and Harvey J. Rice, grand secretary, by acclamation.

1903.

The twenty-eighth annual session was held at Watertown May 19, 1903, James C. Calder, grand master, presiding, thirteen past grand mas- ters being present and ninety-six representatives from lodges. Four subordinate lodges were insti- tuted during the year, viz: No. 149, at Platte; No. 150, at Broadland; No. 151, at Virgil; No. 152, at Ramona. Two deaths occurred during the year in the official roster of the grand lodge, viz : Brother B. F. Teall, past grand master and grand representative to the sovereign grand lodge, who died at his home in Belle Fourche November 5, 1892, and Brother J. J. McIntire, grand chaplain, who died at East Sioux Falls De- cember 20, 1902. $8,484.33 had been paid for relief by lodges. $1.525.31 had been added to the Home fund, making a total May I, 1903, of $6.490.41. Dyer H. Campbell was unanimously

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elected grand master and Harvey J. Rice, grand secretary. The twenty-ninth annual session will be held at Yankton May 17-18-19, 1904.

During the twenty-eight years of existence of the grand lodge, the grand master-elect has called the session to order. Three past grand masters have died; three have become members of North Dakota by division ; three have perma- nently left the jurisdiction, while the other eight- een are still active members.

Brother Zina Richey, past grand master, one of the most earnest and respected members, has attended every session from the beginning and holds the honor of being the only one who has answered every roll call since 1875. The fol- lowing shows the attendance of the past grand masters in their order, who still hold member- ship in South Dakota: Ezra W. Miller, eighteen sessions; Norman Learned, six sessions; Zina Richey, consecutively, twenty-nine sessions; A. E. Clough, sixteen sessions ; Harvey J. Rice, con- sectitively, twenty sessions; A. G. Smith, thirteen sessions; F. S. Emerson, consecutively, twenty sessions ; O. S. Basford, eight sessions; H. A. Piper. eight sessions ; George W. Snow, twenty- three sessions; C. J. Bach, seventeen sessions ; N. C. Nash, sixteen sessions; W. E. Benedict, consecutively, twelve sessions; I. W. Goodner, eight sessions; Peter Marquart, ten sessions; L. L. Lostutter, fourteen sessions; Theron G. Brown, eleven sessions; James R. Sharp, con- secutively, seven sessions; James C. Calder, twelve sessions.

There have been five grand secretaries, viz : Ralph R. Briggs, who served from 1875 to 1883, when he served one year as grand master, and was re-elected grand secretary in 1885 and served until 1890, when he declined further election, having served in that capacity thirteen years. Frank S. Emerson was elected in 1883 and served one year. E. M. Fuller was elected in 1884 and served one year. Ivan W. Goodner was elected in 1890 and held the office until 1894, when he declined a re-election, having served four years. Harvey J. Rice was elected in 1894 and has served nine years and is the present in- cumbent, having been elected by acclamation every year except one.

In the rank and file there are many zealous and faithful workers who deserve credit and mention, but space will not permit. Leaving the grand lodge, we will briefly take up the other branches.

THE REBEKAH BRANCH.

The first state convention of the Rebekah branch of the order in South Dakota was held at Deadwood May 20, 1890, pursuant to a call of the grand master, A. E. Nugent.

Sister Nannie E. Smith, of Lead City, was elected temporary president ; thirteen repre- sentatives were present from the several lodges. The total membership of this branch at this time was one hundred and sixty-one; number of lodges, six. A constitution was adopted. Nannie E. Smith was elected president and Emma L. Court, secretary.

In 1895 the name was changed from Rebekah Convention to Rebekah Assembly of South Da- kota, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a charter was issued by the grand lodge as such.

The following are the presidents in the order named : Mrs.' Nannie E. Smith, Deadwood, 1890-1; Mrs. May D. McDonald. Sioux Falls, 1891-2; Mrs. P. E. W. Walton, Huron, 1892-3; Mrs. Sarah Fuller, Lead, 1893-4; Mrs. Ernie E. Richey, Yankton, 1894-5; Mrs. Hattie B. Bor- land, Madison, 1895-6; Mrs. Grace Sutphen, Huron, 1896-7; Mrs. Florence M. Jones, Britton, 1897-8; Miss Helen Baker, Deadwood, 1898-9; Mrs. Hanna C. Cripps, Iroquois, 1899-1900; Mrs. Hattie L. Bradley, DeSmet, 1900-1; Mrs. Maude I. Benedict, Custer, 1901-2; Mrs. Ella Kingery, Parker, 1902-3; Mrs. Sallie M. Patton, Sioux Falls, 1903-4.

The secretaries have been as follows: Mrs. Emma L. Court, Spearfish, 1890-1-2; Mrs. Jennie B. Cunningham, Sioux Falls, 1892-3; Mrs. Ernie E. Richey, Yankton, 1893-4; Mrs. Florence M. Jones, Britton, 1894-5-6; Miss Helen Baker, Deadwood, 1896-7; Mrs. Adeline Alexander, Elkton, 1897-8; Mrs. Ella Abbott, Waubay, 1898- 9-1900-1-2; Mrs. Maude L. Patterson, Gettys- burg, 1902-3; Miss Rose Blanche Spaulding, Huron, 1903-4.

