What about Bro. Perkins of Lodge 151? Although not in active service, yet he left his work and traveled some distance to assist in having a special meeting, and taking over the duties of Master for the remainder of the term. Surely that must Correspondence a LODGE 98 (Chas. C. Bichler, Ogden, Utah.) Perseverance Lodge 98, B. of L. F., and Pearl of the Rockies Lodge 173, L. S. to the B. of L. F., recently gave a grand ball at Conley's Hall, which was one of the most enjoyable events of the season. Among the decorations was minature locomotive which occupied a prominent place on the music stand. Music was furnished by Ford's Orchestra, and about two hundred and fifty couple were present. It is said to have been the largest attended affair of the season. Light refreshments were served, and colored waiters in evening dress saw that the guests were provided for. The sisters certainly did good work and should have their full share of honor. Much credit is due Bro. L. D. Smyth, as he had the greater part of the arrangements to attend to, and the result shows what he and the several committees accomplished. The object of the ball was to raise money for the purpose of furnishing our new hall, No. 362 Twenty-fourth street, where we will hold our meetings hereafter. LODGE 489-(Harry Moore, Pittsburg, Kan.) We have the usual up-to-date hardships to contend with here on the K. C. S. We have "battleship scrap heap compounds," and mud to burn, instead of coal, with fifty "warehouses" up the hills, which are so steep they lean back a little. But we tallow pots can forget our troubles when given the opportunity. It had been some time since Lodge 489 had met in joint meeting with the ladies of Connecting Link Lodge 141, L. S., and there was a general feeling that things were not just as they should be, so at the last regular meeting of Lodge 489 the subject of union meetings was brought up and discussed at length, and it was unanimously agreed to hold quarterly joint meetings with the Sisters. As a consequence, an invitation was given and accepted for a meeting on the evening of January 12, 1903. It is needless to say that the event will long be remembered by both Brothers and Sisters. mous for its hospitality and ability to entertain, and this one evening goes to show what a help and inspiration it is to have our wives, mothers and sweethearts interested in all that concerns us, and always planning pleasant surprises, which this time took the form of an elegant banquet, furnished and prepared by the Sisters, who made use of the occasion as a sort of farewell to their worthy President, Sister Alfa Anderson, who leaves shortly to join her husband at Los Angeles, Cal., their future home. business was suspended, and at 9:30 o'clock the doors to the banquet room were thrown open. Each Brother, escorting a Sister, passed once around the hall and into the banquet room to the music of the orchestra. Sister Anderson was All given the seat of honor at the center of the board, and after all were seated Sister Walsh, in behalf of the Sisters, presented Sister Anderson with a handsome leather-bound toilet case with silvermounted fittings. Sister Anderson arose, and in a few well chosen words thanked all for their loving remembrance, and for the help and support each Sister had given her during the time she had been their President. Then came the supper, and a more sumptuous and delicious repast the boys of Lodge 489 never sat down to. Bro. D. H. Diller was our toastmaster, and the toast he proposed proved to the Sisters that their efforts to help and encourage the boys were recognized and highly appreciated. Bros. Lee Guinn and Whit Reed are "strictly in it" when it comes to eating, and the pie contest was decided in favor of Bro. Guinn, who has an appetite second only to one of our compounds, and it goes without saying that he is always a favorite at the "beanery." After supper all returned to the lodge room and various games were played, among them being the "Presbyterian dance." Some of the Sisters gave vocal solos, and as soon as the banquet room was cleared all who cared to, tripped the light fantastic till the wee sma' hours. Special thanks are due Sisters Anderson, Nevens, Sheely, proud to say our Ladies' Society is fa- Wilson, Cline, Moore, Shannon, Jefferson, I am Diller and Allen for preparing and serv- gheny Lodge has suffered severely in the ing the banquet. This was the first joint meeting the writer had ever attended, and to say I was greatly pleased and highly entertained is putting it mildly, and already