Odds and Ends Trivia Updated 10/07/2009

• Here's a nice short article about early fraternal organizations and how prevalent they were at the turn of the century. It was estimated that 25% of American males were a member of at least one. It's hard to believe but in 1910 the Red men outnumbered the Elks ~ 1/2 million to 300,000. Now they barely exist ~ under 30,000? 
• May 1923 Elks Magazine, page 46 describes one amazing event that was part of  Atlanta's "5000 member campaign. #78 initiated a class of 1200!  and was led by the famous  Drill Team of Philadelphia #2 (Charles Grakelow, ER) The total crowd was estimated at 7,000 and most of the Georgia lodges were represented. To see other amazing initiations click here.
• July 1923 Elks Magazine has full page article (pg 37) detailing possible youth programs. What's so amazing about this is that the leadership (John Malley, Chair of the Good of the Order committee) actually asked for input from the roughly 800,000 elks who were members then. Lots of good ideas while pondering the quandary GL faced formulating a youth activity plan that would fit all lodges.
• Shreveport LA #122, had a special motion picture made with one of the large producers of the time and included well known movie stars. The film was shot entirely at the lodge and proceeds were used to finance the sending of its band to the Grand Lodge convention in Portland. Elks Mag, March 1925.
• Hagerstown MD # 378 had a really good basketball team. They defeated several professional teams including the New York Nationals and nearly beat the Celtics, who were world champs at the time. Elks Mag, March 1925
• San Antonio TX Elks and their all-elk band took a trip south to the Lower Rio Grand Valley and visited a number of different cities. Nearly 500 went on this excursion  which was made to cement relations exisitng between the cities. Elks Mag, March 1925
• An editorial on pg 32 of the October 1928 Elks Magazine complained about the lackluster attendance at the Grand Lodge attendance. A full 1/3 did not send a representative which back then was 500 lodges. In addition, a past review of attendance records concluded that this was not abnormal! That's amazing as these conventions would draw ten's of thousands of elks.
• Same Elks magazine but on pg 4, the GER noted that the last meeting in October is roll call night. If an initiation could not be held then a renewal of obligation by all in attendance should be scheduled as a special order of business.
• Pg 72, June 1928 Elks Magazine. Juneau Alaska Lodge #420 held an interesting program. The University of Washington Glee club provided entertainment which was followed  by 3 four round bouts put on by Filipino boxers, followed by a luncheon and more singing. What's even more amazing is that this was put on for the L.O.O. Moose. Don't know if that was for a local Moose lodge or what.
• Editorial on page 32 June 1928 Elks Magazine complained of Lodge officer's not memorizing their ritual parts. Back then the rule was that it took the formal demand of five members and the majority vote of the Lodge to remove an Officer for failing to learn his part. Unfortunately it was noted by the editor that section 118  which governs this requirement is "more generally disregarded than any other statutory mandate"
• July 1929 Elks Magazine- Alaska reported as highest per capita in membership. 1 in 6 eligible males were members. Also, the Elks had an official purple plane that flew around the country similar to the Purple and White Motor fleet. They were all to meet in Los Angeles on July 8th for the GL convention in Los Angeles. In addition, a national air marking movement would begin which essentially means marking the top of Elks buildings so that flyers knew were they were.
• March 1930 Elks Magazine - The legendary Bobby Jones and his good friend O.B. Keeler, sporting editor of the Atlanta journal, were initiated into the Atlanta GA Lodge #78.  Also, this magazine reported that to compete in the Alaska elks bowling conference, the Anchorage team traveled by sea ~ a 2400 mile journey! Another amazing article featured New Orleans elks who raised $50,000 for their lodge at a race which was attended by 20,000 spectators!
• Sept 1930, Elks Magazine ~ pg 4. Charles E  Pickett, PGER, passed away. Remarkable man who joined the Waterloo Elks Lodge in 1894 and in 7 short years became GER in 1901. This article mentions that he was a brilliant lawyer who was instrumental in modernizing the BPOE.
• October 1930, Elks magazine reported some excellent youth programs- Chattanooga TN Boy's band makes tour of Florida. On this 17 day tour it was estimated that 125,000 people plus heard them play. In Miami, they were judged among the best youth band playing in that city's anniversary celebration.  Ambridge Pa entertained 3,000 kids at picnic. Mobile AL treats 400 orphans. Troy NY gives picnic for 1500 kids. Willimantic CT, gives beach party for 1100 kids. Wheeling W.Va hosts 7,000 children for the West Virginia state fair!
• Well written article by the outgoing NY State elks President  William T Phillips, defining the role between subordinate lodges, the Grand Lodge and State Associations. Apparently some Elks were using the State Association for political gain to the detriment of the Order. September 1930. Click here for Adobe file on this. 
• July 1931 elks magazine- Utica NY distributes 8,000 quarts of milk to undernourished children in just a few months. Beaumont TX Elks sponsor Crippled children's clinic ~ lodge doctor's already examined 200 kids! Charity baseball game between Philadelphia Athletics and Allentown Pa nets $10k for Atlantic City Elk's Betty Bacharach home that this Lodge funds for needy children. Redondo Beach CA entertains 750 boys with "Boys' night" at the Lodge. Pershing Hall's Elks Auditorium completed ~ Paris, France.
• January 1933, Elk's Magazine- Ogden UT can 10,000 Cans of peaches for needy. Lake Worth Fl hosts Christmas party for 1,200 kids. Des Moines Elks host Knights of Columbus- 800 in attendance for this night of entertainment.
• August 1936 Elks magazine noted the passing of PGER John Sullivan of New Orleans. For all you officer reruns please note that even after he became GER, he continued to fill the ER office. In fact, he was ER 16 times!! Also in this magazine, the Governor of Florida became GER of the Order. In addition and on page 29, notice was given that a memorial and celebration event would be held by the Denver Elks Lodge for Buffalo Bill ~ a member of the Order. It would be broadcast over a national radio hookup.
• Sept 1938, Elks Magazine article editorial on page 23 noted with satisfaction that the "Hello Bill" greeting had fallen out of favor "as it lacked dignity and savors too much of frivolity" .
• Martin Luther King's first address in public was given at a Black Elks State Association meeting in Georgia in 1944. Click here to read the article.

