The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-30
Founded in 1898 by FTeemdsOns Who Came
Here to Assist in Erecting Public Buildings.
Has Taken Part in Many Historical Events.
Centennial Anniversary Celebrated in 1898

shall Stephenson, at home in such a
scene; worshipful Master Hoban, and
Brother Williamson, in a three-cornered
hat. powdered hair, a dress coat, knee
breaches. worsted stockings, buckled
shoes, and wearing his lambskin apron,
assisted in the laying OF the corner
stone. The right worshipful grand mas
ter made lengthy address, and COM
pany of Virginia militia on an adjacent
charges OF their cannon, though there
had been no agreement with the orator
TO this effect.
First Public Appearance.
The stone was truly placed. however,
and tried and consecrated in full and
ancient form President Washington
taking a keen interest in these formaH-
ties. A gaveI of marble that he held is
still preserved by Potomac Lodge Of
Georgetown. The day closed with the
bountiful eating and drinking that char
acterized the period. an OK, roasted
whole, being one of the dishes. A sill
yer plate on the cornerstone preserves
the names of Captain Hoban and Brother
Williamson as architect and master
mason OF the building.
That Federal Lodge should have made
its first public appearance in the midst
of scenes of such historical interest
should be a matter OF pride to all its
members.
In May. 1874. the Grand Lodge met for
the first time in Baltimore and Senior
Warden Stephenson represented Federal
Lodge. He took part in the impressive
procedure of the Grand Lodge and was
returned to the next meeting of that body
the following December, as worshipful
master. The list of membership of the
lodge at that time was as follows: CIot-
worthy Stephenson, worshipful master;
William Coughlan, senior warden; Ber-
nard Crook. junior warden; James He.
ban. treasurer; James Dougherty, secre-
tary; David Cumming, senior deacon;
Redmond Purcell, junior deacon; John
Dickey and James Houston, stewards.
John Croker. Andrew Eastave. COLLEEN
Williamson. Lewis Williamson, and VIII
liam Knowles. Master Masons.
In 1886, Federal Lodge removed from
Capitol Hill to the little hotel known as
Peacock's, on the north side OF f Street
above Fourteenth, where both the outer
and inner man found accommodation
Alexander Mccormick, Protestant
freshman. was admitted 20 the lodge 1t
this time and soon became one Of its
most prominent members. In 1898. un-
der his msstership the lodge numbered
the following members: Benjamin Burch.
John Carter, Thomas Dickey, J. T. Frost.
James Cannon, Patrick Healy, Nicholas
King. Alexander Mccormick, A T. Nc
Cormick. Andrew Mcdonald, Frederick
May, Philip o'Mara. Lawson Pearson,
John suter. David Tweedy and Samuel
Wright.
Progress of the Lodge.
Federal Lodge took part in the funeral
/ procession Of George Washington at
| MoLnt Vernon. December IL, 1893 Broth
| er Mccormick was a bearer of one OF
the lesser lights" and entered the
tomb with his sperm candle, which is
! still preserved by the grand lodge.
| In 1904 Federal and Columbia lodges
/ bought lot in Eleventh Street, just be-
/ low Pennsylvania Avenue, and put up a
two story building. known as the Union
Lodge Room. for their common use In
| 1907 Nicholas King. the official surveyor
Of the city. and 4 man widely esteemed.