Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-05
GRAND LODGE IN SESSION
Annual Meeting Of MaSons Of Nebraska
Opens in This City,
MANY PAST GRAND MASTERS ARE HERE
Veteran Mnsons' Association Holds Its
Social Session and Admits New
Observation-Disclosures for
Grand Lodge

The Masonic grand lodge Of Nebraska be-
gan it's annual session at Free Mason
hall at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. The
meeting will continue throughout today,
and may run over into Friday. There are
no special features on the program and all
the time will be devoted strictly to business
affairs.
Yesterday morning was devoted to the re-
ceptlon of delegates at the Masonic temple,
corner Capitol avenue and Sixteenth street,
and to the social session ard dinner of the
Veteran Masons' Association Of Nebraska.
There are 2SO Masonic lodges in the state
and each will be represented by from one
to three delegates in the grand lodge.
Past Grand Masters Here.
Thirteen past grand masters were in at
tendance yesterday. They were Ex-Governor
r. W. Furnas OF Brownville, Major D. H.
Wheeler Of Omaha, Samuel Hayes Of Nor
folk, Henry Wilson Of Lincoln, George w.
Lininger of Omaha, John Dinsmore Of SUIT
ton, Charles Coutant of Omaha, Robert e.
French Of Kearney, John Ehrhardt of Stan
ton, Martin Durham Of Omaha, A. w. Critics
of Chadron, George B.. France of York and
John ]. Mercer Of Omaha
The grand officers In attendance are
Robert E. Evans, Dakota City, grand mas
ter; Nathaniel M. Ayres, Beaver City.
deputy grand master; Frank Bullard, North
Platte, grand senior warden; James Dins-
more, Hebron, grand Junior warden; Mel
willie e. H~opewell, Tekamah, grand mar
shall; Edwin Burnham, Tilden, grand senior
deacon; Elias Beightol, Holdrege, grand
junior deacon; Jacob King, Omaha, grand
tyler; Robert e.. French, Kearney, grand
custodian; Rev. Turner. Norfolk, grand
chaplain: Francis r. White, Plattsmouth,
grand secretary; John B. Dinsmore, SUIT
ton, grand treasurer.
Business to Come Up.
1t is not likely that the proposition 20
establish an Masonic orphans home will
be considered by the grand lodge, although
1t may come up for incidental discussion
In connection with certain reports.
Last year a resolution to make Omaha the
permanent seat of the grand lodge was
introduced and it will probably be acted
on at this session. Many OF the delegates
express themselves in favor Of the resolu-
ton.
The meeting Of the Veteran Masons as
ISOLATION, which began at IL O'Clock, was
merely a social session and no business, ex-
cepting the admission OF seven new MEM
bers. was transacted. There were about
fifty members present. including the fol-
lowing officers: Martin Durham, president;
J. B. Dinsmore, John E. North and George
H. Thummel, vice presidents; Thomas A.
Creigh, treasurer, and Francis E. White
secretary. Former Governor Furnas was
requested to prepare an address on THE
Early History OF Masonry In Nebraska"
for delivery at the annual business meeting,
which will be held next January.
Veterans Have Dinner.
'
At IL o'clock dinner was served the vet
Grams at Masonic temple, when brief ad-
dresses were made by former Governor
Furnas, George w. Lininger. Edward Rose
water, George B. France. Henry Wilson,
John Ehrhardt and others.