The Story of the Great Fire in St. John, N.B., June 20th, 1877

CHAPTER XVI.

The Odd Fellows and the Fire—Relief Committee at Work—Searching out the Destitute Brethren—Helping the Sufferers—The Secret Distribution of Aid—List of Donations.

The Society of Oddfellows is a Mutual Relief Association, one of the first duties of its members being to search out worthy and distressed brethren, and relieve their necessities. The member who neglects to carry out this noble principle, violates his obligation. The order has obtained a strong foothold in the city, and many benevolent men have joined it that they might thereby be actively instrumental in doing good to their fellowmen. The brother who suffers, and whose family requires assistance meets with no obstacle in his way, for a liberal hand almost as unseen as those blessings which come to us disguised, is near, he receives the offerings of his companions, not as charity, but as his due. He is an Oddfellow, and that talismanic word is all sufficient. In his time he had helped many. When his turn comes the same rule is observed. The mode of giving relief is twice blessed. It is done in secret, and without ostentatious parade. No member ever deems his spirit crushed when he takes aid like this to his family. And no widow, however proud, thinks for a moment that she is accepting alms, when her immediate and other wants are supplied from the "Widows' and Orphans'" Fund. So anxious are the members to have it thoroughly understood that the aid that is given is not that which is known as charity by the outside world, but is the legitimate due of the Oddfellow, that it is expressly laid down, that no member, however well circumstanced he may be, can refuse the sums which are from time to time placed at his disposal. If he be sick he receives weekly a sick benefit allowance. This he is bound to take. He may if he choose, it is true, donate it back to any fund he likes, but it is preferred that this should not occur. In addition to money benefits the order provides something else which is more enduring than money, and which cannot be bought at any price. The member is no sooner sick than he finds a warm-hearted brother by his side, eagerly trying to interpret his wants, and perform some little act of kindness that may perhaps assuage his pain for a time. In a hundred ways this excellent society does good. The distressed are relieved, the sick are watched over, and the dead are buried. Where it is necessary, the brethren sit up during the night with the patient, and in a thousand ways the good work goes on.

Up to the present time no calamity has disturbed the prosperity of the Order in the Province. Indeed, on the contrary, its career has been wonderfully successful. The different lodges have grown prosperous, and the two principal funds, the "Widows' and Orphans'," and the "sick benefit," have for some time had quite a respectable balance at their banker's. These still remain intact, and are held strictly in trust to enable the ends of the society to be carried out when required. The recent fire, of course, destroyed a considerable amount of the property belonging to the organization; but the actual suffering was confined to the private members of the order. Many of these endured great hardships, and met with reverses of no ordinary kind. Men who had all their lives helped others, now found themselves in a moment dependent on their friends for relief for pressing needs. They had saved nothing from the burning, and some of them who were insured had trusted to offices which went down with the general crash. The result was immediately apparent. Something had to be done and at once. Their distressed and harassed members must be relieved. The whole tenets of the order demanded this. The common humanity which dwells in the hearts of so many members cried out to the afflicted ones, "Your loss is ours; we are ready to divide with you." A meeting of the leading members was had on the 22nd June, at the Oddfellow's Hall, Town of Portland, and steps were taken for the administration of immediate relief. The same spirit which actuated the brethren here seemed to prompt the members abroad to deeds which can never be forgotten while a Lodge or an Encampment exists. The chairman of the meeting, D. D. G. M. Murdoch, on the evening of Friday, announced to the assembly that the Lodge in Moncton had generously contributed $25, and asked to be drawn on to the extent of one hundred dollars, and Brother White, of Bangor, had forwarded the handsome sum of three hundred dollars, and offered more if needed. Offers of assistance came from Boston, Chicago and elsewhere. These tidings were received with great joy by the members. They knew now of the sympathy which was felt for them abroad, and their first duty was the organization of an Executive Committee. This was done on motion of Bro. Vradenburgh and one member from each Lodge, and the Encampment were appointed such Committee. These were N. G. McClure, of "Siloam," N. G., Court of "Peerless," N. G., Torrance, of "Beacon," N. G., Hea, of "Pioneer," and Henry Hilyard, chairman of Portland Town Council, of the Encampment, together with Bros. Gilbert Murdoch, and Rev. G. M. W. Carey. A sub-committee was subsequently appointed on the recommendation of Bros. Vradenburgh and Kilpatrick, whose duties it would be to seek out and report to the Executive Committee any brother they found to be in distress. This Committee was very judiciously selected, and comprised the following gentlemen: R. R. Barnes, James Byers and J. Rubbins, for Beacon Lodge; H. A. Vradenburgh, W. A. Moore, and Alex. Duff, for Peerless Lodge; F. Barnes, Hamon and A. J. Smith, for Siloam Lodge; and John E. Hughes, J. A. Paul, and Jos. Wilson, for Pioneer Lodge. Action was then taken on the telegrams received, and a committee was appointed to attend to the replying of the same, and the transmission of the thanks of the St. John Oddfellows to their brethren in the United States and Canada.

