Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-02-07
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!. GFor the Ohio Salesman .lah g.fl
Honor to Whom Honor is Due |;
Or, the BeneVOIence Of Free MasOns.
In flourishing city OF the West, on a
pleasant September morning, Mrs. Smith
sailed forth to make morning call. She
had not walked far before she came to the
| splendid residence of Mrs. More, who was
a very dear friend and had been a school
mate of hers in early life. She rang the
bell, and on the servants appearance, being
certain of Injecting with warm reception,
she requested to be conducted directly to
the sitting room. Here she was kindlyre-
ceived by Mrs. M, Miss Dora and her
daughter LOttie. Not until she had become
seated did she notice the presence OF a
stranger. An introduction was given, and
when all were again seated, the converse
tion naturally turned upon the splendor
and solemnity of the funeral which oc-
Cured in the city on yesterday-it being
that not only of a wealthy and prominent
citizen, but an officer high in rank in the
Masonic Fraternity. The body followed
next in procession after the mourners, with
all their regalia, next the citizens, which
truly made solemn and imposing specta-
Gle. Mrs. Smith remarked that ever since
she had attended this funeral she had
thought seriously OF urging Mr.. Smith to
become Mason: for said she, have, from
early life, had friendly feeling towards
them, having some little knowledge of their
kindness to a poor widow in my native
village.
! Mrs. More replied that it was a subject
that she had never reflected upon; but, said
she, / can never regard them in any other
way than with admiration since wit
Messing with what kindness, sorrow and
sympathy they laid that dear brother of
theirs in the grave on yesterday.
Miss Dora "a maiden sister of Mr..
More's), said, she could never admire a
fraternity that was sworn to such great
secresy, and did not believe that any good
could emanate from any secret meetings.
This last expression caused Miss Lottie,
| "a bright young girl less than seventeen
years ol1) to reply to her aunt: "Why aunt
Dora, l made up my mind long since to
marry none other than a Free Mason
there are so many advantages. If misfor-
tune, sickness, or any calamity over
takes you, you know that you have friends
that will not forsake you. The great Sc
cresy you speak Of, according to my
mind, is in accordance with the Bible, where
we are commanded mot to let the right
hand know what the left doeth.'"
Mrs. NJ, seeing that Miss Dora was be-
looming quite excited on the subject, said
that to decide the matter, we would refer
it to Mrs. G., who had up to this time taken
no part in the conversation. She remarked
that to decide this question she would re-
late a circumstance, with their consent,
which she knew to be true 1t will, how
ever, require much patience on your part,
for the story will be lengthy one; but
they all cried, "go on" She then proceed
! ed as follows: i-.rr,.r ...ga.-a1 -.+.
I When my youngest brother was but
eighteen, he left the paternal home and
went to the South. His business at first
required him to change his location often;
but after he had been there few years he
married Kentucky lady and settled in that
State. He was induced, by the persuasions
of brother-in-law, to connect himself
with the Masonic Lodge of that place; he
did so, and from what learned, performed
faithfully the duties assigned to him. Soon
after the war commenced, he changed his
residence to that of Union City, Tennessee.
Here he found a general stagnation in all
business, and the people suffering seriously
from the effects of the war. 1t was on
July 2lst, 1863, while he was returning
from Hickman, where he had been for sup
plies for his family, that he met with a seri-
Gus accident on the cars, that instantly de-
prived him of all power to walk or move,
and nearly all sensation. He was now liv-
ing far from any of his relatives, in a coun-
try where the war was furiously raging,
and where nearly all of his property was sac
rihced. But now came forward his Mason
ic Brothers, and faithfully did they cling to
him, and provide for him and his distressed
family for three long months, when death
| fn Is rnli iaf ,nsr ,,,r1
did not cease when they had buried that
dear brother of mine beneath Southern
soil. No; all that long, dreary winter they
looked after and provided for that poor
distressed family. But, to add to their af-
Fiction, on the 9TH of March following, the
mother died, leaving four helpless children,
the eldest but nine and the Youngest an
infant but a few days old. Mr.. Hughes Ia
MasOn) and his lady, Immediately took
charge of the children, by including them
in their own household. This was quite a
burthen, for they, like all others, had seri-
ously suffered from the effects of the pillag-
ing of both armies. One Captain Harris Ia
Mason) and Provost Marshal of the city,
had been very efficient in providing for the
family. The city was attacked on the Ath
OF March by Forrest, that great guerrilla
chief, and our noble Captain was borne
off a prisoner South. 1t was after this
deemed advisable to take the children and
if possible find their friends in the North,
\ as every family found it difficult to provide
for themselves. But who would consent to
| undertake the journey and care tor an in
fantso young? .., ...I 4 .,..
Miss Mollie Hughes, lovely and intelli-
gent girl, assumed the task, accompanied
by her father. If time would permit
would love to give you the particulars of
this perilous journey-the first part of it
being performed in an open OK wagon, over
rough by-roads, to avoid the guerrilla
bands that infested the country every
where; but they succeeded in crossing the
e lines unmolested, and few more days of
travel brought them to their few relatives
in the North. By us they were gladly well
coined, for great had been our anxiety lest
g they should become scattered and We should
/. lose sight of them, .. II. 4, E. .rr'- ,
soon found, however, that to me 1t was
very unpropitious time to have my cares
and labors so increased; for The mechanics
| were just ready to commence repairing
/, and adding to. our dwelling. Ny poor tath-
er was, and had been, sick for the last three
| months, and every spare hour l felt should
be spent by his bedside; and q heavy har-
vest was just before me, and all the help L
had for both nursery and kitchen was a
slender daughter fifteen years of age. I'm
der these circumstances, felt compelled to
seek for assistance from some source. With
great earnestness and solicitude / presented
the case to citizens both far and near, plead
with tears in my eyes if thev would only
| give homes to two Of them, that it would