West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS

Raymond Lodge No. 146 was instituted in West Liberty Sept. 6, 1887 by officers of the Muscatine Lodge.

The organization meeting began shortly after noon and lasted until early morning. Those initiated as charter members were Howell Hise, C. C.; A. J. Westland, V. C.; R. C. Wagner, Prelate; Oscar Ady, M. A.; R. S. Phillips, M. E.; H. C. Nichols, M. F.; W. A. Henderson, K. of R. and S.; Grant Nichols, I. G.; Lewis Webster, O. G.; C. S. Merrill, John Swain, Henry Pugh, E. M. Warner, Thomas Rhodes, George Gibson, and C. A. Bancroft . Of this number only Lewis Webster, Howell Hise and C. A. Bancroft survive.

The first hall was on the second floor of the Morris building. In 1902 they moved over Floyd's gracery store. In 1910 they built the opera house, retaining the upper story for their use and on Jan. 2, 1911, held their first meeting there with Ivan Noland as C. C.

Some of their outstanding events have been their picnics in the Taylor pasture, home talent plays, and the carnival held in the opera house.

December 8, 1919, saw the largest class for initiation, with 36 in the group.

April 26, 1938, Grand Keeper of Records and Seal, R. R. Hibbs of Marengo came and presented to P. N. Gibson, a 50-year jewel at a special meeting held for that purpose. Mr. Gibson is the first Knight here to receive such distinction.

The present membership is 135 and in its present officers will be found three generations, the youngest of which is Edwin Nay, the C. C.

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