The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1869-12-22
The Only Female Mason.

The Hon. Elizabeth st. Logger
was the only female who was cvcr
initiated into the mystery Of Free
masonry. She has had Two de-
grccs-tho first and sccond-con-
lcrrcd on her. AS it may be in
tcresting to tho general reader,
wo give tho story rs to how Miss
Deger obtained this honor, pre-
missing that the information comes
from tho best Of sources. Lord
Doneralle, Miss ST. Lcgcr's father,
II very Jealous Mason, held IL war.
rant and occasionally opened lodge
ut Doncrallo House his sons and
somo intimate friends assisting ;
and it is said that never were Ma
sonic duties more vigorously per
formed than by the brethren of
No. $50, the number Of their
warrant.
1t appears that previous to the
initiation Of gentleman TO the
first degree Of Masonry, Miss st.
l'cgcr, who was young girl, hap
pened to DC in an apartment ad-
joining the room generally used
rs lodge room, but whether the
young lady was there by design
or mcrcl y accident, VIC cannot con
tidcntly state. The room ut tho
time was undergoing somc altcra-
ton among other things the wall
was considerably reduced in one
part for the purpose Of making Il
saloon. The young lady having
heard tho voices Of Frccmasons,
ami being melted by the curisity
natural TO all to Soc this mystery,
SO long antso secretly locked up
from tho public view, had the
courage to pick n brick from the
wall with her scissors, and thus
witness the two first steps Of the
ceremony.
Curiosity gratilicd, fear at once
took possession OF her mind, and
those who understand this passage
we'll know what tho feeling of
any person must be who could IN.
lawfully behold that ceremony j.;
let them Judge what were the
feelings of young girl under such
extraordinary instances.
There was no mode of escape, OK
cept through the very room where
the concluding part Of tho second
step was still being solcmnizcl at
the far end. and the room a very
large one, Miss st. Legcr had res
olntion enough to attempt her
escape that way, and, with light
but trembling steps, giidcd along
nnotscrvcd, laid her hand on the
handle of tho door and opened IT,
bat before her stood, to her dismay,
Il grim tiler with his long sword
unshcathcd.
a. shrek that pierced through
the apartments alarmed the mem
bcrs Of The lodge, who, all rush
ing to the door, and finding, that
Miss St. Lcgcr had been in the
room during the ceremony, re-
solved. it is said, in tho paroxysm
Of their rage, to, put the fair
*pcctatress to death; but at the
moving and earnest supplication
of her youngest brother, her life
was spare, on col: 'i!icn Of har
gol"g through the two remaining
stcns Of the solemn ceremony she
had nu|awruIly Witnessed This
sho consented to, and they con.
dGctcd tho beautiful and terrified
young Indy through those trials
wh'~h arc sometimes moro than
enough for masculino resolution,
littlo thinking they were taking
into the bosom Of their craft u
member that would reflect r. iustrc
on tho annals Of Masonry.
Miss St. Lcger was cousin to
General Anthony St. Logcr, who
instituted the interesting raco and
celebrated Doncastcr st. Logor
stakes, Eventually sho married
Richard Aldworlh, Esq, Of New
market, II member Of highly
honoraLIo and anciont family.
Whenever a benefit was given at
any Of tho theatres in Dublin or
Cork, for tho Masonic Female
Orphan Asylum, Mrs. Aldworth
walked at tho head of tho Froo.
masons, with hor apron md othcr
insignia Of Froomasonry, and sat
in tho front row Of tho stage box.
Tho house was always crowded on
these occasions. Tho portrait Of
this ostimablo woman is in tho
lodge in lroland,-New York Era.
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