In 1903 there were seventy-nine Rebekah

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lodges, with a membership of 3,484, comprised of 2,166 sisters and 1,318 brothers. The Rebekah degree was started as a mere side degree, but has become one of the most important factors in the work of Oddfellowship.

THE ENCAMPMENT BRANCH.

The grand encampment of South Dakota, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, was organ- ized at Yankton, August 10, 1881, the following encampments being represented : Royal Purple, No. I, of Sioux Falls; Yankton, No. 2, of Yank- ton; Hesperian, No. 3, of Elk Point; Golden Rule, No. 4, of Bismarck; Black Hills, No. 5, of Deadwood; Sinai, No. 6, of Fargo. F. S. Emer- son, of Sioux Falls, was elected grand patriarch and A. E. Ronne, grand scribe. This session then adjourned to meet at same place October 12th, at which session a constitution and set of by-laws was adopted. D. S. Dodds was elected grand patriarch and R. R. Briggs, grand scribe.

The following brothers have held the office of grand patriarch for the years designated: F. S. Emerson, of Sioux Falls, 1881 ; D. S. Dodds, of Grand Forks, 1882-3 ; William A. Blatt, of Yank- ton, 1883-4; Ezra W. Miller, of Elk Point, 1884-5; George W. Snow, of Springfield, 1885-6; S. E. Blauvelt, of Sioux Falls, 1886-7; T. A. Robinson, of Sioux Falls, 1887-8; J. T. Wooley, of Ashton, 1888-9; A. S. Dam, of Frederick, 1889-90; George W. Mathews, of Sioux Falls,

1890-91; Aug. C. Witts, of Aberdeen, 1891-2; E. P. Mesmer, of Ashton, 1892-3 ; I. W. Goodner, of Pierre, 1893-4; Fred Schnauber, of Yankton, 1894-5; M. A. Heath, of Groton, 1895-6; C. H. Tinkham, of DeSmet, 1896-7; D. S. Waldo, of Canton, 1897-8; George T. Grove, of Huron, 1898-9: George H. Waskey, of Madison, 1899- 1900; C. F. DeMouth, of Deadwood, 1900-1; W. J. Mattice, of Brookings, 1901-2; E. Y. Lane, of Watertown, 1902-3; C. H. Blow, of Dell Rapids, 1903-4.

The grand scribes have been: A. R. Ronne, of Elk Point, 1881 ; R. R. Briggs, of Sioux Falls, 1882-3-4-6-7-8-9: E. M. Fuller, of Bismarck, 1885; I. WV. Goodner, of Pierre, 1890-1-2-3; J. A. Ward, of Sioux Falls, 1894-5; George W. Was- key, of Madison, 1896-7-8-9-1900-1901 ; Harvey J. Rice, of Huron, 1902-3-4.

For years the order struggled along, gaining little ground, but the few faithful ones were never discouraged, always remembering the watchword "Go on," and today this order stands on the proud eminence of being considered one of the foremost benevolent institutions of the age. It employs no trumpets to sound its praise, but is quietly fulfilling its mission of relieving human misery and trying to lift mankind onto higher ground. Having for its foundation principle "The Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man," it marches on, noiselessly gaining in num- bers and public esteem, as the years come and go.

CHAPTER XCI

PYTHIANISM IN SOUTH DAKOTA.

BY CHARLES N. HERREID, P. G. C.

The order of Knights of Pythias was or- ganized in Washington, D. C., on the 19th day of February, 1864, by some eight or ten gentle- men who met by previous agreement. A ritual, previously prepared, largely by J. H. Rathbone, who is recognized as the founder of the order, was, reported and adopted and Mr. Rathbone was duly elected worthy chancellor, the first chancellor of the order in the world.

More than twenty centuries ago, in ancient Syracuse, were enacted the thrilling historical incidents which form the basis of the magnificent and impressive ritualistic ceremonies which once seen can never be forgotten. The sublime ex- emplification of true friendship on the plains of Sicily by Damon and Pythias,-two illustrious disciples of Pythagoras,-is the corner-stone of the splendid and colossal temple of Pythianism. The lofty principles, tenets and usages of this great organization tend to make men better, more friendly, charitable, benevolent and patri- otic and promote the highest and best interest of mankind.

"While the operations of the Pythian pio- neers in the territory of Dakota," says William D. Kennedy, the distinguished Pythian and his- torian of the order, "extended to both the north- ern and southern portions, yet the initial sod was turned in what is now South Dakota. First official mention is made by Supreme Chancellor Davis in 1875, when he intimates that members of the order that had strayed into that then com- paratively unknown country were pressing the

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History of South Dakota, Vol. I, Part 73

Author: Robinson, Doane, 1856-1946. cn Publication date: 1904 Publisher: [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen Number of Pages: 998

Author: Robinson, Doane, 1856-1946. cn
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 998