An illustrated history of Spokane county, state of Washington, Part 35

Author: Edwards, Jonathan, 1847-1929. cn
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: [San Francisco?] W.H. Lever
Number of Pages: 888

USA > Washington > Spokane County > An illustrated history of Spokane county, state of Washington > Part 35

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The intention of the brothers from the out- set was to start with a lodge of about fifty members. The vigorous work inaugurated by those interested soon swelled the lists of ap- plicants far above that number and the limit was pushed ahead to one hundred. This sup- posed impossible mark was soon reached and passed, the timid became courageous and the stakes were pushed ahead to one hundred and fifty and later to two hundred. When it be-

came known among the brethren in the com- munity that the new lodge was such a Co- lossus at its birth an unusual interest was aroused. Very little else was thought of or talked about by the brethren at the lodge meetings. The coming event was awaited with glad enthusiasm by other lodges. All welcomed the newcomer as an important era in lodge history, and as marking the begin- ning of a new era in the establishment and progressive up-building of Odd Fellowship in Spokane.

Finally the date for the institution was fixed. At that time Dr. W. G. Alban. of Walla Walla, was grand master. and Le F. A. Shaw, of the same city, grand secretary of the Grand Lodge of Washington. These gen- tlemen were invited to be present and insti- tute the new lodge. The invitation was ac- cepted. Grand Master Alban and Brother Shaw, assisted by local brethren, instituted Imperial Lodge. No. 134. in the hall in the Symons block, on the afternoon of March 9. 1893. with the following charter members : P. D. Tull. past grand. E. J. Dyer. C. A. Squibb. F. M. Marmaduke. A. W. Strong, E. N. Corey, past grand. G. Rushing. J. W. Hiatt. S. Glasgow, past grand. W. DeLaguna. J. W. Binkley, past grand. G. K. Reed. past grand, G. H. Holloway, past grand. J. E. Whitfield, C. L. Knox. past grand, J. G. Davis, past grand, E. C. Covey. E. D. Omans, J. N. Boyd, past grand. U. B. Hough. J. J. L. Peel. A. J. Smth, past grand. G. Trapsehuh. P. Mertz. G. W. Belt. past grand. W. W. Elmer. August Shultz, past grand. N. H. Ives, E. P. Gillette, past grand. J. E. Brickell, F. B. Grinnell, J. E. Foster, W. H. Maloney, Gavin Johnston, E. T. Graves, C. E. Reeves. J. F. McCoy. N. Martin. M. E. Davis, H. M. Her-' rin, W. Zollars. T. W. Pynn. S. N. Teftt, .1. G. Lowe. W. B. Richardson and E. J. Bower. After the institution of the lodge the follow- ing officers were duly elected and installed by the lodge: E. C. Covey, noble grand : A. W.

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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.

Strong, vice-grand; WV. deLaguna, recording secretary ; E. N. Corey, treasurer, with J. G. Davis, sitting past grand. These exercises being over, the lodge was adjourned till even- ing, when it reconvened at Music hall in the Tull block, now the Marion block, on the southeast corner of Riverside avenue and Stevens street. This was done in order to secure a hall large enough to accommodate the large crowd and to properly perform the degree work. At this meeting one hundred and three applicants presented themselves for initiation and the three degrees. The degree work was done by the degree staff of Samari- tan Lodge, No. 52, and of Mount Carleton Lodge, No. 103, there being a very large con- course of brothers, members of the city lodges, visitors from surrounding lodges and SO- journers from different parts of the country. The conferring of these degrees occupied the entire night. At midnight an elegant ban- quet was served at the Hotel Gillette, now the Hotel Pedicord, on East Riverside avenue. In addition to the forty-seven charter mem- bers and the one hundred and eleven initiates, there were sixteen members admitted by card the first evening, making a total of one hun- dred and seventy-four at the night of institu- tion. On the night of the first regular meet- ing after the institution of the lodge, there were ten new applicants for admission, and in a few weeks the rolls carried over two hun- dred members and Imperial took rank as the largest lodge in the state of Washington.