• Trivia from From Brother Lyn Grossholtz of Erie Pa

   

  On May 9, 1961, the Grand Lodge Session created the "Americanism Committee."

   

  At the Grand Lodge Session of 1946, the word "God" replaced the words "a believer in the existence of a Supreme Being."

   

  On Dec. 1, 1893, the B.P.O.E. banned Sunday meetings on a resolution made at the 1892 Grand Lodge Session by Percy G. Williams of Brooklyn Lodge No. 22.

   

  In 1972 the Veteran's Administration Volunteer Service requested that the Elks start a local, state & national Veterans Arts & Crafts Competition.

   

  The "Hotel Bedford," now the Elks National Home in Bedford VA, was purchased for $12,500.00 in 1902.

   

  On May 26, 1969, the Lodge Esquire's instructions on procedure was moved from the end of the initiation ceremony to its present position following the Obligation

   

  On June 14, 1949, President Harry S. Truman, a member of the Kansas City, MO Lodge No. 26, signed Public Law 203 designating June 14th as Flag Day in America. Flag Day has been a mandatory Lodge activity since 1911.

   

  On April 12, 1945, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a member of the Poughkeepsie, NY, Lodge No. 275, died at Warm Springs, Georgia.

   

   In 1919, the use of the "Eleven O'clock Toast" on occasions where non-Elks were present was given official Grand Lodge permission.

   

  On April 18, 1906, the great San Francisco Earthquake took place and the B.P.O.E. beat the U.S. Government in setting up a tent city for refugees.

   

  In 1903 the original Elks National Home was dedicated in Bedford, Va.

   

  April 1943 Elks Magazine reported that the Life membership card of Brother Eddie Rickenbacker was featured in several national weekly magazines. This was bestowed upon him by the LA Elks on June 18, 1919. 

   

  In 1952, the Elks discontinued the use of a blindfold during the Initiation Ritual, 

   

   in 1972, GER Francis M. Smith proclaimed November as the first Elks "National Veterans Remembrance Month."

   

  From 1950 to 1952 the members of the B.P.O.E. supplied 600,000 pints of blood for GI's in Korea.

   

  In 1895 the BPOE was incorporated nationally.

   

  On Nov. 23, 1867, Charles Vivian, Richard Steirly, Cool Burgess, Henry Vandemark & Hugh Dougherty played the first game of "Jolly Corks" at Sandy Spencer's Bar at Broadway & Fulton in New York City.

   

   

  On June 12, 1939, the Baseball Hall of Fame opened in Cooperstown, NY, with a member of the Carnegie Elks Lodge, Honus Wagner, among the first players inducted.

   

  On March 17, 1936, Pittsburgh's "St. Patrick's Day" flood victims received $127,186.63 from the B.P.O.E.

   

  On Feb. 16, 1868, the "Jolly Cork" members voting for "The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes" were C.A.S. Vivian, R.R. Steirly, M.G. Ash, H. Vandemark, H. Bosworth, Frank Langhorne and E.W. Platt. Voting for the name "Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks" were W.F. MacDonald, G.W. Thompson, T.G. Riggs, W. Carleton, W. Sheppard, G. Guy, H. Dougherty and W.L. Bowron. The name "ELKS" was chosen by a committee viewing an Elk head at Barnum's Museum.

   

  On May 31, 1889, the tragic Johnstown Flood killed 2000 people, and the B.P.O.E. began its tradition of helping American citizens with a donation of thousands of dollars for relief.

