The record-union., 1895-05-13
HIS THIRD DEGREE.
Masonic Honors Conferred On Walter
G.. wilcox.


TSan Francisco Chronicle, May 12th1
The Growing act in the adoption by the
Masonic order of this State of Walter
Cary Wilcox, the youth who was left an
orphan during the yellow fever plague in
New Orleans, in 1873. and then consigned
to the Grand Lodge Of California by the
New Orleans Board of Relief, was ac-
complished last night, whom Oakland
Lodge, No. 18S, f. and A. NJ, conferred
the third degree of Masonry upon the
young man.
There was a larger gathering of Masons
present than has ever been witnessed in
the Oakland Masonic Temple at any pre-
vious time when degrees were conferred,
over 800 being in attendance. The cere-
mony of the degree were reformed by
Worshipful Master Charles +. OFT, as
sisted by Senior Warden q. b. Daniels,
Junior Warden Il. 7. Gilpin and other
officers.
Grand Master James Banny Stevens
was present, being duly received with
the grand honors of the craft. \. w.
Spaulding, Past Grand Treasurer, and
the guardian appointed by the Grand
Lodge to care for young Wilcox during
his minority, occupied place In the east.
and Henry f. Williams of San Francisco,
the first Master Mason made in Califor-
MIA, also occupied a seat in the east.
Grand Master Stevens and Grand Lect-
urer b. G. Bush assisted in the cere-
monies, and Samuel d. Mayer and Alfred
Wilkie of san Francciso assisted the reg
ular choir of the lodge.
At the conclusion OF the ceremonies of
the Master Mason's degeee those present
adjourned to the lower hall, whore a col
lation was spread for them. At the table
sat some of the most distinguished Master
Masons of California.
fbo iuh Nf
sat Grand Master James b. Stevens, Past
Grand Master Hyrum n. Rucker and
Past Grand Treasurer n. w. Spauloing
with Walter Wilcox, the Masons ward,
by his side. On the left of the Worship
full Master sat Grand Orator Eugene Nell
son Deuprey.
1t was asexpected that Past Grand Master
Nathaniel Curtis and Past Grand Com
mander William Nj. Petrie of Sacramento
and j. A. Fillmore of San Francisco, who
constituted the Reception Committee OF
the Grand Lodge which met Wilcox at
Sacramento in the latter part of October,
1873, would be present, but sickness pre-
vented Curtis from coming and business
engagements kept Petrie and Fillmore
from being present.
After everyone had partakeu of the col
lation, n. w. Spaulding was called upon
to give history of Wilcox's career. Mr..
Spaulding said Wilcox's father had died
from injuries received in boiler expio-
sion. caused by steamboat collision,
when Walter was only 6 months old. His
mother subsequently remarked, and with
her husband and her SOD removed from
Jacksonville, Fla, to New Orleans in
1878.
There she contracted yellow fever, and
Walters mother and stepfather both died
of it. He then became a charge on the
Masonic fraternity, of which his father,
when living, was mem Der, and for u SICK
mem ber of which his mother had subse-
ouently performed eminent services.
The Masonic Board of Relief of New
Orleans ascertained that Walters grand
mother, Mrs. Carey. was living in Oak
land, CAL, and it was decided to send him
to her, consigned, however, to the Grand
Lodge of California.
The speaker then ex hibited the OK press
tags which were placed around Walter
WilcoX's neck at New Orleans, as the
Deputy Grand Master of Masons of Lou
isiana started him on his way TO Caliior-
MIA all alone across the continent During
the long trip he was constantly and care
! fully cared for, and at Louisville and
| Chicago he was housed for short period
with families of Masons. At Sacramento
| q large delegation of Master Masons, ac-
| companied 10y their wives, escorted the
| Grand Lodge committee, headed by
| Nathaniel q. Curtis, met the train and
took him in charge. For few days he
rested with Mr.. and Mrs. Petrie and was
taken by the latter to Oakland aud duly
delivered to his grandmother.
At the next communication OF the
Grand Lodge Walter was introduced to
that body. He was then under years OF
age John Hills Brown was Grand Mas
ter. At the recommendation of Past
Grand Master Curtis, the Grand Lodge
assumed his guardianship. From the
time OF his first introduction to the Grand
Lodge TO the present time, the care of
Walter had largely devolved upon the
speaker. When his grandmother died
the Grand Lodge formally transferred tue
guardianship to Mr.. Spaulding. He had
| faithfully carried out the trust, and it be-
came his pleasant duty now To transfer
the young man to the care OF the breth-
rem, and particularly to the care Of Oak
! land Lodge. No. loS.
| TSpeeches were also made by Grand
! Master J. Is. Stevens. Grand Orator
Eugene N. Deuprey, Past Grand Master
| Hyrum n. Rucker, Henry +. Williams,
! the first Master Mason made in CalifOr-
MIA, and Walter Carey Wilcox feelingly
expressed his thanks to the Grand Lodge
| and the Masonic fraternity.l