Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-28
STAUNTON'S TEMPLE.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE EREc-
T1oN OF A MASONIC EDuFICE.
IL Will He the Most Elegant Build.
Ang ef tho Kind Outside Of Rich-
mond-Fail Description Of the New
structure.
Structurc.

Worknen are now busily engaged In
Fearing down the Stanton Masonic
building. on Beverly street between Au-
Eusta and Water streets. In preparation
for the new Masonic Temple. which will
occupy the site OF the old building. to-
xether with the Flick lot adjoining on
the east.
The demolished building. which Is 4
large three-story structure. was built In
1853 by John ID. Brown and Adam Lush
baugh for the Union Town Hall Com
pany. company chartered to erect
town hall to be used for public occasions.
Al the time the incorporators. including
such prominent men as General William
III. Harman. Major Henderson NJ. Bell.
Adam Lushbaugb. and Rev. r.. III. Phil
lips. contracted to provide lodgc-rooms
for the Stanton Masonic Lodge In this
building over the Town Hall. During
the war the Mascns purchased the whole
building. and IL Is narrated by some or
the older generation that in the closing
years OF the war the Masons sold thcii
carpets for $500. and with this fund
made the deferred payments due on
their purchase.
The demolition OF the old Town Hall.
which for years was the only theatre In
Staunton, recalls TO your correspondent
many pleasing recollections of the past.
when artists who are well nigh to the
front in the theatrical profession were
"neshing their maiden swords"
NOTED ACTORS.
Sol Smith Russell several times ap-
peared in this oingy little hall Mr.. Rus
sell had not then essayed the ambitious
roles in which he has subsequently been
so successful He used to appear doing
single-sketch turns. and was travelling
with the Berger family of Swiss Boil
Ringers. He had married one Of the
Bergers. Even at that early day the
tear-fetching-genteei comedy Of the man
boldly limited at the success which was
TO crown him in the future.
Wyman and Anderson, the wizards and
prestidgitateurs. used TO play TO full
houses. and Clara Widman played In
her repertoire everything from 'ren
Nights In Bar-Room" to Camille"
and East Lynne"
Here It was that Agnes Herndon. the
West Virginia mountain girl. before she
had been In any theatrical company
INDUCED In Evolutionary recitals and
gave readings.
Some time after this Robert HILL Jr.
who afterwards removed to Richmond.
was the manager Of this little theatre.
Subsequently. after the opening of the
present Opera-House. Editor Harry c.
Tinsley. OF the Staunton indicator
moved TO the hall, and used II as press
room and editorial sanctum Of his news
paper.
THE HANDSOMEST.
The new Masonic Temple will be the
handsomest building in this section Of the
State. and will be the most elegant Ma
sonic building outside Of Richmond.
The Stanton temple VIII be situated
on the best block in the city. 1t will
be a five-story structure. fronting 81 feet
on Beverly street. with depth Of 70l
feet. Its height will be 1885 feet. 1t Is |
10 be built of brick and stone. the first
story being Of dressed Kentucky stone, |
with terra-cotta and buff brick trimmings. |
On the ground floor Will be three com |
modious storerooms. which are TO be |
rented out. The western corner of the |
temple will he surmounted by tall hip |
rooted tower resting on Tour Ionic
columns Dark-red Spanish tiles will
cover the roof. tower. and gables. Busi- |
ness Offices are TO be built on the second |
and third floors, while the fourth and
NTH floors will be devoted exclusively to
the Masonic Lodge and its work. on
the fourth floor will be found the Knights |
Templar Commandery quarters $50 feet
by 29.5: adjoining will be chapterroom
the Council Hall. and two anterooms.
GOATS PARADISE.
The lodge-room Will be found on the |
ffth floor-a splendid room OF 1915 feet by |
295 feet. and on the same floor is . |
large banquet hall. cloak-room. pantry.
and kitchen. All the woodwork will be
hardwood finished In natural color
Mr.. l. H. a. Rose Of Lynchburg. is tho
tl,~I
evolved a plan for a useful and beautiful
as president of the Withrow Lumber
Company. has contracted to build the
temple. and IL ia to be completed by
December LIST. Some seventy-flve hands
Will be put to work on the building.
a GREAT LODGE.
The Building Committee for the lodge
IS: ChaN-lsn. Henderson Nj. Bell; William
a. Bunke Garrett @. Gooch. o.. Howard
Wayt. and William L. Lushbaugh
stanton Lodge. No. IL, n. +. and A.
NJ. is one OF the Oldest Masonic lodges
in the State. and is one OF the wealthiest
There are l15 members. and its personnel
Is notable. TO the Grand Lodge Of Nir-
ginia have come six grand masters from
Lodge Il, the last and only surviving
grand master furnished by this lodge
being Mr.. J. Howard Wayt.
The Chesapeake and Ohio railroad has
advanced It's freight rates on coal from
the West Virginia mines to stanton .Jc.
per ton. and the local coal-dealers give
notice that after April LIST the price Of
Goa! per ton will be advanced Ike
sum.
Judge George NJ. Harrison. of the SUI
preme Court of Appeals. after spending
few days at his home here. returned
Monday TO Richmond. where the court is
sitting.
CHARTERED.
The Staunton Mutual Telephone Com
pany has been chartered by Judge Charles
Grsttan. In the Hastings Court. with
minimum capital stock of 5000; maximum
$4,000. The company enters the lists
here In competition with the Bell Tele-
phone Company. and already has con-
tracts with loo subscribers The poles and
wires viii be put up at once, and the
city subscribers will have telephone CON