The Executive and sub-Committees held a meeting immediately after the session of the General Body, and the following officers were appointed: D. D. G. M. Gilbert Murdoch, Chairman; R. Radford Barnes, Treasurer; and John E. Hughes, Secretary. The meeting then adjourned, and all future sessions of committee were ordered to take place in Room No. 9, Park Hotel, where the three heads of the Department of Relief would hold daily meetings, receive reports, and supply all assistance needed by the brethren. The system has worked admirably. The greatest secrecy has been observed, and no one outside of the Committee know even the names of the brethren who are being helped in the hour of need. The greatest care is being exercised in searching out distress, and no one can ever tell the immense amount of good which this society is doing. Relief from Lodges and brethren continue to come in rapidly, and all moneys are deposited in Maclellan & Co.'s banking house, and subject to withdrawal by check. Up to this time, Aug. 20th, the following sums have been received.—

Moncton, N.B., Prince Albert Lodge	$100 00
Bangor, Maine, Oddfellows	400 00
Boston, Mass, Howard Lodge	100 00
Charlottetown, P. E. I.	250 00
Summerside, P. E. I., Prince Edward Lodge	100 00
Fredericton, N.B., Victoria Lodge	320 00
Ontario, Grand Lodge, per J. B. King	400 00
Cannington, Ontario, Peaceful Hope Lodge	50 00
Pictou, N.S., Eastern Star Lodge	200 00
Memphis, Tenn.	300 00
Chicago, Ill.	500 00
Montreal, Quebec, Mizpah Lodge	50 00
Haverhill, Maine, Mutual Relief Lodge	100 00
Oldtown, Maine, Torratine Lodge	115 00
Dover, Maine, Kineo Lodge	50 00
Brampton, Ontario, Golden Star Lodge	50 00
Portland, Maine, Oddfellows	487 00
Oshawa, Ontario, Corinthian Lodge	50 00
Chicago, Ill., Northern Light Lodge	10 00
Portland, N.B., Peerless Lodge	140 00
Stratford, Ontario, Aaron Lodge	25 00
Granville Ferry, N.S., Guiding Star Lodge	30 00
Goderich, Ontario, Huron Lodge	80 00
Spring Hill, N.S., Eureka Lodge	50 00
Petitcodiac, N.B., E. J. Ritchie	1 00
Woonsocket, R. I., Palestine Encampment	10 00
Lewiston, Maine, Golden Rule Lodge	125 00
Belleville, Ontario, Belleville Lodge	50 00
Stellarton, N.S., Fuller Lodge	50 00
Vale Colliery, N.S., Moore Lodge	50 00
Staynor, Ontario, North Star Lodge	30 00
Eureka, California, Humboldt Lodge	50 00
Toronto, Canada Lodge	50 00
Rhode Island, per J. F. Driscoll	200 00
St. Catharines, Ont., Union Lodge	100 00

SUPPLIES.

Charlottetown, P. E. I., Bedding and Provisions.

Portland, Maine, 4 cases Clothing

LIST OF DONATIONS.

MONEY RECEIVED.

