The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-10-07
Great Day For All Dlas0ns
PREPARATIONS FOR THE cENTEN-
NAL OF wAsHINGToN's DEATH.
Meeting of Prominent Members OF the order
From Virginia and the District-EX-
ercises at Mount Vernon
and Banquet.

The Washington Post Of Friday says
There was a meeting OF committee Of
prominent Masons at the Ebbitt House
last night from both Virginia aud the
District OF Columbia. who came to-
gether to discuss the proposed exercises
in concentration OF the centenary OF
the death Of George Washington At
the last annual communication of the
Grand Lodge Of Virginia. the Wash
inRton centennial committee was ap-
pointed to attend to the arrangements
for the exercises, to be held December
4 next. at Mount Vernon and in Wash
ington. The first subcommittee will
have charge Of the arrangements for
banquet and reception on the evening
OF the l4th Of December
II is intended to make this banquet
one Of the most successful affairs in the
history Of Masonry At the banquet
all Masons and their wives will be wei
come. and the grand Masons and dis
tinguished MSsons from all parts Of the
United States will be present 1t is
expected that President Mckinley, who
is "A Mason Of high rank, will deliver
the address at Mount Vernon, and also
receive with the distinguished Masons
at the banquet.
Last night the executive committee
reported that the several grand juris-
dictions Of the United States and the
Territories had responded cordially to
the request for necessary funds 10 carry
ont the proposed ceremonies A joint
ssion Of the centennial committees
from Virginia and the District has
been called 20 decide definitely upen1
the details of the occasion. During
last evening much business Of impor-
lance was disposed Of, and after an en-.
thusiastic conference the joint assembly
adjourned with the full assurance that
on the l4th Of next December there
would be gathered at the Capital Of the
nation the largest and most representa-
tive assembly OF Masous ever congre-
gated in the country.
Those present last night were Grand
Master OF Virginia Judge Il I. w.
Duke, Jr, and the Grand Master Of the
District Of Columbia, Mr.. John II
Small The delegates from Virginia
present were X Kemper, Mann Page,
Senators John " Daniel and Thomas
) Martin, Col. Micajih Woods and
Mai 4. Il. Courtney. The delegates
from the District were James A. Sam
pie. Q X Bergman, william Brown,
Benjamin w. Murch, Myron NJ Parker
aud Allison Nailor.
George Washington was not twenty
one years Of age when initiated into
the brotherhood Of Masons, although he
had reached his majority before he was
passed 10 the fellow craft degree Just
in what manner the illustrious man
succeeded in being admitted to the or.
der before his twenty first birthday is
not revealed by this historian At the
age Of fifty.six Washington was a char
ter member Of the Alexandra. Washing.
ton Lodge. and IN the same year he
considered it an honor to accept and
faithfully fill the Office Of worshipful
master Of the lodge. During this time
he held his membership in his mother
lodge at Fredericksburg.
During his entire life Washington
ever showed a sincere devotion for the
cause OF Masonry and Masons 1t was
the feeling Of veneration for the Mason
and the man that led the Grand Lodge
Of Colorado to suggest fitting observ
ance Of the date of his passing into the
eternal lodge above. The Virginia
lodge was requested to take charge of
the ceremonies.
The executive committee having the
affair under control is composed Of the
following gentlemen: Maj A X.
Courtney, chairman; Judge r I. W.
Duke, Jr., and Kosciusko Kemper. All
communications in regard 10 the pro-
posed ceremonies should be addressed
to any member Of this committee at
Richmond, Va