The first session of the Grand Lodge of Washington, after the institution of Imperial Lodge, convened in the city of Olympia, May 9, 1893. At that session Imperial Lodge was represented by Hon. G. W. Belt, J. G. Davis, N. Martin and G. H. Holloway, a delegation which immediately took rank with the leading representatives in that body.

Soon after the institution of Imperial Lodge came the terrible depression and hard times which made such inroads into the mem-

bership of the order all over the country. This lodge suffered with others in that respect. Though a very liberal policy was adopted to- ward delinquents, the continuation of that period of depression drove many from the city to seek employment elsewhere, prevented many others from keeping in standing, and a large number of members were subsequently dropped for non-payment of dues. On December 31, 1893, the lodge reported a membership of two hundred and eleven; three years later, Decem- ber 31, 1896, a membership of but one hun- dred and seventy-six was reported.

The removal of the machine shops and di- vision headquarters of the Northern Pacific Railroad from Sprague to Spokane brought to this city nearly the entire membership of Sprague Lodge. No. 24. Not enough of the members were left behind to retain the charter. After due consideration it was decided to con- solidate No. 24 with Imperial Lodge. Terms of consolidation were readily agreed upon and the consolidation of the two lodges occurred on the evening of January 21, 1897. Sprague Lodge surrendered its charter to the Grand Lodge and became a part of Imperial. In its interesting and pleasing feature this event was scarcely less in its importance than the insti- tution of Imperial Lodge. The ceremonies of consolidation were performed by Hon. C. F. Williams, grand master, in the lodge hall in the Symons block. December 31. 1897, the lodge reported a membership of two hundred and eleven. The last report sent to the grand secretary showed the membership December 31, 1899, to be one hundred and eighty-six.

The officers of the lodge elected and in- stalled for the first half of the year 1900 are : C. W. Hunt, noble grand ; Ben F. Davis, vice- grand; T. F. Young, recording secretary ; A. G. Kamm, financial secretary; Alex Green, treasurer.

Cheney Lodge, No. 21 .- The second lodge of Odd Fellows established in Spokane county was in the town of Cheney, and was designated

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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.

as Cheney Lodge, No. 21. This lodge was in- stituted October II, 1881. The fourth an- nual session of the Grand Lodge of Washing- ton was held in the city of Walla Walla, com- mencing on Tuesday, May 9, 1882. Hon. E. L. Powell, now a resident of Spokane. then living at Waitsburg, was grand master. In his annual report for the previous year, Grand Master Powell said: "On September 26, 1881, I issued a warrant to Brother H. C. Long and others, of Cheney, to institute a lodge in that city, to be known as Cheney Lodge, No. 21, and commissioned Dr. J. J. Piper to institute the same, which commission he performed on October 11. 1881, and the lodge bids fair to be one of our best lodges. I attached this lodge to District No. 13." Dis- trict No. 13 was then composed of Spokane Lodge, No. 17, of which Dr. Piper was the dis- trict deputy grand master.

The charter members of Cheney Lodge, No. 21, were Henry C. Long, Paul Bocion, Jacob Bettinger, W. W. Griswold and L. M. Kellogg. Brother Henry C. Long was the first noble grand. Cheney was prosperous in those days and for several years thereafter and Cheney Lodge at once entered upon a pros- perous career. This prosperity has been much impeded during later years, yet the lodge has constantly held true to its mission, pre- served its organization and held regular meet- ings. It has done a vast amount of benevo- lent work in that community. It has always extended a hearty welcome to visiting breth- ren, and the hand of relief is always gener- ously extended to the unfortunate. At the close of the year 1899 Cheney lodge had a membership of thirty-one.

Brother Piper, who instituted Cheney Lodge, is now living on his farm on Peone prairie, and though advanced in years, is still an ardent Odd Fellow. He is a member of Samaritan Lodge, No. 52. Brother Henry C. Long, the first noble grand of Cheney Lodge, is now a resident of Spokane.

