The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-02-22
o THE LODGES.

OF Free MasonS. This lodge was char
tered December 12th, 1861, the dispen-
sation being granted to John A. Sours
and others to form q society in Big Lick.
This old document, under which all tho
work of Lakeland Lodge is now done,
hangs in Masonic Temple with n pecu-
liar kind of veneration which causes the
young Masons to look Upon it with re-
Spect. Is bears the signature of John
Dove, that eminent Mason, who is author
of one of the finest text books on Ma
sorry ever published.
When the charter for the lodge was
granted the civil war had begun and it
served as an impetus to the growth of
Freemasonry. Every soldier who could
join the order gladly went in and re-
ceived the mystic rites.
John A.. Sours was the first worship
full master, and, together with the efforts
of John Trout, father of Hon. III. S.
Trout, and others, there was Il flourish
ing society.
a large number OF farmers through
out h county joined, and several per-
ons from Franklin county rode
thirty and forty miles to become one of
the mysterious brotherhood.
In 1863 j. w. Neal and Capt. r. +.
Barksdale, both residents of the city at
the present time, were made members
while at home Oh 4 furlough.
After the war not quite so much in
terest was taken in tho lodge, but it
still held on to II pretty good member
ship. John Sours was reelected master
time and again, but the master finally
foil on John Trout, who served several
terms. His son, Henry Trout, WIS made
q Mason about 1871. Not long after
ward he was elected master.
During this time, and cvcr since the
organization, the lodge met in an upper
room of the old Gambill building, which
is still standing on Commerce street,
and was formerly occupied by Samuel
Kinnier as 4 grocery.
sham Ferguson, now deceased, was
treasurer at the time. He never kept
any books or accounts with the lodge,
but always kept things straight, and
never failed to pay a bill when pre-
finance committee always reported his
accounts correct.
After I~icnry'rrout. w. X. Andrews was
made master, and next c.. w. Thomas
The interest in the order had abatcd
somewhat. and the society had to give
up their lodge room. Tho furniture
was moved to the old school building on
Jefferson street where tho meetings
were hold until the Wright block was
completed.
Then it was that a general revival
took place. Roanoke was beginning to
be a city and NJ sons wero gathering
here from all parts of the State. James
S. Yeatman, Il of the brightest Masons
in the county, was made master. APP
plications began coming in and the lodge
did a great deal of work.
j. Il. Christian was master for two
terms. During his occupancy of the
masters station the idea was conceived
and plans arranged for the building of a
splend Masonic Temple in Roanoke.
The work was brought to a close dur
ing the term of R. S. Roberts as master.
This splendid hall is now occupied by
Lakeland Lodge, but the ownership has
passed into other hands.
At present the lodge is in n flourish
ing condition and numbers nearly IT'S
members.
j. r. Hawthorne, president of tho City
Council, is worshipful master.
%t*
The Knights of Pythias held an inter-
esting meeting on Thursday night after
the Grand Lodge closed, and conferred
the amplified rank on one candidate.
Many members Of the Grand Lodge were
present and enjoyed the sight amazingly,
especially the torture of the victim.
They say Harry was not brave.
*%#
Prof. w. IL. Peasants, of IIollins'
Institute, was in the city yesterday. On
Friday night he paid an official visit to
Bayard Commandery, No. Is, and con
ferred the temple degrees on Il. p. c.
Sanderson.
Peasants Lodge, No. GS, A. +. & A..
NJ, made two entered apprentices on
Monday night. This lodge now num-
bers about sixty members.
Am
The Odd Fellows of Mount Vernon
Lodge say they arc getting down to
work in great shape and will have two
or three applications next meeting night.
Their recent scare about the supposed
lost ritual is over, but it is reported
they ''buckcd" the warden over a barrel
in tho centre of the room, and then
brought out the goat who STAYED him so
hard from behind that he will not be
able to assist a robbed and wounded
stranger any more.
*&:t
Hiawatha tribo No. &C, I. 0. r. NJ,
didn't have a victim last meeting night.
but they sat aroun the council fire for
some time, smoked the peace pipe and
plotted against the pale faces. They
finally singled out a victim for their
terrible ceremonies, and tomorrow he
will suffer martyrdorn. 1t is reported
that before. the meeting closed the
sachem slapped one of The pow-wows
in the face with the tomahawk for
knocking over the tripot. The meeting
then adjourned.
Mountain Dale Lodge, No. 40, l.. o. O..
f., will have several applications next
meeting night. This lodge can 'just
get there" on an initiation, but they de-