1915 East Alabama Woodmen Convention, Randolph, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/newspapers/woodmen4.txt ============================================= USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Project Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file is copyrighted and contributed by: William Fischer, Jr. ============================================= January 2004 MAKING READY FOR BIG EVENT ---------------------------- The Woodmen of Roanoke are making ample preparations for the annual picnic gathering of the East Alabama convention of this flourishing order, which will occur in Roanoke next Wednesday, June 30th. That this will be one of the greatest occasions of the kind ever attempted is not doubted. Reduced rates on the A. B. & A. [Atlanta, Birmingham & Atlantic Railroad] are given. Elsewhere in this paper will be seen a program for the day. It has many interesting features. The principal address will be delivered by Hon. John K. WATKINS, of Opelika. Music will be furnished by the Talladega band. The exercises will occur at Handley Springs. Dinner will be served on these grounds also, which are being put in condition for the vast throngs. After dinner there will be a double-header ball game and other contests in the Manley Park. At 7 p.m., a torch parade will start from the hill in front of the W.O.W. Hall. Later will occur the class initiation. Another feature of interest to the visitors will be Ussery lake. In fact, all over town they will find a cordial welcome. The keys of the city will be turned over to them. Roanoke wants the people to come and enjoy themselves from start to finish. Streamers are already flying on automobiles and across streets. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 23 June 1915, p.1] ---------------------------- LARGE CROWD OF WOODMEN OF THE WORLD IS EXPECTED HERE JUNE 30 ---------------------------- Roanoke expects to entertain on Wednesday, June 30th, one of the largest crowds in her history. All the signs look this way. The holiday spirit will be here and everybody will be welcome. The occasion will be the annual picnic of the East Alabama convention of the Woodmen of the World. An attractive program has been published elsewhere, with addresses by distinguished speakers, and game contests. A double-header ball game between Roanoke and Camp Hill [Tallapoosa County] will be put on by the local ball association, in the afternoon to which the usual admission fee is charged. In choosing Roanoke as their meeting place the Woodmen are coming to a good town—socially, morally, educationally and commercially. In fact, there is no better town, every way considered. Moreover, this is a good lodge town. The Woodmen have a large and flourishing camp. The Masons also are strong, with an Eastern Star chapter, while there are flourishing lodges of Knights of Pythias, Red Men and Odd Fellows. Roanoke is the town to come to and the town to stay in. No town offers better inducements. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 30 June 1915, p.1] [There is also a photograph of Dr. G. M. SALIBA on page 1, caption reading “Leading secret order man and master of ceremonies for tomorrow.] ---------------------------- W. O. W. NOTICE ---------------------------- All members of local camp W. O. W. and all visiting members are urged to meet at the hall at 7 o’clock P.M. sharp, June 30th, to participate in parade and class initiation. W. T. ORR, Clerk. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 30 June 1915, p.1] ---------------------------- WOODMEN HELD A GREAT RALLY ---------------------------- Last Wednesday, June 30th, was a gala day in Roanoke, it being the occasion of the third annual picnic of the East Alabama Conference Woodmen of the World, and everybody seemed to have a royal good time. No sooner had old Sol [the Sun] started on his daily journey over this fair land than people from the neighboring country began coming into town in buggies, automobiles and afoot to be present at the big celebration, which had been advertised far and near. At 8:45 the special train from Talladega to Roanoke, which stopped at intermediate points, arrived and disgorged a tremendous concourse of Woodmen and their friends, including a nobbily [sic] uniformed brass band composed of Woodmen of the Talladega Camp. At the station to greet these people were scores of Roanoke choppers with all kinds of vehicles for the transportation of the joy seekers to the picnic grounds. The band was loaded into a big motor truck and brought uptown, where they stopped for some half hour and entertained the crowds with splendid music. Proceeding to Handley Springs the exercises of the day were taken up according to program. Many conveniences had been provided for the band, the speakers and the spectators. The trees had been whitewashed, the grounds cleared of all trash and the spring had been plugged so as to run the immense cement basin full of sparkling water, and into the spring was thrown several blocks of ice. After prayers by Rev. J. W. LAYTON, the welcome address was delivered by [Rev.] Dr. E. M. GLENN in happy and appropriate style. Response was fittingly made by Mr. McCLAIN, of Talladega. Then came the main address of the day by Hon. John K. WATKINS, of Opelika. Mr. WATKINS’ speech was eloquent and masterly, and he won his crowd completely. Miss Lucile MEADORS, of Cusseta, [then spoke to] those present on the Woodmen Circle, the women’s division of the Woodmen order. She was listened to with marked attention. At twelve-thirty basket dinner and barbecue were served on the ground. In the afternoon came the athletic contests, consisting of foot races, contests in wood sawing, etc. Quite a number entered these contests and much fun was derived from them. Band music interspersed the program and added greatly to the pleasure of the occasion. Good behavior was the order of the day, only one arrest resulting from intoxication; little drinking was observed and everybody seemed bent on making the day an ideal one from every standpoint. More than two thousand people were present, yet all appeared to be kept busy seeing the things prepared for them by Roanoke. At eight o’clock in the evening a torchlight parade, composed of more than two hundred Woodmen and the candidates who were to be initiated later, marched from the Woodmen Hall through town and back to the hall. Heretofore the annual picnic has been held at Clairmont Springs on the A. B. & A. [Atlanta, Birmingham & Atlantic Railroad], but it is stated by those in positions to know that neither former picnic has come up to the one held in Roanoke last Wednesday when viewed from every standpoint. Glad to have you, Woodmen!! Come again, and bring more of your brethren and friends, your wives, sweethearts and sisters. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 7 July 1915, p.1]