Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-06-19
The Cornerstone Laying at Hamilton

nj the exercises ut Hamilton Loudoun county,
Yesterday. ON the occasion of the laying of the
corner stone of the Masouic Temple there, to-
grthcr with the Incidents Of the trip, Nc:
The Grand Lodge of Virginia formed with
Most Worshiptnl T. i. Withers, Grand Mas
ter: Right Worshiptu w. IL. Lambert, Deputy
Grand Master; Right Worshipful +. a. Reed,
Senior Grand Warden; Right Worshlpiul +.
I, Brockctt Junior Grand Warden; Worship
ful Il. NJ. Love, Grand Chaplain; Worshptul
Rrothers George T. Head, il. ID. Hess and
Geo, Il. French, Bearers of the Great big hts;
Wocshpful Brother b. L. Price; Principal
Architect. The corn, wine and oil were borne
by Worslpiul Brother Mu>sry and TWO other
Masters of Lodges from Washington.
The Grand Lodge formed in front oil the
Hamilton Lodge room and was escorted to the
s;t. of the new Temple by Old Dominion Com
mandcry Knights Tcmplar, Andrew Jackson
Lodge. No. TO, Olive Branch Lodge OF lees
Lurr, Hiram lodge OF Washington, ID. e., No.
TO- and Hamilton Lodge No. 81.
Upon arriving at the spot where the cerc-
monies were to take place the Grand Lodge
took position on IA platform erected Tor the pur
pose. the TcmplarS and Nlasons forming a
square around it. The stone was hen raised
and 4 short prayer repeated by the Grand
ChanIain The Grand Secretary thcn by or
der of the Grand Master, read a list Of articles
Icpositcd in the box, after which an ode was
sung by the Masonic choir. The Principal
Architect then came forward and presented the
working tools to the e. NJ, who in turn pre-
seutcd the square, level and plumb to the
DEPUTY &. NJ, Grand Senior arden, and
Grand Junior Warden, respectively, who APP
piled them to the stone and PRONOUNCED 1t
well formed, true and tru.ty. Gold and
silver vessels were next brought and presented
to the G.. NJ, who, according to ancient ccre-
nopy, pourcd corn, wine and oil upon the stone,
rencatinp a short prayer. Lie then struck the
stone three times with the mallet, and public
grand honors were given, after which he rcas-
ceudcd the platform and delivered an Grafton,
which was listened to with marked attention.
Another ode was then sung, after which the
Grand Lodge was closed in due form. The
PROCESSION was then reformed and marched to
the grove.
The grove where the speaking took place
and the dinner was served, was provided with
seats and stand for the speakers and the mn-
sic. Donch's band took the stand to the left
Of the speakers, aud Gross band that on the
right. The Hamilton and Lccsburg bands Oc
cupicd their chariots i'll the rear OF the audi
enec, aud during the evening rendered some
beautiful airs The District Of Columbia Ma
sonic choir was called on the speaker stand
and sang several beautiful songs, among them;
'"Thc Rhine" "Millur's song, the Toast
and the "Waltz
The only interruption during the evening
was the breaking of several benches on which
the ladies' were seated, but fortunately, nouc
were injured
To the right of the speakers stand several
large tables had been spread, but they were
scarcely strong enough to hold the good things
with which they were loaded, and which the
ladies of Hamilton were selling for the benefit
of Hamilton Lodge. The ice cream was delcl-
Gus and worth double the price charged for the
privilege of having it served by such lovely
creatures.
Before The dinner was served the Masonic
fraternity and aSsemhagc were entertained
for Il short while with Il beautiful address from
II. f. Withcrs, Grand Master fihc State.
Dlnner over the crowd gathered around the
speakers stand again to witness the prescnta
ton of Bible from the ladies' Of the village to
specimen Of work manship, being bound in rur
key nlorocco and heavily urnancn'cd with gilt.
1t bore the following inscription on the back
''PrcScnrcd to laniltun Ludsc, No. 81, a. i,
4 \. ~, lS7:'.' The presentation speech WAS
made by D. Mortimer klIgour in his usual clio
qucnt style, and was received by Maj. John }.
| White in short but appropriate speech, alter
which the hllglc sounded and the line wis
formed for the march to the 'aIinn, where The
cars were waiting To convey the visiting brcth-
rem to their homes.
Every mode OF conveyance was brought into
use to convey persons To and from the trains,
and from the lot, where the corner stone WAS
laid, to the grove.
The Loudouu county horses not being used
to music, gave their riders and drivers much
trouble, and several of the riders were thrown.
One Young man who was riding Il very spirited
stccd, was thrown about five feet i'll the air and
came down to the ground with great force, but,
fortunately struck the ground in sitting po-
sitiOn and therefore was not hurt
Hamilton is Il strictly temperance village, as
many will testify. The only thing that could
! be obtained in the place stronger han soda was
Crawford Crooks Virginia Bitters. y Forlu-
natcly for some our friend Joe" had littlc
life preserver" along, but the "articc" being
very scarce, water had to take its place. and
when the thirsty crowd attacked the hogShcad
of ice water, it was soon cmptcd, and as the
water had to be brought from !; distance in
barrels, which were hauled in an OK cart, ii
| was some time before the supply was rcpcn-
iShcd.
Henry Brcngc was wise enough to bring up
good supply Of ice cream, which he found
| ready sale for on the train going and returning.
The ride back to this good old town was a
jolly one, everybody being in a good humor
Yarns" we're spun" jokes played, songs
sung, and every kind Of rncrriuent INDUCED in.
All expressed themselves as being we'll pleased
with the trip and the hearty welcome which
was extended them by the people Of Hamilton.
The full enjoyment of the trip was somewhat
marcd by the dust, which was al most unbear
able sometimes. and the heat, which was intense
in the rays of tic sun; but the good people Of
the beautiful little village could not coatrol
these things.
On the arrival of the train at the Fairfax
street depot the line was again formed, and
Old Dominion Commandery escorted Andrew
Jackson Lodge to their hall, and the visiting
Knights to the Mansion House, where they
we're refreshed previous to their departure for