Fairview Lodge, No. 40 .- The town of Rockford claimed the honor of giving to Spo- kane county its third lodge of Odd Fellows. Inspired by the landscape beauty of the val- ley in which Rockford is situated, the breth- ren selected the name Fairview for their lodge. Fairview Lodge,. No. 40, was insti- tuted on the evening of the 20th of February. 1886. The petition for this lodge was granted by Grand Master George D. Hill, Si Seattle. J. B. Krienbuhl was appointed as special deputy by the grand master to institute the lodge. Several of the brethren from Spo- kane accompanied him and assisted in the ceremonies. A few other visitors were pres- ent.

Fairview Lodge was instituted with nine- teen charter members, nine card members and ten initiates. The lodge has grown steadily and its members have always taken a live inter- est in its welfare At the close of the last term. December 31, 1899, Fairview Lodge re- ported a membership of thirty-seven. The year 1900 promises to witness greater growth for this lodge than it has ever before en- joyed.

Spangle Lodge, No. 50 .- Spangle Lodge. No. 50, was instituted in the town of Span- gle on December 6, 1887. Hon. J. V. Meeker, of Puyallup, was grand master. He appointed Brother J. W. Binkley, of Spokane. as his special deputy to institute the lodge. Brother Binkley secured the assistance of sev- eral brothers from Spokane and Cheney and the lodge was instituted under very favorable conditions. There were thirteen charter members. Spangle Lodge has had a constant and encouraging growth, and at the close of the year 1899 reported forty-two members. The lodge owns its own hall, which is fully paid for, and has a handsome cash balance in its treasury.

Stanley Lodge, No. 70 .- This was the sixth lodge instituted in Spokane county. Petition for a lodge in the town of Medical

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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.

Lake was presented to Grand Master Thomas J. Thompson, of Tacoma. He granted the petition and commissioned Hon. J. W. Bink- ley, of Spokane, to institute the new lodge. Brother Binkley secured a large number of brothers in Spokane to accompany him, and the lodge was instituted on the evening of the 20th day of July, 1889. The first officers were: J. A. Stewart, noble grand; C. F. Westfall, vice-grand; Frank C. Payne, record- ing secretary; Fred W. Rowley, financial sec- retary; Thomas Hulton, treasurer. In addi- tion to the six charter members there were twenty-seven initiates who were elected and upon whom the four degrees of the subordi- nate lodge were conferred that evening by the brethren who went out from Spokane. Grand Master Thompson, in his report to the Grand Lodge in Ellensburg, in May, 1890, alluded to the encouraging manner in which this lodge began its career and said: "So may they keep prospering, and peace, happi- ness and joy ever be within their walls."

Stanley Lodge soon became known as one of the most active organizations of its char- acter in this part of the state. The mem- bers organized a degree staff, the first in the county, and a spirit of enthusiasm was soon aroused which added much to the interest and profit of the lodge sessions. Brother Stew- art, the first noble grand, represented this lodge in the Grand Lodge at Ellensburg in 1890, and at once took rank among the lead- ing members of that body. At this time the town of Medical Lake was in a very prosper- ous condition. The financial depression and consequent dullness of 1893-6 had a very de- pressing influence on this community and a majority of the lodge members removed else- where to better their condition. The lodge was very severely crippled, but not destroyed. The remaining members have held on loyally and the prospects now are that the lodge will again approach its former size, spirit and influence. The lodge reported a member-

ship of fourteen on the 31st of December, 1899.

