The Great Odd Fellows Sleep-In: A Night of Fractured Rituals in Seattle

SEATTLE, June 7 — The grand lodge of Odd Fellows met promptly at 8 o'clock in Armory Hall, with all the delegates present. At the same hour, the grand assembly of the Rebekahs reconvened, and both bodies sat until 9:30 p.m., not allowing an adjournment until then.

An hour and a half later than the scheduled time was taken to include the day's work. The grand lodge did its amount of work, but rather than lay on the time allotted for the entire session, the Rebekahs, who had an immense amount of work, failed to dress, and instead of completing the business as expected, resumed their moralizing.

Last night the Rebekahs gave a reception at Armory Hall to the attendees, while the lodge dined in town. The two events coincided somewhat in the earlier hours of the evening, but toward midnight all respect for the ladies and many of the men was lost as they danced.

Immediately upon convening, the grand lodge proceeded to organize. This took all the time until the noon hour, but the work was rapidly done for that. Upon calling for the after-session, the officers for the ensuing year made the order of business. This is usually a pro forma matter, with the exception of one grand warden, as all the other officers are re-elected to position. The secretary and treasurer, which they have held for many years, were re-elected. A new man was selected each year, however, for the position of grand warden, and Deputy Odd Fellow George A. Ellsperman, of Tacoma, was the fortunate man to receive the nomination and election.

The full line of officers elected is as follows: Grand Worthy Patriarch, J.H. Davis, of Tacoma; deputy grand master, B.A. Chamberlain, of Everett; grand warden, George A. Ellsperman, of Tacoma; grand secretary, Jerry Fortin, of Seattle; and treasurer, J.H. Kreimbuhl, of Spokane.

Immediately after the election, the board of trustees of the home met in session and organized by electing J.W. Taylor, Olym[ia], chairman, and Z.M. Bash, of Spokane, secretary, and then adjourned.

Nearly the entire morning was voted to the election of candidates for the Rebekah assembly, and the little time left from this work was devoted to preparing resolutions which will today be presented to the grand for approval. There will be a large number of resolutions received this year, but their contents among the secret are kept by the members.

In the afternoon, the election of officers was held, resulting as follows: President, Mrs. Katherine Kerr, of Seattle; vice-president, Rose McCrosky, of Puyallup; grand warden, Mrs. W.H. Ward, of Othello; grand treasurer, Mrs. M. Ella Hill, of Tacoma.

This is the last day but one of grand and was devoted morning, afternoon, and evening to work without recreation. The entire day was devoted to mutual lodge business and the finishing of the work of the Rebekah assembly, so that it may be passed upon by the grand body.

Tonight the decree stages at East Tacoma Rebekah Lodge No. 40 and Mount Tabor Rebekah Lodge No. 51 will give an exemplification of the degree on Armory Hall. The first named lodge will commence at 7 p.m. sharp, and the last-named at 8:30 o'clock.