The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-03-18
WITH THE MAS0NS.
THIRD DAYS PROCEEDINGS VERY
INTERESTING.

tiers Masonic Discussed and Disposed of
The Visiting Brethren Well Enter
tanned by the Local Contingent-A Royal
Time With the Fraternity.
| Masonic interest in the southwest il
conferred this week at the Scottish Rite
cathedral IN this city, and the increa sei
attendance and interest manifested at
yesterdays session indicate the import
the Masonic world.
Wichita is typical secret society city,
a greater number. perhaps, Of its male
inhabitants belonging to some fraternal
order than any other city in the state,
and there is hardly a benevolent organi-
cation in the country that is not repre-
scented here.
The first place is easily held by the
Ancient Craft of Freemasonry, and this
city IS regarded as one of its strong
holds in the west. All of the degrees and
grades from the first in the Blue lodge
up to the Thirty-second in the Scottish
Rite are conferred here in an able and
impressive manner.
The Scottish Rite bodies in session here
this week acknowledge allegiance to the
Supreme Council Of the southern juris-
diction, whose headquarters are in Wash
ington, D. c. This jurisdiction comprises
all territory south OF the Ohio and west
OF the Mississippi rivers, and include ia
pan and the Hawaii islands.
The semi-annual convocations of the
Rite in this valley Is the most important
Masonic function that takes place in this
portion of the southwest and is the means
OF bringing together from central, south
ern and western Kansas, Oklahoma and
Indian Territory very large numb Der of
the brethren of the craft, who for the
few days of the convention manage TO
have a thoroughly satisfactory and en-
joyable social and fraternal reunion.
The Scottish Rite bodies have prosper
ed exceedingly since their humble begin
ming with twelve members ten years ago.
Without property or paraphernalia they
started most inauspiciously; but the hard
full Of brave and determined men have
lived to see in the brief period of half
decade the membership increased to al
most 400 and property acquired abso-
lutely free from Indebtedness worth S15,-
600.
]. Giles Smith, 33rd. Edward Goldberg,
33rd, Harvey Horner. K. c. c.. H, Sol
futile, 32nd, the surviving remnants of
the original chartered organization, still
reside here and are present at this meet
ing and among its most active workers.
1t is but natural that they feel justifia-
BILE pride in witnessing the growth and
prosperity of the order.
The work of the nineteenth reunion
progressed very satisfactorily yesterday,
beginning at 1890 a. m. At that hour
the 18th degree. Knight of the East and
West" was presented to the class, Albert
*. Wilson Of Topeka being in charge of
the work.
AT the conclusion of the work in this
degree the class of eighteen visited Isra-
els gallery and sat for the class picture.
The custom of presenting the consistory
with class pictures has prevailed for sew
eIal years, resulting in the order acquir-
ing fine gallery of pictures.
At the afternoon session the last de-
gree of the Rose Croix was conferred |
This beautiful degree, the 18th, Prince
lose Croix," illustrates all that is grand, |
poet.cal and chivalrous OF the historic |
Knights OF the Cross of the Middle Ages |
The degree was presented in a very i'm
manner by the following officers !
in charge:
Most Wise Master-Jas. H. Mccall.
Most Excellent S. W.-Chas VI. Jones' !
Most Excellent J. W.-George L. Pratt |
Most Eloquent Orator-Henry Wallen- |
stein.
Master Of Ceremonies-Fred Stuckey
Valiant Guard Of the Temple. Giles |
Smith.
The beauty Of the degree was greatly |
enhanced by the wealth Of floral decora-
tons. Rose crosses. typical en1blems OF
the degree, filed the air with fragrance, |
and tropical plants added an oriental |
cast TO the scene. An elaborate musical !
program also added materially in the |
rendition Of the degree.
At the evening session work was inau-
gurated in the Kadosh, the 21st degree, |
''Noachite or Prussian knight" being the
leading attraction.
This degree was presided over by W.
NJ. Shaver, who came all the way from
Topeka TO aid in the work. He was ably
assisted by Henry Wallenstein. Chas. NJ.
Jones, e. E. Bleckley. A VI. Goldstandt,
]. H. Mccall, Thos. G. Fitch, c. ". Bit
ting and others.
At the conclusion Of the work luncheon
was served in the dining room, and a
pleasant social hour enjoyed
The following is a partial list Of the
visiting brethren present from abroad:
C. A. Fellows, Topeka; J. ". Page, FL
Dorado; a K. Wilson, Topeka; E. ".
Wellington, Ellsworth; NJ. W. Cooper.
Baxter Springs; w. ]. keyte, McPhe--
son: Edgar w. Jones, Guthrie: D. 3.
Fuller. Eureka; Richard W. Jenkins. To-
oeka; ]. H. Colen, Lawrence; Lee Scott,
-hetopa; o. 4. Meyer, Alma; A. A. Sharp
Larned: Chas. B. Adams. Edward s.
Donnelly, Guthrie; Ed Marchsnt, St
John; S. II. Homer. Caldwell; Ed Crebo,