Amherst, N S	$500 00
Augusta, Me	1000 00
Annapolis, N S	554 00
Accident Ins Co, Canada	200 00
Aberfoyle, Ontario	200 00
Armstrong, Ed (New York)	5 00
Albert Mines, N B	115 00
Ayer, Ontario	200 00
Attleboro', Mass, Methodist S School	15 00
Arichat, N S	367 00
Boston	5000 00
Boston Felt-roofing Co	100 00
Bank of British North America	2433 33
Bathurst, N B	400 00
Brantford, Ont	1000 00
Brockville, Ont	500 00
Bath, Me	1300 00
Bayside, St Andrews, N B	90 00
Brockville, Midland Counties	200 00
Brookville, N S	5 23
Bell, Mr., Dublin, Ireland	486 67
Boardman, Gorham, New York	100 00
Boynton High School Children, Eastport, Me	2 38
Bangor, Me	7000 00
Beveridge, B. & Sons, Andover, N B	100 00
Bridgetown, N S	393 92
Bridgetown, Me., Congregational Church	14 65
Bowmanville, Ont	300 00
Beder, S, New York	4 00
Bucksport, Me	320 00
Billing, W W, New London, Conn	100 00
Burt & Henshaw, Boston	50 00
Buffalo Board of Trade	332 68
Buffalo School Children	1000 00
Borgan, Capt, ship "Tros"	5 00
Baltimore, Md	541 97
Boston, Theatre Benefit	886 03
Belfast, Me	524 00
Bowman, J L, Brownsville, Penn	25 00
Blanchard, Chas, Truro, N S	10 00
Boyd, John E, Three Rivers, Quebec	10 00
Baird, John, & Co's Employes, Alamonte	13 00
Berlin, Ontario	300 00
Chicago Union Stock Yards	1200 00
Chicago Clearing House	1000 00
Chicago Produce Exchange	1000 00
Chicago Board of Trade	5274 10
Chicago City	10,000 00
Charlottetown, P E I	5000 00
Canning, N S	279 90
Clarke, Dodge & Co, N Y	250 00
Canada Screw Co, Dundas, Ont	200 00
Canada Life Ins Co	500 00
Crerar, Capt W G, Pictou, N S	50 00
Carleton County Council, N B.	1000 00
Clarke, Ontario, Municipality of	400 00
Campbell, J W, Chicago, Ill	50 00
Commercial Union Ins Co	2500 00
Citizen's Hose Co, St Catharines, Ont	200 00
Carmody, Rev Canon, Windsor, N S	10 00
Caton, Judge, Ottawa, Ill	50 00
Campbellton, N B	147 00
Clifton, Ont	300 00
Chatham, N B	700 00
Crain, Marshall, Brunswick, Me	25 00
Chatham, Ont	500 00
Chatham, Ont, Masonic Concert	169 18
Clinton, Me, Masonic Service	53 00
Cornwall, Ont	300 00
Dominion Government	20,000 00
Dorchester, N B	615 00
Digby, N S	700 00
Dalhousie, N B	200 00
Dublin, Lord Mayor of	486 67
Dover, Me	245 75
Detroit, Mich	1000 00
Dominion Organ Co, Bowmanville, Ont	102 00
Dungannon, Ont., Orangemen	29 10
Elliot National Bank, Boston	647 00
Eldon, Ont	500 00
Fredericton, N B	8000 00
Fuller & Fuller, Chicago	50 00
Flanagan, R J, Newcastle, N B	5 00
Fredericton Lime Rock Church	24 00
Fowler J & G, Charlottetown, P E I	100 00
Fox J J, Magdalen Islands, per J V Ellis	25 00
Galt, Ont	500 00
Guelph, Ont	1000 00
Garringe, Wm, Chicago	4 25
Glasgow, Scotland	14,600 00
Grand Rapids "friend"	1 00
Guysborough, N S	121 00
Grace Church, Detroit, Mich	97 42
Gloucester, Mass	100 00
Grey County Council, Ont	500 00
Galt Churches	674 17
Grant, Capt I I F, Bermuda	5 00
Halifax, N S Bay	1 08
Halifax, N S	10,000 00
Hawson, John Gloucester	5 00
Hallowell	500 00
Hamilton, Ont	13,900 00
Hamilton, C C, Cornwallis, N S	5 00
Harvey N B	15 00
Halifax Garrison	564 71
House of Commons, Ottawa	1000 00
House of Commons Clerks	150 00
Harrington Methodist E C, Me	20 00
Howe Scale Co	250 00
Hillsboro, N B	60 00
Haldimand	200 00
Hartford, Conn	42 00
Imperial Fire Ins Co	2433 33
Johnson, John C,	250 00
