Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-16
CHASE AFTER A GAVEl
Difficulties Experienced by Committee of
Masons in Caring for Treasure.
Historic Relic Belonging to Potomac
LOdge-CustOdians Baked by
Guards at Mt. Vernon.

During the exercises Thursday at Mount
Vernon, at the celebration OF the Tooth
anniversary of the death of Washington,
the gavel of Potomac Lodge, No. 3, +. A
A. NJ, of Georgetown, was used by Grand
Master Duke of Virginia, who, with Presi-
dent Mckinley and other prominent Off
Gals, occupied position on the portico of
the old home. The gavel was the same
employed by Washington at the time of
the laying of the corner stone of the United
States Capitol and is quite a valuable relic.
! The lodge has been offered several thou
sand dollars for the implement, but has re-
fused to part with it. 1t is kept in the
vault of the Farmers and Mechanics Ma
tional Bank. and is never taken from the
place unless by the consent of the lodge,
and then II is always accompanied by
special committee.
The usual custom was observed Thurs
day, and committee, consisting OF MeSsrs.
Raeburn, Waddey and Stump, was appoint
ed to accompany the gavel and keep an eye
on it, to prevent its being lost. This COM
mittee went down to Mount Vernon and
was on the portico when the exercises were
held. At the conclusion of the exercises
the presidential party left by a private en-
trance, and with them went Grand Master
Duke OF Virginia, with the gavel In his
hand. The members of the committee
started to follow but We're stopped by the
custodian at the door. The exit was only
for the President and his party, and the
orders were strict. Inc coUifnIlltt
tulated with the guard, but he was obdu-
rate. Finding 1t impossible to follow the
presidential party by that door the gentie-
men rushed to the rear of the ouildlng py
another route, only to find that the Presi-
dent and those with him had gone TO inc
boat. They quickly followed and found
they had gone aboard, and when the COM
mittee attempted to do the same they were
refused permission, the vessel being only
for the use Brthe chief magistrate and IN
vited guests Baffied again, the committee
men ran for the terminal of the car lne,
determined to ride by rail to Alexandra
and head off the presidential party. ana
thereby secure the treasured gavei. 10 the
dismay of the trio, they found, wherA they
reached the station, that the car nay just
gone. - e..
There was nothing to do but wait Tor
another boat, and finally the committee
came up the river. The members dld not
know whether or not Grand Master Duke
had got off at Alexandria, but 1t was de-
cided to stop there as precauliohdIS
measure. The committee men Went an
over the ancient city, but could not ma
their man. He was expected in the town
later in the day, 1t was learned, but 1t was
thought he was then at ms quar.e s,rf,.a IA
proceeded to Washington by boat, and took
up the task of finding the hotel where the
grand master was stopping He was nn l
located at the Bbbitt, and by good luck
was in when the committee reached MS
room.
Their mission was fruitless, however, as
NJ
placed the gavel in charge of Mr.. j. II.
Small, jr., past grand master of the Grand
Lodge of the District. The committee pro-
ceeded to find Mr.. Small. The members
went to his store only to find he was not
in, but could most likely be found at MS
home. Without losing any time the COM
residence of Mr.. Small. He gave the in
formation that he had turned the gaVel
over to Mr.. B. w. Murch of Both street,
Georgetown, who was master of George Z.
inc I ODD IN a
year. Somewhat tired of their search, the
committee went to Georgetown and We're
fortunate enough to meet Mr. Murch. He
said he had the gaYel IN his possession put
had turned it over to DIR. Charles Becker,
royal arch captain of the Grand Royal Arch
Chapter of the District
From the residence of Mr.. Murch the
committee went to the store of DR.. Becker,
only to find that he had gone to his home
They proceeded on trot to his residence,
and We're given the information that he mad
the gavel and had left it in the safe at
his stole. He urged the committee to
move lively, for his son was about TO close
up the store for the day, and would hardly
open the safe again for the President
of the United States. The committee
proceeded on dead run down Pro-
spect avenue to the store, and met the
son just as he was locking the front door.
They shouted at him half a square away,
afraid that he would escape them. How
ever, when things We're explained the safe
was opened, and the precious relic trans
ferred once more into the hands of the
committee.
An attempt was made to keep the matter
a profound secret, but the facts leaked out,
and Thursday evening at the lodge room
the members of the committee were the
subjects of a good deal Of joking. The
chase after the gavel, added to the worry
and fear of its being lost, almost COM
pletely exhausted the three men, and they
were correspondingly happy when the
gavel rested once more in their hands.
The implement has quite a history. 1t was
once sent to Boston. where It was stolen.
The whole Masonic fraternity of the coun-
try was notified of the event, and eventual
ly the treasure was discovered resting in
pawn shop. 1t was promptly redeemed.
and has been jealousy guarded ever since.