The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-01-12
MEETING OF GRAND LODGE
ONE HUNDRED ANO TENTH AN
NUAl. COMMUNICATION.
This Nest Ancient ard tiororabie
Bedy Convened Last Night
at 1880 O'clock.

at 1880 O'clock.
The one hundred and tenth annual
communication of the Grand Lodge of
North Carolina viii convene in this city
tonight at 1880 O'clock. This is one
of the most ancient and honorable crgan-
izations in eur State. 1t was organized
at Tarboro on Dec. 18th, 1877 There
are now two hundred and ninety lodges
in the State, composing a total member
ship Of about II, 900. Some Of the best
and most hoP0red citizens of our State
have encouraged and supported masonry.
Richard Caswell. the first Governor of
North Carolina, under Il declaration of
rights, and constitution which was a
dopted in 17T6, was the second Grand
Master Of Masons in this State. He had
been member of the Provincial Con-
gress that framed the Constitution for
this State aud had presided over that
body as its President. and had also re-
eeiyed from 1t the appointment of
Brigadier-General OF the militia OF the
district Of Newbern.
Governor CasweH was an earnest, zeal
Gus Mason, and as such he received the
highest honors Of the fraternity, being
The second Grand Master after the indie
pendent Grand Lodge was framed in
1857, and he held the> Office at the time
Of his death. He was preceded as Grand
Master by Samuel Johnston, the first
Grand Master, who was elected oGyern-
or of North Carolina at the death of
Governor CasweIl; and his successor as
Grand Master was William Richardson
Dayie, the third Grand Master in this
State, and who held the Office for nine
years, during the last Of which be was
also Governor of the State. Thus from
the independence of this State until the
last year of the century each OF her three
Governors was also the Grand Master of
Masons Of North Carolina
There will be about 800 delegates pre-
sent at this session Of the Grand Lodge
some Of whom have already arrived, viz;
DR.. Il. NJ. Moye, of Wilson, Grand Mas
ter; AIr. It. d. Winston, Of BERTHE; DR.
III. I. Clark, OF Hamilton; w. S. Liddell,
of Charlotte; Il. w Hatcher, Of Liberty;
Or. Houston, of Davidson College; Capt
y. NJ. Lawrence, Of Oxford; A j. Har-
rel, % Goldsboro; G. r. Bahnson, Of
Winston: Mr.. Jacob Barrow, Of Column
bia, s. c., who is the Grand Master of
South Carolina; IL. r. Neave, Of Sails
BuIys W d1btE Il. A1OUISt III JdCkS0Us N.
r. Reid, OF B;ltmore; Oscar J. Spears, of
Harnett; ID. S. Gurley, Of High Point;
w. ii. Applewhite, of Wilson John
Brady, Of Gainesville; General John w.
Gotten, Of Tarboro; Prof.M, c. s. Noble,
Of Wilmington;D DR. r. j. Noble, Of Selma;
b. S. Register, Of Oxford; NJ. j.. Winston,
of Granville; James A. Leach, of
Townsville; JAS. Sonthgate, Of Durham;
II. H. Munson, Of Wilmington; s. III.
Bountree, Of inston: r. NJ Pearsall, OF
Eewbc 7. w. Evans, and Dir. S. w.
riggs, ...ezabeth City; L. NJ. Totten, of
Hickory, and others.
The Grand Lodge has charge OF the
Oxford Orphan Asylum which is one of
the noblest charities in this country.
There are now at this institution about
go little orphans who are largely sup
ported and maintained by the Masons OF
the State.