The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-10-20
OPENING OF THE BOX
rAKRN FROM THE CORNER STONE
ofths Old "A,k"Sy Ohio Lodge No. a. F.
GAM. at Its Meeting Last NlEht-A
List OF What was Found in TIA
Neat Poem by Mr.. Collier


At the regular meeting OF Ohio Lodge
No. /, A. +. 4 A. NJ, held last evening
the box recently found Ia the corner stone
OF the old City Building originally built
as Masonic Temple, was opened in the
presence OF the members by Mr.. Frank
johnson, W. NJ, Of the Lodge. The box
appears to have been made by being
cast on end in solid lead; its sides are
about half an inch thick leaving an inside
space about two inches square and six or
eight inches in, depth; one Of the ends
was cast in the box the other end being
fitted with a cap Of the same material as
the box.
The contents OF the box were found in
perfect state Of preservation and consist
ed OF the following articles:
One silver half dollar Of the coinage OF
1926, as bright as II newly coined.
A copy OF the bylaws Of Ohio Lodge,
No. lOi, A. F. & A. NJ, printed by R. 1.
Curtis in 1921.
A copy Of the bylaws Of Wheeling Un-
ion Chapter, No. 10. R. A. NJ, printed by
r. l. Curtis in 1923.
A copy OF the bylaws Of Wheeling
Lodge, No. l2S, A. F. & A. NJ. printed at
the office Of the Western Post in 1928.
The Wheeling Gazette OF Saturday morn
ing, Ju'y 90, 1926, printed by R l. Curtis.
A letter sheet Of unruled paper with
this statement:
"This edifce, intended for the accom-
mediation OF the most ancient and honor
able fraternity oil Free and Accepted
Masons in the town Of Wheeling, was
founded in the year OF light 1925 and OF
the Christian Era 1928.
John Quincy Adams, President U. s.
America.
John Tyler, Governor Of Virginia.
Zachariah Jacob, Mayor Of the Town OF
Wheeling
Mordecai Cooke, Grand Master Of Ma.
sons in Virginia.
George DUTY, Master OF Ohio Lodge
No. l0l.
Morgan Nelson, Master Of Wheeling
Lodge No. l2S.
Directors Of the Wheeling Masonic Hall
Association-William Harkins, Samuel A.
WeScott, MARCUS wilson.
In the 6tty.first year OF the 1ndepend-
ence Of the United States-they have
population Of twelve millions; Virginia,
one million one hundred thousand; Wheel.
ing, three thousand"
This epitome OF history was written in a
plain, round hand, evidently by master
penman with a quill the ink was as black
rs the day it left the pen.
After reading OF the different papers,
Brother @. II. Collier, the Secretary, was
called upon and read the following poem
written by himself. He read 1t very ef-
feclively and 1t was we'll received:
A mystery within me lies concealed,
Which will now un'Rvel.
In bed I've lalu In 81 ence unrevealed,
In waiting for the Ravel.
But now the gavel sounds and bids me rise
To tell IN man my story,
grand old resurrection to your eyes
I'll be, to prove my glory.
In gloom I've been, nor free from damp nor rust,
For many generation,
Let no one leave upon this sacred dust
mark OF decoration.
The thundCrs Of the sky my secret place
Have reached, and have uembled;
And burn ng words Of cloquenco and grace
From City Dads assembled.
The shades Of Cicero my dreams disturbed
SO lercey was he neltled.
must confess my spirit was perturbed
Since hewRs badly fattled.
I've heard the steady march Of busy feet
In coming 10 the altar,
And WHOM The goat the candidate would greet
Ny very heart woult Iatter
cannot tell you all I've heard AID seen;
1tnn
Too many deeds Of noble men TO gleln,
Happy and witty and laconic
But now I'm raised from darkness to the light
As You have h0eu, my brother,
As belong u number one by right
Aud not unto another.
To Mayor Grub.
Go back 10 City Hall and tell them oil
That ], my thanks returning,
Am glad I've found resting place call
Myhome, my lodge discerning.
To Brother Parker, the only known sur
yiyor of those who participated in the
ceremonies OF laying the corner stone
Bro. Parker was invited, but for some
cause, presumably his old age, failed to
APPEAR
weboth arc old, but you shall outlIve.
To me new lif4 Il given:
To you the Grand ArtiACer will give
AbStter life In Heaven.
At the conclusion OF the poem the lodge
was dispensed with for few moments for
the purpose Of allowing the brethren to
examine the contents OF the box, after
which the lodge was closed in proper
form.
The box and its contents will probably
be placed on exhibition in some public
after which II will be properly
preserved by the lodge.