   

  In 1970 the "Hoop Shoot" became an Oregon Elks state program,

   

  in 1972 was introduced nationwide. In 1976, GER George B. Klein dedicated Elks Hoop Shoot Plaque at Basketball Hall Of Fame.

   

  In 1907, GER Henry A. Melvin suggested acceptance of the Elks Flag Day Ritual, written in part by William M. Hargest of Harrisburg Lodge No. 12, and in 1911 Flag Day Ritual became a mandatory observance.

   

  1916 the present Elks National Home was dedicated in Bedford, Virginia.

   The Elks Magazine began publication in 1922 with PGERs John K. Tener and J. Edgar Masters of Charleroi Lodge No. 494 on the Magazine Committee.

   

   In 1934 the Elks National Foundation "Most Valuable Student Program" was begun.

   

  In 1891 the Elks adopted the present Chair Officer designations,

   

  in 1896 the American Flag was added to the B.P.O.E. altar arrangement.

   

   In 1918, the B.P.O.E. built America's first Veteran's "Reconstruction" Hospital of 700 beds in Mass., and in 1923 the Elks donated to Government

   

  In 1874 the B.P.O.E. instituted the position of District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler.

   

  The "Jolly Corks," the beginning of the Elks, lasted from Nov. 25, 1867, to Feb. 15, 1868, and included their founder, Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian and E.M. Platt, F. Langhorne, William Carleton, William Sheppard, Richard R. Steirly, John T. Kent, H. Vandemark, H. Bosworth and M.G. Ashe.

   

  In 1969 the Pledge Of Allegiance was moved from the Lodge closing to the Lodge opening ceremony, and the singing of "God Bless America" was approved as an optional substitute for the opening Ode.

   

  In 1963 the call up of Lodge was reduced from four raps to three raps, with three raps used previously as a signal to remove the blindfold ( removed in 1952).

   

  In 1956 the Leading Knight began giving the charge when delivering Flag to Esquire.

   

   

  On Oct. 5, 1947, Brother Harry S. Truman, a member of the Independence, MO Lodge, makes the first televised presidential address. On Sept. 8, 1946, the Elks Memorial was rededicated in Chicago, and the man who pulled the American Flag aloft that day was Brother John "Jack" Bradley of Appleton, WI, one of the marines who raised the American Flag at Mt. Suribachi in Iwo Jima.

   

  On March 17, 1889, members of the Boston and Omaha Lodges bring the body of Charles A.S. Vivian to from Leadville, CO to Boston, MA where he is interred in the Elks Rest.

   

  On July 5, 1903, the present Elks emblem was adopted.

   

  On June 8, 1868, the first B.P.O.E. fund-raiser was held at the Academy Of Music at 14th Avenue and Irving Place in NYC.

   

  In 1923, the Green Bay Elks Lodge held a benefit to raise money for the Green Bay "Packers" Football Club.

   

  On Dec. 10, 1941, the Elks lost the Manila Lodge No. 761 to the Japanese invasion, and on Jan. 4, 1942, the Agana, Guam, Lodge No. 1281 was overrun; 489 Elk members and their families spent the remainder of the war in Japanese concentration camps.

   

   On March 20, 1870, the first Lodge of Sorrows was held for Brothers George E. Farmer and John W. Glenn; on the same date in 1880, the founder of the B.P.O.E., Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian, passed away of pneumonia in Leadville, CO.

   

  On Feb. 8, 1908, Elk member Frank E. Herring, an affiliate of the South Bend, IN Lodge, proposed a national Mother's Day.

   

  On Feb. 18, 1898, GER Meade D. Detwiler of Harrisburg Lodge No. 241 (Harrisburg didn't become Lodge No. 12 until 1904) secured the Elks first gavel, an ebony instrument made by "Jolly Cork" J. G. Wilton.

   

  on June 16, 1904, the members of the San Diego, CA Lodge No. 168 performed the first Elks Flag Day Service.

   

  On Feb. 12, 1871, Claude Goldie received a New York State Charter for the B.P.O.E.'s New York Lodge No. 1, and the first Grand Lodge meeting was called to order at 4:15 PM at 114-116 East 13th St. in New York City.

   

  On Nov. 1, 1937, the B.P.O.E. began a radio blitz aimed at safety on America's highways, a program that reduced fatalities by 27% during a thirteen week period.

   

  On Dec. 1, 1889, Allen O. Myers, a member of the Columbus Lodge No. 37 in Ohio, named the first Sunday of December as our great Elk Memorial Day.

   

  On Sept. 30, 1908, PGER John K. Tener of the Charleroi Lodge umpired a spirited baseball game between a team from Greensburg Lodge No. 511 and the Boston Red Sox, led by Cy Young; the Elks won by 2 - 0.

   

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