The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-09-08


Among the many favorable notices
which the press have bestowed upon
the proceedings at the laying of the
cornerstone, We select the following, as
descriptive of the incidents of the oc-
casion and indicative Of the sentiments
of those present.
LAYING THE CORNER STONE OF TIE
New COURT HOUSE AT PLYMOUTH,
IND.-The cornerstone of the new
court house now being erected &C Plym
outh, Ind, was laid with the usual Ma
sonic ceremonies, on the 18th of last
month, by NJ. w. Martin H. Rice,
Grand Master. Plymouth Lodge, No.
149. L. q y. NJ, having received an in
y%itation to perform these ceremonies,
determined at once to make the occa-
sion one long to be remembered, and one
that should reflect not only credit upon
herself, but also upon Masonry in that
jurisdiction. Invitations were extended
to the several lodges and Communicates
in the northern part of the state, and at
Chicago, to be present. The committee
Of arrangements consisted of Bros.
John c.. Cushman, W. w. Hill. 0. III.
p. Bailey, Henry G.. Thayer and Mar
tin II. Rice. Arrangements were made
with the railroads tor extra trains for
the accommodation Of visitors. and
nnthInp Intt lInHnnn fn anCl1rn CI1nRncG
The morning of the day appointed
dawned with every appearance of rain,
but these soon passed away, and at s
o'clock a. M. the brethren of Plym-
Outh lodge assembled at their lodge
room, and headed by the silver cornet
band, Firemen and Lodge of Odd Fel-
lows, proceeded to the depot to receive
the delegations as they arrived, and es-
cort them to the quarters previously as
| signed them. + +
At the head of the procession VAS the
Chicago band; the other bands were
placed at the head of the different diyi-
sions. The procession marched to the
Seminary grove, where in the bcauti-
full shade had been prepared about one
third of a mile of tables, arranged par
rallel with each other, leaving sufficient
space between them for the column to
march in. The sight, as division after
division marched in at the center and
filed right and left to take their places
at the tables, was most magnificent to
behold. The dinner was served under
the direction of ID. L. Ray, Esq, Chief
Steward, formerly of the Metropolitan
Hotel, New York.
In preparing to feed this vast multi
tude, citizens generally joined with the
Masons, Odd Fellows and Firemen,
contributing in the most liberal manner
The ladies are especially entitled to much
praise for their contributions and the
important services they rendered. The
whole arrangements for dinner were
said by all to be the best they had ever
witnessed on an occasion like this. More
than two thousand persons partOok, and
there was an abundance for all. At
o'clock the procession was again formed
and marched to the court house square
As it passed Masonic Hall the officers
of the Grand Lodge fell in the rear.
x x x x
At the conclusion of these exercises
the procession was reformed, and after cs'
corting the grand lodge to masonic hall.
marched to the Parker House, where
all but the Knights Tenplars broke
ranks. After performing ~evolutions
with a precision that elected the admir-
alton Of all present, the Sir Knight:
also broke ranks, and the exercises OF
the day were ended.
There are many things connected witt
the ceremonies Of this occasion worthy O
a more extended notice than is embraced
in the above report.
The music by the bands in attendance
was excellent. The singing was good.
The Masonic ceremonies were performed
with promptness on the part of the Off.
GERS. The address gave satisfaction
and the "Anvil Chorus was highly APP
plauded. The lowest eStimatewe heard
made of the number present when the
corner stone was laid, was six thousand.
Ali who camn from abroad wern nrovi.
ded for during their stay, free cfchorgc
and returned home highly pleased with
the attentions they had received. All
those who assisted in carrying out the
programme, as laid down, are entitled
to mu;h praise. To Bros. Cushman and
Thayer Of the committee of arrange.
ments for their indefatigible labors the
craft owe a lasting debt of gratitude.
May they reap their reward.