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VOL 31
FIFTY YEARS AGO.
BEMI CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
OF VAN CAMP LODGE OF ODD
FELLOWS,
Fifty years ago last Tuesday night
Van Camp Lodge No. 147 I. O. of O.
F. was established in this place and
the members decided to celebrate the
event by ceremonies appropriate to
the occasion. Invitations were ex
tended to tiie surrounding lodges, and
when the lodge was called to ordei
the hall was filled not only with the
members of this lodge, but delegations
from eight adjoining lodges were
present. The evening was spent in
speech making, and conversation hav
ing a reminiscent turn.
C. F. Knapp gave a history, and the
significance of the emblems, which he
traced through Jewish traditions and
to the time of Moses. As one of the
principles of the order is to entertain
the stranger who enters your gate, ar
iangementg had been made with C.
B. (Jhrisman to furnish the refreh
ments, which he did in such a way
that no one went home hungry. A
paper was prepared and read by Prof.
Mauser civing the history of the
lodge for the past fifty years, and as it
is very interesting to many of our
readers we publish the same.
THE WORK OF FIFTY YEARS.
Individuals and associations are
known by their fruits. No one can
divine what is in the heart of man,
whether its intents are good or evil
but when men's acts are scrutinized
often even the innermost recesses of
the heart are laid bare and it is not
difficult to determine whether the
actuating motives have been such as
spring from a sense of right, of justice,
in short from universal love, or if the
ruling principles have been selfishness
and greed.
This is equally true of human asso
ciations. It is often difficult or im
possible to determine if the influence
of the relations which men assume
with their fellow men will be good or
evil, but when once the results of such
associations are known, we may form
an accurate judgment of their in
fluence and freely determine whether
they merit our commendation and
support or our condemnation.
It is eminently fitting them that we
consider the fruits of this tree which
we denominate Van Camp Lodge No.
140; not for the purpose of passing
judgment upon the merits of our or
der, it has long since had the approval
of all fair minded men and we have
all already shown our appreciation of
its merits, and love for its principles
but that we may realize more fully
the support we owe it.
Permit me first very briefly to no
tice the growth of this tree. It was
instituted Jan. 14, 1846 just fifty years
ago to night, with seven charter mem
bers, most or all of them coming from
Concordia Lodge of Catawissa. Of
these original seven, two were after
ward suspended, three withdrew and
two died members of the lodge. But
one of these seven is now living,
Geo. W. Abbott, who has reached a
ripe old age and has been totally
blind for a number of years. .
The first report of the membership
of the lodge that I have been able to
find is for the term ending with Sept.
30. 1855, over nine years after the
lodge was instituted, when 75 members
were reported. Taking the reports at
the ends of periods of about five years
each I find that on April 6, 1861, 68
members were reported, Oct. 14, '65
72, Sept. 30, '70101, Sept 30,
'75 iaij Sept. 30, '8085; SePt
30, '8564; Sept. 30, '90 67 and
Sept. 30, '9559. The highest point
that the lodge has reached in member
ship being iai reported for the
term ending Sept. 30, 1875.
The Lodge has had in all 332
members of which 24 were admitted
on card and o8 by initiation. 55 of
its members have died, 151 been sus
pended, 23 reinstated, 7 suspended
the second time, 73 have withdrawn
and 3 have been expelled.
I have been able to find the ages of
34 of the 332 members that the
lodge has had or about f of them.
Excepting where I state otherwise I
have taken these 234 members as the
basis in thirreport. I find that the
Lodge has had 145 members under
30 years of age t 150 between. 30 and
40; 87 between 40 and. 501 45 be
tween 50 and 60 and 25 over 60.
Of the whole number of members
332 that the lodge has had, 151 have
been paid benefits. Of these 1 1 have
been paid or have had paid to their
families, funeral benefits only. 106 of
the 234 members whose ages could
be ascertained have received $10,811
.77. Of this amount $935 was paid
to members under 30 years of age or
9 per cent.; $2512. or 23 percent,
to members between the ages of 30
and 40; $2721.05 or 35 per cent, to
members between the ages of 40 and
50 ; $1868 or 17 per cent, to members
between the ages of 50 and 60 ; and
$3JS' or 30 per cent, to members
over 60 years of age.
