The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1885-06-27
a MASONIC FESTIVAL

Celebration of st. Johns Day at Hope Vii
la-A War Relic Restored-A Feast I'm
der the Trees "n the bayou ssapk.
EopE VILLA, la, JUNE q, 1885.
Mr.. ED1roRs
Upon the battlefield o; Cold Harbor was
found small masonic breastpin, composed Of
of plain black enamel OF gutta-percha polished
ard inlaid with silver, the latter having en-
graved upon It J. J. D.. Milford Lodge No III.
Il. Il. La. This pin fell into the hands OF par
ties in Philadelphia, subsequently finding its
way into the keeping OF Mason in Delaware.
Who by communicating with DR.. j. C. Bachelor,
Grand Secretary Of the Grand Lodge of A. F.
and A. hlasons Of this State and through him
with the M. w. James l.. Lobdeil, z. e. NJ,
then Grand Master Of Masons. by whose dill
gence its ownership vas ultimately traced, and
it was proved to have been the former property
Of Mr.. J. j. Denham, deceased member of
Milford Lodge No. III, A. F. and A. NJ, located
at this place. This Lodge concluded to have
public celebration Of this st. Johns day, and
part of the programme was the public presen-
tation of this pin. In the archives of his lodge
the full name of the deceased brother with that
Of his lodge inscribed by him upon Masonic
apron Of linen. has been preserved since his
death. and evidence goes to show that his apron
has been in the Lodge for a quarter of a century.
1t was left in the Lodge by the brother before
he became soldier of the Confederate army.
The pin alluded to was, from the evidence adj
dueed, doubtless the handiwork of the deceased
brother, wrought while in a Federal war pri-
Al
Cold Harbor. just how it got there we cannot say.
Our theory is that while the brother was in
prison it fell into the hands of some Federal
soldier. who lost it on the battlefield, and
while i'll due course Of events, by masonic guild
ance it found the former lodge Of the deceased
owner and through them. his widow and
family.
hall was 10 O'clock A. NJ, and as carly as
o'clock tho brethren began to assemble. and
about tho hour for meeting were called to
order. the lodge duly opened for business in
the Masters degree; when the NJ. w. David r.
Graham. p. NJ. Of Mount Moriah Lodge No. So
and Grand Master Of Masons Of tho State Of
Louisiana, was received with due honors. The
Grand Master was accompanied by w. Alex.
Queant. p. NJ. Of Alpha Home Lodge No. u
and Grand Tyler Of the Grand Lodge of Louis
lana: ". Ed, l., Woodside. P. NJ. of Plains
Lodge No. 1876; X. W. Geo. A. Pike, P. G. 8. w.,
and Z. Samtola Jones, s. W. Of st. James Lodge
No. II. who with the brethren Of Milford Lodge
in Masonic procession repaired to the inviting
shade Of the trees upon the banks of Bayou
Manehac, where platform and seats had been
provided, and where we're assembled quite
OF people. the families and invited
friends of the fraters for this occasion; it hav-
ing been arranged to have public celebration
OF this, st. Johns day. with public address
from the nj. w. Grand Master, a public presen-
tation of the Masonic pin and apron above
to the widow of Mr.. J. J. Denham,
who with her family was present on the occa-
sion and occupying seat upon tho platform
by special invitation. 1t had been tho inten-
ton and was part of the arrangement for Mr..
James L. Lohdell, z. q. NJ, to be present and
present the pin to Milford Lodge but illness
i'll his family unfortunately prevented his at
tendance. Col. T. Sambola Jones, 8. W. of st.
james Lodge No. ~, ably represented him and
in eloquent terms presented the relic to Milford
Lodge No. III, r. w. Geo. A. Pike receiving it
III behalf of Milford Lodge in appropriate re-
sponse; and in behalf of the lodge and frater-
nifty. NJ. w. David r. Graham. G. NJ. of NJ. of
Louisiana, in short but beautiful address, in
language ut once eloquent and expressive of
the tenderest feelings, presented it and the
linen apron to the widow of the deceased broth
er, Mr.. A. B. Booth, s. D. and p. M. Of Milford
Lodge, accepting for the lady. After these GER
emonies. an address was delivered by Grand
Master Graham. which was received with
marked attention and interest by the assembly,
and which your correspondent regrets not hav-
ing obtained a copy of for your publication.
After this. you should have seen the spread
made upon an improvised table some sixty to
seventy-fve feot long under the shade of the
beautiful cottonwood and other trees on the
banks OF Bayou Manchac at Hope Villa! Verify,
it looked Us if a vast amount of mutton, chick
en-, salads of various kinds, roast pigs, stacks
Of cakes. with bread and pickles and relishes
too numerous to mention had just been quiet
ly dropped from heaven. Surely, no one who
that spread would think this little
country settlement not self sustaining. And
the beauty of it was that the chickens, eggs,
pigs. butter potatoes ETC., which entered large
ly into the affair were raised by the thrifty
farmers here. Now. when the general invita-
ton was extended to partabe of this feast. if
your correspondent is to judge Others by him.
self tho emotion of pleasurable expectancy
was general and all appeared willing to at
Tempt to do justice to the occasion.
just hero was one Of the most beautiful and
touching incidents Of the day. When this large
assembly had gathered around this beautiful |
'pread, with NJ. W. David r. Graham, Grand |
Mater of the State. at the head Of the table, |
he in the most touching and beautiful Ian
,uase called attention to the absence of Mr. |
James Delaune. an octogenarian and tho Oldest |
member Of the Milford Lodge No III, who was |
IL and not able to be present on this festive oc-
'asion, and said that the first fruits of this
beautiful repast should be dedicated to his |
memory. Therefore, requesting that some i
ady would prepare basket for the absent |
'rother-which was done before any one else |
vas served-thc Grand Master, in the name of |
he lodge ordered it forwarded to the sick
brother with the compliments OF his lodge,
led this basket was on its way to the residence
# the absent brother BY 4 special messenger,
'eiofe Tie il;tSnlHceIt spread IN front OF the |
ppTeelatlve group assembled had been at
ackeu.
Your correspondent must say that Milford |
lodge had good reason to he satisfied with the
occasion and its every incident. The day was
III that could have been asked. Just before
Inner cloud arose with such Indications as
summer shower, but we had no
ain. The cloud ObScured tho hot ravs of a
lo"nday sun in June. and did much to add to
he comfort Of the day. Even the Bayou Man
hac. which at this season Of the year is
Usually sluggish stream with SO little current
5 to make if not varv ipvitipv h,a rooo,t1,