Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-12-12


GINA
of Virginia, the jurisdiction in which
Washington first saw the Masonic light,
will take the lead in the ceremonies,
though prominent place will be given
the grand lodge of Colorado, by which
was inaugurated the movement TO eel
ebrate the anniversary of Washing
toms death by the Masonic bodies. 1t
is expected that grand masters and
past grand masters from every state
in the Union will be present, some of
whom are already here. Masonic rep
resentatives from the 10 original states
will participate.
The order Of the services at Mount
Vernon, which has already been very
generally published in the news dis
patches, will be the same as those
which occurred hundred years ago
on the same spot, which is made sacred
as the resting place of the ashes of the
Father Of His Country.
The two historic 1odges with which
the name Of Washington is so inti-
mately associated = Fredericksburg
lodge, No. 4, and Alexandria Washing
ton lodge, No. 22Ewill of course be
prominent In the ceremonies both at
Alexandria and Mount Vernon. George
Washington becamean Entered Appren-
tice of Fredericksburg lodge on Nov.
4, 1852, passed to the Fellowcraft on
March 3, 1853, and was raised to the
degree Of Master Mason Aug. 4, 1853.
When the Alexandria lodge was char
tered, In April, 1888, Washington Joined
1t as charter member and was chosen
worshipful master on May 20, 1888, re-
tanning his affiliation until his death.
The lodge still holds in its possession
the original charter, which is one of
the most valued relics of Masonry any
where in the country. In the lodge
room at Alexandria are many memen-
tos Of Washington, which are held as
priceless treasures by the men who
have the distinction, Of which they are
extremely proud, Of being members of
the same lodge as the Father of His
Country. Nothing could induce them
to part with these historic relics.
Among them is the old clock which
stood in the lodgeroom when Washing
ton was worshipful master. When he
died, 1t was set at the hour he expired,
1920, and its hands have never been
moved since. There are also the chair
in which he sat while presiding over
the lodge, various specimens Of his
manuscript, the knife his mother gave
him when he was boy, his wedding
gloves and many other things OF inter-
est.
The observance of the anniversary Of
WashlnSton's death, which will by no
means be confined to the Masons, but
will be participated in by many patrl-
otic organizations, has reawake2ed very
general interest here and elsewhere
throughout the country in Washington
relics, and everything. connected with
the life and personality Of the first
president of the republic is receiving
marked attention. The home of Wash
ington at Mount Vernon is, Of course,
the richest In these mementos and Is
now perhaps more than at any time in
recent years the Mecca Of patriotic pill
grlmages.
While relics of Washington's life
during Its later period are compara-
lively plentiful, there are few remain
ing souvenirs of his youth and young
manhood or of the years prior to the
Revolution, when he was simple
country gentleman with the title of
colonel. But n most Interesting me-
mento was brought to light not long
ago In overlooking keepsake treasures
by one of the old families of Virginia.
1t Is an almanac of the year 1867, and
on most of It's blank pages Washing
ton has inscribed in very small writing
the weather and other memoranda Of
events Of Importance. 1t possesses es-
pecial hiatorical interest from the fact
that 1t gives a full list of the prominent
men then holding public office. There
is a list of King Georges councilmen
Of Virginia and n catalogue of the rep
resentatives of the different counties
In the state assembly of the day,
among the last being the well known
names Of Francis Lightfoot Lee, Pat
rick Henry, Richard Bland, Benjamin
Harrison, Richard Henry Lee, Field
ing Lewis aud of Washington himself.
Though yellswed with age, the paper
of the old almanac Is still firm and
tough, while the, lettering, in which
was used the quaint old English "f'
for an IS" is still pefect, ln the back