, 1876-04-02
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Rob Morris Impressions Of Colorado
Masons Of High and Low
Degres.
News from the Odd Fellows at
Home and Abroad.
Seine Further Discussion Of the KNIGHTS
ef PJthias Mortuary Law.
MASONIC,
TIE CRAFT IN COLORADO.
fRH bnkSw$ Rnr~j& TT NJ

[By Robert Morris, IL.D.l
The Territory Of Colorado assumed ita plaos
among sister Territories under the largest MI
Sonic influence. The "mystio tie" did, from
tins beginning, largely take the place in the
Western Territories of church connections. po-
itlcal bonds. and whatever e1se ssems to hold
men together and restrain the outbreak Of pas
sion. These mountain MEN are full OF details,
which they delight 10 communicate, OF the in-
f1uence OF FreemaaourY IN preserving life, prop
erty, and honor in The outbreaks incident to bor-
der Life and. while the more settled condition
OF afTairs now gives the Sheriff md the Courts
their proper authority. yet the benign influence
Of trowei and gavel are visible enough among
ths canons to any man whose ayes ara sharp
ened to read them.
The trowel with it, soothing notes Of psacs,
ID more potent to-day than tho writ in the hand
Of Constable or shertff.
l. copy OF the State seal OF the. Territory Of
Colorado exhibits, in. its coat~of- -arms, larger
degree Of scunen in Masonic symbology than
OF heraldry. Indeed, doubt if "Garter King
alarms " could read the Colorado great seal by
any law Of heraldry. Crest an AiI-seeing Eye in q
Trisngle; that's pure kymbolizing OF ths Royal
Arch, ~ evsry follower Of Prince Zerubbabel
knows.
Below that tbs Faces Of Roman fame, the
AZ tied up in bundle OF roda. But if that
wasn't borrowed from the Trestle Board Of tho
earlier Masonic lodges, then don't know what
borrowing MEANS. In the first aud second
the crests Of three lofty mountains, rep
reBenting Loag's Peak in the north, Pixies
Peak in the south, and some other aspiring
candidate for mountainous honors in the centre.
This is, perhtps, suggested BY the well-knovn
expression, ''our ancient brethren met on high
one OF these peaks would be about as near
Heaven "a tht terrestrial lodge Can well get
aud the rariGed iir wonld require heavier gavel
than usual to mike Worshipful Masters orders
heard. I find n lecturing lodges only 6,o00
feet above the sa-lsvel. that my ordinary bet-
lows is quite inadequate to fill the hall, and
am compelled todrau upon reserved forces to
degree that is quite painful
The third and :ourth quarters OF the shield
exhibit or the ptkax and mallet Of the miner,
band who came tp all the way from Babylon to
Jerusalem 70 reauifd the house Of the Lord.
without hope Of ee or reward.
AIy visits to Colorado lodges hare comprised
those Of Denye1 Boulder City, Golden City.
Central City lncllding Black Hawk and Nevada,
do Springs, Pueblo, Canon City, and Greeley.
