Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1867-03-16
IN TAH
From the Sal, Lake vsde,te, March 9th.

prevented its earlier appearance in our
columns:
Since the days when the army under
johnson was stationed at Camp Floyd,
who had with them a Travelling Dispen-
sation to convene and hold meetings Of
Masons, the efforts to form q regular
Lodge, though attended with much zeal,
had never proved successful.
An application was made BY many
officers and soldiers at Camp Douglas
for q dispensation to form a Lodge to
several Jurisdictions. The request had
been universally denied to that extent,
when Masons were more plenty in the
city, that the refusal which had greeted
former applicants discouraged a renewal
by many who were residents of this city.
In November, 1865, Mr.. W. G. Higley,
who had emigrated from Iowa and con
cluded to settle here, on finding so much
finished material, disregarded all former
discoursgemeuts, devoted his time and
attention in calling such Of the Masons
as he became acquainted with, until be
succeeded in getting sufficient signers to
call for a meeting. Accordingly, on the
9th of November, ten or twelve claiming
to be Masous assembled at the Odd Eel
lows Hall, among whom were VIM. l..
Hasey, VIM. G. Higley, James NJ. Ellis,
E. Emanuel, F. II. Lewis, J. II. Lewis,
Frank Shoemaker, and many others.
After discussing some preliminary points
an organization vas effected, VIM. l..
Halsey being chosen President and J.
N. Thurmond, Esq, Secretary.
The meeting was unanimous for start
ing a Masonic Lodge. A Committee on
Correspondence was appointed, which
consisted of ]. n. Ellis, F. H. Lewis and
VIM. L. Halsey.
A permanent organization was then
effected, styled a Masonic School Of In
struction, with the following officers:
W. L. Halsey, President; ]. N. Ellis,
First Assistant; VIM. G. Higley, Second
Assistant; ]. N. Thurmond, Secretary;
F. H. Lewis, Treasurer. Meetings were
held regularly once a week and invita-
tons published to Masous in good stand
ing favoring the formation of a lodge to
cooperate. In about three weeks from
the first meeting the Committee on Cor
re~spondence reported q favorable re-
sponse from the jurisdiction Of Nevada.
The members were then requested to
get their DENTS. Arrangements were
made for the renting and fitting up OF a
suitable room. All of which having
been smicably and tremendously accom-
plished by the unanimous aid of the
Masons at a cost Of about $500. Jewels,
records, furniture and various other
Masonic implements were procured. II
was then agreed to name the new lodge,
Mount Moriah Lodge.
A petition was regularly drawn up,
asking the VI. W., Joseph De Bell, then
Grand Master Of Masons Of Nevada, to
grant a dispensstion to form a lodge OF
Mssons at Salt Lake City. The petition
was signed by IA Master Masous in good
standing, aud their prayer Endorsed BY
the lodge at Austin. A general jubilee
and holiday prevailed on the reception
of the document, which it took about
four months to procure. A large and
respectable procession Of Masons was
formed, numbering about 10; after
marching through the principal streets,
they proceeded to Independence Hall,
when, amidst the throng that crowded
that spacious room, the ceremony OF
forming the new lodge was performed
by a skillful brother. A banquet for
Masons at their hall in the evening
closed the eveutful exercises Of the day
that planted Masonry under legal au-
thority in Utah. The Lodge was formed
on the 4th Of February, 1867.
Ever since, the Lodge has worked in
harmony, and spread its knowledge and
usefulness.
At the late annual communication OF
the Grand Lodge, Mount Moriah petit
toned for a charter, and elected the
following officers: ]. N. Ellis, W. NJ;
W. G. Higley, Sr. W.; W. L. Halsey,
Jr. W; W. T. Auerbach, Sec, and
Chas. Pepper, Treasurer.
The Grand Lodge, in its wisdom, saw
fit to deny the request, and yet asked
Mount Moriah to work under DISPENSE
ton for another year.
Masons adhering to perseverance, this
act on the part Of the Grand Lodge did
not slacken their zeal, and Mount Mo-
riah to-day prospers, and hopes the de-
lay in obtaining the charter will only
better qualify them for the many duties
and uses of a Lodge.
With the common view Of all Masons,
to obtain Masonic power, a number Of
brethren have procured a dispensation
from the Grand Lodge Of Montana, and
formed another Lodge, thus adding to
the laurels of Masonry another star
both lodges meet in the same hall.
Mount Moriah, U. T., may r~ightfully
attribute its origin to the efforts Of W.
G. Higley, who is honored to-day with
the position of Sr. W; the second, yet
q most important Office in a Lodge.
The Lodge is at present composed Of
some of the best citizens Of this place.
Their communications are but once in
each lunar month, which is on the sec
ond Tuesday Of each month. The Off
GERS are-Jsmes n. Ellis, Worshipful
Master; VIM. G. Higley, Sr. Warden
Louis Cohn, Jr. Warden; T. Il. Auer-
bach, Secretary ; Charles Pepper, Treas
urer I; Jas. F. Nounnan, Sr. Deacon; II.
Aaron, Jr. Deacon; Vim. N. Johns and
P. Quinn, Stewards; Edward P. john