I am forwarding a response concerning Woodsman of World. The response is from Margaret Waring, Director of Comanche Public Library, in Comanche, Texas. They have an extensive genealogy collection. Her message follows: Subject: Re: WOODSMAN OF WORLD Date: Sun, 7 Mar 1999 19:59:21 -0600 From: mtwaring@itexas.net (Margaret T. Waring) To: "Nancy Carter" <ncarter@vzinet.com> The Woodmen of the World is a fraternal organization, a lodge group. Comanche and many other small towns were once populated with such groups. Comanche had the Masons, the Woodmen, the Knights of Pythias, and the Odd Fellows. These were the gathering places of the village guy. Many men belonged to more than one bunch. The Woodmen was a lodge group but it was also a life insurance group. Members got life insurance with the deal and this also included a grave marker. Evidently there was some choice among these since I've seen large handsome markers, less impressive ones, etc. They are customarily styled as a tree stump with the limbs cut off. The Comanche lodge went away many years ago. Strictly aside, I recall going to their hall when I was an elementary school student to practice for a program we expected to present. It was up stairs in a gloomy building. They had a "prop room" where one could see all these robes, axes, other edged ceremonial weapons. There was a skull among the props. It was plain scary. At least this little kid thought it was. I have no idea what become of their local records. Their local building was extensively damaged by fire in the late 1940s and the 2nd story was removed. The group has a national headquarters which I recall is at Omaha, Neb. They have a modern web site at www.woodman.com. There, that is probably more than you wanted to know but anyway . . . Come visiting again. You will be more than welcome. Margaret > > >