Of these 106 members, 34 drew
benefits before reaching the age of
30; 50 when between the ages of
30 and 40 ; 40 when between 40 and
50 years old 24 when between 50
and 60 years old and 21 when over
60.
I find that each member the lodge
has had under 30 has been paid an
average of $6.38. Those between 30
and 40 an average of $1732; be
tween 40 and 50 $31,281 between
50 and 60 $41.51 and those over 60
have received an average of $130.01.
The largest amount paid to any
one member cf the 151 that have
received benefits is $1084. 7 of these
151 have been paid over $500 each
and 8 over $300 each.
34 members who drew $966 benefits
were suspended 1 12 who drew $365.
withdrew, 2 who received $41 were
expelled ; 34 who drew $4348 weekly
benefits and $2881.27 funeral benefits
or a total of $7229.27 hive died, and
17 who have drawn $2210.50 are still
living and members.
The largest amount paid in benefits
during any one term was for the 6
mos. ending Sept. 30,1893. During
this term 1 1 brothers were relieved,
$693 paid in weekly benefits for 282
weeks sickness and $225 funeral bene
fits or a total of $918 and this when
the membership was only 62.
The lodge has paid in all in weekly
benefits $12530.04. In funeral bene
fits for brothers and their wives
$5581.27. It has paid in funeral and
weekly benefits $17111.31 or almost
enough to give every man, woman
and child reported in Bloomsburg
by the last census $4. It has paid
in charity for various purpose $1605.
16. The living expenses of the
lodge for the 50 years has been
$3959-44 and the Lodge has paid out
in all for all purposes $23,675.91 or
enOUsh to Give everv man woman nnrl
child in Columbia Co. a half a dollar
and have $5259 left.
The lodae has had 82 nast or ami
of which 41, or just half died members,
13 were suspended, 5 withdrew and
20 are still living and members.
The lodge has now 14 members
under 30 ; 13 Between 30 and 40 ; 10
between 40 and 50 ; 6 between 50
and 60 and 1 1 over 60. The oldest
member is Bro. Judah Boone, the
next oldest Bro. Knapp who is as he
says 23 from his waist up and 73
from his waist down.
This brother is our statistical history.
Of that greater history, the deeds of
kindness that have been wrought, the
care of the sick, the donations to
widows and orphans we have little
record. It is written on the hearts of
men. It is a grand old tree that,, e
have been considering, that n s
brought most welcome fruit to many
a brother in need, and is capable of
sheltering us when overtaken by the
storms of sickness and distress. We
owe it our earnest support and most
zealous guardianship.
The Grim Destroyer.
We are again called upon to chron
icle a sudden death, and this time
Miss Bertha Reecer is the victim.
She was a daughter of Reuben Reec
er, who died when she was a babe.
She lived with her mother until she
was six years of age, at which time
death robbed her of her mother, and
she went to Catawissa and made her
home with her aunt, with whom she
remained until about two years ago,
when she came to this place, and
resided with her brother James, at
whose residence she died. She was
employed at the silk mill, and Tues
day evening of last week she returned
from work, complaining of being sick.
She went to her room and never re
covered, dying last Tuesday evening
at 5:30, after an illness of just one
week, aged 18 years, 6 months and
4 days. The cause of her death was
typhoid pneumonia and inflammation
of the bowels. Bertha was a bright,
beautiful girl, and by her winning
manners had a large circle of friends,
who are deeply affected by her sudden
death. The funeral services were
held from the home of James Reecer
on Eight street, this Thursday after
noon at 2 o'clock.
Samuel Wigfall has placed
Welsbach lights in the Commissioners',
Prothonotary's, Register and Re
corder. Treasurer and Sheriff's office
and in the Judun's library. They give
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a tiear Hicaqy iigni ana are an lm
provement over the old method.
It is believed that nearly 50,000
cars and 600 engines will be built by
the different railroads in the country
during the next six months.
BLOOMSBUIIG, PA., TIIUKSDAY, JANUARY )G,
A SERIOUS FALL.
