Wichita eagle., 1888-11-20
THE CORNER STONE
OF THE NEW COURT HOUSE LAID
YESTERDAY AFTERNOON
With Imposing Ceremony, by the
Masonic Lodge---Speeches Made
"A Brief Description Of
the New Building.

/
the laying of the corner stone of the new
court house took place. The exercises
were conducted by the Masonic order,
under the direction of Grand Master
Mason Watson Nj. Lamb, of Sterling,
kans., and in the presence of about ), 200
| persons.
The procession, under command of
GrandMarshal j. II. Marshall, formed in
| front of the entrance to the Masonic
temple, on First street, the Board of Trade
band in advance, the members Of the
Sedgwick county bar next, then the Ma
sonic lodge, Grand Master Masons and
members of the grand lodge, under escort
of the drill corps of Mt. Olivet command
cry, commanded by Grand Captain Cen
eral W. Scott Corbett
| In this order they marched to the new
cout house, where already, in spite of
muddy streets and disagreeable weather,
had assembled a large crowd of people.
| At the northeast corner of the building
they halted; the drill corps of the COM
mandery and the members of the order
| faced the structure, and the grand master
and members Of the grand lodge, with the
architect, Mr.. Mcpherson, mounted to the
first platform, the band and the speakers
of the occasion. Colonel J. X. Hallowell
and Rev. Boyd, went upon the upper plat
! form.
The large corner stone was raised to its
place by the derrick and the box contain
ing the following articles was placed with
In the cavity made in it:
Holy Bible and constitution and bylaws
and list of members of Y NJ G. A, square
and compass, city directory 81 and 'SS,
bar docket Sedgwick. county; city ordinan-
ces, printed at EAGLE Office; Journal Of
Commerce 'S7 and 'SS, bylaws and roster
Mt. Olivet Commandery No. IL, K. t.,
roster Wichita Consistory No. 2, sd de-
gree; roster Wichita Council, Royal and
Select Masters; roster Wichita lodge No.
80, A. F. and A. M; roster Wichita Chap
ter 80, r. A. NJ; copy of the Wichita DAILY
EAGLE and other papers of the city and
county; commissions of sheriff and depu-
ties and copy of election and bond procla-
nations, roster of postoffice and letter
carriers, "The Nile of America at Sunset"
by NJ. M. Murdoch; statement of bonded
Indebtedness of county, coins from one
cent to one dollar, inclusive, report of
Grand Commandery of Kansas, 1888, Off
ings of Grand lodge of Kansas, complete
roster of Garfield Post No. %, G. A. R.,
photographs of old and new court houses,
Y. NJ. c. A, board of trade and Garfield
University buildings, roster and
bylaws of A. o. U. w. lodge No. %.
roster of Arkansas lodge No. 243, A. +.
and A NJ. Valley Center, Kansas; Auri
flower lodge, U. D., A. +. and A. NJ,
Wichita, Kansas; roster of Wichita lodge
No SO, l. o. o. F.; abstract of title to land
on which this court house stands; copy of
compiled laws of Kansas 1885; Harrison
campaign button; twenty-five cents paper
currency; card of E. B. Allen. secretary of
state; Grand Army membership badge;
fifth biennial report state board of agricul
ture; one, two and ten cent postage stamp
and postal card; blank checks, deposit
checks, railroad timetable, map of
Wichita; card and letter head Eagle cor
nice works; American Newspaper Annual,
1888; report Of commissioner of education,
1SS3-S4
The grand master, Watson L. Lamb, of
Sterling, was supported by the grand
senior deacon, Watts, and grand junior
deacon, Wilcott, and was assisted in the
ceremony b. the following gentlemen act
ing as members of the grand lodge: Mayor
Allen, L. ID. Skinner, Morgan Cox, Rev.
n. f. Harmon, Rev. w J. Tull, Rev. Boyd,
A. Apologize and r. Allen Hall
The ceremony began by the acting grand
chaplain, Rev. n. F. Harmon, in an ele-
CANT and impressive manner asking
the blessing of God upon the
work upon the grand building being
built. After music by the band the con-
tents of the box were read by Acting
Grand Secretary Apologize. The grand
master then called upon Acting Deputy
Grand Master Allen to apply the square,
Acting Senior Grand Warden Cox the line
and Acting Junior Grand Warden Hall
the plumb. They all pronouncing the
stone perfect the grand master declared
that it was well laid. The deputy grand
master scattered upon it the corn as an
emblem of plenty, the senior grand war
den poured upon it wine symbolizing Joy
and gladness. and the junior warden
poured upon it the oil of peace and happi-
ness. The grand master then said: May
the bounteous Author Of nature bless the
inhabitants of this place with an abund-
ance of the necessary conveniences and
completion of this building; protect the
workmen against accident; long preserve
the structure from decay, and grant to all
a supply of the corn of nourishment, the
wine of refreshments and the oil of JOY
Amen" Then striking 1t three times with
his gavel he called upon the order to assist
him in doing the grand honors.
Rev. Boyd was then introduced and
made brief and eloquent address in the
course of which he said the question is
often asked why is it that the masonic
order is so often called upon to take such
an active interest in the laying of the cor
ner stone of Christian edifices, either of
public or educational character. The an
swer is very plain to those who have ever
given the subject thought. Masonry has
had to do with all that has ever advanced
mankind. The material used in the con-
struction of an edifice symbolic something
within the order or some of its workings.
To the initiated it carries lessons of value
and of interest and to all it carries instruc-
lions that cannot be ignored. Within that
box is the scriptures the guide and direc-
ton of every true mason.
We as masons recognize it to be an honor
that TINS community calls upon US thus
to assist in the ceremony. And we also
recognize that while noble edlfice hold
together much Of good and value, Masonrys
holds together all that is good and noble
in life.
Look carefully to what history says of
the part that this grand order has played
in the past; standing, as it were, binding
link between ecclesiastical and secular
society and so long as society exists so long
will masonry grow and expand. In behalf