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Literary
April 29, 1894
Weekly Independent
Elko, Elko County, Nevada
What is this article about?
Account of the 75th anniversary of Odd Fellowship in America, detailing its origins in Baltimore in 1819 at the Seven Stars and Free Loggerheads taverns, founded by Thomas Wildey and English initiates, including a vivid description of a lodge meeting and social atmosphere.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
Seventy-Five Years Ago.
This being the seventy-fifth anniversary of the institution of Odd Fellowship in America, the following account of its origin, taken from an old magazine published years ago, will prove interesting:
"The origin of Odd Fellowship in America is closely connected with a Baltimore inn. At the Seven Stars, on the 26th day of April, 1819, the first American Lodge of Odd Fellows was instituted, by the assembling of the required number of five of the order, who had previously been initiated in England, under the name of Washington Lodge, No. 1. Thomas Wildey, to whom a monument is erected on Broadway, Baltimore, as the father of Odd Fellowship in America, was elected the first Noble Grand at the "Free Loggerheads," a dismal out of the way tavern near the docks, and much frequented by sailors and wharf loungers. The organization grew in importance, and received the first warrant ever granted to a lodge in the United States, from the order in the mother country. Here the Grand Lodges of Maryland and of the United States were instituted, and held their first session. Its sign, which swung from a projecting beam, represented on each side, two extremely ugly faces, with the legend above them: "We three loggerheads be."
"The social character of the 'Loggerheads' is described by a passer-by, who one summer night was attracted beneath the open window by the sound of mirth. A large room was well lighted and pretty well filled; a noisy commotion was prevailing, but by three vigorous blows of a mallet orderly silence was produced. All at once a deep toned tenor voice sang 'Old King Cole,' with all the variations. The vocal imitations of four and twenty fiddlers, fifers, drummers and a soliloquy from 'Richard III' in imitation of a great actor of the day, followed. This also was well received. There was then a hubbub of internal commotion which lasted until stopped by the loud sounding mallet. A sweet, soft voice then executed 'The Poor Little Sweep.'
Entering the tavern, the stranger demanded: "What is the charge to your Free and Easy?" To which mine host indignantly replied: "There's to free and heasy 'ere, bite the Odd Fellows' Lodge 'ead,'"
This being the seventy-fifth anniversary of the institution of Odd Fellowship in America, the following account of its origin, taken from an old magazine published years ago, will prove interesting:
"The origin of Odd Fellowship in America is closely connected with a Baltimore inn. At the Seven Stars, on the 26th day of April, 1819, the first American Lodge of Odd Fellows was instituted, by the assembling of the required number of five of the order, who had previously been initiated in England, under the name of Washington Lodge, No. 1. Thomas Wildey, to whom a monument is erected on Broadway, Baltimore, as the father of Odd Fellowship in America, was elected the first Noble Grand at the "Free Loggerheads," a dismal out of the way tavern near the docks, and much frequented by sailors and wharf loungers. The organization grew in importance, and received the first warrant ever granted to a lodge in the United States, from the order in the mother country. Here the Grand Lodges of Maryland and of the United States were instituted, and held their first session. Its sign, which swung from a projecting beam, represented on each side, two extremely ugly faces, with the legend above them: "We three loggerheads be."
"The social character of the 'Loggerheads' is described by a passer-by, who one summer night was attracted beneath the open window by the sound of mirth. A large room was well lighted and pretty well filled; a noisy commotion was prevailing, but by three vigorous blows of a mallet orderly silence was produced. All at once a deep toned tenor voice sang 'Old King Cole,' with all the variations. The vocal imitations of four and twenty fiddlers, fifers, drummers and a soliloquy from 'Richard III' in imitation of a great actor of the day, followed. This also was well received. There was then a hubbub of internal commotion which lasted until stopped by the loud sounding mallet. A sweet, soft voice then executed 'The Poor Little Sweep.'
Entering the tavern, the stranger demanded: "What is the charge to your Free and Easy?" To which mine host indignantly replied: "There's to free and heasy 'ere, bite the Odd Fellows' Lodge 'ead,'"
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Odd Fellowship
Baltimore
Thomas Wildey
Washington Lodge
Free Loggerheads
1819
Fraternal Order
Literary Details
Title
Seventy Five Years Ago
Subject
Seventy Fifth Anniversary Of Odd Fellowship In America
Key Lines
The Origin Of Odd Fellowship In America Is Closely Connected With A Baltimore Inn.
Thomas Wildey, To Whom A Monument Is Erected On Broadway, Baltimore, As The Father Of Odd Fellowship In America, Was Elected The First Noble Grand
Entering The Tavern, The Stranger Demanded: "What Is The Charge To Your Free And Easy?" To Which Mine Host Indignantly Replied: "There's To Free And Heasy 'Ere, Bite The Odd Fellows' Lodge 'Ead,'"