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SONS OF TEMPERANCE
The Sons of Temperance were founded in New York City in 1842 as a temperance organization that also functioned as a fraternal benefit society. It admitted both men and women into its ranks, and had secret ritual, signs, passwords, grips and regalia such as collars. It became the model for several other temperance fraternal orders, and created considerable disagreement within the temperance movement as to whether fraternalism and secret ritual were appropriate to the cause.
Its objects were to shield its members from the evils of intemperance, to afford mutual assistance in times of sickness, provide a sum of money at the death of a member, to elevate character, to enlist workers in an earnest and noble endeavour to reclaim those who fell under the influence of strong drink, to save the young from the terrible power of the drink habit, and to assist in every way the suppression of the drink traffic. The personal pledge adopted at the formation was: "I will neither make, buy, sell nor use as a beverage, any spiritous or malt liquors, wine or cider."
The Bellefonte Division of the Sons of Temperance was organized November 24th 1845, with J. M. Wall, Worthy patriarch; David C. Boal, worthy associate; David Moore, recording secretary; H. Treziyulney, A. R. S.; Richard Miles, financial secretary; Gen. James Irvin, T.; William Griffin, inside sentinels; W. S. Tripple, outside sentinel; Jeremy Wilson; I. Worthy patriarch. The result of Rev. Thomas P. Hunt's labors in September.
Fountain Springs division, No. 214, Sons of Temperance, was organized in Bellefonte on Monday night, September 8th, 1902.. Prof. Lockwood, the state organizer, was present and delivered a stirring address. At this organizational meeting, the following original officers were elected:
Worthy patriarch, C. C. Shuey; worthy associate, C. M. Bowser; Sup't. of young people, Miss Rebecca Leech; recording secretary, J. P. Smith; assistant secretary, Tillie Heck; financial secretary, Warren Minnemyer; treasurer, Harry Raymond; chaplain, Rev. Thomas W. Perks; conductor, Miss Minnie Kuhn; assistant conductor, Mrs. Mollie E. Lindsay; inside sentinel, Earl Markle; outside sentinel, D. N. Steele.
The regular meetings of the division were held on Thursday evenings in Petriken hall.
ROYAL ARCANUM
Bellefonte council, No. 1050, R. A was chartered June 11, 1888. The 1900 membership was 45 and the total amount of insurance carried by the membership is over $130,000. The Council met in its own hall in Crider' s Exchange on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month. Officers in 1900 were: C. K. Krider, regent; B. C. Achenbach, vice-regent; J. C. Miller, secretary.
IMPROVED ORDER OF HEPTASOPHS
Bellefonte conclave No. 111, Improved Order Heptasophs, was originally organized in 1885. After a short life the charter was surrendered and the conclave went out of existence. Through the efforts of J. W. Tillard, it was reorganized. The revitalized group received a new charter on May 29, 1892 and they held their first meeting June 1, 1892 with 26 members. Its 1900 membership was 50 and total insurance carried amounts to over $70,000. The conclave met the lst and 3rd Fridays of each month in the G. A. R. room. Initial officers included: J. W. Alexander, J. S. McCarger, Moyer Lyon, H. K. Hoy, Geo. Mallory, H. H. Harshberger, F. E. Naginey, C. C. Shuey, W. R. Brachbill, Charles Levan, J. M. Lieb, A. C. Mingle, John Sourbeck and James I. McClure.
ORDER of UNITED AMERICAN MECHANICS
A Council of the Jr. O. U. A. M., Council No. 270, was originally organized in October of 1871, but it was not until Dec. 13, 1889, that the Bellefonte council, No. 270 was instituted with H. D. Yerger as counsel. The 1900 membership was 25 and the officers were: Edward Sunday, councilor; John Clapper, vice-councilor; H. B. Askey, recording secretary. The council met in the hall of the Knights of the Mystic Chain in Crider's Exchange. On Columbus Day, Oct. 21, 1892, this council raised a handsome silk flag over the High school building in the borough.
PATRIOTIC SONS OF AMERICA
Washington camp No. 639, Patriotic Sons of America was instituted Mar. 17, 1892 in the hall in the McClain block with a charter membership of 23, A. S. Garman was the first president. July, 4th of the same year a reunion of the order in Central Penna. was held in Bellefonte. The camp had raised a number of flags over different school houses in Spring township. The 1900 members numbered 35 and they met in the hall of the Knights of the Mystic Chain. Officers were: J. M. Wallace, Pres.; G. L. Jodon, Vice-Pres.; Geo. Harman, Sec.
KNIGHTS OF THE MYSTIC CHAIN
Golden Link Castle, No. 103, K. of M. C. was transferred, by dispensation from Unionville to Bellefonte in Aug. of 1894. 1900 membership was about 40. Officer were : Geo. Harman, commander; Geo, Riter, vice commander; Geo. Fishburn, recording scribe. The Castle met in their own hall in Crider's Exchange.
ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN
A council of A. O. U. W. was organized in Bellefonte in May of 1889, but meeting with reverses of the council decided to surrender their charter and consolidate with the Lock Haven council.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF GOOD TEMPLARS
Originally founded in Utica, New York in 1850 as the "Knights of Jericho," the Independent Order of Good Templars was a secret fraternal temperance society. It used three degrees originally in its ceremonial, and later changed to use only one. It also used Masonic-like regalia like collars and aprons. A unique feature of this group was that they admitted women on and equal basis. Bellefonte Lodge #106 was organized in the fall of 1865 by Rev. J. S. McMurray. The temperance message of the Templars was well received in Bellefonte, as the Democratic Watchman noted in their November 10th, 1865 edition: "it is surprising with what rapidity this lodge has sprung up among us." Among its members were some of Bellefonte's most prominent citizens: Capt. W. Potter, Daniel Bush, Joseph Furey (editor of the Democratic Watchman), W. H. H. Brainerd (editor of the Bellefonte National), George Peck and others. With the completion of the Bush Aracade building on West High Street, in 1867, the Good Templars secured a room with a "long lease." In the May 10, 1872 Democratic Watchman, it was reported that "The Good Templar organization of this place finding no further work for it to do, has quietly given up the ghost."
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