The leader., 1899-11-01
NEW MASONIC TEMPLE.
Interesting Facts About the I'm
posing Edificc Now Nearing
Completion.

to our State and ambition for our town
that we place before the public the fol
lowing items of interest pertaining to
the Masonic Temple, the handsomest
building ever erected in Brookhaven
By contract it was to have been turned
over to the building committee today,
but mighty rush of business has
somewhat retarded the most energetic
efforts of the builder. For several
weeks past, Mr.. Larsen and his faithful
employees have labored assiduously
even into the 'stilly hours" of the night
to satisfy the conditions of the con
tract, and at present writing the work
is virtually completed.
1t was in 1896 that a movement was
projected in the different lodges of
Masonry occupying the old Masonic
Building to sell the property and build
upon more desirable location. Find
ing, however, that this was not advisa-
BILE at that time, the old frame building
was remodeled throughout and newly
painted. In the early part of this year
offers were made to purchase the prop
erty: and while committee was invest
igating with view to sell, the fire fiend
effectually put at rest all pros and cons,
and on April 1ith, 80, the building, ex-
cepting charred remains that still
stand a monument to the virtue of our
water works system, together with all
paraphernalia, was destroyed. The to-
tai loss was S3,2S5; the insurance real
iZed, S2,1OO.
The Mayors office then became
the seat of "The Mysteries" and moth
ing dismayed, instructions were at once
given to purchase the Davis property,
corner Cherokee and Jackson streets.
for $1,000: and to proceed to all neces
sary arrangements for building at
once \ building committee consist
! ing of G.. r. Grafton, w. +. Parsons, G.
! F. Heuck, A. +. Moreton. G. NJ. Water
man, John Maynor and j. f. Seavey
was appointed Messrs Seavey and
Heuck were subsequently made sub
committee by their colleagues. Plans
were selected from Messrs. Geo. F.
Barber & Co. of Knoxville. Tenn, and
| the contract for the erection of the
temple was let on July 14th, 80. to Mr..
| c. Larsen for Sl5,135. and on Aug. 10th,
| the corner stone, which was presented
! by Messrs. Henry Meyer and II. F.
Mullikin. was laid with all due ceremo-
ny. Chas. f. Grafton acting as Wor
shipful Deputy Grand Master. Among
the very numerous articles placed in
| the stone are the names of the Presi
dent of the United States and his cabi-
net, the names of officers of every or
ganization, probably, in BrOokhaven,
the pastors and officers of the churches.
members of the Lodges who are in good
standing, Holy Bible, copy of the min
utes scorched by the fire, the June
number of Whitworth's Monthly Clio
nian, an apron made in 1863 presented
by S. SokolOski and various coins,
newspapers, etc, too numerous to men
| ton.
The building, when finished, will cost
! 81, 800 1t is three stories high. 10
feet long and 30 feet wide, with hand
some front of red pressed brick with
stone trimmings and plate glass. The
first floor is to be occupied as stores. a
large arched stairway leading to the
second floor. The second story will be
occupied by the Young Mems Social
Club. which has been organized on the
basis of an admission fee of $1,000, with
81 members.
The third floor will be occupied on
the front by the Masonic orders, as fol
lows Brookhaven Lodge No. 24l:
Brookhaven Royal Arch Chapter No.
so: BrOookhaven Council of Royal and
Select Masters No. 81: st. Elmo Com
mandery of Knights Templar No. IS:
Winnie Davis Chapter of the Eastern
Star No. l. In the rear will be large
lodge room for all other secret orders
and spacious Banquet Hall and para
phernalia rooms. The Masonic apart
ments will have embossed steel ceilings
and wainscotings, polished floor, raised
opera chairs and handsome oak furni-
ture. All floors will be lighted by in
candescent and arc electric lights,
while they will be heated by hot air, and
furnished with waterworks through
out. A janitor, who understands that
eternal vigilance is the price of clean
illness, will be a permanent institution
of the mammoth establishment. The
Masonic altar will be presented by the
ladies of the town, who are raising a
fund for that purpose: and when the
building, with all its fair proportions
and imposing furnishings is finished.
it will be dedicated by the Masonic or
ders. Messrs. John E. Seavey and Chas.
F. Heuck, have given a great deal OF
their time and personal attention to
the construction and details of the
beautiful structure, and are entitled to
a special vote of thanks from their
brethren, which they will doubtless re
ceive.
The present membership of the
Blue Lodge is TO- The extensive
growth of the Masonic order is due to
the fact that so many young men have
been admitted: and when the new quar-
ters are occupied many rewill brave
the untried mysteries and ride the
Goat" now in his 10th year.
THE LEADER takes pleasure in saying
that the handsome structure is an hon
orto the brotherhood of Masons, and a
credit to our town and can but inspire
a spirit of progressiveness and feeling
of pride In the heart of every citizen.