DANIEL PIFER AN EMPLOYEE OF
THE OARPET MILL FALLS DOWN
THE ELEVATOR SHAFT AND
BREAKS HIS LEO,
Last night just as the whistle had
announced that the time to quit work
had arrived, Daniel Pifer who was on
the second floor of the Carpet Mill
fell down the elevator shaft to the
basement. Drs. Bruner and Bierman
were immediately summoned and the
unfortunate man was tenderly picked
up and carried to his home and upon
an examination by the doctors it was
found that his right leg was broken
near the hip. The fracture was
reduced and the patient placed into
as comlortable position as possible.
Just how the accident occurred it is
impossible to ascertain as there are
nearly as many versions of it, as
people who were present. In all
probability the true story will not be
known until Mr. Pifer is able to tell
it. One story is, that when the
whistle blew, the electric light was
extinguished and he walked into the
shaft instead of a door. Another
story is that he fell into it while
tusselina: with a companion. It seems
strange how the accident could have
occurred as there is always a guard
around the shaft when the elevator is
not in position. It could not have
been in position last night when this
accident occurred. It was reported
on the streets that he had been killed,
but the doctors think that with proper
care there are no doubt" of his re
covery. In addition to the broken
leg his face was badly cut, but no
internal injury was sustained.
BURNED TO DEATH.
Willian Scott a Young Man of Montour
Township Overcome by Gas at a Lime
Kiln and Horribly Burned.
Last Sunday morning about eleven
o'clock as Harry Evans and Frank
Mensch were going through a field in
Montour township in which the lime
kilns of John S. Mensch are located
they discovered the lifeless body of a
man in the kiln. They immediately
notified William Mensch, a Justice of
the Peace for said township, who em
paneled a Jury and held an inquest.
The Jury heard the evidence and
found that he had come to death ac
cidentally by being overcome with the
gas from the kiln. He was apparent
ly about twenty five years of age, was
nvejeet, seven inches tall and weigh
ed about one hundred and fifty pounds.
He had light hair, short mustache,
wore a dark blue suit, gray overcoat
all of which were in good condition.
Subsequent investigation ptoved that
it was William Scott, a young man
whom Henry wertman of said town
ship had raised, taking him from a
poor house when he was but a lad.
He was of a roving disposition and
had at times worked at the Danville
asylum. Last Friday he left Mr.
Wertmen to make a visit to friends in
Roaringcreek, and it is supposed that
he was on his way home and passing
the lime kilns, he had gone there to
get warm. He had evidently seated
himself with his back to the fire, as
when found he was lying on his back
in the Hames. His body from his
breast down to below his knees was
burned almost into a crisp, the feet
were not burned much as they were
outside the fire. The body was
placed in charge of undertaker G. G.
Baker who brought it to Bloomsburg
and prepared it for burial.
An examination of his clothing
which he had left at the house of a
friend in Fernville revealed a life
insurance in the Prudential insurance
company, but subsequent investiga
tion showed that it had lapsed for
want of non payment of premium.
The body was taken to Grovania
Tuesday atternoon for interment.
H. G. Housel, who has made ap
plication for a position on the police
force of Washington, D. C, went to
that place Monday morning to take
his final physical examination. He
secured the position through the in
fluence of Al. Hunt a member of the
force. We. hope he will be successful
in his examination, as he would make
an efficient officer
The stockholders 01 the Bloomsburg
& bullivan Railroad Company met on
Tuesday and elected the following
officers for the ensuing year ; Presi
dent C. R. Buckalew; Directors,
Morton McMichael, E. W. Clark Jr.,
J. H. Keishaw, Samuel Wktall,
Charles Evans, L. E. Waller, I. K.
Grotz and II. J. Conner. Six thou
sand eight hundred and thirty four
shares out of twelve thousand were
voted.
A Court's decision at Allentown is
that social clubs may sell liquor.
