Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1885-08-22
Laying the Corner Stone.


nesday, the 10Th, in Rapid CITY, was &C
complished with due pomp and cere
mony, being conducted under the mar
agement Of the Masonic grand lodge o
the territory. The occasion drew tt
Rapid City greater number Of people
than has ever before been cOngregate,
at the Gateway.
AS per programme the procession
over one half mile in length, started
from the Masonic hall in the Floormar
block ut 3 p. m. and marched to the site
Of the building, near A. j. Simmons resi-
dence, headed by the cornet band o
Central City. After reaching the site
the procession opened to the righ
and left, and uncoyering, Crane
Master John +. SchradeN md lis officer,
passed through the lines TO the platform
while the rest of the brethren formed 8
hollow square. The Grand Master com
manded silence in an appropriate speech
and the Grand Chaplain then Offered
prayer.
The Grand Master then gave general
invitation to all to place whatever they
wished in the stone. A copper box
eight inches by one foot was then filled
with the following articles: Copies oi
the Republican and Journal, the act au.
thorizing its erection the first
block of tin taken from the Eta mine
ores from various mines, and coins OF
different value.
The Grand Master John F. Schrader]
then addressed the grand officers as fol-
lows:
r. w. d. &. NJ. rs. NJ. Booth, what is
the proper jewel of your office? Ans
"The square"
g. M.-What are it's moral and Mason
ic uses? Ans.-"To square our actions
By the square of virtue, and prove our
work"
G.. M.-Apply the implement of your
Office to that portion of the foundations
stone that needs to be proved, and make
report
The ID. G. NJ. having applied the
square reported ~ follows: m. W., /
find the stone to be square. The crafts
men have performed their duty"
q. Mr.. w. S. q. W., ,[Jake Gantz. ]
what is the jewel of your offi :e? Ans
"The level"
u. M.-What is it's Masonic use
Ans" Morally, it reminds us of equai-
ty, and its use is to lay horizontals"
q. M.--Apply the implement Of your
Office to the founda,ion-stone, and make
report.
The S. G w. applied the lcvel
and reported as follows: IN. w,
find the stone to be level. The crafts.
men have performed their duty.
g. Mr.. w. J. G. w. 10. w. Flick :
" hat is the proper jewel Of your Office
Ans.-"The plumb"
G. M.-What is its Masonic use
Ans Morally il teaches rectitude o.
conduct, and We use it to try perpen
dicular~."
Il. M-Apply the implement Of voul
office to the several edges of the founda
ton stone, and make report.
The j. q. w. applied the plumb anG
reported and as follows: M. W., FIND
the stone is plumb. The Craftsmen have
performed their duty"
g. M.-This cornerstone has been
tested by the proper implements o
Masonry. l find that the craftsmen have
skil!fuIly and faithfully performed their
duty, and do declare TO be well formed
true and trusty, and correctly laid, ac
cording to the rules of our ancient craft
Let the elements Of fconsecration now bt
presented.
The Deputy Grand Master came for
ward with vessel of corn, and scat
tering it on the stone, said: II scatter
this corn as an emblem of plenty. May
the blessings Of bounteous HEAVIER
be showered upon US and upon all like
patriotic and benevolent undertakings
and inspire the hearts of the people
with virtue, wisdom and gratitude.
Response. So mote it be.
The senior Grand Warden then came
forward with a vessel of wine, ant
! poured it upon the stone, said: Il poul
this wine as an emblem Of JOY and glad
ness May the Great Ruler of the I'm
iverse bless and prosper our national
state and city governments, preserve thu
union of the states. and may it be bono
of friendship and brotherly love thai
shall! endure through all time" Re
sponse. So mote it he.
The Junior Grand Warden then came
forward with a vessel of oil, which ht
poured upon the stone, saying: "1poul
this oil asan emblem of peace. May it,
blessings abide with us continually, anG
may the Grand Master Of heaven ant
earth shelter and protect the widow
and orphan, shield and defend then
from trials and vicissitudes Of the world
and so bestow his mercy upon the be
reaved, the afflicted. and the sorrowing