The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-12-22
LIVES IN MEMORY.
CENTENNIAL OF wAsH1NGTox.s,
DEATH COMMEMORATED.

tries Participate i'm the Solemn
and Beautiful Ceremonies Of the
Masonic Fraternity Eloquent
Tribute by President Mckinley.
Washington. Dec. 16.-With solemn
l>omp and circumstance, with cere-
monies, beautiful, impressive and APP
prcLriate. in the presence OF dis.
tinguishcd assemblage and in the full
splendor of ideal autumn weather. the
centennial of the death of George
Washington was commemorated yes
terday ut Mount Vernon. That Mount
Vernon should have been selected as
the scene of tho exercises was peculiar
ly fitting. There it was that the hap
piest incidents Of Washington's life Oc-
cured. In other parts he endured his
trials, on other fields he won his tri-
umphs, but there. surrounded by those
whom he loved best. were spent the
restful, quiet. studious hours of his
life. There it was, too. that he sick
ened and died; and there all that was
mortal of him was laid to eternal rest
in IL mausolcum. overlooking Il broad
sweep of the picturesque Potomac.
The ceremonies were deliberately
planned and successfully carried to
conclusion. They We're conducted by
the Masonic fraternity and later by
the Red Men of the United States.
Charge of the Masonic ceremonies. i'll
cidcnt to the commemoration. was Ill
the hands of the Masons of Virginia.
it being in the Old Dominion that
Washington was obligated as a Mas
ter Mason and there that he partici-
pated enthusiastically in Masonic work
and observances. The officers of tho
grand lodge of Virginia and the men,
bership Of Fredericksburg lodge, in
which Washington
Was Made Mason,
and of Alexandria, Washington lodge,
over which he presided as WOrshipful
master, had the chief part in the duty
of seeing that the observances were
appropriate. That that duty was well
performed was evidenced by the So
lemnity and beauty of the ceremonies
and by the vast cOncOurse of Mas0nS
present Members were in attendance
from all parts Of the country and al
most every jurisdiction in America and
IL few from foreign countries wcr"
represented by some of their grand OF
ficers and members.
The visiting Masons. many accom-.
panied by the ladies of their families.
congrcgated in Washington and were
escorted by the Masonic bodies of the
District Of Columbia. headed by the
grand lodge of the districs. made the
pilgrimage to Mount Vernon by boat.
sf,,s., nfI Uf
Alexandria and thence, escorted by
lodge and Alexandria
lodges, in body proceeded to Mount
Vernon. also by boat.
At 10 o'clock President Mckinley.
himself all enthusiastic Mason. accom-
panied by Secretary of State Hay,
Secretary of the Treasury Gage. Sec
retary CT the Navy Long. Secretary Of
the Interior Hitchcock. Secretary OF
Agriculture Wilson and Postmaster
General Smith. of the cabinet: Asss-
tant Secretary of the Navy Allen. Mai.
Gen. Miles. Adit. Gen. Corbin. Secrc-
tary Porter. Assistant Secretary Cor
telyou, Maj. John \. Johnson and
Senator w. a. Clark Of Montana. past
grand master OF his state. left WASH
ington on IL special electric train for
Mount Vernon. arriving there at II
o'clock.
Greeted the President.
The presidential party was greeted
by Grand Master Duke Of Virginia and
by him escorted to the mansion. 1t
WAS Yearly an hour and a half after
ward before all of the steamers bear
ing Masonic budics arrived. After the
PRESIDENT and his cabinet had reviewed
them from Il platform OH the east
front of the mansion procession was
formed and moved. as on The day of
Gen. Washington's funeral, Dec. 1S.
100. to the CID vault where the remains
were first deposited. There. in the in,-
mediate presence of the grand officers
of the various states and the assem-
bled Mast us. solemn funeral rites We're
conducted. After music Grand Master
a. A. BurIard of Colorado delivered
all address on the life and work of
WashiL gton. laying particular stress
upon his Masonic life and accomplish
luents. The procession reformed and
moved, then to the tomb where the re-
mains of Washington and those of his
family lie now. The tomb was mag
nificently decorated with flags and
ASStOonS, VI SSSISASCLor' 1A&t lONcIS.
Here the beautiful aud impressive,
comprehensive Masonic ceremonies
We're conducted. The grand masters
of the thirteen original states formed
in lihc facing the representatives Of
the other Jurisdictions. the grand lodge
Of Virginia at the head, the two lines
Joining Hands.
facing the tomb of Washington. Prayer
was then offered. Then the grand mas
ter of Virginia called upon each of
the jurisdictions of the thirteen orig
inal states, the Jurisdictions of the
other states. and those of Canada.
Belgium and Nova Scotia for messages
sent by them, and all responded. Then
the grand master of. the District CT
Columbia deposited within the tomb
the lambskin apron as token Of ill.,
nocence; the grand master of Missouri
deposited the white glove as q token
of friendship and the grand master OF
California deposited the evergreen as
an emblem of, the Masonic faith in the
resurrection of the body and the I'M.
mortality of the soul.
Scores of beautiful wreaths ana
punches Of evergrcens were then de-
posted within the tomb. one of the
most beautiful tokens. an immense