The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-02-21

~u@tS VI u4Isc4S-4ppI assembled on w eu-
nesday last in its Goth Annual Commu-
nication. The body was organized in
1913, and has met annually except in
1867. 1t represents constituency of
three hundred Subordinate Lodges, and
an aggregate membership of nearly ten
thousand.
In looking over the roll of those who
have occupied the exalted station of
Grand Master of the Craft, we recognize
the names of many of the most eminent
and useful citizens of the State. To be
the chief executive officer of such a
body Of men is great honor, and is
awarded only to those who are most
conspicuous in serving the craft with
freedom, ferveney and zeal"
AS compliment to the Grand Lodge,
and to him who so ably presided over
the craft in Mississippi during the past
year, we present above what will Be
recognized by his host of friends as a
fair likeness, and we are sure that a
brief sketch Of his personal and Masonic
career will be appreciated.
FREDERIC SPEED, son Of the late Col.
James Speed, of Michigan, one of the
distinguished Virginia and Kentucky
family of that name, was born at Ithaca,
n. ", September 22d, 1912, and removed
with his parents to Detroit in 1913,
where he received an academic educa-
ton. In 1860, his father, who was the
President of the United States Tele.
graph Company, whose lines extended
from Washington to Portland, Maine,
purchased a summer residence near the
latter city, and it was at that place,
where the subject of our sketch was
found on the breaking out of the late
war, and from which he entered the
army, enlisting as private and rising
by promotion to the responsible post Of
Assistant Adjutant General, receiving
hislirst commission while yetin his minor,
ity; serving with distinction on the stat
of several of the Generals of the Union
Army, and being honorably mustered
out Of the service at the close of the
war--his last service having been with
General Candy, he found himself al
Vicksburg, where he engaged in exten
sive business operations with the late
Col. Oliver Matthews. Having beer
admitted to the bar, he was appointed
at the request of the bar and many Of
the most prominent citizens Of Warner
county, Judge of the Criminal Court Of
that county by General Ames, but fail
ing to see the wisdom of the policy oil
reconstruction as pursued by Genera
Ames, he was, with Judge Jeffords ant
other liberal-minded Republicans, sum
marily removed to make way for other
whose Republicanism was more pro
nounced, Judge Speed presided owe
the convention which nominated Judg,
Dent, and took an active part in tina
canvass, editing the Vicksburg Time
and making canvass of the State, dur
ing which he developed great force anC
ability as a speaker and editor. At thu
termination Of that unfortunate canvas
he retired from politics, and has sine,
devoted himself with unremitting atten
ton to the practice of his profession
accommodating means and winning tn,
good will and friendship Of the com
munity in which he resides, amongs
whom he is justly popular.
| Initiated into masonry in Harmony
Lodge No. SO, at Gorham, Me-, in Febru
ary, 1866, he affiliated with VIM. II
Stevens Lodge No. l21, at Vicksburg il
1867, and has risen step by step, filling
nearly all the Offices in his Lodge
Chapter and Commandery, to the proud
est and most honorable position in tn,
| gift Of the craft, the Grand Mastership
IN 1878. he was crowned a Sovereign
Grand Inspector General BY the Su
preme Council, and is now the only SO
/ in this State. ae
Judge Speeds FIRST appearance in TIL
Grand Lodge was at the session il
Vicksburg, in january, 1871, as Senioi
| Warden Of his Lodge. Since then, b
has been present at every meeting, anC
As d member Of the Law Committee
Committee on Complaints and Appeals
and AZ chairman Of many importan
special committees, has been conspicuou
| for the industry and ability with whicl
| he has prepared and submitted every mat
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