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a m e r i c a n l o c a l h i s t o r y n e t w o r k w y o m i n g w e b s i t e
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SHERIDAN ELKS LODGE
Sheridan Elks Lodge
Souvenir Program, April 23, 1903
Annual Entertainment of Sheridan Lodge No. 520, B. P. O. Elks;
under the Direction of W. A. Miller, J. J. Bentley, Dr. Frackelton, E. A. & H. O. Martin;
Akins Opera House
Original in the Ewan Collection, Trail End State Historic Site
| Origin, Objects & Purposes | Membership | 1903 Sheridan Lodge Members |
ORIGIN, OBJECTS & PURPOSES
"The name of this organization is the Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America.
"Its objects are benevolent, social and altruistic -- to promote and encourage manly friendship and kindly intercourse, to aid, protect and assist its members and their families.
"At the institution of this order more than a quarter of a century ago, it was composed only of a few gentlemen of the theatrical profession, drawn together for social intercourse. It has now developed into a widespread and powerful order of benevolence and charity, with lodges in almost 825 of the principal cities of the United States, containing a membership of over 137,727 loyal brothers.
"The founders of the order had no conception of the scope and possibilities of the present organization; they never dreamed of its greatness, but they are entitled to, and deserving of, every credit for sowing the seeds that have produced such magnificent and gratifying results. They 'builded wiser than they knew.'
"The idea has become prevalent that none but members of the theatrical profession and its dependencies are eligible to membership in the order. This, of course, is erroneous. It is true that many of the reputable male portion of the profession are members; but on the roll of membership will also be found the names of prominent officials, merchants, bankers, journalists, legal and medical men, and the bright lights of the world in art, literature, science and music.
"Born of the brotherly love, and aiming to promote the brotherhood of man, it is designed to offer its members the certainty of warm hearts and welcome hearts in the various cities to which business or pleasure may summon them. One can well realize the satisfaction in finding in every city a little circle of intelligent friends, social spirits, who linked together by the mystic tie, extend the right hand of fellowship and greet you with the kindly smile of brotherhood.
"Brotherly love and justice are not alone the brightest jewels in the crown of a worthy member. Charity shines forth prominently in all their actions, the beacon light that guides them from the shoals of reckless liberality, and the quicksands of proverbial prodigality. It is needless to refer to the well known charity of this order, whenever occasion demands its aid. Scarcely can the cry of distress echo in the air, the wail of misfortune or the moan of despair summon assistance, ere the Elks tender the best efforts to aid and relieve, questioning neither country nor creed, doctrine nor belief.
"This order is a purely charitable organization, seeking to do its charity in silence, that the proud spirit that suffers in secret, fearing more the blush of shame that comes of asking than the pangs of hunger, may feel that never will its sore need, nor the manner of its alleviation, be published to the world, and that the faults, the frailties, the necessities and the help extended will remain as sacred confidence never to be divulged. And this fully explains the reason for the only secret of the organization.
"The animal from which our order derives its name -- 'The Elk' -- is the very incarnation of grace and loveliness. It possesses litheness of limb to insure speed, beauty of eye for quick perception, sensitiveness of ear for acute hearing, strength of antlers for security; and withal is so tempered as to be the exemplification of serenity and peacefulness. How appropriate, then, the inspiration that prompted men to make the Elk the symbol of a fraternity united for benevolence and protection -- the swiftness that brooks no delay when duty calls; quick perception that no deserving object of need might escape attention; keen hearing that no cry of distress might be lost upon the wind; and strength to battle with all the cares and vicissitudes of life; and, to crown it all, the ever-abiding peace that must give that gratifying harmony which is the foundation of every fraternal institution.
"No pent-up limit contains the beneficence of the order. It extends where adversity casts its gloom, hearts are sad, clouds o'ershadow, poverty prevails, and sickness brings sorrow and distress, and there sheds the lustre of its benevolence over those benighted scenes with such a generous flood of sunshine that cares vanish, and the silver lining radiates about every cloud.
"'To do unto others as we would that others should do unto us' is the creed of the Elks. They cherish their fellow men and honor the religion of humanity. Their principles are 'Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity,' upon which foundation the institution is erected. They endeavor, by precept and example, to build up a temple of purity in the heart of every brother, and to hold dear the memory of those summoned from the fraternal circle to the great beyond, and daily and hourly do the prayers of the widow and orphan ascend to the Throne of Grace, craving blessings upon the magnanimous and beneficent order of Elks.
"After observing the tenants of our order, there can be "the feast of reason and the flow of soul;' there can be scintillations of wit and humor and all that goes to make refined social intercourse pleasant and enjoyable. But this is secondary to our main objects, yet wholesome in encouraging the brighter side of life and furthering the social relation and good fellowship between brothers, without ever descending from the plane of the perfect gentleman -- the perfect Elk."
“Only one lodge of Elks is permitted in any town or city. This is done to prevent the rivalry, conflict and jealousy that so often embarrass and injure fraternal societies, by rivalry among the lodges of the same order in the same city. The initiation fee varies from $15 to $100 in lodges in the various cities. The average dues are $5 a year. The order is not beneficial, but it expends more in secret and unostentatious charity than any similar organization in the world. The amount averages $10 per week to those who are in distress, but the sum is usually limited by the needs of the sufferer. There are no ranks, titles or emoluments in the order. All Elks have equal rights under the laws. To join the order of Elks the applicant must be a man in good health, twenty-one years of age, believer in a Supreme Being, be a citizen of the United States and have some honorable occupation or visible means of support.
