September, 2003 Official Quarterly Publication of the Colorado Elks Association Volume 58 No 4 COLORADO ELKS 100th ANNIVERSARY Editor's note: The following article covered the front page of the Colorado Springs Gazette Nov. 12, 1903. It is reprinted (in part) with the permission of the current Gazette Editor, Sharon Peters, who states it is generally against their policy to allow portions of an article to be reprinted but since it is 100 years old they would make an exception. She wished us a happy celebration. Part II of this article will be published the November issue of CEN. See Cover Story Quiz on Page 6 - Cash Prize to be awarded! (at the end of this article is another one announcing the formation of the Colorado State Elks Association) ELKS DEDICATE CLUB HOUSE AND ORGANIZE STATE ASSOCIATION COLORADO NEWS "Most Notable Day in History of Elkdom in ` Colorado...Over 2,000 Visitors Throng the Streets and Club House of B.P.O.E. Lodge No 309...A Brilliant Spectacle Over 2,000 people attended the dedication of the new club house of Colorado Springs lodge No. 309 B.P.O.E. and the State Elks association meeting this city yesterday. The attendance was fully up to the expectation of the members of the committees in charge and there was not a hitch to mar the program that began with the flag raising at 9 o'clock in the morning and was brought to a close at midnight with the visit to the Empire Theater and the luncheon that followed. Elks from every lodge in Colorado but one and from many lodges outside of the state were present and the ladies, relatives and friends of Elks were well represented among the visitors. Among the out of town people present were Grand Exalted Ruler Joseph T. Fanning of Indianapolis, Assistant Deputy William Bodemer of Cincinnati, W.L. Edwards a member of New York Lodge No. 1 of New York City, Ex-Governor Alva Adams and Judge N. Walter Dixon, both of Pueblo Lodge No. 90. From the Gold Camp: Victor Lodge No. 367 brought down the largest delegation consisting of 225 Elks. Cripple Creek Lodge No. 316, the members of which came down from the camp over the Colorado Midland, had about 200 Elks in its party. Fort Collins Lodge No. 804, which also came here in a special train, had about 150 Elks in its delegation, while the delegation from Denver Lodge No.17 and Pueblo Lodge No. 90, had each about 100 Elks. Idaho Springs Lodge No. 607 had about 25 Elks in its delegation as had Boulder Lodge No. 566. Ten Elks were in the delegation from Central City Lodge No. 557. Aspen Lodge No. 224, Canon City Lodge No. 610, Creede Lodge No. 506, Durango Lodge No. 507, Florence Lodge No. 611, Greeley Lodge No. 809, Grand Junction Lodge No. 575, Leadville Lodge No. 236, Ouray Lodge No. 492, Salida Lodge No. 808, Telluride Lodge No. 692, and Trinidad Lodge No. 181, all sent delegations. La Junta Lodge No. 701 was the only one that was not represented. The Decorations: The business section of the city was decorated in honor of the occasion. Purple and white were the basis of many conceits, the results of which were shown in the various windows of the down-town section. Thousands of yards of bunting were draped across office buildings and over windows and doorways. Streamers were draped across from the top to the sidewalk, diagonally, and every other conceivable manner, making a very effective arrangement. There were purple and white on all sides, above and below, as far as the eye could see. There was much music: Every special train brought music and as the delegations arrived, the streets were thronged with people "listening to the band." The Victor Lodge No. 367 arrived in an elegant special train over the Short Line about 10 o'clock. The train was covered with hundreds of yards of white and purple bunting artistically combined with red, white and blue. It was authentically stated that every man on board was a member of the Elks organization,including the engineer, fireman and other trainmen. They left home at an early hour, and to make up for it, a delicious breakfast was served on the way down. Everyone had a good time and every man wore a silk hat and a frock coat, and a cane with purple and white streamers. The Victor Lodge, in making such an unusual showing, was trying to return the good will extended to it recently by Colorado Springs Lodge No. 309. As they marched up to the club house, with their band playing, they were met with cheers of greeting from the crowds who had congregated to see them. Denver's Crack Team: The Denver Lodge was the next to arrive. They came in over the Denver & Rio Grande at 11:30 o'clock and were received with outstretched hands by the local reception committee, and made an immediate impression with their band and their crack drill team. As the last man stepped down from the train, the delegation gave their lodge yell: One, two, three- Who are we? Denver Lodge 17 - B.P.O.E.' which was heard at intervals throughout the day wherever a quartet of Denverites could be found. Their badge bore the inscription: Greetings From 17 to 309 I1-11-11 The Denver Lodge met with a cordial reception on their way to the club house, the crowds cheering and applauding alternately." Pueblo in Uniform: At 11:30, the Pueblo Special pulled in to the Denver & Rio Grande depot, and the delegates from Pueblo Lodge No. 90 alighted from the train with a uniformed band. This delegation of 150 members fell in line with the yDenver organization and together marched to the club, the reception committee and the "Rube" Band waiting at the station to greet the Denver Special. Cripple Creek Lodge No. 316 came in a little ahead of time. As their early arrival was not anticipated, no one on the committee was there to welcome them. and they formed a procession and marched to the club. Shortly after, the delegates from Fort Collins, Boulder, and Tdaho Springs arrived on the Colorado and Southern: the Fort Collins contingent registering alone 150 members, having been organized only one year. The Fort Collins Lodge was out for the next state convention. Their Elks wore little badges of beet-sugar, with the inscription; "804. Fort Collins. Were Next. You'll Come."