On the twentieth day of July, 1873, G.W.C.T. Captain Wood. of Vallejo, organized the Merced Lodge of Good Templars, No. 459, at Merced. The following officers were installed: C.Landrum, W.C.T.; Josephine Blackburn, W.V.T.; Mrs. R.G. Steele, W.S.; J. Walker, F.S.; R.J. Steele, W.M.
Upon this occasion the Merced Lodge was presented with a full set of officer's regalia, once the property of the old Snelling Lodge. For several months, the lodge met at the Methodist Episcopal Church. It afterwards removed to Levinsky Hall.
There has been but few deaths of members in the Merced Lodge. Among the few who have passed away while members, none were more mourned or regretted than Miss Josephine Blackburn, the first Worthy Vice of Merced Lodge. This young lady was born in Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1848, and from her earliest childhood until her death she was a zealous worker in the temperance cause; and as soon as age would permit she oined the Good Templars. It was through her influence and the efforts of Mr. C. Landrum that the Merced Lodge was organized. She was educated in both vocal and instrumental music, and usually led the singing, accompanying herself upon the organ. Although a victim to consumption and in very delicate health, she never missed a night during the six months that she was a member of the Merced Lodge. She had for several weeks been too feeble to sing, but her sweet face, wreathed in angelic smiles, appeared each night until the last before her death, On the morning of the twentieth of December, 1873, without a sigh or moan, or sign of suffering, she passed from the earth. The members, both the sisters and brothers, in full regalia, marched to the grave and back, a distance of about three miles. The coffin was carried the whole distance by six young men.
The lodge lost one of its most devoted memvers when Miss Josephine Blackburn passed away. She lies beside her father, Mr. John Blackburn, in the Masonic cemetery at Merced. A marbel scroll, with the insription, "Josephine," marks her resting-place.
Durng the year 1879, it was thought advisable to organize another lodge of Good Templars at Merced. This lodge was sustained for about eighteen months, then there began to be a falling off of members, and those truly interested in the temperance work proposed to consolidate; this was agreed upon, and "May Lodge" gave up her charter and the two became one, and have since worked together harmoniously. The following are the officers installed July 1, 1881: Thomas C. Hunter, W.C.T.; Miss Allie Wright, W.V.T.; W. Sensebaugh, Secretary; Miss Jessie Peck, Treasurer. The lodge is in a flourishing condition, and has ninety-four members. It has made several generous donations to the Orphans' Home. Its influence is good upon the community and a blessing to the poor unfortunate drunkard. It is now the only temperance organization in the town of Merced.
History of Merced County, California
Elliott & Moore, Publishers
San Francisco, Cal.
1881
Page 104
Transcribed by Julie Appletoft 6/09/2008
Merced Index ~ Social Organizations Index ~ Archive Index
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