Nelsonville Lodge was instituted January 20, 1900, by Past Exalted Ruler Emmett Tompkins, of Columbus Lodge, who was deputized by District Deputy Al G. Field to conduct the ceremonies. Seventy five members from Columbus, thirty-five from Logan and a goodly number from New Lexington were present to assist in the institution. The visitors came on a special train at four o'clock in care of W.H. Fisher, the obliging General Passenger Agent of the Hocking Valley Railroad. They were met at the depot by a reception committee of twenty-five and headed by a band from Lancaster were escorted to the Knights of Pythias Hall where the ceremonies of institution and installation took place. Among the prominent men in the party were Hon. Emmett Tompkins, Judge M.B. Earnhart, Ex-Mayor George Karb, Hon. Eli West, Cot. Samuel N. Cook of Columbus, McTighe of New Lexington and Judge o. W. H. Wright of Logan.

The work of institution commenced at 6 o'clock and thirty members were received and initiated into the mysteries of the Order of Elks.

The charter members of the lodge were: W. F. Bort, James Sharp, J. I. Pritchard, George Bethel, Ed. C. Evans. C. E. Leslie, Dr. C. E. Welch, Ralph L. Shugert, Eben Wilson, Isaac Warner, R. H. Shrader. E. J. Rosser, H. E. Howe, S. J. Howe, L. D. Poston, E. J. Kessinger, G. L. Hendron, C. J. Coe, S. D. Preston, Dr. A. L. Pritchard, G. D. Ridenhour, L. D. Lampman, Joseph Slater, E. R. Lash Jr, Frank H. Logan, A. Murphy, L. F. Carpenter, Frank Cooley, James T. Sheppard, J. N. Howell, James Haughee, O. L Aumiller, H. W. Pemberton, William Wolf, George Johnson. F. A. Morgan, Charles L. Baird, M. Kaelin, James E. McVicker, John C. Baird.

After the institution a banquet was served in the Imperial Hall, which was one of the finest ever spread in the city, reflecting great credit on Messrs. Shephard and Kelch, under whose direction it was prepared and served. The room was decorated in purple and white, the Elk colors, and across the end of the hall was stretched a banner bearing the title "B. P. O. E. Nelsonville Lodge No. 543," while on the walls were hung pictures of elks and a magnificent pair of antlers. The tables ran the entire length of the room and covers were laid for 175 guests. Hon. Emmett Tompkins was toast master. Pass. Agent Fisher responded to the "Telephone"; McTighe, of New Lexington, "Why I am an Elk"; and Judge Earnhart, "30 to 50"; Ex-Mayor Karb and Cot.S. N. Cook also made short addresses.

Since the institution the lodge has made rapid progress and now has the finest lodge and club rooms in the city, indeed there are few lodge_ in the State which have finer, the lodge room furnishings especially being very handsome.
B.P.O.E. Ohio - copyright 1903

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