"From 1901 to 1902 the order increased its membership 26,795 and when you consider that cities of only 5,000 are granted a charter by the Grand Lodge you will readily see that it is an order of growing strength. Up to four years ago cities of 2,000 were granted a charter but since that time it was increased to 5,000 and still it has a rapid growth. There are about 825 lodges with a membership of 137,727, an average membership to each lodge of about 150.
"This lodge was instituted by the Billings Lodge No. 394 in November 1899 with a charter of 31 members and today the membership is about 120. The first meeting was held in the K. of P. Lodge Rooms and on April 13, 1900 the Lodge removed to its present quarters which are nicely furnished and this day finds Lodge No. 520 with several hundred dollars in its treasury. So soon as the new lodge building is completed it will be occupied and refurnished in a home-like manner.”
1903 SHERIDAN ELKS LODGE MEMBERS
Alger, H. C. - Charter Member; Esteemed Leading Knight
Allen, Charles - Member
Arends, Dr. H. R. - Charter Member
Beck, George T. - Member
Beicher, Norman - Member
Bentley, J. J. - Charter Member; Past Exalted Ruler
Bill, J. W. - Member
Billings, Henry E. - Member
Boal, H. S. - Charter Member; Deceased (October 1902)
Bostwick, H. - Member
Brittain, W. F. - Charter Member
Burnett, W. C. - Member
Burnsides, Charles - Member
Camplin, M. B. - Member
Case, S. R. - Member
Chadwick, Walter R. - Member
Childress, C. L. - Member
Coyne, Thomas - Member
Crew, Jonathan - Member
Curran, Thomas - Charter Member
DeLong, Edgar M. - Member
Denebrink, B. T. - Member
Diefenderfer, Alf - Charter Member; Treasurer
Dodge, G. H. - Member
Donaldson, A. - Member
Downer, George W. - Member
Eaton, Earl R. - Member
Edelman, W. H. - Charter Member
Eldred, F. C. - Member
Erhard, George - Member
Felker, Ote - Member
Fleming, Andrew - Member; Deceased (April 1902)
Foster, W. M. - Charter Member
Frackelton, William - Charter Member
French, Howard - Charter Member
Fryberger, Harvey E. - Member
Furray, Edward S. - Charter Member
Garbutt, C. W. - Member
Garrard, G. T. - Member
Garrard, William - Charter Member
Gavin, A. V. - Charter Member
Gill, Thomas B. - Member
Griggs, W. B. - Member
Grinnell, C. H. - Charter Member
Hanna, O. P. - Member
Harper, George J. - Member
Heald, J. Frank - Charter Member; Esteemed Lecturing Knight
Helvey, J. D. - Member
Heumann, A. - Member
Holland, Jonathan E. - Member
Hollingsworth, H. E. - Member
Huggins, Charles B. - Member
Jackson, W. E. - Member
Kahn, David - Charter Member
Kelsey, W. G. - Member; Deceased (September 1901)
Kirby, Ira J. (J. I.) - Charter Member
Lord, George - Member
Mann, W. R. - Member
Martin, H. O. - Member
Marvin, W. H. - Member
McLaughlin, G. F. - Charter Member; Deceased (November 1901)
McLaughlin, W. J. - Member
McShane, F. J. - Member; Past Exalted Ruler
Metz, Judge W. S. - Member
Miller, W. A. - Member; Esteemed Loyal Knight
Miller, William M. - Member
Monoghan, Thomas - Member
Moore, F. M. - Charter Member
Morgan, W. C. - Charter Member
Morrow, Frank M. - Member
Mullin, John J. - Charter Member
Nelson, Oscar - Member
Neuman, A. - Member
Newcomer, Fred - Charter Member
Newcomer, Paul - Member
Newell, M. A. - Charter Member; Exalted Ruler; Past Exalted Ruler
Nielsen, Andrew J. - Member
Noies, J. M. - Charter Member
Peck, Roy J. - Member
Perkins, B. F. - Charter Member
Quick, O. N. - Member
Reynolds, C. H. - Charter Member
Richards, J. B. - Member
Richardson, Ralph - Member
Ridgway, Wils - Member
Roberts, W. H. - Member
Rodden, W. E. - Member
Round, Charles. W. - Member
Saberhagen, C. J. - Member
Schroeder, Henry - Member
Shaw, W. W. - Member
Small, George E. - Member
Smith, F. E. - Member; Deceased (October 1901)
Smith, George Levi - Charter Member
Smith, S. H. - Member
Smith, Thomas G. - Member
Smyth, O. J. - Charter Member
Snively, Scott K. - Member
Snow, E. P. - Member
Spear, W. M. - Charter Member
Story, C. P. - Charter Member; Past Exalted Ruler
Stout, Thomas A. - Charter Member
Suits, J. F. - Member; Secretary
Sweeney, W. E. - Member
Symons, W. H. - Member
Telander, John V. - Member
Timothy, John - Member
Tschirgi, Arnold - Member
Tynan, Thomas T. - Member
Van Houten, L. R. - Member
Vance, Warren - Member
Vaughn, W. J. - Member
Verstratten, J. J. - Member
Viall, E. B. - Member
Waters, W. P. - Member
Willey, A. L. - Member
Wilson, M. C. - Member
Young, David - Member
Young, W. A. - Member; Deceased (December 1902)
