The herald., 1896-10-15
THE CORNERSTONE IS LAID
Of the Masonic Widows and Or.
phans' Home
MASONS GATHER AT DECOTO
To Take Part 10 the Impressive Cere.
monies
The Good Work Done-The Great Con-
course of Knights and Ladies En-
joy the Usual Banquet.
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
DECOTO, Oct. 14.-The cornerstone of
the new and imposing Masonic widows
and orphans home in course of erect
Jon here was laid today under the aus
pices of the grand lodge. At 1915 am.
the first special train of five cars arrived
from San Jose bringing the San, Jose
commandery Knights Templar AT 11:45
am. the first special train from San
Francisco arrived and was quickly fol-
lowed by two more, all unloading their
human cargo until the space about the
depot was black with people. At 12 o'clock
the procession formed and the march
was taken up. A hundred carriages and
busses were waiting at the depot to
convey the ladies to the site of the home,
which is on a hill about ten minutes
walk from the station. At the head of
the procession marched the grand mar
shall, e. Peabody, past master of Califor-
mia Lodge No. l. wearing the simple ap
ron of the Masons and blue rosette.
The marshal was attended by his aids,
c. L. Field, of Golden Gate Command
cry No. 10; w. H. F. Titus, California
Commandery No. 1; H. A. Cline, grand
consistory; Webb N. Pearce, grand con-
sistory; Henry Burner, P. M Occidental
No.22 CIV Conlisk, San Jose Command
cry No. 10. Other lodges and command
cries followed in precise order as ar
ranged beforehand by those having it in
charge. Upon arrival at the top the
knights formed lines and waited for the
ceremonies to begin. The grand master
preceded by two stewards and grand
sword bearer and followed by as many
of the grand lodge as could be accommo-
dated on the platform built around the
northeast corner /of the building and
back of the cornerstone, took seats. The
band then played, after which Rev. Mr.
Walk the grand chaplain, offered pray
er, after which the hymn, The Lord Is in
His Holy Temple was sung by a quar-
tet. This was followed by the singing
of the ode, Hail Masonry Divine, by the
congregation, led by the quartet The
grand master, LIN. Preston, then invited
Charles L. Patton, chairman of the
board of trustees, to open the ceremon-
les.
Mr.. Patton spoke upon the work ac-
complished by the Masonic fraternity
and pointed with pride to the grand
home which they were laying the corner
stone for today. At the conclusion of
his address the silver trowel was pre-
sented to Grand Master Preston. Grand
Master Preston then addressed Senior
Grand Warden Flint and admonished
him to notify Junior Warden Anglelotti
that the grand lodge had invited him to
lay the corner stone. Both did as di-
rected. The box containing the records
of the lodge and several other documents
were placed in the cavity under the
stone, while the choir sang Place We
Now the Corner Store. The impressive
ceremonies of cementing the stone in
place then took place, after which the
choir sang the ode, Corn, Wine and Oil
We Pour, after which lengthy address
was delivered by Grand Orator Voor-
sanger, and the ceremonies We're COM
plete.
All then proceeded to the town, ,whre
under spreading trees long rows of ta-
bles had been spread, and bounteous
repast was served. The special trains
left for San Francisco at 4:30 pm. 1t is
estimated that 5000 people were present.