The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-30
Cornerstone OF the New Courthouse
Laid by the Masonic Order with
Appropriate Exercises.
ADDRESS BY GOVERNOR DURBIN
AND WELCOMING SPEECH ny
JUDGE r. %. COLLIyER.
Masonic Grand Lodge Omcers Escort
cd by Raper Commeudcry. Il. T..
Of This City.

Stan Correspondence OF tho Journal
GREENCASTLE, Ind. Oct ea-Thc cor
nerstone OF Putnam county's new coart-
house was laid this afternoon with impos-
ing ceremonies and under the most auspi-
cious circumstances. The Masonic ritual
was followed under the direction of Grand
Master William T. English and other OIL
GERS OF the Masonic Grand Lodge OF IN
diana. and the occasion was graced by the
presence of Indiana's chief executive Gov
ernor Winfield T. Durbin. who was the
orator OF the day.
The weather could not have been more
rropitious. a perfect October day contrib
uting largely to the success OF the pro-
gramme and TO the size OF the crowd
which was unquestionabiy the largest
Greencastle has ever entertained. To get
an accurate estimate of the size OF the
crowd II would perhaps be safe TO consult
the last census report. take the Official
population OF Putnam county and add a
few thousands TO include the several hun
dred students of De Pauw University and
the large number of visitors from Indian
apolis. Danville. Terre Haute. Brazil.
Bloomington and other cities of the Fifth
and Second congressional districts, for
practically every resident of the county
was here. A conservative estimate would
place the crowd at fully 2O00o. The people
came from all directions and in all mannc,
OF conveyances, carriages, buggies. autos
and regular and special trains on all the
railroads. and, as they came in holiday
spirit and holiday attire, nothing was
wanting TO make the affair all that could
be desired.
GENEROUS HOSTS.
No effort had been spared to mark the
occasion as a memorable one in every re-
spect and as hosts the citizens of Green
castle certainly covered. themselves with
glory. Business was practically suspended
that all citizens might assist in welcoming
the guests, and hospitality was unbounded.
The pupils of the city schools and the stu
dents of De Pauw were given half holiday
that they might join in the demonstration.
A pleasing and interesting programme had
been arranged, and the arrangements for
handling the crowd were admirable, in
spite of the fact that the streets In the
vicinity of the public square became so
congested that the parade was held UP and
the opening of the ceremonies delayed some
minutes. The size OF the crowd was re-
sponsible for this. and. all things consid-
cred. IL Is surprising that the delay was not
longer and more vexetious.
The opening of the programme dated
from the arrival OF the special train from
Indianap polls at Ills O'Clock: On this train
were the officers of, the Masonic Grand
Lodge Governor Durbin, band and seven
ty-five mebers of Raper Commandery. No.
!. Knights Templars. as an escort Tor the
grand master. Captain General w. j. Nc
Kee commanded the Knights Templars. with
Oliver Pierce acting eminent commander.
The officers of the Grand Lodge, r. aud A
NJ were Grand Master William T.. English.
indianapolis; Deputy Grand Master George
f. Grimes, Ladoga; Acting Senior Grand
Warden Jesse Richardson. Acting Junior
Grand Secretary G. w Prather. Indianapo-
lis: Grand Treasurer Martin III. Rice. In
danapolis; Grand Lecturer Hugh o. Nc
Vey, Indianapolis; Grand Chaplain j. y.
stanley Indianapolis; Grand Marshal J. J.
Glascock. Lafayette; Acting Senior Grand
Deacon Robert Britain. Brazil. and Grand
Tyler Roger Parry, Indianapolis Fred l..
Glass, Of Madison, grand commander of the
Grand Commandery. Knights Templars. OF
Indiana, was also i'm the party.
THE PARADE.
The Indianapolis guests were met at tho
train by a reception committee headed by
Mayor John III. James, with an escort COM
posed OF a band and several lodges OF Ma
sons. in full regalia. and uniformed COM
manderies OF the Knights Templars. The
Governor and the Grand Lodge officers
were taken in carriages and the line moved
TO the public square TO the hall of Temple
Lodge. F. and \. NJ, where Grand Master
English formally opened the Grand Lodge
as a preliminary TO the dedicatory cere-
monies. Then the line was formed again
for the parade of the principal streets OF
| the city The Grand Army post headed the
proces sion. then followed the knights Tenn-
piars and Masons and distinguished guests.
| There were ak bands In the line and IL was
| estimated that at least 1.5o0 men partici-
| pated in the demonstration. Marshals III.
| :. Renck. n. l.. Anderson. A. j. Hamrick.
IA md Il
| n Cullen had charge OF the parade. which
marched north around the square. east on
! washington street 10 Locust. south 10 Han
ma west 10 Indiana and north 10 the cor
nerstone which Is on the northeast corner
The square. which is necessarily in a bad
IN torn-uD condition due 20 the process OF
building had been made as presentable and
as convenient as possible. The business
blocks surrounding the square. the huge DER
rick and the tripod that suspended the cor
nerstone Of granite We're elabcrately dec
GRATED, the national colors predominating.
/ The foundation had been boarded over teni-
porarily and this space was reserved for
| The Masons and knights Templgrs The
! speakers stand was al the northeast corner.
| by the cornerstone, while the north end Of
| the platform was reserved for the prominent
| guests. county and city officials. choir and
] hand The crowd occupied every foot OF
| available space In the square surrounding
/ the platform and oyerhowed into the ada
] Immediately upon the arrival OF the
/ Grand Lodge officers James l. Randei
/ called the asscmblage 10 order and intro
1 duced Mayor John III. James as the chair
man. The mayor did not mako an address.
| but Immediately presented the architect OF
/ the building. j. w. Gaddis. OF Nincennes
who called upon Grand Master William, L.
/ English 20 lay the cornerstone. The Ma
sonic ritual, solemn and impressive 10 all
its details. followed. Grand Chaplain James
4 ID. Stanley first offering the the Invocation.
Then Grand Secretary c. W. Prather read
| the list OF memorials 70 be deposited I'm the
| cornerstone. which included copy of the
! CONTINUED on PAGE &, col. 81