The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-02-20
IS YEARS OF MASONRY.
In Jamestown Full Of Historical
Interest and Valuable Records
, of Events.
Jamestown cap,,al.)

Jamestown capitaL)
August 9, A. d. 1880, A. l.. $3.50, a
petition was presented to, and granted
by, Grand Master Geo. H. Hand, for a
dispensation for lodge. These per-
sons signed the petition:
Robert E. Wallace of Lodge No. 433.
Penna.
Thomas E. Harris of Elgin N. s4s,
Canada.
orrin L. Churchill, of Lodge No. 4s9,
Michigan.
Edward P. Wells, of Ancient Land
mark, No. 5, st. Paul, MINI.
Edward H. Foster, of Palestine
Lodge No. 70, Minnesota.
Salmon S. Martin, of Trempealeau
Lodge No. Ill. Wisconsin.
Homer T. Ellit, of Hesperia Lodge
No. All, Illinois.
VIM. H. Campbell, of Winnipeg
Lodge No. 1.
Geo. NJ. Smith, of Rio Lodge No. 421,
Wisconsin
Jerome ]. Flint, Dowagiac Lodge
No. 81, Michigan.
John A. Dole, Hirum Lodge No. 8,
Claremont, N. H. q
Edison D. Strong, Phoenix Lodge No.
%, West Randolph, Vt, and
]. A. Atkinson, Davenport Lodge.No.
81, Iowa,
These were the pioneer Freemasons
who, having the prosperity of the
Fraternity at heart, were willing to
exert their best endeavors to promote
Freemasonry;7~ that for the conven-
fence of their respective dwellings and
for other good reasons they have
agreed to form new lodge to be
known as Jamestown Lodge, u. d."
and there to discharge the duties of
Freemasonry in regular and consti-
tutional manner according to the an
cient usages of the order and the rules
and regulations of the Grand Lodge Of
Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of
Dakota"
Mr.. Wallace was instructed to ap-
pear before the Brothers of Casselton
lodge to exemplify the work and DEM
onstrate his fitness for the office of
Worshipful Master. Christmas Day,
1880, he will long remember. In those
days passenger trains stayed here for
dinner at the Dakota house, which
stood where now is the Doolittle
block, south of the depot. II left the
dinner table that Christmas day and
at p. m. took the train for Casselton:
A storm began shortly after noon and
was growing worse. We reached Cas-
selton late in the evening. found
few brothers in the lodge room, and
after considerable discussion, the
opening of lodge, and my being adj
mitted, started in with the first de-
gree and recited the parts of all the
officers in each of the three degrees.
In those days was not SO old as now,
and my memory was good and 1 flatter
myself that the work was we'll done.
l am informed that in the letter
transmitting their endorsement the
Casselton brothers said:
1.-the work was we'll done, but we
do not know whether or not it is Ma
sonry."
Considerable delay ensued but fin
ally permission was given and these
were present at the first meeting held
here, Feb. z, 1881:
Robert E. Wallace, w. NJ.
Jas. A. Atkinson, S. w.
Orrin L. Churchill, ]. w.
VIM. H. Campbell, secretary.
Edison D. Strong, S. d.
John A. Dole, j. D.
Edward H. Foster, tyler, and
Jerome J. Flint Harry l.. Inman and
George Smith.
OF these Wallace and Churchill
alone remain in Jamestown; Mr.. Smith
is farming near Pingree; Atkinson,
Campbell and Foster have moved to
other states while Bros. Dole, Strong,
Flint and Imam have passed to that
undiscovered country from whose
bourne no traveller e'er returns"
The first petitions to be made Ma
sons were received Feb. Is, 1881, from
Attorney Albert A. Allen and VIM. C.
White and Edward Lahones, farmers.
The next meeting petitions were re-
ceived from Archibald NJ. McKechine,
sheriff; James Michaelis, shoemaker;
and Merrick Moore, farmer. Mr.. Allen
was the first to receive the first de-
gree; the first black ball was cast
April 5, and May charter was ap-
piled for. A. McKechine was the fifth
to receive the first degree and June
the lodge elected these Offices for the
first year:
R. E. Wallace, w. M; John D. Har-
ker S. W.; o. L. Churchill, j.. W.; E.
P. Wells, treasurer and Frank NJ.
Brown. secretary.
June "a, the third degree was con-
ferred for the first time and A. A. AL
. len raised to the sublime degree of a
master Mason.
That the new lodge was composed
of hustlers is shown by the fact that
/, Grand Lodge met here Oct. II, 1881,
the local lodge formally presented
with charter and the officers duly
installed.
October 1S Bailey w. Fuller appear
ed for the first time in the lodge as a
visiting brother, coming from Lodge
No. /, Vermont
December John w. Goodrich re-
ceivOd the first degree and JAN II, G.
w. Woodbury. and Mat Wink were re-
ceived by transfer. June z, r. G. De-
! Puy appeared as visiting brother
of Lodge $50. Ann Arbor, Mich.
The second year of the lodges ex-
istence these officers were installed:
Geo. III. Woodbury., W. NJ; "A. A. Allen.
8. W.; e. H. Foster, ]. W.; Thos. Coll
Inns. treasurer; B. "A. Bill, secretary.
Lodge rooms were secured with the