Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-01-31
THE MASONIC ACCIDENT.

The Cincinnati Enquirer gives the fol-
lowing interesting particulars OF the
shocking accident at Huntington, W. Va,
which resulted in the death of Rev. j. W.
date taking the Royal Arch Masonic de-
gree:
''In the face of the great and unexpected
sorrow which has hefallen the lodge its
members have torn aside as far as possible
the veil shielding the mysteries of the GER
emory and explained fully the details at
tending the accident. The building was
built specially for masonic purposes. In
the third floor is the lodge-room proper.
AS is usual, three candidates had offered
themselves for the Royal Arch degree.
But owing to a recent accident, one OF
them was absent. 1t was decided to put
through the remaining two-Rev. Mr..
johnson, pastor of the Methodist church,
and Rev. w. F. Marshall, pastor Of the
ritual occurs in what is known as the dark
room. This is an apartment on the third
floor. 1t is about eight feet wide and twenty
long. At one end is window, and at the
other door opening into the lOdge-roOm
proper, which is lighted with electricity.
In the middle of the little room is three
foot trap, which opens into vault OF an
vault extends from the ceiling of the sec
ond story to the floor, is some eight feet
square and walled up with wooden parti-
tions. 1t has depth of some thirteen feet.
In the ceiling of the dark room is hook.
to which is fastened a double block and
tackle.
The first block is close to the ceiling,
while the SECOND is near the floor and di-
rectlv over the tap. A rope seven-eightS
OF an inch thick passes three times over the
top block. 1t is attached to a ring above
the second block, the end being wrapped
around similar to hangman'S knot. Be-
meath the lower block hangs a shol' loop,
through the end of which is passed short
stick OF bar. This stick is straddled by
side, while he clutches the block with his
hands and holds himself in position. He
is then lowered into the vault by the men,
beers of the lodge who have hold of the
other end OF the rope, which gene ally lies
loosely piled upon the floor. The ceremo-
ny at this point is symbolic of the search
in the ruins of King Solomon's temple.
The vault represents the ruins and the can
didate one OF party making the search.
He descends into the vault, and finds in
one corner small box, which is typical
of the Ark of the Covenant. After this
he is raised again TO the dark room. Next
follows the lecture, during which is eX-
planned the ceremony he has just passed
through and the biblical events it Symbol
llIGS. lG UlOCk duu ldCk l6 JldS DGGU Ill
constant use by the Huntington Lodge for
over thu zee years Thele had never been
anything to arouse the slightest suspicion
of its weakness In fact, the machinery,
parapheinalia and furnishing of the lodge
room were the finest and most complete of
any in the State.
The initiation of the two preachers be-
gan last Friday evening. 1t was about 10
O'Clock when the da-k room was reached
a nd rJa n dement's for tho final oarpmOnu
commenced One of the members, Mr..
Crider, had descended into the vault and
made the usual prepal atoms. He had been
taken out. Rev. MI. Marshall then went
through. There were six OF seven members
taking part in the ceremony besides the
two candidates. The scene was a rather
weird one. On the window-sti1 rested an
ciful shadows on the walls of the dark
room. The door at the other end was open
and the rays from the electric lights en-
tered. The vault looked like a black
yawning chasm. Neither of the candidates
was blindfolded. Both could see every
thing that was going on and perfectly I'M
derstood the workings of the machinery by
Mr.. johnson was tall, well-built man,
weighing some 1870 pounds. He had seated
himself astraddle the bar and caught the
block with his hands. Suddenly there was
a whirring sound. The end Of the rope
was seen to jerk loose from the ring above
the block. In some way, most probably
from the long and constant use, the rope
had been gradually becoming loosened and
unwrapped, and Mr.. Johnson's heavy
weight detached it entirely The end flew
towards the ceiling, and there was a sud
den relaxation of the entire machinery.
Mr.. johnson disappeared, and an instant
later was heard the dull sound with which
he struck the hard floor of the vault, thir-
teen feet below.
and holding the rope were almost paralyZ-
ed by the accident. Their cries brought
the rest of the lodge to the apartment. One
coil of the rope still remained over the up
per block. With it Mr. Peyton, slightly
built gentleman, was lowered into the
vault. Lights were brought and the I'M
fortunate preacher was found lying on his
left hip. Mr.. johnson was not unconsci-
Gus, but his deep grooming showed he was
suffering the most intense agony A ladder
was lowered into the vault, and, with Mr..
Peyton's assistance, he was enabled to
slowly mount until ready hands could
draw him out of the vault. He was car
ried to stretcher, and Drs. R. D. Vickers
and John D. Meyers summoned. While
awaiting their coming Mr.. johnson de.
scribed his experience. In the brief mo-
he said seemed to be passing in review be-
fore him. He expressed mentally his sat
isfaction that there were not others depen-
dent upon him, and that, if death came, he
was ready to meet his God The minister
told this as the sixteen members of the
lodge surrounded the stretcher, and urged
upon them the Importance of always being
ready, for none knew when the summons
would come.
For nearly two hours Mr.. johnson lay in
the lodge-room. The attending physicians
examined him; but could detect no outward
sign of injury. This led them to pronounce
his condition as not dangerous. Still he
continued to complain of the most agon
izing pain, especially about the lower part
of the spine and chest. He was borne tc
the Methodist parsonage, where he resided
All that night and the next morning hi
continued perfectly conscious. He repeated
the assurance which he had given as hi
lay in the lodge-roOm Immediately after
accident that he held the member entirely
blameless, for his injuries had resulted
purely from unforeseen and unavoidable
accident.
Although suffering almost unbearablt
agony MI. johnson calmly declared HI
was resigned to his fate, and that he fell
the supreme satisfaction of a Christian
ready aud anxious to meet his God. Tht
scene was very affecting one, several q
the members being moved to tears 1t wa
resolved to make no secret of the manne,
in which Mr.. johnson met his DEATH bu
rather to give the fullest possible publicit,
to the details in order that no censurt
might rest on the lodge.
About three clock, Saturday afternoon
he became semi conscious from the power
full drugs administered to alleviate his in
tense sufferings. He fingered in this con
dition until one O'Clock Sunday morning
when he peacefully passed away. Natural
ly the report of the accident created in
tense excitement in Huntington. The Ma
sons made no effort to keep the detail
secret, and, on the contrary, took eSpecia
pains to explain fully the manner in whicl
the accident happened. Particular stress
was laid on the fact that the utmost digni
ty is preserved throughout the ceremony
and that nothing savoring in the slightes
of levity or practical joking is permissible
The result is that the intelligent and large
part of the community acquits the lodge O
any blame. Sunday evening special service
were held at the Southern Methodist
| of which Rev. MI. johnson had been pas
| tor for little over year.
| At 8 O'Clock a union memorial Servic
was held at the Opera House. 1t wa
crowded throughout, and fully 1000 pei
sons were turned away from the door, Re
marks eulogizing the deceased were mad
| by Rev. Mr.. Sadler of the Baptist church
| Rev. Messrs. King and Black of the Meth