Altruist Lodge, No. 73 .- One of the very best and most productive agricultural sections of Spokane county is found surrounding the town of Waverly, in the Latah valley, about thirty miles south of the city of Spokane. This section has always been famous for its grains, its grasses, its fruits, its fine stock and fine farms; and later for its beet sugar industry. Naturally such a region is populated with a thrifty, intelligent people, and though having no towns of considerable size to draw upon, they concluded to establish a fraternal order in the village and depend principally upon the farmers for its support and membership. After careful consideration it was decided that the pioneer fraternal organization should be a lodge of Odd Fellows. Grand Master Thomp- son harkened to the petition of these brothers and designated Brother W. H. Reetor, of Fairview Lodge, No. 40, of Rockford, to in- stitute the lodge. A number of brothers from Rockford, Spangle and Spokane were present, and the occasion was a joyous one for all. Altruism seemed to animate the brothers who moved for the establishment of this lodge, and the name Altruist was selected to designate it. The first officers were U. E. Lemon, noble grand; R. W. Black, vice-grand; Dr. G. W. Ensley, secretary ; H. Juniper, treasurer. Six members were elected and received all the de- grees that evening, making the number of charter members fourteen.

The extension of the O. R. & N. Railroad from Colfax to Spokane passed through this section about four miles east of Waverly and resulted in establishing the town of Fairfield, which soon became the business center of that country. This called for the moving of the lodge. A petition to that effect was presented to Grand Master Alban, and on July 6, 1892, he granted a dispensation for the removal of the lodge to Fairfield, where it was established in a new hall which was appropriately dedi-

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cated July 15, 1892. On August 22, 1893, the lodge suffered the loss of their hall, char- ter and effects by fire. This calamity was hard to bear, but the members promptly ral- lied. Grand Master Mitchell granted them a dispensation to continue working without a charter and the business of the lodge went for- ward. At the session of the Grand Lodge, held in Spokane in 1894, a duplicate charter was granted to Altruist Lodge without cost. This lodge reported thirty-nine members at the close of the year, December 31, 1899.

Latah Lodge, No. 76 .- The town of Latalı is one of the oldest in Spokane county, and the wonder is that Odd Fellowship was not es- tablished there much earlier than it was. La- tah Lodge was the seventy-sixth for which a dispensation was granted in this state, and the seventh lodge to be established in Spokane county. The date of the institution of this lodge was only two days later than that of Altruist, No. 73, being brought into existence on the 22d day of February, 1890. George B. Young, of Colfax, at that time deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge of Wash- ington, was the instituting officer. The char- ter members of Latah Lodge were: W. J. Thompson, L. H. Thayer, B. S. Thompson, C. W. Haynes and John Melvin. The offi- cers elected and installed at the institution of the lodge were: W. J. Thompson, noble grand; L. H. Thayer, vice-grand; Charles James, recording secretary; C. W. Haynes, financial secretary; John Melvin, treasurer. W. H. Roberts was admitted and received the degrees on the night of institution; and Charles James, W. S. Walker, R. Simpson, M. Plemen and E. L. Spencer were admitted on cards or dismissal certificates. This gave the lodge eleven members at the date of its birth. It reported a membership of thirty- three on the 31st of December, 1899, and was reported in good working condition.

Morning Star Lodge, No. 142 .- About eighteen miles north of Spokane, situated be-

tween Crescent and Wild Rose prairies, is Wayside. At this point for several years there has been a small neighborhood store and about ten years ago the Methodist people erected a neat chapel on one of the four cor- ners. Otherwise the surroundings were thor- oughly rural. The entire surrounding coun- try for several miles was occupied by a pro- gressive, intelligent class of farmers, several of whom were Odd Fellows. The starting of a lodge in this farming community was spoken of and seemed to meet with universal favor. A canvass was made and it was found that a large class of initiates could be ob- tained. Petition was made for a dispensa- tion to organize a lodge. Grand Master J. C. Mitchell granted the petition and appointed J. M. Ellis, of Spokane, who instituted the lodge with six charter members and twenty- seven initiates. In the performance of this duty Brother Ellis was accompanied and as- sisted by a large number of brothers from the Spokane lodges. The occasion was a most memorable one. The ceremonies of institu- ting the new lodge, electing and installing the officers and electing and conferring the four degrees on the large class of candidates occu- pied the entire night. The wives of the mem- bers came from their farms with large quanti- ties of provisions, three separate meals being served during the ceremonies, and everyone agreed that the occasion was one of the most pleasant they ever attended. The lodge was instituted in the Methodist Chapel, which was afterward used for the regular meetings until the lodge building was erected.

