The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-07-06
THE MASONIC, LODGE lAYs
THE CORNER STONE or
TIE COURT HOUSE.

day before and early next morning
people we're arriving, and by 10 O'Clock
The town was packed and damned by
those who had come 10 witness the
grand and impressive ceremonies OF
laying the corner stone OF our new
court house by the Masonic Grand
Lodge of the State of Louisiana.
AT the hour of Y. Pecan Grove
Lodge OF Free and Accepted Masons,
which secured its charter before the
war, and which has had in its ranks
many of the grandest and noblest men
of our State. who have long passed to
the beyond from whence no traveller
returns, and today has the leading
citizens of East Carroll among its
member. formed in procession in
front Of its Lodge room on Lake
street, with Grand Marshal Z. N.
Rea and his assistant. Mr.. F. H.
Schneider at the head, next Moser's
brass band, followed by the Masonic
Lodge. the Knights of pythias, the
Woodmen Of the World and citizens
on foot and in carriages, which made
quite a lengthy procession.
When the court house square was
reached by the procession it was packed
with our citizens, who faced the ex-
treme hot sun to witness the grand and
impressive ceremonies. Fully 1000
people filled the enclosure.
Upon arriving at the court house
yard the Masonic procession opened to
the right and left, the Grand officers
passing through the arch and ascend
ing the platform prepared for that pur-
pose, which had been erected flush
with the corner stone. which was in po-
sitIon to be lowered and held by der
rick erected for that purpose
Robert H. Cage. Grand Master of
the State of Louisiana; Frederick
Speed, G.. p M. acting as ID. p. M;
Past Master j. G. Bass Of Pecan
Grove Lodge 222, acting G. S. W.;
Past Master r. l. Hill OF Pecan. Grove
Lodge 222. acting G. j. D.; Past Mas
ter G. r. Egelly. acting G. L. and G..
c.; Geo. NJ. Petit, acting Grand Secre-
tary; Geo. Blackburn, of Pecan Grove
Lodge 222, Grand Marshal; G. NJ
Franklin and ID. F. Peck. of Pecan
Grove Lodge 222, acting as G. s. and
d.; Hon. Robt. Nicholson, President of
the Police Jury of East Carroll.
Silence was then comman ded by
Grand Master Cage, who announced
the purposes for which the people had
assembled, after which the corner
stone was lowered by Grand Architect
w. A. Stanton of Vickburg. Hon.
Robt. Nicholson, then stepped to the
center of the platform and presented
to the Grand Master silver trowel,
properly inscribed. preceded by few
appropriate remarks. which were re-
sponded to by the Grand Master in
eloquent words, at the conclusion of
which, he desceened from the platform
to the corner stone and with the
trowel spread the cement upon the
stone with the usual Masonic cere-
mony. Acting Grand Chaplain G. &.
Egelly delivered an appropriate prayer,
which was responded to by the breth-
rem.
Acting Grand Treasurer C. r. Egel-
~, by command of the Grand Master
during which. Moser's band played
Nearer my God to Thee" then pro-
ceeded to the corner and deposited in
the receptacle prepared for that pur- !
pose. a copper box, containing the fol-
lowing articles:
Roll of district and parish officers,
board of parish supervisors, city board.
Of health, names of officers of Grand
Lodge of Louisiana, roll OF Grand
Officers of Louisiana and those ofiicl-
ating Of Pecan Grove Lodge %. copy |
ofthe Banner Democrat, official journ-
al of the parish of June 20, copy of the
Sentry published at Lake Providence,
Issue of June 81.
COINS AND OTHER ARTICLES CON-
TRIBTED.
japanese coin, DIR. Frank f. Ar
taud; silver dime coined in 1901, w. |
A. Stanton, Jr., Warren county, Mise;
Confederate button 1901, two admis-
sion tickets to Worlds Fair 1883, G. |
X. Egeily; silver Scent piece coined
1874, rare coin hole in center, Phil j. |
Mcclure; French 20.cent piece, U. S. |
copper cent piece coined 1874, Mex
lean coin 1856, English farthing 1860, |
Frank Mcclure; copper coin 1897, w.
b. Maben; copper coin 1900 found in |
court house yard by one of the work
men; novelty coin. l.. Stockner; alum
mum coin, N. Fousse; 25-cent shin |
plaster printed 1874, Alex Crippip,
Mobile, Ala.
The Holy Bible used for this occasion
was printed in 1875, being a transla-
tion from the Greek and has been in
possession of the Eastland and Green
families for over 100 years. and was
kindly loaned for the occasion BY Mrs.
G. r. Egelly.
The wheat used and placed upon the
corner stone on this occasion was
kindly donated by Kirby Stanton
Enochs. a grandson of w. A. Stanton,
of Warren County. Miss, and Mr..
Enochs the contributor being a resi-
dent of Logan County, Illinois. from
whence the wheat was shipped.
The Grand Architect. w. A. STAN
ton, presented the Grand Master with
the working tools, who distributed
them to the proper officers. consisting
of Deputy Grand Master Speed, Grand
SENIOR Warden Bass and Grand Junior
Warden Hill, addressing each as to the
use of the working tools and directing
them to apply each tool to the corner
stone SO as to be satisfied that the stone
was true and that the craftsmen had
skilfully and faithfully performed their
duty. all of which was done by each
and promptly reported to the Grand
Master finding the stone TO be in cor
rect position.
At the conclusion of this part Of the