Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1902-08-15
e. -.SI0HE: LAYING
OF The Negro II >o.5.3 In
Pc >A4.j.t1 \ ,2soi42.:.-4...,,. :,
Cer-Haon 6.
j. N. poWAEoO, MASTER or CERE-
MONIES. MADE OPENING
ADDRESS
Representing Mayor Bell, w. NJ. Cole
man Makes Address on Be-
haIf OF City.
GRAND LODGE MEETING ENDS
i1alf OF City.

The laying Of the cornerstone Of the
negro Masonic temple by the thirtieth
annual session of the Masonic grand
lodge Thursday afternoon brought to
the city perhaps the largest number
of colored people who have ever been
here at any one time, and the crowd
was orderly and well-behaved, show
ing the Improvement and progress
made by the race in this section of the
country.
One of the main features of the event
was the street parade which was head
ed by colored band, and fully 800
Masons followed. Then the members
of the Eastern Star chapter in car
riages. After parading the principal
streets Of the city, the procession NOV
ed to the scene of the foundation of
the new building under course of erec-
ton.
After selection by the band, pray
er was offered by Rev. T. II. Jackson,
D. D., president of Shorter University,
North Little Rock. Hon. J. N. Dona
hoo, master of ceremonies, and chair
man of the trustees of the building,
made the opening address, He said
| the Masons and citizens together
marked another milestone in the his
tory Of the negro. Much to our sur
prise and to our deep satisfaction" :"
he said, I'VE find ourselves far in ad
vance of our most sanguine eXpecta-
tions. Our successful growth in broth
erly affection, in unity and in strength
has encouraged us to celebrate this
epoch in our history in a somewhat
more elaborate fashion than we have
hitherto thought ourselves able to do.
1t is for this reason that we have in
vited the craft and its friends up from
all parts of the country to join with
us in the ceremonies and festivities
Of this occasion. We therefore vel
come you with that true welcome that
true Mason alone can extend"
Reference was made by the speakc"
TO the struggles Of the negro Masons
in planting their temple, in securing
the land end now in the erection of
the building and he declared that it
We CT q n n ON n1 he
whole race and a credit to the city
Of Pine Bluff
Hon. w. NJ. Coleman, representing
his honor. the mayor of Pine Bluff
was the first speaker introduced, and
in the course of his remarks he con-
graduated the negroes upon the pro-
sress they have made since their en-
ancipation. He spoke of the progress
made by the people and urged that
they continue in the right direction.
The large number of eolored people at
teNtively listened to the address and
frequently outbursts of applause inter
rupted the speaker, and at the conclue-
ion Of his address he was given an
ovation Which lasted five minutes.
Mrs. H. F. White, Of Charlottesville,
grand matron Of the order of Eastern
star for Arkansas, was introduced by
the master Of ceremonies and dciN-
cred an ADDRESS presenting 70 ,Ae
2Han;l lodge the cornerstone as com II,
flun the sr;,nG chapter.
These were accepted by Grand Master
Clalk for the grand lodge and vote
OF thanks extended.
Grand Master Clark then proceeded
to lay the cornerstone, assisted ~
deputy Grand Master j. E. Pea1a