The age-herald., 1900-08-26
LAYING OF CORNER
 STONE AT FAYETTE
Beautiful and Impressive Cere-
 mony of the MaSons
BY GRAND LODGE OFFICERS
Address-The Affair an Epoch in the History of Fayette Large
 Crowd Present

Fayette, August 25.-(Special.) )-August 23 marked an epoch in the history of the town of Fayette. The occasion was the laying of the cornerstone of the new Masonic Building. Unfortunately the weather was not favorable on account of rain in the early morning, but a pleasant day was passed, which will be long remembered. All business was suspended by the mer- chants and others during the ceremonies, showing a hearty sympathy with the oc- casion.
 At the time appointed the Grand Lodge of the State of Alabama convened, the fol- lowing officers being present:
 B. Dudley Williams, G. M. R. M. Gun ningham, D. G. M; R. F. Peters, as s. G. w. Ben M. Jacobs, as J. G. w; J. R. Col lins, as grand treasurer; E. P. Goodwin, as grand secretary; Thomas II. Armstrong, as grand chaplain; r. $. Jenkins, as grand marshal; J. T. Sanford, s. G. D.; Robert Franks, as J. G. D.; L. F. Humber, as grand tiler.
 The lodge was then opened by Grand Master pr. B. Dudley Williams after which the procession of more than one hundred Masons, in command of Grand Marshal F. s. Jenkins, marched to the court house. where they were met by large procession of Odd Fellows, who also participated in the exercises of the day. Inspiring music was furnished by a choir ot trained voices, consisting of Misses Ellie and Tosie Werby, Lucy Bell, Erdelia Caine and Mrs. b. M. Harkns, and Messrs. Joseph Morgan, Samuel F. Sanford. w. D. Putnam, Edward Rose, accompanied by Dr. T. M. Peters and MT. Claude Bell with cor nets.
 Dr. Cunningham Speaks
 After prayer by pr. Thomas H. Arm strong, the grand master, B. Dudley Will Hams, in a very pleasing manner, intro duced Deputy Grand Master Dr. R. M Cunningham, who delivered a masterly ad- dress, and one which delighted every person present with the beauties of Masonry.
 The cornerstone which was chiseled and figured with lines of art was a present from Gillespie Lodge of Bankston. It was presented in a short and well-worded speech by J. R. Collins of Gillespie Lodge and with fraternal feeling 1t was cordially accepted by R. F. Peters, as representative of Charles Baskerville Lodge.
 The platform exercises were opened with prayer by Rev. J. P. Dickinson, after which the grand treasurer, by the grand masters command, placed under the stone various sorts of coin and other deposits The grand master then applied the plumb square and level, after which the vessels containing corn, wine and oil were deAv- cred by three beautiful little girls, Elma Morton, Annie Sanders and Metie Dinck- inson, to the deputy grand master and grand WardenS, who successiyely presented them to the grand master. and by him poured upon the cornerstone according to ancient ceremony. Fine vocal and instru- mental music were dispersed during the impressive ceremonies.
 A Grand Old Man
 A pleasing feature of the occasion was the presence of Judge Thomas P. McCon- nell, who carried the Holy Bible in the procession, and who is probably the oldest Mason in the State. It was touching to see this grand old man, the only survivor or a large lodge of Masons, who were pres- ent at his initiation many long years ago, sitting on the platform under the beam ing sun, of eighty-six summers, intently watching the cornerstone of the new building take its place.
 A meeting of Charles Baskerville Lodge was held at night, and by special dispensa- tion the E. A., F. C., and M. M. degrees were conferred on Prof. Wm M Monroe the grand officers being present and par tcipating in the work, which was thor oughly executed, to the great benefit of the craft.
 After the business of the evening was finished, short and pleasant talks were made by Grand Junior Warden Ben M. Jacobs, pr. M. R. Seay of Windham Lodge, ID. J. Gibson of Corona Lodge and George w. Coggin, worshipful master of Charles Baskerville Lodge, after which solemn, pa- thetic and instructive addresses were made by Grand Master Dr. B. Dudley Williams ana Deputy Grand Master Dr. Russell M. Cunningham, which sank deep into the hearts and minds of all present to recur again and again like strains of loved melody.