The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-01-09

as early as 1903. and was an active
member of Hiram Lodge for nearly half
a century. Born 18th Sept. 1777, and
died July IS, 1861, aged 81 years.
At the time of his death he was the
oldest Mason in the city, both as to ma
tural age and term of membership. One
of his granlsons is an active member
of w. G. Hill Lodge of this city.
One OF the most distinguished citizens
and prominent politicians of the State,
= Hon. William Henry Haywood, was for
many years an active member of Hiram
/ Lodge Mr.. Haywood served in the
state Legislature for several terms and
was electai United States Senator in
1874. He lied about the close of the
first half century of Hiram Lodges his
tory.
Col Wiiiar, ]. Clarke became a
member Of hiram Lodge at an early
age, and vas soon advanced to the OF
flee Of Master. In 1916; on the breaking
out of the Vi, Xican war he volunteered
! and took an active part in the campaign
in Mexico. He was wounded
and on the close of hostilities
with Mexico returned to his native
State, and for several years was State
Comptroller. He was a colonel in the
late war between the State, and was
afterward ,ne of the Superior Court
/ judges Of tile State.
The seventh decade in the history OF
Hiram Lodge was an eventful one. AL
most without notice, and certainly
without preparation, the country was
plunged into a war the magnitude and
bitterness Of which was unknown to
modern history. One section of the
other. States lad taken up arms against
sister States, citizens against citizens
and Masons against Masons.
HOSPITALS FURNISHED
In the city of Raleigh there were
several hospitals where the sick and
wounded men were brought for treat
ment Among these there were of
course a number Of Masons. Some
made themselves Known as brethren;
others We're found to be such; while
there may have been others who passed
over the river who never gave the sign
of distress nor received the warm grasp
OF a brothers hand. OF course there
were deaths among them, and the Ma
sons of Raleigh were called upon at fire.
quent intervals to pay the last tribute
of respect :, a departed brother.
In the after part of 1863, there was
organized III the hall of Hiram Lodge,
a Mason's Relief Association. It's OBJ
ject was TO look after the sick and
wounded iIasons, to provide as far as
possit le clo hing food and medicine for
1.-The needy. j was also agreed that tho
Federal soldier who was q Mason should
receive the same attention as the Con-
federate soldier whenever it was posi-
BILE to reacn him. (See Square and Com
pass.)
At that me the uncompleted build
ing of Peace Institute was utilized as
hospital and most of the sick and
wounded Federal soldiers were cared
for there.
The existence of this association was
never made public. 1t did a vast
amount Of good and many delicacies
wholesome meals and warm articles OF
clothing we're furnished to the sick and
wounded, flat even the officers of these
hospitals knew not from whence they
came. That was Masonry.
The Federal troops under General
Sherman, ,5"ofeld and Terry, entered
the city OF Raleigh on the morning OF
April 10, 1856 the advance forces un-
der General Judson fitzpatrick being
the 1IrSL 10 enter the CITY.
The first desire of every citizen was
to secure protection for his own family
and home, and the next was that oil
those nearest and dearest to himself
After seeing after my own family the
first person l thought was my lifelong
friend AMI Masonic brother, John b
Ncathery, Master OF VIM. G. Hill Lodge
No. 21S lie had also secured the nee
family Our next thought was to Sc
cure. il possible. guard for the pro
lection of cur Masonic hall the ole
hall on the corner OF Morgan and Daw
son street of which l have befor,
spoken.
THE LODGE PROTECTED.
A provost marshal had in the mean
time been appointed and headquarter
established at the capital i'm the Gov
ernor's room. With more boldness thar
= discretion Hrother Neathery and mysel
$ entered the office of the provost mar
shall and asked that we be furnished
with SAFETY guard" for the propert!
: of the Masonic Lodges of the city. TIL,
provost mars hal, unfortunately for us
$ was not Mason. He at once began t,
ply US with questions as to the loyal
! ty of Masons to their government ant
why they should seek protection 70
their property While arguing tn
: question With the provost marshal
I young officer. a Lieut.. Col. as ] sool
learned from the insignia of his mi
form, approached us, and asked the pro
: vost marshal to assign the duty o
protecting the property of the Mason
of Raleigh 10 him. 1t was done, an'
7 in less than an hour we had two faith
full soldiers OF the Federal army sta
? toned at the old Masonic hall. On
: stood guarl on Morgan street at tn
entrance ana the other on Dawson
: street near q gate that entered the bacl
yard, opening into passage that divid
: ed the lodge property from that of MI
t Thad MCGEE. There were no depreda
t tions upon the premises of Hiram
: Lodge.
A few years ago in Washington cit.
| ] was in conversation with membe
of Congress from the State Of Iowa
Learning that / was from Raleigh h
told me that he came here with tn
Federal troops in 1865 and asked M
many questions about the city, anc
: related several incidents that occurred
while here. Among them was that o