I find myself wishing for the quarter to pass, that we may again have the pleasure of meeting with the ladies. I am one to take off my hat to them, and feel that union meetings are the kind to have. FROM LODGE 59-(Silas Clark, Jr., Pueblo, Col.) I have just returned from the funeral of Bro. Geo. L. Harmon, who died a few days ago, and whose remains were shipped to Mt. Vernon, Iowa, for interment. Bro. Harmon was a very active member, and was always ready to do all he could for the B. of L. F. and its members. In his death we have suffered a great loss. Our lodge has about 180 members and we had 40 members in line at the funeral, and as fine a lot of men as you will see anywhere. With our regalia we present as good an appearance as any lodge in the country. LODGE 302-(E. M. Gross, Connellsville, Pa.) I wish to inform the brothers that we are still doing business at the old stand. We are taking in new members at each meeting and on the whole are enjoying prosperity. But it is with a sad heart that I chronicle the death of Bro. W. M. Danford, the local treasurer of this lodge. About December 16th, Bro. Danford took to his bed with an attack of typhoid fever and on December 30th, with his loving wife in one arm and his five-year-old daughter in the other, singing God's praises, he passed away to join the Great Lodge above where parting is unknown. Bro. Danford was chairman of the local protective board last year, and was our representative at Baltimore in securing our present rate of wages and agreement with the B. & O. R. R. Co. He was recently promoted to the right side of the cab, and had been running about five months. He was a man who never shirked a duty, no matter how unpleasant it might be, and always bore himself with a manly dignity. May a divine providence shield and protect his wife and child, and lead them finally to his side where parting is unknown. Our charter was yet draped in memory of Bro. M. S. Nicholson, who was killed at Meyersdale in a rear-end collision, and now we must continue to keep it in mourning. Truly, Youghio death of these, our brothers, but we hope that their death may be a means of calling our attention to our duty, so that when we are called we may meet our brothers in Heaven. FROM LODGE 328-(Member, P, S. & N. R. R.) It is with deepest regret that I announce through the columns of the Magazine, the death of our esteemed brother, John A. Pistner, which occurred on the night of December 16, 1902. Bro. Pistner was promoted about two years ago, on the P. S. & N. R. R., and was gaining ability as an engineer. On the night of the accident the unfortunate was ascending a two per cent. grade at Weedville. The rear car and caboose became detached from the train. Bro. Pistner went back to ascertain the cause of the delay and, finding the drawhead broken, rendered assistance to Bro. John Sullivan, of the B. of R. T., in repairing same. Bro. Sullivan went to the caboose after the required material, and upon returning, to his astonishment, found that during his absence the air brakes had leaked off and the train dropped back, crushing Bro. Pistner between the cars. The rear portion of the train dropped back sufficiently to release the unfortunate brother from between the cars. His last words were a request to Bro. Sullivan to get the physician. Dr. Hays rendered his utmost assistance, but with no avail. Death came in twenty-five minutes to relieve the sufferer of all his pain. The community was greatly shocked upon receiving the news of his death. A great gloom has been cast upon his home by the loss of a beloved son and brother. The brothers of Lodge 338 also feel that they have lost one of their most worthy members. The funeral was under the auspices of the B. of L. F. The pallbearers were as follows: Bros. Albert Simmons, Lamarance Mullaney, Edward McQueen, Frank Huffman, Peter Knight and J. Clark Mons. The floral offerings were of the most beautiful designs and were in abundance. The lodge sent the emblem of the Order, as near as it could be made in flowers, and a cross was sent by our General Master Mechanič, Mr. R. A. Billingham. Our First Vicel'resident, Mr. D. F. Marooney, also paid his last respects by sending a beautiful cross. LODGE 344-(Member, Trinidad, Col.) Once more the grim reaper, death, has come among us and at one blow, laid low four of our beloved brothers. On Christmas Eve, when all were looking forward to the morrow with joyous hearts, with no thought of the terrible calamity that was to cast a gloom over the whole city, one of the most terrible