Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Illinois - University Library

Nov TU da GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS, I. O. O. F.
lS i913 } 4
Attempt to Relieve.
My special deputy to go to Shawneetown, Illinois, Brother Henry
A. Stone, P.G-.M., and Brother A. E. Eden, of the Mileage and Per Diem
Committee, who was sent to Cairo with Company C, 4th Regiment,
I. N. G., reported to me that, on account of the extreme high waters,
it was impossible to distribute local aid at Cairo and Brother Eden
returned to Sullivan at his first opportunity, bringing back with him
in total the draft of $1,000.00 that I had sent with him. Brother Stone
finally reached some of the stricken district and distributed some
temporary aid.
On April 30, the following circular was sent to every county in
the stricken district:
Special Relief Committee.
Sullivan, 111., April 30, 1913.
To the Subordinate Lodges I. O. O. F., State of Illinois.
Brothers:—On account of the destruction and distress caused by
the recent floods, an appeal was made to the Fraternity in this State
for aid. The response has been more than was expected.
During the extreme high waters, although the Grand Master had
representatives at the points of greatest danger, there was little they
could do to relieve distress. Now, since the waters have receded
somewhat, there must be organized relief, and for that purpose the
Grand Master requests that each Lodge, any of whose members have
suffered lossi by reason of the floods, appoint a committee of three to
search out who the losers are and how much they have lost and
make a full and complete inquiry into the conditions of such Brothers
and Sisters. This committee should be made up of enthusiastic and
practical Odd Fellows. It should be appointed immediately.
The Grand Master has appointed Past Grand Master Henry A.
Stone, of Vandalia, 111., Harry G. Cormick, Past Grand Conductor,
of Centralia, 111., and I. C. Abney, Assistant Chief of Examiners and
Instructors, of Creal Springs, 111., as a Special Relief Committee.
They will have charge of the disbursement of the relief funds to those
of the Fraternity who suffered loss from the recent calamity. This
committee has organized and will act promptly and justly upon all
cases presented to them.
Without delay the Subordinate Lodge Committees and every
member of the Order who knows of want and distress should report
the names and addresses, with as much detail as possible, to one of
the members of the Special Relief Committee.
Every Brother in the Order who is acquainted with this Special
Relief Committee has full confidence in their ability, in their Odd
1