... Luncheon for Fanning: Grand Exalted Ruler Joseph T. Fanning met 22 exalted rulers of the different lodges in the state and the two deputies of the eastern and western jurisdiction of Colorado, gathered in the sun-parlor at the Antlers Hotel, and they all repaired to the dining room, where an elaborate luncheon was served in the Grand Exalted Ruler's honor. The tables which were arranged in the shape of the letter "F" were decorated lavishly with violets and white chrysanthemums, while yards of purple and white hunting was draped from the pillars to the table. The luncheon was the last event on the morning program.... At Washburn field various forms of entertaimnent had been planned by Tom Hazlitt and the committee to amuse the visitors, who with numbers of local people tilled the grandstand and the football field. The six bands were stationed about and played between the different events. The program contained a tug-o'-war between the "small Elks" and "the heavies", a wheel barrow race, four handed boxing match in barrels, and a pie eating contest, all of which proved successful in amusing the crowd.... A wheel barrel race that was decidedly sensational followed. Chief of Police W. S. Reynolds was the star and finished the one and only heat by a length. Frank Van Meter was second and ten others also ran. Distance 75 yards down the football field. Time 11 seconds sharp. Four lads then participated in a boxing match in barrels. After four fast rounds, Butler was declared the winner, Jackson second, Williams third. Noble fourth. $5 was divided between the contestants. The hit of the afternoon were the pie eating contests. Small boys and big boys were the participants and the crowd was shown just how long it takes the average youth to dispose of this well known cause of indigestion.... The Dedicatory Exercises: The dedicatory exercises of the new club house were not started until nearly 10 o'clock last evening. They were preceded by an address by Grand Exalted Ruler Fanning. This address was heard by every Elk that could find room to sit or stand in the large lodge room on the second floor. It was not open to the public. The exercises were led by Exalted Ruler Holland of the local lodge. A representative of each lodge was allowed five minutes for remarks. The speakers were a unit in their praise of the new club house, and showered congratulations upon the local lodge... (cont. on p. 14) PAGE 14 COLORADO ELKS NEWS NOVEMBER, 2003 1903 Colorado Springs Gazette Article Continued Local Lodge Members voted princely entertainers...Great crush of ladies at reception...the automobile ride ...other features... guests names. That the Elks are princely entertainers have long been an established fact. Yet. No.309 distanced every record made hitherto yesterday The large masses of chrysanthemums of every color both cut and in pots, lent their beautiful coloring and aided in the gala appearance of the magnificent club house. To an observer, it seemed as though the whole city had turned out en masse to do honor to the occasion for home faces were as numerous as those of strangers. The ladies were in stylish reception toilets and before their departure each one was presented with one or more of the beautiful chrysanthemum blossoms untilthe entire building was despoiled of the decorations. From the hour for the opening of the reception until after 4 o'clock the music was continuous; first in the main reception hall, where a brass band held forth, and later in the magnificent lodge room. in the latter, hundreds of chairs had been placed and an informal program was rendered. The instrumental numbers were contributed by the El Paso stringed orchestra. The Elks quartet. Messrs. F. G. Greenwood. P.H. Morgan. James Thornton. Johnstone. also rendered several vocal selections under the direction of Clarence D. Sears.... From 4 o'clock until 6 o'clock an automobile. ride was tendered the visiting ladies. The route laid out was north on Cascade avenue as far as Glockner Sanatorium, thence down north Nevada to the colleges, where a run was made as far as South Park and hack via the Antlers to the clubhouse. More than 200 ladies enjoyed the ride. Among the automobiles at the service of the committee tlulr the courtesy of the owners were the machines of W.S. Montgomery. W.W. Price, C.E. .Palmer. Ell. Rogers. Robert Bachelder, Haggell. Webber. Judson Bibb. Roy Crowningshield, W.O Anthony. J.R. Vanetta (2), A.R. Allen. Dr. Gildea. Dr. W. W. Arnold. Brown. C.M. MacNeill, autolivery (2). Among the ladies present yesterday afternoon: Ed. Note: _} list of over 200 names follows. The entire article including ladies names ivill be available at the Nov. Quarterly. Who knows. maybe_ roue great-grandmother- was there! ------------------- Below is a separate article about the Co State Elks formation in same newspaper ------------------------------- The organization of the Colorado State Association of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was perfected last evening. Judge N; Walter Dixon. of Pueblo lodge #90, was elected president; C. E. Nichols, Central City lodge #557, first vice president; Phil T. McGuire, Florence lodge. #611, second vice President; Thos. A. Currey, Ouray lodge #492, third vice .president; E. F. Arthur, Denver lodge #17. secretary; Jesse J. May, Idaho' Springs lodge #607, treasurer; T. .C. Murray, Grand Junction lodge..4575, door-keeper; D. A. Cooper, Canon City lodge, #610. sergeant-at-arms; Rev. Edward Downing, Victor lodge, #367, chaplain: trustees, L. M. Turner, Cripple Creek lodge #316; J. G. Paddock. Leadville lodge, .#236;.A. J. Mackey; Boulder. lodge, #566: R. 11. Hall, Durango lodge, #507; A.V. Tabor, Creeds lodge #506. The next meeting or the association will be held at Glenwood Springs next June under the auspices of Aspen lodge #224, the exact date to fixed by president and trustees. A feature of the association meeting last night was the addresses by Grand Exalted Ruler Fanning, President Dixon and the representatives of several lodges.