accidents in the history of our road happened almost within sight of our homes. Bro. Elmer Pearce in charge of engine 478 with Bro. Wm. Fox as fireman, left Trinidad on an extra for Pueblo at 5.30 p. m., and twenty minutes later collided with No. 28, engine 474 in charge of Bro, John Goldtrap and Bro. Michael Deveraux as fireman, and in an instant seven souls had passed to the great beyond whence none ever return. Bros. Goldtrap, Deveraux and Fox, the two head brakemen, a car inspector, and a car tracer were all instantly killed, and Bro. Pearce was so badly scalded that he died a few hours later. The car inspector and the car tracer, Mr. Phil Landis, were riding on engine 474 and were coming to Trinidad for Christmas. No. 28 was a local freight with a heavy train of coal and was due here at 11 a. m. .They knew nothing of the extra being on the road until they rounded a curve a few yards ahead of them when it was too late, and they crashed together with such frightful results. It seems as if the conductor and engineer overlooked No. 28 and left Trinidad without orders against it, as it was then 5.30 p. m., and they were going to try and make Forbes Junction for passenger train No. 2 that is due here at 7 .25 p. m. The engines were two of the largest on the road. Neither of them left the track and they were towed back to Trinidad. Bro. Goldtrap leaves a wife and three children to mourn the loss of a kind and affectionate husband and father. Bro. Goldtrap came here from McCook, Neb., and the remains were taken there for burial. Bro. Pearce came here from Emporia, Kan., and leaves a sister and two brothers, one at Osawatomie, Kan., and one at Saligman, Ariz. His remains were taken to Emporia, Kan., and laid to rest. Bro. Fox had only been here about six months, having come here from Michigan. He leaves a wife and one son who reside in Trinidad. Bro. Deveraux had only been here about three weeks, coming here from Las Vegas, N. Mex., and belonged to Apache Lodge 245. His parents live in Mineola, L. I., N. Y., to which place the remains were sent for burial. Brothers, what a true saying it is, that "in the midst of life we are in death," We do not realize how true it is until some of our friends or brothers are taken from among us. Little did our brothers think of such a thing when they were called for their run that it was to be for the last time, but the Bible says no one, not even the angels in Heaven shall know when we are to die. We should all live a life so that when the Lord sees fit to remove us from this earth we may be prepared to go. In the death of these brothers the Brotherhood loses four good members, and Las Animas Lodge 344 extends its heartfelt sympathy to the sorrowing relatives and friends in this their sad bereavement. LODGE 593-(Jno. Meehan, Port Arthur, Ont.) The new year has come with all its joys and sorrows, bringing with it another happy young couple, who have been ensnared by Cupid's smiles. Bro. John Scott and Miss Ida Neppla were united in the holy bonds of matrimony on January 7th. Miss Sears of Fort Williams assisted the bride, and Bro. William Smith of Superior Lodge 225 ably supported the groom. At 20.30 the young couple had a reception at the Western Hotel. Bro. Scott thought that a C. N. R. lame compound had got loose from the rails and was tearing down the main street of the city. Bro. Scott accepted the challenge most magnificently, fixing the boys so they swore life-long fealty to him, but Bro. Scott is one of those generous souls who knows how to make everybody happy. All the members of Silver Islet Lodge 593 join in wishing him and his bride every success and happiness in their change of time card through this life. Bro. Scott is not the only one, for a certain jeweler tells me that the B. of L. F. boys have invested very heavily in diamond rings which will one day adorn the graceful fingers of some of the pretty girls of which Port Arthur can so justly and proudly boast. LODGE 564-(C. L. Alexander, Chicago, Ill.) The last meeting of the "old year" was a very pleasant one, having with us Bro. Timothy Shea, Second Vice Grand Master. This is the first time any of the grand officers have visited us since our organization. All our membership were notified and made a great effort to be present, yet the attendance was smaller than we had hoped or wished it to be. But this is the time of "prosperity" on the road, and nearly all the crews were at work in the yards or out on the road. Our Master extended an invitation to Bro. Shea to act as Master, which he did, and he