Tonopah bonanza. [volume] (Butler City [i.e. Butler], Nev.) 1901-1909, 1905-06-10
A GALA DAY
IN TONOPAH
Cornerstone OF Court House Is
Laid In Presence Of a
Big CrOwd.I


The laying of the corner stone of
the new courthouse on Saturday
last was a grand success in every
way. A perfect day, inspiring mu-
sic by the band and the blowing of
all the steam whistles in the camp,
made 1t an occasion that will linger
long in the memories of the people
of Tonopah. The ceremonies were
conducted by Tonopah Lodge, No. %,
F. & A. NJ. The members of the
lodge and the ladies of the Eastern
Star assembled at Butler Hall and
preceded, by the Tonopah band
marched to the new building, where
a vast crowd had congregated to wit
ness the beautiful ceremonies of
the Masons. District Attorney w. b.
Pitman was the first speaker. He
spoke of Tonopah as the greatest
mining camp in the world, of its
rapid growth and it's great future.
He told of the great Masonic order
and referred TO it as an order that
has always represented the highest
class of citizenship and only hoped
that the building to be erected on
the corner stone which stood in
front of him would be as enduring
as the corner stone on which is bui.i
the great Masonic order. Mr.. Pitt
man was in fine voice and his address
was an able one. He was frequently
interrupted by applause. Mr.. Pitt
man was followed by Grand Master
ellison, who told in a masterful
speech of how the Free and Accept
ed Masons had been in the habit Of
laying rne stones of important
buildings from the time that Solo
mon had laid the corner stone of the
temple that has been the wonder
through all the ages. He hoped that
the building would be the scene of
good deeds and the officers would
be noble, G~od-fearing men and hon
orable. The work of the order in
laying corner stones was explained
by Mr.. ellison in an eloquent man
ner. Following his speech he super
intended the placing of the stone in
position.
Rev. ]. c. Johnes, worthy chap
lain, invoked the blessing Of the
Almighty, and was followed by Mrs.
Wiley, who sang beautifully THE
Star Spangled Banner" Mrs. Wiley
was in good voice and the tones of
the patriotic ballad waited through
the air amidst the silence of the
crowd which enjoyed it's every note.
The examination of the work by
the various officers of the lodge was
next in order and gave a gentle hint
Of the beauties upon which are found
ed the secrets of Masonry. The stone
was examined as to its squareness
and found to be perfect in that re-
spect. The level the emblem Of
equality, was next placed upon the
stone and the plumb was used to
examine the levelness of the stone.
After the successful examination,
some seeds of corn were spread upon
1t Gas an emblem of plenty. Then
the wine of joy was poured upon the
stone, following which was poured
the oil of peace.
Mr.. ellison was followed by Geo.
W. Fox, Esq, who was introduced
as the handsome orator of the day.
He was in a humorous vein and
made an instantaneous hit with the
crowd. He spoke in part as follows:
The laying of the corner stone
OF this building by the Masonic fra
ternity, Of the jurisdiction of Ne
Vada, is purely and simply a SYM
bolic function, performed at the re-
quest of the civil authorities of this
county, and is intended to remind
us of that mysterious wisdom which
connects the past with the present.
For masonry exists in every land.
It's light shines in every cline. and
its language of love is taught in
every tongue, Few in numbers, its
lodges may have been and small its
membership; yet wherever found
they were surrounded by the virtues
they represent, and the wisely posted
mason could find in every cline a
fraternal welcome and under every
sky a Brothers support.
"On this occasion the Masonic
fraternity of this jurisdiction, by
the authority of it's Grand Lodge.
first had and obtained, has LAID the
corner stone Of this temple OF JUS
tiee according to its ancient rites
and ceremonies, in the cement Of
brotherly love. May the building