The times., 1898-06-23
Impressive Ceremony at the New
Alexandria Court House.
AN HISTORIC TROWEL USED
the Laying of the Capitol Corner
Stone-The Proceedings Through
out According to Orthodox Ritual
of the Masonic 0rder-Represen-
tative Rixey's Remarks.

A. F. and A. NJ, yesterday afternoon at
) O'Clock laid the cornerstone of the new
courthouse and jail for Alexandria Coun-
ty, at Fort Myer Heights. The ceremo-
nies throughout were according to the
orthodox ritual of the Masonic order, and
were imposing, being witnessed by a large
assemblage, composed of residents of
Washington and Alexandria City and
county.
The weather was ideal. 1t has been the
province of Alexandria Washington Lodge
TO lay the cornerstone of public buildings
in this vicinity for the past century and
the trowel used today was the same
handled by George Washington when he,
as master of this lodge, laid the corner
stone of the Capitol of the United States.
The members of Washington Lodge have
been interesting themselves in the event
for several weeks, and Messrs. S. H.
Lunt, Henry Strauss and A. w. Arm
strong, the committee appointed to per-
feet the arrangements, performed their
task admirably.
The special Masonic train left Alex
andria at 4:30 o'clock with the members
of Washington Lodge. a representation
| from Andrew Jackson Lodge, under the
| escort of Old Dominion Commandery, ac-
companied by the Friendship Drum
Corps. On the train We're also number
of ladies, the wives daughters and friends
of the members of the craft.
Upon arriving at the site of the pro-
posed county building, circle was
formed by the Masons and Templars,
when r. T. w. Duke, jr., grand master
of the State of Virginia, called the as
semblage TO order after opening ode
had been sung. Rev. Clarence f. Ball
ba Arph pT
the Universe to bestow His blessing on
the work in which the craft was engaged.
The usual ceremonies then followed.
Toward the close, Dr. w. r. Provis, wor-
shipful master of Alexandria Washington
Lodge received from Mr.. Samuel H
Lunt, marshal of the occasion, silver
vessel containing corn, and descending
from his station spread the grains upon
the stone saying: May the health of
| the workmen employed in this undertak-
| ing be preserved to them, and may the
| Supreme Architect bless and prosper their
| labors.'
The marshal subsequently, presented the
| senior warden with cup of wine and
| the junior warden with cup OF
oil, both of which, with the usual invoca-
| tions, were poured upon the stone.
Then followed the placing in the re-
| ceptacle by Treasurer Thomas w, Rob
| lnson of a copy of the act of the Legisla-
ture of Virginia, authorizing the cree
| ton of the court house and jail, plans
| and specifications OF proposed building,
! dist OF the members of the bar of Alex
! andria City and County, and number
! of coins in circulation al present, and
copies OF Alexandria and Washington pa
pers.
| The following is the inscription on the
stone: ''Er rected by the residents of Al
! exandria County, June q. 1898.
The corner stone was then duly placed
| in position by Grand Master Duke, at the
conclusion of which he delivered brief
| and impressive address. The grand mas
ter succincly traced Free Masonry
| through the maZes of history to the pres
ent day, portraying the principles set
forth by the craft. and its adaptation to
| men of all nations and creeds.
After singing by the choir, Grand Mas
| ter Duke introduced Congressman
| John F. Rixey, who said:
We stand today upon historic ground surround
| ed by historic associations which link with
| the memories and traditions of the greet mast
| and with the living present. Here the dome of
| the nations capitol here the great monument.
| here the Arlington estate connected by the
| sacred associations of the past with the most
| beloved of Yirginans. Here the silent city OF
the dead, an everlasting memorial OF our strife,
| and here too army post keeps its vigils over
| the everlasting bivOuac OF the dead.
| 1t is not meet and proper and according to the
eternal fitness OF things that the foundation cor
ner-stone OF the building which is to commem-
crate the majesty of the law, and TO emphasize
the fact that the mailed hand OF the warrior
| shall respect civil authority. should be laid
! with such imposing ceremonies, by Alexandria
| Washington Lodge of Free and Accepted MasOns.
| whose charter existence is more than a century
old, and whose very life in the past, like that
of our own beloved State is with the his
tory of the Government itself?
| A lodge whose first master immortal
! WaShinpTOu and which has had M
| bers many of the most distinguished men OF this
| or any other country, born with liberty itself,
| this lodge has officiated in the most important
! and memorable events of our country. Not stop
ping to enumerate them, for they are too numer-
| ous, | will simply state that at the close of the
Revolution it laid the first ornerstone which
| outlined the District of Columbia in 1871, which
commentaries the end OF the great contest for the
location of the seat of government. II oficiated
| at the laying of the cornerstone OF the Capitol
in 1893. and at the funeral of washington in 1879.
Connected by every association and tie with
| everything concerning the birth and growth OF
| this Government it is meet and proper that at
| the end of the first century of this country
| growth and progress, this venerated lodge should
today offeiate at the laying of this cornerstone
upon this hill top, overlooking the Capitol OF a
nation which in the future will extend be-
yond the oceans
This little county, small in extent, only twenty
nine square miles. about three by ten, has had
indeed career, not paralleled by any other in
the State. Part of the great Northern Neck, by
ing between the headwaters OF the rapids and
| Potomac it granted TO Lord Culpeper, whose
daughter inherited the property, and was the
mother OF Lord Fairfax, who employed Washing
ton a surveyor A part OF Fairfax County,
| which still bounds il upon three sides, scarcely
had the colonies secured their independence
when, Virginia prodigal with her territory,
by act of December 3. 1850, ceded to the general
Government "a tract OF country not exceeding
ten miles square, or any lesser quantity TO be
located within the limits of the State but pro
vided that it should take effect only when ac
copied by the general Government.
In 1871 Congress formally accepted much o.
the land on the Virginia side as would make the
District of Columbia ten miles square, to include
all that thought to be valuable at that time
the city of Alexandria, but the act provided, es
pecially that no public buildings should be erect
ed otherwise than the Maryland side of tn,
Potomac River. While in the District of Colum
bia this county was for the first time known al
Alexandria County, which name it retained upor
| its retrocesson to Virginia in 1876.
| j have heard that some persons in Alexandra
desired to be again incorporated as part of th'