gave us a valuable lesson as to how business should be conducted. We had with us a number of visitors from other lodges, and we are always glad to welcome our old friend, Bro. Fred Myers of 188. He has given us so much encouragement and good advice, we imagine he is one of our membership. Questions of interest on Brotherhood affairs were discussed by Bros. McCarthy of 429, B. J. Barnes of 52, B. Myers of 188, and B. McElroy and John Lorrimer. We are always proud of Bro. Lorrimer, because he is a brother of "Billy" Lorrimer of political fame and, although not in active railroad service at present, Bro. Lorrimer is an enthusiastic and wholesouled Brotherhood man. Bro. Shea gave us an interesting explanation of the secret work, and explained the meaning of the new clauses of the by-laws. The unanimous opinion of our members present was that the delegates to the Eighth Biennial Convention at Chattanooga made no mistake when they selected Bro. Timothy Shea as a Vice Grand Master, and we are glad to know that Grand Master Hannahan has assigned Bro. Shea to look after the "Central Territory." Our lodge, although limited to the men employed on the Chicago Terminal Division of the Pennsylvania Lines, is doing a good work. All our members are tak ing deep interest, and some of our boys have recently passed over to the side of the "eagle eye," but these remain our best workers. We are now working under one of the best schedules that can be found anywhere in Chicago, and the most cordial feeling exists toward our superintendent, road foreman of engines and trainmaster. Under the direction of Bro. Evans, our Master, we look forward to much success. So look out for 564. LODGE 195 (Member, Montpelier, Idaho.) We are pleased to say that we have one of the finest lodges in the West, and that we are ever aspiring to get all the men who are not Brotherhood men into our grand Order. Our goat is well kept but is impatient, as we have to put off our meetings until the accepted candidate can be in, occasioned by a good steady business on the road. We have a membership of fifty-one members, and our genial Master, Bro. Wm. Herzog, is a hustler. teenth annual masque ball on December 24, 1902, and it was a complete success from start to finish. The hall was nicely decorated, a large number of couples assisted in the grand march, and a neat sum was deposited in the treasury. Too much praise can not be given to our brothers, P. H. Stewart, Wm. Barrett, F. Lintz and S. Hughart for their work on this occasion. LODGE 133-(Member, Spokane, Wash.) Even though we are up in a corner of the Union we are not far from the heart of the B. of L. F. A few months ago we were visited by one of our grand officers. It was in our rush season and the attendance was not very flattering, at least we were not flattered much on that occasion, but I will venture to say if that officer could have been at our meeting one night recently he would have been agreeably surprised at the change in our lodge. We have one of the finest lodge rooms in the city, and on last Thanksgiving Eve we gave a ball, the proceeds of which was invested in paraphernalia. When we got our well oiled goat dressed up properly there was something doing, at least so thought Bro. Byers, who had the honor of being the first victim this year. The screen work under the able management of Bro. Keller and the lecture by Bro. Glazier were most beautiful and impressive. No one can look upon those scenes without feeling more deeply the duty he owes to his loved ones, and the debt of gratitude to our beloved Order. Nor can he leave a scene of that kind without going away a better man. We missed the presence of our genial and efficient Master, Bro. Burns, but, of course, we couldn't expect him to leave that new baby, even to attend a meeting of the B. of L. F. Business, which has been rather slack with us for a month on account of slides and washouts, is picking up again and the boys are all kept busy "a spadin' 'er in." Bro. Chapman left yesterday for a two months' visit to his folks in the East. He left here with his pockets full of twenties and his head full of good resolutions. If he is found "up against it" by any brother who will help him out Lodge 133 will make it all right with him. LODGE 121-(Member, Corning, N. Y.) On the evening of January 22d the Ladies' Society to the B. of L. F. gave a banquet in honor of their first anniversary to the This lodge celebrated with their eigh- members of Fellowship Lodge 121 and the served supper from 5 until 8. Then their regular meeting was