The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-10-31
MASONIC SYMBOLS.
SIGNIFICANCE OF PENNSYLVANIA LINES
KEYSTONE.

SIGNIFICANCE OF pENNsYLvANfA LINES
KEYSTONE.
(From Knight Temrar Edition lof "A Pointer.')
The use of Masonic symbols by railways as
distinguished mark, In the publication OF
their passenger literature, is not uncommon
and by no means uncomplimentary, especially
when they are used by such railroads as the
Pennsylvania lines; though 1t was not with
Masonic idea that the Keystone was adopted
by that company as its arms, but more, per
haps, after the coRt-ofarms of the state of
Pennsylvania, from which the lines also de-
rive their name.
There is a defined respect bya Mason for the
symbols Of his craft. He regards them jeal-
ously and would restrain their use within the
cir1ler of the order IL II were possible, but
under the circumstances that their use by
others than Masons connot be controlled /
think the members of the ancient order
rather look with favor on the matter that
carries their insignia, and especially so in the
ca of great system like the Pennsylvania
lines, and II is more than likely that the
compliment to the craft is appreciated and
that the Keystone has carried many Masonic
passenger in the Pennsylvania lines ticket
offices.
The symbol of the keystone is a pretty one.
and most appropriate withal, in its use by the
Pennsylvania lines. As the Keystone is the
most essential one In the order, so is this rail-
road most important one in the great rail
way system Of the country, IL, indeed, IL is not
really the Keystone itself in the royal arch Of
transportation. Its lines extend in all direc-
tions from a center say at Pittsburgh, eastward
to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington and
New York, with branch lines and subdivisions
webbing the states of Pennsylvania and New
York and reaching their important trade CEN
ters in the coal, oil and iron districts. West of
Pittsburg the Pennsylvania Lines extend with
their own rails to Chicago, st. Louis and Gin
cinnati with north and south lines touching
Lake Erie at Toledo, Cleveland, Ashtabula
and Erie on the North and the Ohio river on
the South at Cincinnati, Madison and Louis
vile, with the intervening territory net
worked by system Of minor lines reaching
the larger inland cities of Ohio, Indiana and
Illinois and traversing the richest sections Of
those states.
With this vast system Of tracks and roads
north, south, east and west, covering so vast
territorory, the Keystone idea is not inappro-
pirate, as the turn of the arch is down the At
lantic Coast ON the one hand, and down the
Mississippi at st. Louis, on the other. The
curve at the top being along the shores Of
the Great Lakes, the graceful structure IL COM
plete and the wedges of the Keystone is -ity-
fitting symbol. Whether there was Masonic
idea in its adoption OF that it was inherited
from the state with the name, either Is cOmpii-
mented by its adoption. 1t is significant that
no other railroad uses the Keystone as trade
mark, though other of the symbols OF Masonry
are used In common by several difierentf sssas
and in some cases the same symbol by several
lines, but perhaps the very Importance of the
Keystone left 1t alone to be used by so i'm
portant railroad as the Pennsylvania Lines.