In fraternities Cambridge seems to have moved very slow at first, but has, since 1882, evidently determined to make up for lost time, for there is now in existence Masonic, Odd Fellows, Grand Army, Relief Corps, Sons of Veterans, United Workmen and Good Templar societies. Tabernacle Lodge No. 452, A. F. & A. M., was the first permanent one, organized by Grand Master George B. Van Laun July 13, 1883. The first officers were G. M. Hall, W. M.; G. W. Barrows, S. W. ; and M. G. Rodearmel, J. W., with charter members P. H. Ream, A. S. Aplin, NI. D. Livingston, S. Bossuot, T. J. McKee, W. P. Clark, W. H. Clark, W. H. Grafton, S. and J. Flickinger. Since then they have increased to twenty-eight members, and used the United Workmen's hall. Their successive worshipful masters have been as follows: G. M. Hall, 1883; P. H. Ream, 1884; A. S. Aplin, 1885; S. Flickinger, 1886; A. P. King, 1887; A. F. Mills, 1888-89; and A. S. Aplin, 1890. About two months later, September 20, 1883, was formed Ersland Post No. 234, G. A. R., with thirty-four members, by Capt. W. T. Wilkinson, of Des Moines. The successive commanders are R. May, 1883; A. P. King, 1884; H. R. Detwiler, 1885; P. H. Ream, 1886; H. R. Detwiler, 1887; John Jory, 1888; A. J. Hainline, 1889, and J. M. Brown, 1890. Their post property is valued at about $100, and their membership has increased to forty-three. After using the A. O. U. W. and A. F. & A. NI. halls they secured one of their own. The Relief Corps was formed in 1885, with Mrs. M. Jory as president. They number about forty persons. Following this, December 10, 1885, Story Lodge No. 486, I. O. O. F., was instituted by T. B. Schmeltzer, D. D. G. M. The charter members were H. J. Maxwell, A. W. Southwick, J. S. Kies, Frank Rutan and J. E. Shafer. They use their own hall, and have cash and property to the amount of $605, while their membership has reached fifty. These are the noble grands in order of service: J. S. Kies, 1885-86; J. E. Shafer, 1886; H. J. Maxwell, 1887; A. W. Southwick, 1887; M. M. Mason, 1888; D. W. C. Beck, 1888; K. A. Ersland, 1889; and J. M. Brown, 1890. Nearly two years after the organization of this one, Gen. J. M. Tuttle Camp No. 77, Sons of Veterans, began their career on May 19, 1887, under the direction of Capt. John H. Picket, of Ames. The first officers were Capt. J. E. Murphy; K. A. Ersland, first lieutenant; W. S. Cronk, second lieutenant; Clarence King, first sergeant; W. J. Detwiler, Q. M. S. ; E. A. Ersland, chaplain; M. F. King, S. of G. ; J. E. Jones, color sergeant, and other usual officers. They have doubled their first membership of thirteen to twenty-six. They used the G. A. R. hall. These are successive captains: J. E. Murphy, 1887; K. A. Ersland, 1887-88; and Clarence King, 1889-90. Besides these the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Good Templars have both built up fair societies.
One striking evidence of the new life infused by the railway's advent was the beginning of the Cambridge press. The Independent headed the list, with its first issue June 7, 1881, by Lee & Rash as a five-column folio. It lasted but a few months, and was succeeded, April 27, 1882, by Dolph Brothers' (Republican) Cambridge Reporter, which became a six-column paper about a year later in the hands of G. Dolph. This in turn made room for its successor, the Cambridge Argus, a seven-column folio, first issued June 6, 1884, by W. B. Bachtell, a Republican. Another change occurs, and Vol. I, No. 1, of the Cambridge Herald appears on February 27, 1885, of smaller size, and under the direction of Parks & Brinkerhoff, the latter of whom withdrew a few months later. The next change