The charter members of Morning Star Lodge were: D. J. Burk, Allison Allen, J. W. Price, A. B. Owens, E. C. McLeod, G. J. Jones and J. T. Grove. The first officers were : D. J. Burk, noble grand; A. B. Owens, vice- grand; E. C. McLeod, recording secretary ; J. T. Grove, financial secretary; Allison Al- len, treasurer. This lodge has enjoyed a very prosperous growth from the date of its insti-

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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.

tution, which was January II, 1894. It be- gan life with a good membership, and at the close of the year 1894 had thirty-nine mem- bers in good standing. Soon after the institu- tion of the lodge a movement was started for the erection of a suitable building for the uses of the order. The lodge had a healthy treas- ury, building materials and labor were easily obtained at reasonable cost and the funds lack- ing were subscribed by the members. A large and handsome two-story frame building was erected during the year. This building was planned and constructed with special reference to the needs of the lodge, the hall being on the second floor and the first floor being ar- ranged for banquet and social purposes. This building was fully · completed and furnished, and on the first anniversary of the lodge, Janu- ary II, 1895, it was appropriately dedicated to the principles and purposes of Odd Fellow- ship by Grand Master A. G. Ansell, of Spo- kane, in the presence of an audience which taxed the capacity of of the building to the utmost. The lodge has repaid to the mem- bers nearly all the money advanced for the erection of the building, and has a handsome property which will fully meet its requirements for many years. On the 3Ist of December, 1899, the lodge reported a membership of seventy-nine.

Mead Lodge, No. 146 .- The establish- ment of Morning Star Lodge at Wayside aroused quite an interest in Odd Fellowship in the northern part of Spokane county. In a short time a proposition came for a lodge at Chattaroy, a few miles east of Wayside. A petition with the requisite names was sent to Grand Master Mitchell and he appointed J. M. Ellis, of Spokane, to institute the lodge. Brother Ellis secured the assistance of a num- ber of brothers in Spokane and several from Morning Star Lodge and instituted Chattaroy Lodge, No. 146, on the evening of April 21, 1894. The lodge had twenty-one charter mem- bers and began life with flattering prospects.

In a few months the members of Chattaroy Lodge realized that the location of the lodge might be improved by its removal to the town of Mead, a few miles south of Chattaroy. A neat two-story frame building was erected at Mead by George Bryan and William Cushing and placed at the disposal of the lodge. Per- mission to move the lodge from Chattaroy to Mead was given by A. G. Ansell, grand mas- ter, and their new hall at Mead was dedicated by him on the evening of September 15, 1894, in the presence of a large number of the men- bers of the order and friends.

At the session of the Grand Lodge of Washington, held in the city of Seattle, Chat- taroy Lodge, through its representative, C. E. Peyton, presented a petition to have its name changed to Mead Lodge, No. 146. This peti- tion was granted and a new charter was fur- nished bearing the new name. Mead Lodge has always enjoyed a very flattering growth and is known as one of the best country lodges in the state. Its records show a membership of forty-nine on the 31st day of December, 1899.

Marshall Lodge, No. 163 .- This lodge was instituted in the town of Marshall, eight miles southwest of Spokane, on July 20, 1899. J. M. Ellis, of Spokane, was special deputy grand master, and in the institution of the lodge he was assisted by F. P. Robinson, G. W. Stocker, F. W. Felch, J. J. White and sev- eral other brothers from Spokane. The dis- pensation authorizing the institution of this lodge was granted by Grand Master J. H. Davis, of Tacoma.

