Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-06-05

A notable feature IN connection with
the celebration Of the centenary ami
versary OF the M. W. Grand Lodge of
Delaware, Ancient Free and Accepted
-issons, on Thursday, will be the dec
Grating Of the grave Of Cunning Bed
ford, which is in the First Preshy
terian Church churohyard. Cunning
Bedford was the first Grand Master Of
the Grand Lodge Of Delaware and the
Bedford Club, composed Of Masons,
was named In his honor.
He was buried in the First Presby-
terinn cemetery and large monument,
which stands near the northwest cor
ner Of the church, facing Market street,
marks the site Of his grave. The Bed
kord family is now extinct, the last of
She family, a niece having died about
Nhree years ago.
Cunning Bedford was one Of the
most prominent citizens Of Delaware
and for a number of years was United
States District Judge.
Some repairs will he made 20 the
monument and the grave will be dec
Grated with palms and flowers on the
day Of the celebration.
The following inscription, which
will, no doubt, be interesting TO many
IDelawsreans, can still be read on the
monument;
"In hope Of jovial resurrection
Through faith in Jesus Christ, here
rests the mortal part Of Cunning Bed
ford. Born IN Philadelphia A. ID.
f1747, he graduated at Nassau Hall, N.
j., A. ID. 177l, with great distinction.
Having studied law in Philadelphia
fhe prhoticed in Delaware, with success
Hnh l.rfh htu oil =.
ladvocate, Attorney General, member
lof the Legislature and one Of her dele
gates 10 the convention that framed
tthe Constitution Of the United States,
by whose effort two Senators were oh
tained for Delaware.
90 He received from Washington, with
whom he was closely associated in the
Revolutionary struggle Of 1776 the
commission Of district judge OF the
district Court OF the United States
for the District Of Delaware, which he
held until his death in 1912. He ec
fbehaved In the high offices as 10 de.
serve and receive the appreciation OF
his fellow citizens. His form was
Roodly, his temper amiable. his man.
ners winning and his discharge Of pri
vate duties exemplary.
Reader--May his example stimu
late you TO improve the talent, bethey
five or two or one, with which Goo
has intrusted you. -
DR.. Q. NJ. Almond has on exhibi
tion at his store, Seventh and Marke
streets, two Masonic aprons, which
came from the South many years az,
and which are of historic value. Boil
were presented TO former Mayor Johl
Il. Almond by DR.. Arthur H. Grim
shaw, who was colonel of the Fourtl
Delaware Regiment in the Civil War
When the Federal troops occupie,
Greenyille and Charleston Cour
House, South Carolina, the soldier
searched many buildings. From tn
Masonic Hall there some OF the para
phernalia was taken, including the tw
aprons. Colonel Grimshaw obtaine,
the aprons from soldier, and pre-
sented them TO Mr.. Almond. DR.
Almond also shows a steel engravin
Of George Washington, made by Neil
from painting of Washington in re
gala Of master of Fairfax Lodge, a
Alexandria, Va. The engraving wa
presented TO Mr.. Almond by Rober
Morris, The Masonic Bard. "
Fairfax Lodge has, preserved in
glass case, much Masonic paraphel
MALTA which belonged 60 Washinpto
when he was master Of the lodge.