Salem – Gathering African American History

The Odd Fellows’ Journal was published in Philadelphia, Pa. The Vol 3, No 41, Ed 1, Thursday, January 11, 1900. This newspaper provides information about this lodge in Salem, Virginia, which was a train ride away from Blacksburg.

The following is a transcript of the article by E.L.Morris

Odd Fellows’ Journal. (Philadelphia, Pa.), Vol. 3, No. 41, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 11, 1900. Page 2.
Virginia – Salem
“I have ever been slow to think I could offer anything worthy the columns of the Odd Fellow’s Journal or any paper holding a high place of merit amount the standard publications of the old “Keystone State,” and I do not presume to come down with any tribute of current news; but be forcibly impressed by the Odd Fellows’ lunch and smoker on Wednesday evening, December 28, 1899, I thought I would “shake off” a few lines with my old goose quill pen, to let the brothers in Friendship, Love and Truth the world over know that Sons of Salem Lodge, No 1675, is wide awake to duty.
On the above mentioned occasion the hall was brilliantly illuminated with lights which reflected from the crystal chandelier, which case its mellow glow upon the scene. The Odd Fellows had the flush of merriment on every facial lineament. There have been larger crowds assembled but few functions of the kind have been more brilliant, and in none have the men deported themselves with less confusion and more hearty Odd Fellow bearing.
The exercised were opened with pray[er]* by the Chaplain, Anderson Wills. About thirty-two guests were [pre]sent, and the evening was most [ple]asantly spent by all. Refresh[me]nts were served and everybody [ha]d plenty to eat, such as oyster[r] sandwiches and pickles, cigars [?g] also much in evidence. A mo[?] joyable program was rendered [?e} first selection being a son [of] the lodge.
P. F. Edgar L. Morris was master of ceremonies, and in well chosen [w]ords presented to Sons of Salem [lo]dge, Professor John H. Ducker, the rising “son of oratory’ [t]he “old Dominion,” who spoke [f]ollows:
Most W[ort]hy Noble Grand, P. N. Fs. And Members of Sons of Salem Lo[dge], No 1675:-
“We [h]ave assembled to-night to part[ici]pate in a grand lunch and tim[?] smoker, but allow me, ere we f[?] proceed , on behalf of this pra[ise] worthy and painstaking commit[ee] viz: D F. Bradpher, chairma[n] S. Taliaferro, and this grand and [n]oble Order of Odd Fellows to [s] to you an open hand hos[p]atality.
“We e[?] you and welcome you brethren, this grand and sumptuous re[?] and trust that that evening {/} be spent in a pleasane and that returning to our homes we may [c?] happy remembrances of this com[i]ttees’ kind hospitality while welc[oming] you here this 27th of Decembe[r] 1899, to this hall, with warmest [?] sations of love and friendship. We congratulate you upon the he[alt]hy financial condition of the Orde[r] on the magnificent interest that felt by all of its members ar[e] the entire harmony and good w[?] that had heretofore prevailed and that still exists among you.”
Time and [?ce] will not allow further cons{tr]ant on this great speech, The speaker sat down amid deafeni[ing] roars of applause.
Borther D. Bradpher was next introduced, a[?] told of the members whom were present twenty-five years ago, only three of whom are present to-[nig]t,” he said, “to enjoy the good [th]ings prepared by the prices of [od]d fellows.
Ths speaker was followed by Messrs. Taylor of Johnson City Lodge; H.S. {Ta]liferro, A. Williams, S.N. Fe[?], S. M. Phillips, A. J. Anderson, {?} Spurlick, and others who mad[e] telling remarks on the many c[?]ges which have taken place since the organization of the lodge in 18[?].
At 12 o’clock [mi]dnight we departed for our se[?]al homes with merry hearts and [pl]leasant remembrances of the [?nd] lunch and smoker which h[ad] just become a thing of the past.
E. L. Morris

*A significant crease down the newspaper caused letters to be hidden. We tried to guess.

Edgar L. Morris was living with his wife, Maria in the 1910 Census, in Salem County, Ward 1,, Virginia. He was a machinist, working for a tannery. He was 40 years old, married once and for 19 years. His wife was 42, also married once for 19 years. She had birthed 6 children, all survived. Their six children were living with them, even split between girls and sons. Of interest, Ellen Campbell (60 yrs), mother-in-law was living with the family as well as his brother-in-law, William Campbell (35 yrs) Ellen was widowed, she bore 3 children and 3 survived. All of the family are listed as mulatto. All can read and write except for Ellen and the youngest children. Edgar L. Morris owned his home.

In the 1950 Census Edgar L. Morris was 79 years old and working as an electrician, self-employed. He is widowed but his two daughters are living with him as are a granddaughter and grandson.

D.F. Bradpher married Lucy J. He died by 1917, about age 68 and Lucy died in 1933. Both of Salem Virginia.

Asbury, J. C. Odd Fellows’ Journal. (Philadelphia, Pa.), Vol. 3, No. 41, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 11, 1900; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth523664/: accessed January 16, 2024),University of North Texas Libraries.