The charter members of Marshall Lodge were: W. R. Parks, Hamilton Watkins, August Latzie, F. A. Brown, Albert Adding- ton, L. M. Peters, Alex. Simpson and Frank Stowell. As soon as the lodge was instituted the following officers were duly elected and in- stalled : Hamilton Watkins, noble grand; Frank Stowell, vice-grand; F. A. Brown, re- cording secretary ; L. M. Peters, financial sec-

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retary; M. R. Parks, treasurer. These cere- monies being completed and the lodge ready for business, fourteen applicants for member- ship presented themselves. These were all elected and given the four degrees of Odd Fel- lowship during the night, and the lodge started off with a membership of twenty-two. The officers for the term ending June 30, 1900, are : M. R. Parks, noble grand : F. M. Muzzy, vice-grand; George Saunders, recording sec- retary; Alex. Simpson, financial secretary; John Hall treasurer. On March 30, 1900, the lodge membership had increased to thirty-six. Marshall promises to become and remain one of the most active lodges in Spokane county.

Pleasant Prairie Lodge, No. 166 .- Theone hundred and sixty-sixth lodge of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows to be estab- lished in the state of Washington and the fourteenth in Spokane county was Pleasant Prairie Lodge, No. 166. This lodge is loca- ted on the prairie of that name, about ten miles northeast of the city of Spokane. This is an ideal fruit and farming region, thickly popu- lated, and the new lodge has a splendid con- stituency from which to draw members.

Pleasant Prairie Lodge was instituted De- cember 15, 1899, by J. M. Ellis, of Spokane, acting as special deputy by appointment from Grand Master J. H. Davis, of Tacoma. Brother Ellis was accompanied from Spokane by twenty-one members of the order. They were met at the end of the street-car line at Hillyard by several of the members from the prairie and taken the remainder of the distance in sleighs. Brothers R. M. Waters, W. T. Horr, R. G. Fraser, G. W. Stocker and J. B. Krienbuhl assisted Brother Ellis in the insti- tution of the lodge and installing the officers.

The charter members of this lodge were: George H. Collin, Charles E. Peyton, J. H. Abbott, Lewis Mickelson, John Hudgins, H. B. Doak, A. J. Kronquist and H. H. Hogan- son. The officers were: George H. Collin, noble grand; H. B. Doak, vice-grand; G. O.

Dart, secretary, and Charles E. Peyton, treas- urer. There were thirteen candidates for in- itiation the first evening, who were taken through all the degrees that evening. The lodge was instituted and all the degree work done in the school house, where meetings were held until a suitable hall could be erected. About midnight an adjournment was taken to the home of Brother Charles E. Peyton, where an elaborate banquet was served. After this the brothers again repaired to the school house, where the work of conferring the de- grees was fully completed. The lodge started with a membership of twenty-one. Col. I. N. Peyton generously donated the new lodge an acre of land on the corner near the church and school house, and work was at once begun on a new hall, 28x52, and two stories high. This hall is owned among the members and is nearly paid for. Its cost was something over one thousand dollars. Pleasant Prairie Lodge is, at this writing, the youngest in the family of lodges in Spokane county. It was estab- lished under favorable auspices and promises to be one of the live, progressive lodges of the state.

Morning Star Rebekah Lodge, No. 24 .- The Rebekah branch of Odd Fellowship was first established in Spokane county by the in- stitution of Morning Star Rebekah Lodge, No. 24. This lodge was instituted in the city of Cheney on February 15. 1890. Brother E. L. Hall acted as the special deputy for the grand master, and, under his direction. the services were made quite interesting. The charter members were: Brothers E. L. Hall, J. W. Edwards, O. S. Phillips, T. J. Beard, W. H. Rich and J. H. Wise, and Sisters Mary J. Edwards, Mrs. W. H. Rich, Mollie Mc- Neilly, Maggie Beard, Mary Beard and Flor- ence Beard.

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An illustrated history of Spokane county, state of Washington, Part 35

Author: Edwards, Jonathan, 1847-1929. cn Publication date: 1900 Publisher: [San Francisco?] W.H. Lever Number of Pages: 888

Author: Edwards, Jonathan, 1847-1929. cn
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: [San Francisco?] W.H. Lever
Number of Pages: 888