Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1905-11-29
CIR FOR THE MASONS
". 4, Van Brunt Presents Farm
to Wisconsin Consistory.
FOR A STATE HOME
It Is Valued at $4,000 and Work of
Raising Fund of 100000 Is
Begun at Once.

MILWAUKEE,, Wis, Nov. 24.-lSpe-
ciel. l-Announcement of the gift to the
Wisconsin consistory by Willard A. Van
Rrunt of Horizon of the famous Edger-
ton farm was the happy climax of the
Masonic session Thursday evening. The
farm contains $40 acres, is located near
Dousman, Waukesha county. and is we'll
improved. 1t is valued at $4,000.
This magnificent gift was made by Mr..
Van Brunt as the foundation for a Ma
sonic home for Wisconsin. 1t is stated
by members of the fraternity that this
will be the first home to be conducted ex-
clusiyely by the Scottish Rite bodies of
Masonry in the United States.
Start 100000 Fund at Once
AT the meeting Of the consstory, fol-
lowing the announcement, $1,000 was
subscribed on the spot, to start the pro-
posed permanent Masonic Home fund.
This sum, prominent members say, will
be made $4,000 by January 1.
'"The object is to have good working
and permanent home fund, which can be
used for such improvements as may be
necessary" says one member.
Letter from the Donor.
In his letter accompanying the formal
announcement of the gift, Mr.. Van
Brunt said:
It would afford me pleasure to furnish a
corner stone for a Masonic hall consisting
Of a farm Of over 300 acres in Waukesha
county. It is provided with good buildings
and will furnish in it's present condition
unusual comforts Of life for large family
or Masons
In making this contribution it Is distinct
ly understood that my name must not be
used on the institution in any form, as
I do not wish to hamper my brethren with
the care of a monument erected to myself
make careful inspection of the property to
see for yourself it's advantages and dis
advantages for this purpose and, II you
think it advisable to accept 1t, present it
to the November meeting of the consistory
for action; | have executed the deed and
deposited it in safe hands, SO that the prop
erty is available at once
Members Applaud Announcement
The announcement and reading of the
letter were greeted with enthusiastic ap-
plause by the entire consistory body,
which had just put through the work
the largest class, with one exception, in
the history of that body. Over 500
members were present at the announce
ment. The following committee was
Immediately appointed to take charge of
the whole matter:
Wilmot F; Miller, Willard A. Van Brunt,
Thomas E. Balding, George 81. Benzenberg,
y; W. Perry, Herbert \: Lafin, David
W. ]. Turner and Warren D. Tarrant.
Will Be State Headquarters.
Although no definite plans in connec-
ton with the farm and home will be
made until the committee gets down to
work, as the gift came as a genuine sur
prise, it is probable that the property will
be used as state headquarters for the
Masonic fraternity of Wisconsin. At the
suggestion Of the donor, it will be thrown
open as home and refuge to all mem
bers of the fraternity, without regard to
their financial circumstances. If poor or
the victims of misfortune, they will be
received and welcomed to it's care and
protection, and those who may desire to
live there and who can pay for lheir ac-
commodation will be received as paying
members Of the family. Improvements
and alterations. to conform to the re-
quirements Of the fraternity, will be
made during the coming year. A visit
to the Van Brunt farm was made in
August by DR.. Wilmot f. Miller, r. e.
Balding, T. J. Pereles, David Harlowe
and H. N. Latin, when the ideas of the
owner were cont1dentially made known
to them. They were we'll pleased with
the location. the property and all, and
there is now no hesitation on the part of
the consistory in accepting the magnif-
cent gift.