Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1885-10-04
A BIT or HISTORY
Which tb. Masonic Fraternity VIM
Read With Interest.
"reminiscences of the Craft in Wheel
ing From the Organization Of
the First Lodge.

on Tuesday evtninr, January 81, 1915, at
which were present Artemus Bok'r, John
Baker, Joseph Caldwell, VIM. HAktnS,
David Irwin, James F. Relfe, John Rich
ardson, Thomas Tonner and Robert Morrow.
A petition was sent to the Grand Master OF
Virginia for dispensation to form lodge
in the town of Wheeling, and naming Jas.
F. Relic as W. NJ, W. Harkins S. W., and
John Richardson J. W. The dispensation
was received April 10Th, and an organiza-
ton effected May 9th.
THE OFFICERS
were: J. F. Relfe, W. NJ; W. Harkins, 5
W.; J. Richardson, ]. W.; J. Caldwell,
Treasurer; T. Tonner, Secretary; A. Mix
S. D.; A. Baker, ]. D.; R. Morrow, Tyler.
A charter was received from the Grand
Lodge Of Virginia, dated December l3, 1915,
for the permanent establishment of Ohio
Lodge No. lOl, A, F. & A. NJ. The Lodge
held its meeting in Thomas Tonner's
house, and at q meeting held August 5, 1916,
q committee was directed to purchase the
best dress pattern aud pair of silk stockings
that could be found in Wheeling and pre-
cent them to Mrs. Tonner. ,
From its organization until the time OF
occupying the lodge room in the "Oid Ark
The records show the names of many OF the
MOST PROMINENT CITIZENS
of Wheeling as E. A., F. c. I'M. NJ. Here
are some of them: Noah Zane, Philip
Doddridge, NJ. W. Chaphne, Timothy
Adams, Garrison Jones' S, R. Bakewel,
George Duty, W. Chapline, Alexander
Caldwell, Amos Wright, E B. SWearingen.
Joshua Morton, SaIathiel Curtis,
Peter YarralI, John Goodwin
Jacob Marsillott, Morgan Nelson,
Levi MILL, James W. Clemens. John Cos
horn, John Armstrong, VIM. Hall, }. F.
Trusx, James Johnston, W. B. Hubbard,
Ephraim and Hamilton Pollock, Jacob
Singleton, Joseph W. Ray James W. Robb,
Daniel Murray, and many others.
In 1921 the lodge laid the corner stone
of the new st. Matthews church, which was
being built near the corner of Market and
Eleventh streets.
On May 23d, 1925, Brothers General
Lafayette, G. Washington Lafayette NJ
Lavsss UT and Collin King visited the dodge
and after being conducted to the East Gen.
Lsfayette VAS addressed by Mr., Morgan
Nielsen, d. d. G. NJ as follows:
THE ADDRESS
illus RIOUs I&-On behalf of the Breth
en- here assembled permit me the pl essurt
Of bidding you welcome in these
wal!s deilcsed to friendship and brother
love In common with our fellow
c!eatuIes We cherish the warmest sentimen
OF N ration for the princi ples and actions
sbich lave marked every period of your
life.
"Accett the homage Of our gratitude for
your arduous exertions in the great cause o.
American liberty. 1t is no small! addition
10 cur Joy that you suffer US to address you
by the endearing appellation of Brother
That while many of the Monsrchs Of the
Old World exhibit toward Free Masonry
tie ike spirit Of hostility as toward the
cause Of human liberty, you deem it not de.
rogatory 10 your dignity to level yourSel
with the Fraternity andssignify your appro-
baton of those philanthropic principles
which are the basis OF our institution.
"Be pleased, sir, to accept OF my right
hand, that ancient token OF Brotherly Love
and allow me to express my tervent wishes
hat the evening of your days may prove as
serene ard happy as your past life has been
eyeutful and glorious"
THE DISTINGUISHED BROTHSR
in reply said:
That he felt thankful for kind sentiments
EXPRESSED towards him; that it was very
gali6ing for him to meet in western Vlr
gipis the same cordial reception with which
mis- Masonic Brethren had often honoreo
him in other places; that he had always en-
,ertained high esteem for the Masonic 10
stitutionR, but more especially since 1t hao
experienced the bitter prosecutions OF the
European despots who had Vainly attempted
lis destruction.
AFTER THE ADDRESS
he members were severslIy presented to the
Gcnsral
July %, 1926, the Lodge was called to
g.tter for the purpose of assisting to lay the
ccrrer stone Of the new Masonic Hall (ouI
cd "A:k"). A large number Of brethren
", re present. A procession was formed
" 4 Proceeded to the site Of the new hall
rhere he corner stone was laid with dnt
-ulenn:ry in AT cient form. Had those old wor
ries seen the awning but due solemnity
with which that day's'work was uudone las
Friday sfterr Don, they would have turned ii
heir Collins
After the laying of the corner stone The
accession moved 10 the Presbyterian
Churcb. where an oraticn was delivered b,
Worthy Bro'her W. B. Hubbard, and al
s~tIess delivered by Rev. Bother Arm
strong This WAS followed by dinner s
"a. Graham's Hotel This was the Oh
Virginia Hotel, which sood at Main
ano Teuth streets. 1t had for it's neighbor
OF TIE north side, the old Court House
TIE Magons Of that day seem to have beef
MUCH GIVEN TO DINNERS
m oil great occasions. All through tn,
records, wherever any celebration is men
Toned, it always euae1 in a 1inner al Gar
rsons, Jones Inn or Ed. Graham
Ho'el.
March 80, 1927, the Lodge moved into tn
new Hall. This would seem to fix tn
date of the completion of the building
Louis BGyha was the first person initiated
in the new hall, and W. Il. Houston tn
first Mason made there The officers of tn
lodge al laying of the corner stone wer'
George Dulty, W. M; Joseph W. Ray, Sec
J ". Clemens, S. W; W. Harkins, s. D
". Hsn, J. W.; John Duty, j. D; NJ
Thompson, Treas; James Johnston, Tyler
1t was rot until June "a, 1928, that thu
Lodge VAS conseerated 10 the uses Of Ma
scnrY, according to Masonic usages.
In 1926 DR.. James W. Clemens wa
eIec ed W. N. and served until 1887, wit
the exception of The year 1884, when DAME
Murray vas elected W. NJ. Dr.. Clemen
WIS one of the most prominent physician
in Wheeling and for years had the larges
uractice Of any physician here. He wa
sssocisted st one time in business with Di
Jotn Frissell, and subsequently DR.. Rober
B. Cummins commenced practice here a
mis- partner. Besides thorough knowiedg
Of his business, which gained hin
| IL none1anca Of his natisnts hi