Bertram M. Downs visiting Jovian get together

[Newspaper]

Publication: The Atlanta Constitution

Atlanta, GA, United States
vol. 46, no. 227, p. 6, col. 4

SONS OF JOVE GATHER

FOR ANNUAL BANQUET

Twenty-Five Neophytes Were

"Tortured" for Hours Before

Feast Began.

"It was "some feed," that Jovian affair at the Transportation club last night. More than 200 regular fellows — live wires of the electrical world — were there to make the annual rejuvenation "some blowout."

The feast followed the greatest session ever held by the order in the south, and that is going some, when Austin, Fort Worth, Dallas and some other cities, New Orleans included, are considered.

There were twenty-five Neophytes put "over the jumps," the largest number on record in these parts. They were M. W. Alldman, N. G. Harrison, W. F. Baker, Thomas E. Harris, Charles D. Wayre, G. K. Heyer, W. A. Northington, J. R. Field, F. X. Troxell, W. E. Lottspeitch, W. E. Flowers, E. Doherty, D. R. Peteet, C. J. French, P. E. Davidson, Dr. J. A. Gentry, A. H. Lyon, Tom Gentry, M. J. Rooke, and F. E. Austin.

The rejuvenation was conducted by Gadsden E. Russell, statesman, and F. E. Montgomery, alternate statesman, at Cable Hall. The torture began at 6:30 o'clock and lasted until nearly 9 o'clock. Among the notable visiting Jovians were: E. J. Wallis, toastmaster; B. M. Downs, Cincinnati; Tom Bibler, New York; B. H. Scranton, Detroit, and George E. Watts, a dyed-in-the-wool Atlanta disciple of Jove.

Altogether there were fifty visitors from every nook and corner of the United States.

The Order of Jovians is not a new order by any means. It was organized in Austin, Texas, more than thirteen years ago and it has a membership of 13,000 in the United States. Thomas E. Edison and other men who have made great electrical discoveries are among the members. The Atlanta lodge has 200 members, men who are leaders in the craft in this section of the south.

Keywords:Hemingray : Employees : Bertram M. Downs
Researcher notes:From: "Fra Magazine: Exponent of American Philosophy, January 1913 - June 1913," vol. XXIV, p. xi. In the year Eighteen Hundred Ninety-nine, there was organized in Austin, Texas, a society known as "The Jovians." This was simply a local organization of men who were engaged in the business of harnessing electricity. . . . And so other Jovian societies were founded in the immediate vicinity. Wherever there was a Central Power-Plant it was suggested that there should be an association of the Jovians. And so the idea was gradually spread until the Jovians now number in the United States more than eight thousand members. Any man engaged in the business of operating electricity, selling the current, contracting, constructing, or dealing in electric supplies, is eligible. . . . [end]
Supplemental information: 
Researcher:Glenn Drummond
Date completed:August 8, 2009 by: Glenn Drummond;