This post was contributed to the Crawford County Chapter of OGS by Kristina Stearley as part of the Florence Siefert Scrapbook in 2010.
The scrapbook is compiled from undated, unidentified newspaper clippings involving events in the lives of Crawford County citizens living in or having connections to New Washington, Tiro, Shelby, Sulphur Springs, Chatfield, Bucyrus, Ashland, Mansfield, and other areas. Only minimal spelling or punctuation corrections were made. Unreadable areas are shown by underlines, dots &/or question marks. This collection has been scanned, “optical character recognized” (OCR’d), proofed, then coded for HTML by volunteers of the Crawford County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society. Since the copies are not of the best quality errors may have been made. Please contact us if you find corrections needing to be made or can verify any missing dates which could be added.
SIR KNIGHTS ASSEMBLE AT NEW WASHINGTON
And Assist HYPERION LODGE to Dedicate Its Fine Castle Hall to Friendship, Charity and BenevolenceFine Program-Beautiful Ceremony–Excellent Banquet-Happy Crowd.
The members of Hyperion Lodge, No. 651, K. of P., have for some time past, longingly looked forward for the time when their fine, new Castle hall should be formally dedicated. All were eager to make this a memorable event in Pythianism, not only for New Washington but this and surrounding counties. With this purpose in view nothing was left undone by the local Knights which would contribute to the success of the occasion.
Friday evening, February 19, was the time set for the dedication of Hyperion Castle hall, and, strange as it may seem, Providence, apparently, withheld a drenching rain until the day following, in order to contribute to the happiness, convenience and comfort of the happy occurrence. All day Friday the local Knights were as busy as bees in getting everything in readiness, and the thoroughness which characterized the arrangement and execution of the details of the event, was extremely remarkable, and highly appreciated by all present. Invitations were sent to a large number of (?)ster lodges in neighboring towns, the local lodges irrespective of order, and a number of our citizens who are not identified with any order. Early in the afternoon visiting Knights began to arrive and by evening the Noble Knight was to be seen everywhere on our streets. At the appointed hour the spacious hall of Hyperion Lodge was filled to its utmost capacity by visiting Knights and other invited guests.
Chancellor Commander F. S. Blair called the assembly to order and, after the invocation by Rev. T. L. Mc-Connell, delivered the address of welcome. In behalf of Hyperion Lodge a hearty welcome was extended to all. The speaker touchingly referred to the great blessing of owning a home. It was the anticipated enjoyment of such a blessings which impelled the members of Hyperion Lodge to sacrifice much and erect their fine Castle hall. The enjoyment of the blessings of a home was now a realization on their part.
The response to the address of welcome was made by Jacob Babst of Crestline, who, by the way, had the honor of instituting Hyperion Lodge, March 19, 1894. Very naturally he, above all others, appreciated the warm and cordial welcome extended feelingly accepted the generous welcome in behalf of the visiting Knights and all present. He spoke glowingly of the growth and work of Pythianism.
The dedication ceremony followed, the Knights being in open session. The officers of Hyperion Lodge were at their respective stations. The presence of Deputy Grand Chancellor, Charles Scroggs, of Bucyrus, was announced to the Chancellor Commander by the Inner Guard. Accordingly he was admitted and his mission made known. The Chancellor Commander yielded his position to the Deputy Grand Chancellor, as did also the other officers of Hyperion Lodge to similar deputy officials of the Grand Lodge.
The solemn dedicatory ceremony of the order was then observed, after which Hyperion Castle hall was proclaimed dedicated to Friendship, Charity and Benevolence. The dedicatory ceremony was followed by a very able address on “The New Meeting House” by D. W. Locke, of Bucyrus. The address was replete with excellent thought and did not space forbid we should have published the report in full herewith. (lower left side of this article cut off)
Remarks were made by T. B. Carson, who, incidentally mentioned his subject, “Inspiration”, in his talk. Mr. Carson insisted that the thunder of his speech had been taken by the speakers who had preceded him, and expressed a fear that his attempt would result in a failure; but in that event, Mr. Carson said, he was certain he would have the sympathy of at least every Knight present. The applause which followed was sufficient proof that he was not mistaken. His attempt, however, did not end in failure, as the keen perception of Mr. Babst readily discovered that Mr. Carson’s “inspiration” led (to) the pockets of those present. A (ha)ndsome subscription was taken as a (re)sult, for which the members of Hy(p)erion Lodge are profoundly grateful. The banquet followed, and this was (no)t by any means among the least of many excellent features of the (ev)ening, but will live long in the (me)mories of those participating in it, occupying a position in the fore(mo)st rank of the pleasant and enjo(abl)e features of the occasion. The (?)rer, Fred Schaeffer, of Marion (may?) well be proud of his success in (man?)aging the banquet feature. The (exce?)llent manner in which the young (?)es discharged their duties as wait(ers? a)lso deserves special mention.
(A)fter the banquet the toasts by (?) Beatty, of Toledo, Grand Keep(er of?) Records and Seal, B. S. Young, (?)da, Grand Vice Chancellor, and (othe?)rs were highly interesting, amus(ing a)nd entertaining. (Th)ese exercises were interspersed (with?) a profuse sprinkling of music–(?) Vocal and instrumental–as fol(lows?) Violin solos by S. L. French; (?) solos by Miss Myrtle Mahon; (?) solo by Prof. H H. Frazier; (?) duet by Rev. McConnell and (?) Frazier; Vocal quartets by (?) Lucretia Danals, Mabel Car(?)-delia Miller and Ora Lederer. (?) space forbids us to speak of the (?) of each particular selection. Suffice it to say that as a (?) or separately, the musical (?) the program was exceptional(…?…)orious and admirably execut-(?)
