I O O F
International Order of Odd Fellows
(The Rains County Leader, April 21, 1922)
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a worldwide, ethical organization, is an international
brotherhood that is known to have existed in the 17th century, and possibly
earlier; thosethat belonged to the organization for the purpose of giving aid
to thise in need were called "odd fellows". The first Odd Fellows
of England was in existance in the early half of the17th century. English immigrant
Thomas Wildey founded the Order in America when he, together with four other
English Odd Fellows, founded Washington Lodge #1 on April 26, 1819 inBaltimore,
MD when that city was in the grip of a severe epidemic; sickness, distress,
death, and consequently, a growing number oforphans was the reason behind the
organizationof this first lodge in America. Odd Fellow Lodges usually provided
monetary benefits to their members who were ill, injured or for
some other reason unable to work. Lodge memberswould provice boxes of groceries,
cords of wood, nursing care for sick members at home, etc. Most lodges purchased
land and established cemeteries; these cemeteries were often open to the public
for a nominal purchase price of a few dollars per lot.
Odd Fellowship demands a belief in a Supreme Being and is based on the idea that man is jointly responsible for what happens in our society. The commandment to all Odd Fellows is to: Visit the sick, Relieve the distressed, Bury the dead, and Educate the orphan.
This organization had its beginnings in 1909 in Rains County. There were several
lodges around the county,including ones at Emory, Point, and Willow Springs."There
was an I.O.O.F. lodge inaugurated here last (Point) Tuesday night and will meet
again tonight and they say there is several applications for membership to that
order. We hope the order will do well here. ("Point News", The Rains
County Leader, February 12, 1909) "There was a rousing I.O.O.F. meeting
here Tuesday night and seven new applicants were given the initiatory degree
of that order. There were several of the EmoryOdd Fellows in attendance including
Sheriff Morgan, J.C. Wylie, Dr. L. Faulk, J.A. Amis, Geo.Russell, Will
Hogue, Uncle Tom Pounds, J.A. McLeod, Jim Moody, R.P. Roberts and Will Melton.
("Point News", March 26, 1909) "The I.O.O.F. of Point report
that they have just received a new set of regalia and lodge supplies that cost
more than $200.00, which they will use in theirlodge here. ("Point News",
The Rains County
Leader, March 19, 1909)
Meanwhile, in Emory...."The Odd Fellows are figuring on the erection of
a two-story brick on the lot east of Tackett & Allen's. Emory needs a good
lodge room and one could be rented to good advantage. (Rains County Leader,
April 16, 1909)
"J.A. Amis is erecting a two-story frame building, 24x50 feet, on the corner
near the jail. He will use the first floor as a grain house and the second story
will be used by the Odd Fellows. Mr. Amis is also erecting an 18-foot shed room
in which he
will install a corn mill and crusher. (The RainsCounty Leader, November 12,
1909).
The followingweek a correction notice was published - "In mentioning the
erection of the J.A. Amis house last week the Leader should have said that the
Odd Fellows were building the second story. They will own and control the second
story of the building. (The Rains County Leader, November 19, 1909)
Thirteen years later the organization in Rains County was still in existance.
"The Odd Fellowsof Emory will celebrate the one hundred and third anniversary
of that organization the 23rd day of April with a public meeting at the court
house, beginning at 1:30 p.m. The Grand Master will be present on that occasion
to make an address. The public cordially invited to attend.
By order of O.K. MEAGHER, N.G. (Noble Grand, presiding officer).