International Mines, N S	100 00
Kingston, Ont	1584 00
Knox Church, Hamilton Ont	100 00
Knox Church, Woodstock, N B	185 25
Liverpool, England	14,600 00
London, Ont	5000 00
Lawrence, Mass	500 00
Liverpool, N S	819 27
Lynn, Ont, Presbyterian Church	20 20
Londonderry, N S	15 00
Lincoln Methodist E Church	5 00
Lincoln, Me	500 00
Louisburg, C B	27 00
Lawrencetown, "from a friend"	10 00
Lewiston, Me	500 00
Meahan, T, Boston	5 00
Moncton, N B	1300 00
Mount Vernon, Iowa, "friend"	1 00
Malden, Mass Congregational Church,	15 26
Maritime Association, New York	6800 00
Manchester, England	3660 00
Magee, Thos, Baie Verte	50 00
Mongaup Valley N Y, per Rev. W Ferrie	33 30
McIntosh, J S, Boston	50 00
McLean, Rev. James, Londonderry, N S	2 00
New York, Providence and Stonington Line	500 00
New York	8500 00
Newcastle and Douglastown, N B	1000 00
North Sydney	400 00
New Haven Chamber of Commerce	823 76
Nutting, G. S. Newton Mass	1 00
New Glasgow, N S	1000 00
North British and Mercantile Ins Co	2433 33
New Bedford, Mass	500 00
New York Stock Exchange	772 50
Norwich, Ontario	100 00
Nantucket Women	50 00
Odell, D S, Eastport, Me	10 00
Ottawa Custom House Officials	180 00
Orillia, St James' Church	20 00
Oak Park, Chicago, Ill	100 00
Philadelphia	5500 00
Parrsboro, N S	100 00
Portland, Maine	6000 00
Peterboro', Ontario	3124 00
Palmer & Embury, New York	50 00
Paris, Ontario	600 00
Pictou, N S	1232 46
Port Hope, Ontario	1034 20
Port Latour, N S	68 27
Portsmouth, N.H	697 00
Peel County Council, Ontario	1000 00
Rogers, J H, Boston	100 00
Rice, N W & Co, Boston	100 00
Richibucto, N B	410 00
Rosamond Woollen Co	50 00
Raymond, Percy J, Hebron, Yarmouth	1 00
River John, Pictou Co, N S	381 50
Rogers' Hill, N S	40 36
Sarnia, Ontario	1050 00
St Andrews, N B	650 00
Sayer & Co, Cognac, France	200 00
Sackville, N B	312 58
Smith, Mrs M W, Ipswich, Mass	25 00
Sherbrooke, Ont	1000 00
St George, N B	200 00
Summerside, P E I	1500 00
St Thomas, Ontario	500 00
San Francisco, "Caledonia Club"	500 00
San Francisco	5600 00
Salem, Mass	770 00
St Catharines, Ont	500 00
Sargent Ignatius, Machias, Me	25 00
Springhill Mines	200 00
Sternberg, J H, Penn	25 00
Shediac, N B, Amateur Comedy Club	11 00
St Martin's, N B	302 62
St Clements, Annapolis	20 00
Springfield, Mass, Children	14 00
Storer & Son, Glasgow, Scotland	121 76
St Matthew's Church, Quebec	100 00
Stratford, Ontario	564 00
Sons of Temperance, Detroit, Michigan	300 00
Toronto, Ontario	20,000 00
Truro, N S	2000 00
Todd, Edw & Co, per J & A McMillan	25 00
Trites, J S, Sussex, N B	8 00
Thurlow F, per A C Smith	85 00
Titus, Erastus	25 00
Telegraph Operator, St John	5 00
Thamesville	2 00
Uniacke, R J, Annapolis, N S	36 20
Victoria Municipality, N B	200 00
"Valley City" Lodge I O O F, Dundas, Ontario	105 00
Whitby, Ontario	200 00
Williston, Edward, Newcastle, N B	50 00
Windsor, N S	4287 32
Woodstock, N B	200 00
" " Methodist Church	30 00
W C B & G H F, Custom House, Ottawa	2 00
Weymouth East, N S Congregational Sunday School	20 00
Welland Co, Ontario	600 00
Westmoreland Coal Company, Philadelphia	100 00
Walker, J & Co, Montreal	250 00
Wilkins, Judge, of Nova Scotia	80 00
Wentworth Co, Ontario	1000 00
Waterloo Council	200 00
Walker & Sons, Hiram	200 00
Yarmouth, N S	836 73
York County Council, Ontario	3000 00