made short, after which we were all invited into the lodge room and listened to remarks made by several of our brothers and sisters, after which the ladies were presented with a remembrance of the occasion by Bro. Krebs as spokesman for Fellowship Lodge 121. The business session closed about 9:30, from which time the light fantastic was tripped uptil the small hours, when we bade each other good night hoping to have as good a time at the annual ball of Fellowship Lodge 121, which is to be given February 18, 1903. We are giving our goat a great deal of exercise lately, as we have from one to five candidates at each meeting to initiate, and as fast as the boys become eligible they join. I hope that our Brotherhood will continue to grow in the future and be as influential as it has in the past. LODGE 18-(A Brother, Slater, Mo.) We are moving in Lodge 18 once more and are getting back to business again, taking in new members as fast as we can. Our lodge is growing very fast. Bro. Bran of Lodge 571 was a visitor with us for a few days. Bro. J. H. Hull is able to be at the roll-call at meetings again after being disabled for some time, account of falling off his engine some five weeks ago in which he received injuries which kept him laid up. Bro. J. F. Bushman visited Lodge 21 recently and reported a fine time among the brothers of St. Louis, Mo. We have Bros. Blackburn and Driscoll back on the road again after a much needed rest. Bro. J. W. Crumbaugh has left the service of the company to run a plow on his farm just west of town. He is going to raise plenty of apples to throw at the boys as they pass him while on duty. Success to Bro. Crumbaugh. There is plenty of work on the C. & A., and the boys are staying with it. LODGE 60-(Member, Philadelphia, Pa.) Bro. Walter Yeakle while at work on the Chestnut Hill Branch of the P. & R. R. R. fell from his engine, No. 265, and was hurt very badly. He was taken to the Germantown Hospital, where he stayed for a few weeks, but we are all glad to see him at home again, and want to see him at lodge again, for he was missed by all the brothers. Some of the boys on our road have received a raise of 10 per cent. in wages, and I hope they will all get it soon, for that is what we are working for. I am glad to see so many of them getting on the right-hand side. We have a good strong goat, which is getting good exercise at present and hope it will continue so. We have a membership of about 137 and would like to see more of them at the meetings. LODGE 590-(J. L. Thompson, Beaumont, Tex.) We were organized by Third Vice Grand Master C. W. Maier on January 19, 1902, with twenty-two charter members, and our first anniversary finds us with a membership of seventy-three after having lost several by transfer. We also have several applications on the table and new ones coming in every few days. We have from twenty-five to thirtyfive members present at every meeting, which I think is a pretty good attendance considering that we represent four roads, and a good many of our members have their headquarters at other points. In fact, one road represented by us does not enter Beaumont at all. Some of our seldom miss a meeting. A Ladies' Society members come as far as twenty miles, and is our only shortcoming, and I think it is only a matter of a short time until we will have that. I think every lodge would profit by having a Ladies' Society, and am sure that none would lose by it. Bro. J. H. Davidson surprised us all recently by taking unto himself a wife, and as a result he is generally among the missing on meeting nights, but guess he will get over that in time. Every brother who happens to be in Beaumont on our meeting night is extended a hearty welcome to attend, and we can generally entertain him with an initiation. I only remember one meeting since we were organized that we didn't have work for our goat, and have seen "Billy" entertain five at one meeting, and three on several occasions. He never seems to tire; in fact, I believe that the more he handles the rougher he gets. At least they all seem to be satisfied that they have "got their money's worth" when he gets through with them. We would be glad to have some of the grand officers visit us at any time, and we will guarantee them a royal reception. LODGE 235 (Member, Pittsburg, Pa.) I am sorry that I did not get in in time for our last regular meeting, as we had a visit from our First Vice Grand Master, C. A. Wilson, whom I know the brothers are always glad to see, and I think we need someone like Bro. Wilson to wake |