The record-union., 1896-10-15
Property.

was a scene of great excitement and
festivity at the foot of Post street at
$50 this morning when the Masons
formed. 5000 strong, preparatory to
their grand excursion to Decoto to lay
the cornerstone of the new Masonic
Home for widows, orphans and the fee
ble aged of their order.
The cars on both Post and Market
streets were stopped for half an hour
and the windows of all the buildings on
the lines of march were filled with spec
totors of the procession. The white
apron and the blue ribbon made the
streets gay with color.
The knights Templar of the Grand
Commandery, with their picturesque
costumes of black and silver, were well
in the van of the procession. They were
followed by the Golden Gate Com
nandery, carrying handsome silk ban
ners. Last came the body of MaSonS
themselves, wearing the white apron,
and brought up in the rear by the
Grand Officers in their gold lace inSig-
MIA.
The following was the order of the
procession:
Grand Marshal (blue rosette), E. Pea
body; aids Ged, white and blue ro-
settes), c. L. Field, w. H. T. Titus. H.
A. Cline, Webb n. Pierce, Henry Bur-
ner, Charles Conlisk; band; Grand Com
r,andery, Knights Templar, escorted
by California Commandery No. j: San
Jose Commandery No 10; Oakland
Commandery No. IL; Golden Gate Com
mandery No. 16; Grand Chapter, r. A.
NJ; Grand Council, r. and S. NJ; Grand
Consistory, A. and A. S. r.; tyler, with
4 cta r6 with rods
entered apprentices; fellowcrafts: Mas
ter Masons; stewards; junior deaconS;
Secretaries; Treasurers; Masonic Vet
Grams Association; the Grand Lodge Of
California in the following order: The
Grand Marshal Of the Grand Lodge,
the Grand Tyler, with drawn sword; ;
Grand Stewards, with rods; Junior
Wardens: Senior Wardens; Past Mas
ters; Masters; the Trustees of Masonic
Home the Grand Standard Bearer; the
Grand Pursuivant and Grand OrganiSt;
a brother bearing a golden vessel of
corn; two brothers bearing silver ves-
sells of wine and oil; the Grand Orator
and Grand Chaplain; the Principal Ar
chiteot, with tools on velvet cushion;
the Grand Secretary and Treasurer: the
Grand Bible Bearer; a steward, with
rcd on either side Of him; two brothers,
with Tuscan and Composite orders;
three brothers, with Doric, Ionic and
Corinthian orders; Past Junior War
dens; Past Senior Wardens; Deputy
Grand Masters; Past Grand Masters
Grand Wardens; Deputy Grand Mas
ter; the Master Of California Lodge No.
| l. bearing the book of constitutions;
the Grand Master; Grand Deacons, with
rod on either side: Grand Sword Bearer,
| with drawn sword; two Stewards, with
| rods.
| The families of the Masons in large
| numbers met them at the 10 o'clock
boat. Arrived on the other side, they
were met by the Oakland and Alameda
County lodges, apd again formed pro-
| cession, reaching Decoto about ii
| 0 clock.
| The laying Of the cornerstone was
under the direction of the Grand Lodge.
| in session this week at the Masonic
| Temple Proceeding to the northeast
corner Of the beautiful 261-acre site,
the Masons formed in two lines,
through which the Grand Officers pass
| ed to the platform which had been
erected for them.
Grand Master f. NJ. Preston took his
seat in the middle of the platform. sur
| rounded by the other Grand Officers
! On the table before him We're the Bible,
| book Of constitutions and working tools.
In few impressive words he signalized
| the laying of the corner stone of the
I handsome $4,000 building which the
Masons are erecting for their unfortu-
nate aged. Rev. Jacob Voorsanger, the
Grand Orator, delivered the address of
/ the day. He spoke eloquently of this
! important gala day for the Masons Of
this State and of the worthy object for
which their home was to be erected
At the conclusion of the ceremonies
the Masons and their guests were en-
| tertained at a grand barbecue and
clambake given in their honor by the
members Of Alameda Lodge No. 169,
and the Grand Lodge members were
| given a banouet