Sent to Messrs. Daniel & Boyd for Distribution.

W W Turnbull, Esq, St John,	$200
G N Vanwart, Esq, Woodstock	100
Daniel Hawkesworth, Esq, Digby	20
B Rosamond, Esq, Almonte, Ont.	50
Messrs. Loch & Co., New York	50
Messrs. James McLaren Nephews, Manchester	£100 Stg
Messrs. Marshall & Aston, Manchester	50 Stg

Sent to John Boyd, Esq, for Distribution.

James H Moran, Esq, St John,	$100
Hon. Isaac Burpee,	100
Thos. Furlong, Esq,	50
Canada Life Assurance Co.	500
Thomas Nelson & Son, Edinburgh	£50 Stg
This last through Dr. Rand, for teachers
Clothing from St Andrews Church, Montreal, by Rev. Gavin Lang, value	$280
George Sloane, Esq, New York	U S C 50
Sent to Thos. Maclellan, Esq, from the Upper Canada Bible Society, the Scriptures to the value of	500
Liberal offers of books were sent to J & A McMillan, to form the nucleus of a public library, from the publishing houses of Belford Bros, Toronto; Harper & Bros, New York.
I Atwood Barnes, of New Haven, Conn, sends through Gen. Warner	29
Capt. Ezekiel Jones, of Baltimore, sends by Thos S Adams,	50
From Charlotte Co, N B, Bocabec, $41 75, Elmville, Dig'deguash, $21 40, Bay Side, $41 10, Waweig, $16.	120
W & T Spink, Duffin's Creek, Ont, send through Hall & Fairweather	50
Mrs A Robinson, of Fredericton Junction, on behalf of the ladies of that place sends, through Everitt & Butler, a parcel of children's underclothing.

SUPPLIES RECEIVED.

Amherst, N S, Supplies to value of	$600 00
Annapolis, N S, Supplies	742 37
"Argus" H M S, by order of Admiral, provisions
Adams, Mrs Robt, Fall River, N Y, clothing
Alberton, P E I, supplies
Andover, N B, provisions
Andrews, A A, clothing
Avard, Wm, Botsford, N B, pork
Boston, Per "Gallatin" 2 cargoes supplies
Boston, Per W S MacFarlane, supplies
" Per Schr "G. G. Jewett," supplies, clothing, blankets.
Burnham & Morrill, Portland, Me, provisions
Barnard, E A & Sons, Calais, Me, provisions
Burns & Murray, Halifax, N S, supplies
Bridgetown, N S, clothing
Bangor, Me, supplies
Beals, Thos P, Portland, Me, spring-beds
Beer, E & W, Charlottetown, P E I, clothing
Boston, Y M C A, supplies
Billings & Wetmore, tea
Blouchard, Chas, Truro, N S, supplies
Bowmanville Ladies, clothing
Baird, John & Co, Almonte, clothing
Bowmanville, Ontario, 1 case clothing

Chicago Union Stockyards supplies to amount	3000 00
Charlottetown, P E I, supplies and clothing
Charlottetown, P E I, ladies, 2 cases clothing
Cummings, Wm & Sons, Truro, N S, supplies
Calkin, B H, Kentville, N S, clothing
Christian Temperance Union, Moncton, N B, three cases clothing
Cowdry, E T & Co, Boston, Mass, supplies
County Line, P E I, supplies
Christie, Brown & Co, Toronto, supplies
Campbellton, N B, supplies
Coats, J P, Chicago, clothing
Chatham, N B, supplies
Cambridge Queen's Co, N B, 47 Blankets
Crawford, Jas, & Co, Toronto, supplies

Dorchester, N B supplies
Derring, Milliken & Co, Portland, Me, two cases blankets
Digby, N S, supplies
Darling, Adam, Montreal, supplies
Dover, Me, supplies

Ellsworth, Me, ladies seven packages clothing
Fredericton, N B, two cases cooked provisions
Fredericton, ladies, five cases clothing
Fredericton, N B, large quantities supplies
Fletcher & Co, Portland, Me, provisions

