, 1886-07-20
THE CORNER STONE LAID.
The Grand Lodge of Masons of wyo-
ming Officiating.

various orders which were to take part in
the ceremonies of laying the corner stone
of the new depot, began to form in front
Of their separate headquarters. At 3
O'Clock the procession united and moved
from in front of the Masonic hall, on
Sixteenth street, towards the depot. The
order of the procession was as follows :
G. A r. drum corps, John E. Reynolds
Post. G. A. r., Cheyenne Fire Depart
mcnt-Durants, Alerts and Clarks, and
lastly the Grand Lodge of Free and Ac.
cepted Masons. headed by Gov. Warren.
The Masons took formal charge of the
laying of the stone. On uncovering the
stone it was seen to he one of the most
beautiful pieces of workmanship ever
used as the corner. stono of a building.
Grand Master, J.. B. Adams. acted as
master of ceremonies, and made the
opening remarks, after which the assemb-
lage listened to a prayer BY DR.. Geo. y.
Rafter, and an original poem of w. P.
CAROLS, readily Judge L. Bergman. The
corner stone was then lowered and fixed
in place at precisely $3.50 o'clock, thus
commemorating the nineteenth anniver-
sary of the city of Cheyenne and the
building of what will prove the largest
aDd grandest structure in the territory.
The articles which were stored under
the corner stone, we're as follows Char
ter and ordinances of the city of Ohey-
enne, by laws of the Grand Lodge OF
Wyoming, A. f. and A. NJ, and ofWyo-
ming Commandery No. l, copies of the
daily and weekly LEADER, daily and
weekly Sun, evening Tribune. weekly
Mirror, Sundance Gazette, Will. Wis
scher's BLACK Nanny" w. P. CAROLS
poem, laws of Wyoming. from those Of
the first legislature to those of the last,
with various other, articles. n
The Masons then proceeded with the
impressive rites of their order, such as
pouring corn, oil and wine upon the stone,
alter which it was examined and pronoun
csd well and properly laid and construc-
ted. Then followed a prayer by the
chaplain, Geo. C.. Rafter.
The next feature of the occasion was a
speech by the grand orator of the day,
Judge W. Ware Peck. who opened his re-
marks with this brief review of the rise
ksnd progress of Cheyenne
E'On the 9th day of July, 1867, some
thirty persons-men, women and child
ren-arrivinR here to settle, pitched their
tents on both sides Of Crow creek, within
the present city limits, and remained here
as settlers. There was then no other -hab-
itation here except the military tents.
That was the initial of the settlement of
Cheyenne. Onthe 10th day of July, 1867,
the survey for the city site was
ced, and that day has been adopted as the
commencement of Cheyenne. Nineteen
years have passed; children have been
born upon this spot; the iux of migration
and enterprise has turned hither; %intelli-
gence, sagacity, energy, fortitude and pa-
tiencs have worked npon this field; the
days of small things have gone; hardship
has changed to ease; adversely has be-
come prosperity; poverty has grown into
wealth. The winter of our discomfort
has been changed to glorious summer by
this sun Of York thirty pioneers have
expanded to a population of quite 1000,
spreading over al area to be meas
ured by miles. The cherries camp
fire has become the sweet Preside;
the rude tent and rude wagon have
changed to hundreds of comfortable
houses and many beautiful, elegant and
luxurious dwellings. Well arranged and
well conducted public schools prevail.
Nine churches keep watch and ward over
the morals of the people. The plant was
planted on the c~ivilistic verge; the tree
stands lar eastward of the frontier, if in
deed a frontier remains between this
point and the Pacific. To-day, our city
ranks as relatively the most opulent town
in America and its good department
would do credit I o New England"
The speaker then took a retrospect of
the wonderful growth and progress of
railroad enterprise, calling attention to its
results and its future promise for this city
and this territory, and dwelt upon the
glorious outlook for both, by reason of
the position of one and the boundless
resources of the other. After treating
at some length upon these topics in a
strain appropriate to the occasion the dis
tinguished speaker closed with a tribute
to the Ancient Order under whose
auspices the present work is inaugurated.
In conclusion the orator said Because
of its traditional relations with Missionary,
it has became a practice to commemorate
the erection Of important public struc-
lures by laying the corner stone under the
auspices Of the order. Operative Mason
AIRY as a vocation of the order has long
ceased. 1t was basel and has been con-
tinued on the unfmhng bible principle of
brotherhood in love, unity in paternity,
peace and good will to man, and the
cherishment of his highest welfare.
Christ is the Master Mason, the deep and
solid corner stone; the rich and enduring
wall, the firm and browning roof are types
Of the wisdom and virtue which give
breadth of character to private life,
health to communities. strength to ma
tons success to governments. Time, by
its ceaseless measures, will bring an end