The Saint Paul globe., 1903-12-22
LODGE REACHES ITS
fIFTIETH MILESTONE
And Royal Arch Chapter, r.
A. NJ, Makes Fitting OBJ
ServanCe of Occasion.


In the presence of large number of
Masons, their wives and families, and
with an appropriate and elaborate pro-
gramme, Minnesota Royal Arch Chap
ter No. l, Royal Arch Masons, last
evening celebrated its fiftieth anniver~
sary at Masonic hall on Fifth street.
The affair was one of the most nOta-
bic in the Masonic annals of st. Paul.
The city's most prominent Masons were
present, and a great many men who
have been prominent for years in Ma
sonry Of Minnesota came to the city to
assist in the celebration.
The celebration was marked by the
presence of six Of the past grand high
priests of the state, and each was pre-
sented with a very handsome jewel in
gold, studded with diamonds. The 9TH
er six living past grand high priests,
who We're unable to be present will be
presented with jewels at some subse-
quent time.
The jewels were presented by John
F'ischel, of st. Paul, the present grand
high priest of the state, in a neat ad-
dress. Those who received them were
Thomas Montgomery, w. P. Jewett, A.
P. Swanstrom and B. Converse, of St.
Paul; J. "A. Peck, Of Wabasha, and J. l..
Hart, of Pipestone..
James Schoonmaker, excellent high
priest of Minnesota chapter, welcomed
the guests in behalf of the chapter. He
spoke of the organization of the chapter
in the pioneer days of 1853, and Of the
sturdy and honest old Masons who
formed it. George L. Becker, the only
| resident charter member, who was to
have made an address, he stated, was
very i'll. Mr.. Becker is in a critical con-
dition, and when a committee of the
chapter called at his home yesterday
to present him with a souvenir of the
| occasion, his physicians, Mr. Schoon-
maker stated, would not permit him to
be SEEM
Charter Issued in 1858.
Prof. J. c. Bryant, past high priest.
spoke of its history. The pensation
for the chapter was originally issued on
Sept. 26, 1853, and organization was
effected under the dispensation Dec 21,
1858. The chapter was chartered Sept.
IL, 1856, and the charter was lost in a
fire April 26, 1868. A duplicate charter
was issued in the following October
The chapter during it's life has had
among its membership some of the
most prominent men Of st. Paul and
| Minnesota" said Prof. Bryant. "The
chapter has enjoyed a steady growth.
| and today, it's fiftieth anniversary, is
not only the oldest, but one of the
largest and best chapters in the state -
Thomas Montgomery, grand secre-
tary OF the state grand chapter, spoke
on the Grand Chapter of Minnesota" :"
| lie gave an interesting history of it's
organization and development To-day
| 1t represents 5000 men, he stated.
| Henry r. Adams, Of Minneapolis,
worshipful grand master of the state,
| spoke on "Capitular Masonry" He
| traced Masonry from it's inception and
| spoke of it's present high place in the
world and Of its constantly widening
| influence.
The musical numbers on the pro-
| gramme were furnished by H. E.
George and the Minnesota Chapter
quartette.
At the close OF the programme each
| guest was presented with a large cop
| per medal as a souvenir of the occa-
sion.
Chapters First Officers.
| The first officers of the chapter, elect
| ed in 1853, were the following:
| A. L. G. Pierson, excellent high
priest; A. G. Chatfeld, king; G. l..
Becker, scribe; A. E. Ames, captain of
the host; A. J. Whitney, principal So
Journer; A. j. Morgan, royal arch cap
| tain; Henry Morris, master third veil:
z. ID. Fillmore, master second veil: G.
w. Biddle, master first veil; P. T.
Bradley sentinel.
Today the chapter is officered by the
following:
James Schoonmal1er excellent high
priest; D. B. Gardner, king; A. j.
Birmingham, scribe; G. G. Lambert,
treasurer; E. J. Larkin, secretary;
Lawrence Hope, chaplain; A. M. Berg
| strom, captain Of the host; c. II.
Kemper, principal sojourner; G. H.
weston, royal arch captain; H. M.
German, master third veil; J. c. Bry-
ant, master second veil; G. l.. Tracy.
master first veil; c. J. Kruger, sentinel.