Galbraith, Christie & Co, Toronto, supplies

Halifax, N S, 2525 blankets
Halifax, N S, large quantities supplies
Halifax, N S, 50 stoves
Halifax, N S, ladies' committee, supplies
Humphreys, N, Petitcodiac, N B, supplies
Herritt, T, " " supplies
Heney, A, New York, supplies
Hampton, N B, supplies
Hallowell, clothing
Harris, J & C, Moncton, supplies
Hay, R & Co, Toronto, carload bedsteads
Hillsborough, N B, supplies
Harvey, N B, supplies
Howe Spring Bed Co, New York, 50 beds
Jennings & Clay, Halifax, clothing
Jones, D F, & Co, Gananoque, Ont, supplies
Jodoin & Co, Montreal, 15 stoves
Kentville, N S, supplies
Lockport, N S, clothing
Lewis, J T, & Co, Portland, Me, clothing
Lawrencetown, N S, 29 packages clothing
Lawrencetown, N S, J W James, clothing
Leavitt, F A, Portland, Me, one tent
Leath & Gore, Portland, Me, 16 boxes soap
Londonderry, N S, supplies
Lewis, W N, Boston, one gross liniment
Lukeman, John R, Salem, Mass, supplies
Lugsden, J & J, Toronto, 25 straw hats
Moncton, N B, supplies
Montreal, per Hon P Mitchell, 17 carloads supplies
Montreal, large quantity supplies
Montreal, 36 packages clothing
Milltown, N B, provisions
Moss, S H & J, Montreal, 2 cases clothing
Malone Bay, clothing
McGuiness, P, & Co, Montreal, one bale blankets
McLean & Blaikie, Londonderry, N S, supplies
New York, supplies
Newcastle & Donglastown, N B, supplies
North Sydney, cargo of coal
New Haven United Workers, clothing
Norcross, Miller & Lee, Boston, clothing
Ottawa Ladies' Committee, supplies
O'Brien, James, Montreal, clothing
Portland, Maine, large quantities supplies
Primrose & Co, J W M, Halifax, 5 barrels flour
Power, J F & Co, Montreal, 50 barrels flour
Paul, M L, Syracuse, supplies
Pierce, E, and Co, per "Gallatin," furniture
Piper, Henry, Toronto, supplies
Philadelphia Maritime Exchange, clothing
Quebec, supplies
Quincy, Ill, 50 barrels meal and 50 barrels flour
Riddell, John, Montreal, clothing
St. Andrews, N B, supplies
Sackville, N B, supplies
" " stoves
Shaw Bros, St John, N B, bread
Scotch Bakery, St John, N B, bread
Sussex, N B, 1 carload provisions
Smith, Mrs. M W, Ipswich, Mass, supplies
Saratoga, N Y, supplies
Salem, Mass, supplies and clothing
Salem, Mass, "Fraternity," clothing
Salem Y M C A, supplies
Shediac, N B, supplies
Stewart, C J, Amherst, N S, supplies
St Clements, Annapolis, N S, supplies
Saratoga Springs, N Y, clothing
Toronto, Ontario, large quantity of supplies
Toronto Ladies' Committee, quantity of supplies
Tupper, Hon Chas, C B, Toronto, supplies
Toronto Coal Mining Co, 250 tons coal
Temple, Mrs, Fredericton, N B, clothing
True, Geo W, Portland, Me, 5 barrels flour and 5 barrels meal
Thompson & Bligh, Halifax, N S, supplies
Truro, N S, supplies
Thurston, Hall & Co, Cambridgeport, Mass, 5 bls flour
Unitarian Parish, Portsmouth, N H, clothing
Upper Canada Furniture Co, Bowmanville, 50 bedsteads
Upper Clarence, N S, Supplies
Unitarian Society of Dedham, Mass, supplies
Upper Canada Trundle Bed Co, beds
Vincent & McFate, St John, shoes and slippers
Wetmore Bros, London, Ontario, 20 bls oil
Wilson Packing Co, New York, 50 cases beef
Woodstock, N B, per Connell & Hay, supplies
Woodstock, N B, supplies
Wolfville, N S, clothing and supplies
Warman Bros, London, Ontario, 20 bls flour
Waterman, Bros., London, Out., 20 bls oil
Woodcock, A, Toronto, supplies
Yarmouth, N S, supplies
Y. M. C. Union, Boston, 6 cases clothing