SECRET ORDERS
ACTIVE IN MEMBERSHIP IN KEYSER
DAVIS LODGE NO 5, A K and AM

  Regular meetings, 2d and 4th Monday of each month. To even attempt to do the Masonic Order justice in reciting facts and figures regarding its origin in a sketch like this would be a useless and tedious task. Masonry is worldwide and universal order. The Keyser lodge was instituted Feb 24, 1889, with a membership of 20. Present membership is 52. Present officers are: J Frank Dixon, W M; Jno W Ravenscraft, S W; A W Coffroth, J W; Hon F C Reynolds, secretary; Geo t Carskadon, treasurer; T A Fifer, S D; Jas F Condon, J D; H G Storts, Tyler; Jas T Carskadon and A P Ritzell, stewards; Jno G Keolz, Jno Miller and Geo W Parsons, trustees; Jas A Sharpless, chaplain.
ODD FELLOWS
  The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is that great and universal brotherhood, bound together with the triple link of friendship, love and truth. It is represented in Keyser by Queen's Point Lodge No 78, 1875, with 14 charter members. It now has a membership of 42. Officers: C F Vest, N G; James E Condon, V G; J C Kephart, secretary; Walter Lowry, treasurer; trustees, C A Rice, J C Kephart, C F Vest.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS
  Justus Henry Rathbone, was the founder of the order which was established first in the city of Washington, Feb 15, 1864. It was introduced in Keyser in the institution of Olive Branch Lodge No 25, March 3, 1876, with a membership of 23. Present membership 106. Present officers: C C, J E Offner; V C, C G Scribner; prelate, Wm M Smith; M W, C F Vest; K R S, M H Smith; M F, W S Davis, M E, W H Frey; M A, J E Condon; I C, J H Mohler; O G, E B Baker.
ANCIENT ORDER UNITED WORKMEN
  This is the pioneer among orders paying death benefits to the families of its members. Sept 2, 1891, Potomac Lodge No 7 was organized in Keyser and it has a good membership. Its present officers are: J W Harrison, M W; I H Davis, Past M W; J W Ravenscroft, recorder; Geo T Carskadon, receiver; J M Linthicum, financier. Meets every second Fri night. Since the founding of this lodge, it has lost buy one number by death.
JUNIOR ORDER UNITED AMERICAN MECHANICS
  Enterprise Council No 20, founded in 1889 with a membership of 28, which has been increased to (?95). Its principal officers now are: W F Wells,PC; H M Wells, G W; E Rinehart, V C; W R Nevil,
RS; C H McNemar, Asst R S; J W Harrison, F S; Walter Lowry, treasurer.
NATIONAL UNION
  Was organized and incorporated under the laws of Ohio, May 4, 188(?), and has in the US about 19,000 members, having paid to beneficiaries $8,000,000. In Keyser, this order has a lodge New Creek No 244, organized in 1888. It's officers are Dr Wm Frey, financial secretary; N J Crooks, corresponding secretary and A W Coffroth, treasurer.
 (Several other lodges exist here, the write being unable to secure data for same in time for this publication.).

TRANSCRIBED OCTOBER 28, 2001 BY PATTI MCDONALD

RETURN TO KEYSER TRIBUNE JULY 1898
RETURN TO MINCO NEWS
RETURN TO MINERAL