The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1906-07-14
Secret Society,"
Masonic News Notes.

July brings 10 "A close inc nfat nhil OF
the year, and really ends that period on
the Masonic calendar. An estimate OF
the number Of Masons in the world
shows what the fraternity has accom-
plished and the possibilities Of the
future. Argentine Republic has 5000
Masons Brazil, 8, 900 Belgium l, $50 ;
Chilli. 800; Cuba, 1874 Costa Rica,
1870; Denmark, 4, 243 Dominica, 700
Egypt 200 England, l25. 900; France,
23, 500; Germany, 40 600; Greece,
1, $50; Hayti 1000; Holland, 4,39s ;
Hungary, ., ISL Ireland, 22, $50; Italy,
8. 25O; Japan, ESQ; Luxembourg n {;
Mexico, %. 1872 Netherlands, i,269 F;
New South Wales, 10, $40 Norway, l.
70l Paraguay. 200 Peru, $50; Port
ugal, 1850; Puerto Rico, sos Queens
land, 1900; Roumania, 1900; Scot
,and, 80, 600. South Australia. 1888 ;
Spain. 5000 Sweden. 10 0S5; Switzer-
land. BOSS Tasmania, 700 Turkey,
$50; Uruguay. $50; Venezuela, 1000 ;
victroia. 1900; Western Australia,
3, $50; British America, 50.S7S; United
States, i,0ll. SAL total, l,45l, 53i.
The Masonic silver trowel, which is
being sent around the world, will be
taken from the jurisdiction OF Indiana
on July 8. Kane lodge Of ElkhaTt, in
whose keeping the trowel has been,
has had many requests from lodges in
Illinois for the honor Of possessing the
emblem for the month each lodge is
allowed 70 hold il. but the decision Of
Kane lodge favored Mystic star lodge
Of Englewood III
Matteson lodge, No. i15, Of Joliet
M has the distinction Of having the
only blind tyler probably in the whole
world Bother John Butler is not
only tyler Of his lodge but is also
sentinel foi his chapter and comman.
derry, and makes an efficient and reli-
able officer despite his loss Of vision
for he knows not only all the members
but most Of the sojourners az well by
the voice Of each He has held these
positions for about fifteen years.
A new record was established recent.
~ when lodge was established in
Philadelphia, Pa. with a charter list
containing the names Of one hundred
and three persona The new body was
christened the William L. Elkins
lodge, No 646, in honor Of the Phila
delphian who founded the home for the
daughters Of deceased Masons, which
was recently dedicated.
Rev. J. X. ~ Bell is the oldest
grand chaplain in Masonry anywhere
in the world. Last month he was
elected grand chaplain Of the grand
lodge Of Oregon for the thirty second
consecutive time. Brother Bell is
sixty years old and has been Mason
since 1871.
Savannah, Ga, Masons are already
talking Of what they will DO when the
General Grand Chapter and Council
meet there in 1909 BY that time the
new temple will be completed, ana IL
is expected that il will be credit to
the local bodies and worthy Of the
honor Of being the place Of entertain
ment OF the Grand bodies The
temple will be a hve-story building,
and will cost $500, 600, Chicago,
indianapolis and Milwaukee all tried
to get the next triennisl meeting, but
Savannah won out over them all.
An unusual event in Templar circles
occurred recently in Poncs City, Okla,
when j. q. Louthan, the youngest
eminent commander in the United
States, conferred the Knighty degrees
upon general W. Z. Hardy, the oldest
man that ever took the degrees in
America.