Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-04
Centennial Anniversary of Washing
tons Death to Be Observed.
An ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT M'KINLEY
Ceremonies of One Hundred Years
Ago to Be Reproduced
P r OG RA NJ OF ERCISES
Special CORES poudence of The Evening Star.


ALEXANDRIA, Va, December l. 1898
AS the centennial of the death of General
Washington. the 14th instant, approaches
interest in the Masonic observance at Mt.
Vernon on that date becomes more and
more pronounced, not only in Masonic cir
cles, but among citizens generally. Ar
engagements for the important event which
is to be made national and even world wide
in its significance, are being energetiCally
carried on by the local members of the
Masonic fraternity. The two local lodges
Andrew Jackson and Alexandria-W ashing-
ton-have a joint committee at work pre-
pairing for the reception and entertainment
of guests. Ex-Mayor E. E. Downham who
is chairman of this committee. states that
excellent progress has been made in the
| matter of securing accommodations for Wis
tors and attending to other details.
From the number of lodges in the state
and the representatives apportioned to each.
il is expected that about 500 Virginia Ma
sons will be here in attendance on the an
nual communication of the Grand Lodge
of Virginia, which will begin In Lannon'S
| Opera House, December II. and continue
| for three days. Owing to the meeting of
| the Grand Lodge here the occasion has
| double import to the MaSons of the com
monwealth. For the first time in its his
| tory the lodge will assemble in annual con-
| vention elsewhere than in Richmond. and
| for this departure from the Old-tlfIle GUS
| tom a special dispensation had to be SC
cured. The session will open Wednesday
| afternoon, December Ii. The following day
| will be devoted to the memorial ceremonies
at Mt. Vernon, and the succeeding day
| Grand Lodge officers will be chosen an
much other business transacted, after which
| the meeting will adjourn.
Probable Changes.
The following changes in the Grand
| Lodge, it is understood, will take place in
| the line of promotion: Grand Master r. 7.
w. Duke. jr., who for two years has held
| office, will yield the gavel to Right Wor
| shipful George w. Wright of Marion, who
| is now deputy grand master. Right Wor-
| shtpful H. o. kerns, grand senior warden,
will be advanced to the deputy grand mas
| terShip, being succeeded in the office he
| now holds by Grand Junior Warden Ed
ward n. Eubank. Grand Senior Deacon
| Thomas y. Davis will be made grand
junior warden and Right Worshipful X.
kemper will be advanced from grand junior
deacon to grand senior deacon. These
changes will leave vacant the office of
junior deacon, and for this position a warm
contest is expected.
Because of its intimate connection with
the life Of Washington the history of
this time very interesting. The lodge was
established about 1888. At that time the
MasOns had no hall, but met in tavcrns
In 1862 they built a lodge room above the
market, which was burned in 1871. and was
almost Immediately replaced by the superb
Masonic Temple which still exists. Wash
tngton became a member of the lodge a
the time it was chartered and the body sill
holds in its possession the original charter.
He was made worshipful master May 20
11SS. When the ia Their of his country"
died the old clock in the lodge room was set
at the time he eXplred-10 :20-and the
hands have not since been moved. In the
lodge room are many other priceless relics
of Washington. Specimens of his mani
script, his wedding gloves. the chair In
which he sat while presiding over the or
der and the knife his mother gave him
when he a boy are to be seen in the
collection. The Bible on which Washington
was obligated as a Mason is held by Lodge
No. of Fredericks burg, Va, In which
Washington entered as an apprentice No
vember 1. 1852
Program Adopted.
Col X. Kemper of the centennial COM
mittet. annnntad by, tho Nirri,nin Grand