THE LICENSE AGITATION-
A warm contest is going on in this
town over the applications for liquor
11cer.se to tie heard next Monday
On last .Monday the names of all
applicants in Bloomsburg, with the
names ot their bondsmen, attorneys,
petitioners, and owners of the pro-
perties, were published in the Daily,
me article being marked as an ad
vertisement, and said to have been
paid for by somebody. This publica
tion has aroused a bitter feeling
among those whose names appear.
and the matter has been the chief
topic of discussion during the week.
Among the list are many of the most
prominent citizens of Bloomsburcr.
and they look upon the publication
as an effort to injure them in their
business, and to cast reflection upon
their personal characters, and to
prevent them from signing petitions
next year, by intimidation. Whether
the method being pursued is a ju
dicious one, can be told only by
results in the future. The temperance
cause is undoubtedly a good one,
but it seems to us that men can be
more easily induced to lend it their
moral support by being led to it, rather
than driven to it by fear of having
their' names published, or by any
other species of intimidation.
Whether licensed houses are to be
recognized and permitted to exist, is
not the question at issue. The law
recognizes them and regulates the
manner in which they shall be licensed
and conducted. The courts must ad
minister the law as it is found on the
statute books. The responsibility of
determining whether there is a neces
sity for any more licensed houses in
Bloomsburg, or in the county, is with
them. The duty of informing the
court upon the question is with the
citizens, and those who favor more
licenses have the right to sign peti
tions to that effect, while those who
think otherwise are at perfect liberty
to file remonstrances ; and both have
the privilege of going upon the witness
stand in open court to testify in these
matters.
Over and over again spasmodic
efforts have been made in a general
way to prevent the granting of licenses.
Over and over again, general remon
strances have been filed against the
granting of some particular license, or
against the granting of any licenses.
Over and over again the law has been
laid down by the court, applicable to
such cases, and has been printed in
the newspapers ; and yet the mqye
ment revives semi-occasionally along
the same old lines that have failed re
peatedly heretofore, all efforts being
directed toward the prevention of
licenses, rather than towards the en
forcement of the law as it stands. If
there were proper organization, and
a fund to draw upon, and well direct
ed management, looking toward the
punishment of violation of the liquor
law, much more good could be ac
complished than by trying to stop
the sale of cigars and newspapers and
soda water on Sunday. A spasm of
reform once a year is not sufficient.
Vigilance all the year round is what
is needed, and if reports be true, that
there are in this town, gambling holes,
bars that sell liquor on Sunday, and
to minors, and to intoxicated persons,
and to habitual drunkards, the court
will, no doubt, revoke any license
where such violators can be shown.
If policemen and constables make no
returns of violations of law, elect
others who can see what is going on
under their very noses, and who have
the courage to tell it. Reform is
needed in many department? in
Bloomsburg, and it will come the
sooner if the co operation of our
leading business men can be secured,
a result that cannot be hoped for, if
they are to be held up to public
contempt by having their names
published for doing what they have a
legal right to do.
The Normal School Lecture Course
is giving the people of, bloomsburg an
opportunity of hearing the very best
talent it is possible to secure. The
next two numbers are unusually fine,
This Thursday evening, Leland T.
Powers, the celebrated impersonator,
will appear in "Lord Chumley," and
on Tuesday evening, January 21, the
Mozart Symphony Club of New York
will appear. This company enjoys a
world-wide reputation and is under
the direction of Messrs M. Blodeck
and Rich Stoelzer.
Rev. G. E. Weeks, Pastor of the
Baptist church, has tendered his
resignation to take effect in three
months. Mr. Weeks has been in this
place four years and has made many
friends, who are sorry to see him
leave. During his pastorate the
church has improved along all lines,
and over seventy hav e been added to
the membership.
1S9G.
f NOTHER H OST of special oppor-
tumt'es thrown across your path by our
quick retailing ability. They are impreg
tWnable barriers against every scheme that can
be originated to counteract them. No tricks
of trade no misrepresentations can lead
you from our true values if you see them.
-OUR
Red Letter Sale
is fast disposing of left overs from our
stock. Business policy compels us to turn
our merchandise into cash regardless of
profit. Hence some garments a little above
cost; where lots are small at cost, and odd
suits below cost ' rather than carry them
over another season. Some of our very
finest suits and overcoats are on our tables
in stouts, leans and regulars. A clean
saving from $2 to $5 on every garment.
