Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-17
Laying Of the Corner Stone of
Eastern Star Home
BY MASONIC ORDER
INSTITUTION LOCATED ON SLIGO
MILL ROAD.
Distinguished Masons and Members OF
the Eastern Star Attend
Several Addresses,


ern Star OF the District of Columbia for
destitute master Masons. their widows ana
orphans. was laid at 2:9 O'Clock this af-
ternoon with imposing ceremonies. A dis
t!nguished body of Masons. their wives and
friends, and delegations from each of the
chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star
of this jurisdiction attended the corner
stone laying and reached the site of the
proposed institution. on Sligo Mill road Dc
tween Stotts and Lamond's stations. by "A
specially chartered train, which left the
city over the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
at Ills O'Clock this afternoon.
The craft assembled at Masonic Temple
at 1890 O'Clock. The procession then pro-
ceeded in the following order to the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad station: Haleys
band: Columbia Commandery, No. ?. X. p.
as escort for the Grand Lodge: master Ma
sons for subordinate lodges and masters OF
lodges, and grand masters and members OF
the Grand Lodge. The central figure In
the ceremonies was Grand Master Lurtin
r. CHM.
The ceremonies were In charge OF the
Grand Lodge of the District OF Columbia
with the various Masonic bodies of the
District participating. The program, ar
ranged by a committee of which Mr.. l.. e.
Williamson was chairman, was carried out
in every detail
Program of Exercises.
1t was as follows:
Music, band. Invocation, Miss Nellie d.
Morey, grand chaplain. Grand Chapter, o
E. S. Vocal music, Masonic choir, Messrs
Perry B. Turpin. Alex. Mosher. J. Henry
Kaiser and J. Walter Humphrey Remarks,
Mrs. Alcena Lamond, president board of
directors. Original poem written for the
occasion). DIR. Thomas w. Calver. Remarks
Mrs. Kate L. GUIDE, worthy grand matron
o. f. s. Remarks, Mr.. George b. Mobray,
worthy grand patron, o. f. s. Music, band
Laying corner stone by the Grand Lodge
F. A A. NJ. of the District of Columbia
Vocal music. Masonic choir. Address, Mr.
Lurtin r. CHM. grand master of Masons
Vocal music, Masonic choir Benediction,
Rev. d. w. Skellenger. grand chaplain,
Grand Lodge. F. A. A. M.
Following is the list of articles placed In
the corner stone: Constitution Of Crane
Lodge, F. A. A M; proceedings of Crane
Lodge. F. A. A. NJ, 1904; Masonic calendar
for 1865; constitution of Grand Chapter, o
E. s.; Proceedings Grand Chapter, o. Z. s.
1905; charter and bylaws E. 8. home OF
the District; brief history of undertaking
with names of directors, 1895: names OF
building committee. names of architects
names of builders and daily newspapers OF
the District of this date. program of cere-
monies
The gavel used was the famous one usec
by Gen. Washington as master mason liz
laying the cornerstone OF the Capitol liz
1893
Origin of the Movement
The movement for providing a home for
the destitute Masons and those dependent
upon them was inaugurated several months
ago by the ladies of the Order OF the East
ern Star. Through tireless exertion and
enterprise the ladies had the pleasure final
ly of seeing the fund started and with the
corporation of the Masonic fraternities
of the District 1t has grown rapidly. The
money thus far subscribed has been from
Masonic sources. both from organizations
and personal contributions. The Grand
Lodge and all of the subordinate lodges
have made liberal subscriptions. While the
institution is Incorporated under an act OF
Congress 1t is to be conducted solely under
the management of the Eastern Star, which
is composed exclusively of Masons and
their wives and daughters
The building as planned will be con-
structed upon an elaborate scale and upon
the most modern designs. The structure
will be somewhat after the colonial style
of architecture and will be five stories in
height. 1t is stated that IL will be built as
rapidly as there is money to meet the obu-
cations. II is the policy of the trustees not
to go into debt after the funds subscribed
have become exhausted. but that In the
event OF such a contingency to wait until
Inc trea Is replenlSneQ. IL Is regarded
certain that the work of constructing
the new building will not in any way be
retarded because of lack of funds From
various sources additional money will be
continually added to the treasury. and it Is
not believed the project will be delayed be-
cause of a depleted treasury.
Grand Masters Commentator.
In his last annual report to the Grand
Lodge the grand master of Masons of the
said Scarcely second In Importance to
the movement for a new temple is the
project undertaken by the ladies of the
Order of the Eastern Star to provide a
home in this jurisdiction for destitute mas
ter Masons and their widows and orphans.
Efforts having for their end so noble a
purpose and predicated on impulses so gen.
erous should meet with the hearty encour-
agement and cooperation of the fraternity.
Let no brother withhold his support on
the plea that such institution should
be under the management and control of
tie Grand Lodge. for, having seen mt dur
ing all these years to provide for Its home
less in various ways-au comfortable and
proper to be sure-the fraternity should
now look with satisfaction upon the pros
pect of having. in the near future. through
the initiative and exertionS of these ladies.
a suitable place where its unfortunate ones
may be properly cared for. under condi-
lions and amid surroundings such as We
would wish for them. and where there will
be neither a commercial spirit nor the
temptation of gain to mar a work of pure
charity and love.
Board Of Managers.
"A board of managers. consisting of 120
members-fifteen from each of the chapters
of the Order of the Eastern Star-has been
organised. meeting monthly; site of five
acres. suitable for the purpose. within easy
access of the city on the Metropolitan
branch of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad,
has been donated by Mrs. Sarah E. Seek.
whose generosity will cause her name to be
long remembered in Jurisdiction. and
an additional five acres adjoining have been
contracted for on most advantageous
terms. On this land il is proposed to erect
a building in keeping with the means in
hand and in such form that II can be
added to from time to time as funds may
become available and the necessities de-
mand and 1t is confidently expected that
active building operations can be begun In
the near future. IT is to be hoped that the
work may not be retarded through any
failure of the brethren to give according 10
their means to SO worthy cause