Information Sheet

 

 

R         Independent Order of Odd Fellows.  Canton Lincoln No. 17 (Joplin, Mo.).

533                  Minute book, 1895-1905.

                                    One volume.

 

MICROFILM

 

 

 

This is the minute book of the Odd Fellows (Patriarchs Militant) lodge in Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.  Minutes begin on 24 November 1895 and continue through 26 December 1905.  Routine business consisted of initiating new members, working on various degrees of the order, raising funds, and arranging to attend IOOF and public events.

 

Canton Lincoln was organized as an “encampment” lodge, in which members of subordi­nate IOOF lodges attained “higher” degrees.  The drill team or parade unit in the lodge is known as Patriarchs Militant.  Canton Lincoln met twice a month in Joplin at various locations such as the Missouri National Guard armory, the hall of IOOF Joplin Lodge No. 287, and a hall owned by one of its members.  During the period covered by the minutes, J. B. James, A. Houghton, Wil­liam Chapin, and J. M. Brooks were commanders of the lodge.  Activities included box lunches, socials, and smokers.  The events were fund-raisers as well as social events.  Canton Lincoln’s drill team won the prize competition at the Odd Fellows convention in Dallas, Texas, in 1896, but the team’s subsequent history was not so fortunate.  In 1899, past commander and drillmaster R. A. Spears embezzled money for uniforms given to him by members.  It is not clear from the minutes whether the money was ever recovered.  A happier occasion was the celebration in 1903 of  the 84th anniversary of Odd Fellowship.  The meeting, held in conjunction with the Barton and Jasper cantons, drew a crowd estimated at 4,000-5,000 people.

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