Do you or don't you need any ?
LUTHERAN OHUROH DEDICATION-
For some time the Lutherans at
Espv have been engaged in building
a new church, and last Sunday it was
formally dedicated. Rev. J. H.
Weber, D. D. of Sunbury preached
the sermon in the morning. As he
considered a good financier, the
matter 01 raising the needed funds
was placed in his hands, and he
proved himself equal to the emergency.
The treasurer stated that the amount
necessary to be raised was $1458.
This amount did not include the
carpet, heater, chandelier, pulpit,
furniture, windows, bell and spouting,
these things having been provided for
by tne Ladies' Aid Society, and Young
Peoples Lutheran Alliance, mis
seemed like a large amount to be
raised from a congregation the mem
bership of which was composed
principally of people of limited means,
but they had erected their edifice,
and intended paying for it. The
offering at the morning service
amounted to $1300. The'Session of
the Sunday School in the afternoon,
and the Young People's Alliance
meeting at 6 o'clock P. M. led by
Miss Belle RucKle. were interesting
and addresses were made by several
of the visitors The dedicatory sermon
was preached in the evening, by Rev.
J. R. Dimm, D. U. president ot tne
Susquehanna University at Selins
grove. The collection was resumed
by Dr. Weber, and to the astonish
ment of all present the total amount
pledged during the day aggregated
$1600.00. The church building was
then dedicated to the Worship of
God, according to the solemn and
beautiful service of the Lutheran
Church. The entire cost of the build
ing was over $3500 and the member
ship can boast of owning one of the
neatest churches in the County.
An article has been going the
rounds of the newspapers which stat
ed that Miss Agnes Fortune of this
place had received by the will of a
Mr. D'Arcourt the sum of $ 10,000.
That the said amount had been left
her for saving the life of the testator
at Coney Island about two years ago.
Upon being shown the article by a
representative of the Columbian,
Miss Fortune stated that she never
knew Mr. D'Arcourt, didn't know he
was dead, never saved his life, nor
received the $10,000. In other res
pects the story might be true.
NO. 3
ENTERTAINING. INSTRUCTIVE,
PATRIOTIC.
As previously announced in the
columns of this paper on the first
Thursday night of each month Wash
ington Camp No. 319 P. O. S. of A.
is entertained by an address by one
of the members. Last Thursday night
it was delivered by Hon. E. R. Ikeler
and will be long remembered by those
present. It was not only entertaining,
but patriotic and instructive and
several of the important questions of
the times were ably discussed. It
would have been the best educator in
the world, if it could have been open
to the general public The next ad
dress will be delivered by Hon. A. L.
Fritz on the evening of the sixth of
February.
A PLEASANT RE UNION,
Last Saturday Mrs. Sarah, wife of
John G. Quick deceased, was seventy
years of age, and her brothers deter
mined to give her a surprise and have
a family re union at the same time,
consequently L. N. Moyer and family,
John L. Moyer and family, Charles
Moyer and tamuy, Albert Moyer and
family, and W. S. Moyer and family
accompanied by John Q. Barkley and
Miss Lizzie Barkley repaired to the
homestead of Mrs. Quick near
Rupert. Mrs. William Mensch, a
daughter of Mrs. Quick, had heen left
into the secret. When Moyer Brothers
undertake to do anything, it is always
done in a successful manner and this
birthday party was no exception to
the rule. Mrs. Quick was completely
surprised and the time from their
arrival until dinner was announced
was spent in pleasant conversation.
And such a dinner 1 It was gotten
up in a manner known only to the
wives of the Moyer brothers an.'
heartily enjoyed by all. The af
noon passed only too ouickiv, am 7 us
time for bidding gooa sal
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The home of WiBM
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prietor of the rests u
y 20 1 (to
Street was brightenec. . r V
of a daughter last Sat1111 Ftiimcieipiiia
otiBvUle, eto A
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The ice houses are iporium WurHC
with clear, solid ice t
clear,
thickness.
Hen. Man.,
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