Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-08-15


Waterville: Junior Grand Warden
Adelbert Millett. Searsmont: Grand
Marshall Il. +. Bradbury. Norway:
Senior Grand Deacon J. T.. Kingsley.
Augusta: Junior Grand Deacon w. II.
X. Abbott, Waterville: Grand Chap
lain Rev. John Gibson. Cape Elizabeth;
Stewards q. X. Bither. Fairfield: f. r.
Drummond. Waterville.
The procession was formed at the
Temple on Common street at l.30 in
the afternoon. Representatives of the
Blue lodges of surrounding towns We're
present and marched with Watervile
Lodge. N. 49, These escorted by St
Omer Commandery. knights Templar
and led by the band marched from the
Temple to the Elmwood to escort the
grand officers down to the city build
ing. Including the band there We're
about $50 men in line and il was an i'm
posing parade. The Knights We're in
full uniform and the members of the
Blue lodges wore their aprons and in
sigma of office.
The line of march from the Elmwooi
was down Main to Elm, to Silver 10
Main and to tho city building. Arriv-
ing AT tHt St1nt tile NHiSitS Nn''i'h
into line and saluted as the grand Of
ticers marched through. hollow
square was then formed about the
stone.
Mayor Martin Blaisdell. as chief
magistrate Of the city. briefly ad-
dressed Grand Master kimball and the
customary and time honored Masonic
ceremony was then commences. This
was new to the majority OF those pre-
ent and il made pleasing and last
ing impression. The grand master re-
piled in the established form and the
grand chaplain offered prayer.
The cornerstone was suspended from .
derrick so that IL barely touched thu NOR
tar into which IL was 10 sink. At tn
command OF the grand master it was
raised and the box containing the records
was placed in the receptacle prepared for
ii i'm he stone br the grand treasurer
the list having been read by the gram
secretary.
Then came the impressive ceremony oi
trying the stone by the square level and
plumb OF the Masons. Each officer ap
piled his jewel in turn and declared thai
the craftsmen had done their duty.
The grand master then spread the NOR
tar. declaring: Il, Alfred $. kimball
grand raster OF Masons Of the State 81
Maine. declare this stone to he plumb
l,vel and square, to be well formed, trus
and trusty. and duly laid
The elements of conservation consisting
Of the corn. wine and oil We're then pour
ed on the stone by the deputy CRANE
master. senior and junior wardens Their
the grand master said:
May the all-boInteous author Of ma.
ture. the Supreme and everything God
bless the inhabitants OF this place with
all the necessities, comforts and con
venienceS Of life-asSist in the erection
! and completion OF this bulding-protec,
the workmen against every accident. and
long preserve from decay the structure
which will here arise. And may He grant
/ to us in neeatul supply. the corn OF nour-
ishment. the wine of refreshment. and
the oil Of JOY.
The public grand honors were then Civ
en- in the battery form.
Then the square. level plumb and plan
were prese nted by the grand master u
Mayor Blaisdel. The grand master pro
claimed the stone land according to the Old
customs by the grand master of Masons
The grand chaplain pronounced the bene-
diction compile ting the ceremonies. The
singing of the Masonic quartet added
mucn to the pleasure of the ceremony
The line was then reformed and returned
to the Temple, where the Grand Lodge
closed.
Among the articles in the box were
copies of the Waterville Mail. Bangor
News, Kennebec Journal. history of the
hall up to the laying of the cornerstone
building committees old and new, business
cards of the firms in the city. rosters Of
fraternal societies and copies of the city
reports. May they never be seen again
by anyone who witnessed the laying Of
the stone that covers them.