Proceedings of the Thirty-Fourth Annual Session of the Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star of Wisconsin Scottish Rite Cathedral, Milwaukee October 7, 8 and 9, 1924

Organ Recital, Max Schwarze, Grand Organist at 1:00 PM. The Annual Session convened at 2:00 PM.

Flag:

The Grand Marshal, assisted by the Grand Conductress and Associate Grand Conductress and members of the J. U. G. Girls Club of Electa Chapter No. 75 presented the flag. Each member of the Girls Club carried an American Beauty rose and after executing a march came to the East and each girl presented a rose to the Grand Matron.

Tribute to the flag: Brother Frank H. Pond, charter member of Tomah Chapter No. 6.

The Train:

On a raw, blustery day in March, 1861, a young fireman stood beside the locomotive whose fires were his concern. Instead of having a distinctive number, the engine was called the Reindeer and on its side panels were painted great antlered animals. The young fireman thought there never would be a finer piece of railway machinery made, so he did not think it strange that his engine had been selected to draw the train that was to carry the president-elect to his inaugural at Washington. The president-elect was Abraham Lincoln. The young fireman was Brother Frank Pond. The Reindeer was the crack locomotive on the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway. Then one day, when the Reindeer was backed down the yards, couplings made, and Frank Pond, now the engineer, pulled the throttle, the locomotive began its most notable run. In a coach behind lay the body of the president who had been carried to Washington four years before by the Reindeer. It was Abraham Lincoln’s funeral train.

Address of Welcome, Ruth A. Powell, Worthy Matron, Golden Rule Chapter No. 194.

Edgar A. Guest:

We can be great by helping one another
We can be loved for very simple deeds.
Who has the grateful mention of a brother
Has really all the honor that he needs.

Grand Matron:

There are special days that stand out in our life and tower above the level of ordinary events; such a day was the one you entrusted us with the leadership of this Grand Body.

“Your bright cheery smiles often give us the strength
that we lack in the vortex of strife,
For they lighten the load as we travel the length
Of the care laden path we call life.”

March 18, letter to Subordinate Chapters

….Our OES Hospital at Dousman is nearing completion and will be officially presented to the Grand Lodge F&AM in June at which time it will be dedicated to Masonry and the Service of Humanity. (A request for pledges to be fulfilled at this time)

May 20, letter to Subordinate Chapters

…On Thursday, June 12th at 2 PM our OES Hospital at Dousman will be presented to the Grand Lodge F&AM. ….Lunch will be served at noon at the Scottish Rite Cathedral and automobiles provided to take all to Dousman.

I made a personal official visit to 82 Chapters, constituted 3 and assisted in the instituting of 2 making a total of 87. I was entertained in 24 Chapters and installed five, making 29 and a total of 116 visits.

“If something of us isn’t living
Long after our bodies are dead
If our hands cease toiling and giving
The moment our spirit has fled
Then we have quitted this world as a debtor
We have failed in the infinite plan.
If we’ve made not one roadway the better
We have failed in our service to man.”

Grand Patron:

Superior Chapter U.D. at Billings Park, Superior, Wisconsin. This petition for dispensation, signed by 20 Sisters and Brothers. Proper investigation was made and the chapter was instituted by the writer on February 4th, 1924. An excellent luncheon followed the closing of the Chapter. Remarks were made by our Grand Matron and by the writer and Superior Chapter U.D. set her sails on a very smooth sea.

Medford Chapter U.D., Medford, Wisconsin, will be instituted by your Grand Patron on Friday October 3, 1924.

October 19th it was my pleasure to accept a cordial invitation to return to Onalaska for their Constitution, it having been my pleasant duty to institute them last year.

December 3rd I was at Owen following correspondence received relative to the formation of a new chapter. I trust that a petition and dispensation will be forthcoming in the near future.

January 8th I was at Marshfield with our Grand Matron for the installation of officers of Everett Chapter No. 95. I am pleased to report a most enjoyable evening and acknowledge receipt of a beautiful gold pencil from Everett Chapter.

On March 19th it was my pleasure to be at Mauston with our Grand Matron and Grand Lecturer. This was my second visit to Mauston and was also thoroughly enjoyed.

May 13th to 16th were spent in Minneapolis in attendance at the Minnesota Grand Chapter.

September 17th I was in Antigo for official visit to Jewel Chapter who also proved themselves most unusual hosts and a fountain pen with the compliments will long be a happy reminder of a most enjoyable evening.

Oriental Chapter No. 16 at Oshkosh very thoughtfully remembered my birthday with a beautiful floral tribute and I sincerely regret that owing to the condition of their present temple, my contemplated visit on their Friends’ Night had to be postponed.

Number of Chapters 250
Number of Members 43,415