A view OF the MP will show that this tskea N
tho settled portins Of the Territory, and af-
fords q survey all its varieties of grazing
lands and mountau-rauges To say that tiud
these craftsmen lfse hearted, liberal derotees
of Masonic duty, gnial to the tranger-brother,
is only to echo thtreports Of al Who have gone
this way before M Some Of the pecullarities
OF the Order in Cobrsdo will be briefly summed
up:
vance OF those in Eastern localities. That At
Central City would honor Chicago itself. The
halls in Boulder, (oldeu, and Greeley a1e e1-
tremely cllaste aud ;tt1actiye. The bail in Den
yer is worthy Of tht large and thriving metrop-
olis> The "a me compliment may be paid to the
rest. a good equipge of working tools, jewels,
furniture; and "atprints is found In nearly
Ths fee Of the s,eostary hero is liberal. IS be-
comes the importAns OF Ills Office. Quoting
from tho Bylaws OF Nevada Lodge No. 4:
as The Secretary shai receive the sum Of 500
tion for his services The Tyler shall receive
for lis services s3 br each communication at
which he ty1es." mo Mason shall be re-
quired to give hi reasons for the vote
be has deposited; # the very secrecy Of the
ballot ia intended tosecure the independence
ard irresponsibility the lodge, Of the voter"
Iutemperauce is terma - q Masonic crime " and
it is made the inpefat7e duty Of every lodge to
restrain 1t by suapeRion or expulsion, rs the
case may require. Ihefee for the three degrees
The fraternity at Geegetown hovo established
q Masonic cemetery. II illustrates ths mount
ainous character Of ne surroundings, to say
that the only level plao that could be secured ia
miles down the Eally, at tha head OF which
tho city is located Thre the fraternity, in con-
junction with the 0d-FellowB, have laid of 8
showy SITE covering abut five acres. Tho plan
embraces circular plo planted with ornament-
al trees aud to which d the alleys III the ceme- |
terry point. About 81; 100 has already been e1-
;~,A +x7 a. Ann rt1, S&en
sscration II 1869, and averal craftsmen are now
lying there ~ beneath tho evergreen sprig"
awaiting tho resurrectio.
TIE number OF Coloido lodges at present is
-, the largest menberaip (127) being No: s; at
Denver Nos snd 10 Nnt to the formation of |
the Grand Lodge Of Motana; Nos. 16 and l8 to !
the formation Of the Grnd Lodge Of Wyoming |
No. q to the Grand bdgs OF Utah, 80 that !
Colorado is in sense tb mother Grand Lodge
Of three others. haalthy, Justly children.
In 1875, under recognad authority, the Grand
Chapter Of Colorado ~aa;ormed having At pres
ent, seven euburdinateasiz-; at Centra! City, !
Denver, Pueblo, Georgetwn, Golden. Colorado ]
Springs, snd Boulder he Grsnd High Priest |
Of this body, is u Hon. William N. !
Dyers, proprietor OF he Rocky Mountain
in the West. The Grid Secretary of this
boay and equally Of the tand Lodge, IS Ed O. |
ParmeIee, OF GeorgetoHi long aud favorably |
known as q model officer the - Grand South
east" Nhllo Ta8 IN EnVer, authority Was
received from the Grand laster Of the Knights
Templars Of the United Skes to organize - the |
Grand Commandery Of Clorado." there being
three Commanderies now.s WORK here, viz, at
Denver, Central, and Pueto. The Grand Master
Of the Grand Lodge is ORR H. Henry, gentle
man muct, beloved by theraft.
Many story is told Of 10 difficulties the old
Masons encountered in hiding their lodges ss-
curely for want Of sultab halls In Boulder
City log cabin ia still e1lhitad where the first
in that vicinit were held. Itco
Iylers we're found neceseat to keep of "cowans
and eayesdroppers, and saaty tue Just scruples
OF q suspicious circle OF 1fsous. !,
1t Georgetown the Loda is hold at point
3, 1z0 feet above the sea ltel! This is proba-
bly, nearest heaven Of any trestria1 Lodge. It
will be pity indeed II any,f the good fellows
whom mat in that enthuasric band should
fail BY neglsct Of privileg etto reach heaven Ut
last!
The memory of Bishop Randall, formerly
Grand Master Of Massschutts aud al active
Mason after his acceptance ! this Diocese, is
highly rsvered in Colorado. Other gentlemen
favorably known to your AsonIc readers arc
located in thus Territory, aong whom may
,lte the Hon. II. r. BEomwe!Past Grand Mas
ter Of Illinois. T.
NV two weeks' tour throug Colorado has 90 |
accustomed me to tho sight oA,e precious metals
haI they have become Inherent To me. |
rode 20 miles in the atse with my feet !
resting upon brick, "perft brick" silver |
,ric. rortf1 al an which wnkoinr dor,, fka / ,