Evening star., 1900-01-31

ington, James Hoban, architect of the
building, being the first worshpful master.
Clotworthy Stephenson, senior warden, and
Andrew. EaStaye, Junior warden, and 1t is
said to have been composed mostly of per
sons employed on the work of the build
ing, and in the private dwelling of one
of them. on New Jersey avenue between
and B streets, a room was set apart for
the lodge. On its first public appearance on
the occasion named, the lodge numbered
less than twenty, but ii Joined with other
organizations in escorting President Wash
ington from the Presidents Square to the
site of the building, and participated in the
ceremonies.
Washington arrived opposite Georgetown
in the morning. did also number of
Virginia organizations. Among these were
Alexandria Lodge and the Alexandria Vol
Unteer Artillery. and 1t is noted that Wash
ington was ferried over in a barge, one of
the oarsmen being Colonel James Thomp-
son, a Mason and member of Lodge No 3.
Washington and the Virginians were re-
ceived by Lodge and other organiza-
tions and proceeding to the Presidents
Square were then received by Lodge Il
FederaD, and the general procession was
formed, Captain Stephenson acting the
grand marshal
1t is a matter of interest that the stone
was set by Mr.. Colin Williamson, the mas
ter stone mason on the work. as well as
one of the Master Masons of the lodge. The
lodge also took part in the funeral obse-
ques at Mt. Vernon-December Is, 1889
the centenary of which event the lodge
participated in last month. 1t Is probable
that the organization participated in all i'm
portant events in which, as lodge. It
could take part, but unfortunately its early
records have been lost.
A Treasured Relic.
One treasured relic in its possession is
the original ledger by which the accounts
we're kept in pounds sterling, shiliings and
pence 1t is learned that the meetings IN
early wears were held Sundays, and il
was customary to attend religious services
at some church proceeding thereto with
music.
Columbia Lodge, No. 30. was organized
November S, 1902, and located on the ave-
nue. near the Treasury Department, some
the government
These lodges, Nos 10 and~to, IN Decein-
ber 1904, purchased of Mr. Nicholas king
(surveyor) one of the early members OF
Federal Lodge, part of lot IA, square :'2 !
now occupied by the city post office build
ing). % by so feet, for SI5, on which they
erected two-story brick building, the
second story being reached by stairway
on the south side Here the two lodges
regularly met for over twenty years. from
1911 with Lebanon Lodge, No. Z. 1t also
afforded accommodations for the boards of
aldermen and common council, and it is
worthy of note that quite number sat
within the walls both as Master Masons
and city fathers. The building was also
used many years pS tiiV 'i' W eSiihe
ton library and the Vine Lyceum Society,
and before the proceedings were instituted
to condemn the site for the government IT
was under rent to colored Masons
The establishment of the Washington
navy ward and the settlement of the vicin-
ity undoubtedly had much to do with the
organization, in May. 1906, of Washington
Naval Lodge-then No. Al of Maryland
now No f. District of Columbia, This was
lust after the Tripolitan war and times
were brisk at the yard. Some of the young
officers and employees were of the craft, a
few of the latter being from Alexandria
BY these was the lodge started and main
tanned.
The first lodge room was in a two-story
| brick building the east side of 9TH
| street between l. and NJ streets. southeast
ard, being mqcb-too large for the lodge
and its Uses Sthe4ower portion was let to
| a Mrs Mcdonald for school purposes, and
| the back portion t,was rented to the tiler
The subject of purchasing a lot and erect
ing hall was early considered, and before
the close of the war of IL such progress
had been made that site had been Sc
Iected and bargained for The destruction
| of the ward by the British August 25. 1914
and the consequent uncertainty to the
f,,ture put a quietus on the project for the
time.
| Fires Again AElow.
| The fires on the Masonic affairs in George
| town Were set agiow again in 1906. when
| Potomac. No. ~, Of Maryland. now No. 8.
| took up the work. with Valentine Reintzell