The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1907-02-15
MASONIC MEDIATOR
COL. 5. Y. HAYES
OLDEST MASON IN THE STATE OF
NEBRASKA.
IMPRESSIVE MASONIC CEREMONY
HELD AT THE LODGE ROOMS ON
WEDNESDAY EVENING.
MEDAL OF THE GRAND LODGE

ham on Behalf of the Grand Lodge
and Bestowed by Grand Custodian
French-Many Present.
1t was a rare ceremony that took
place at the Masonic lodge room in
this city last evening, when the gold
medal which is worn by the oldest
member of the order in the state was
conferred upon Col. S. w. Hayes by
the grand lodge of Nebraska. He was
made a Mason in New Bedford, Mass,
and hence had been member of the
order sixty years, lacking two days, at
the time this grand medal was deliv-
cred into his possession. 1t was a
ceremony such as never before been
known in Norfolk and perhaps never
will be again.
The grand lodge was represented at
the meeting by Past Grand Master
Burnham and Grand Custodian French.
The meeting was of semi-public char
acter, open to Masons and members
of their families, and the attendance
was considerably more than hun
dred
The meeting was called to order by
A. H. Viele, who acted as chairman,
opening with statement of the great
honor that was to be conferred upon
Norfolk Mason and the pride that Nor
folk Masons took in the fact. Mr..
Viele prefaced his introductions with
a few bright remarks.
Judge Barnes, member of the SUI
preme court, made the Introductory re-
marks and told of his long acquaint-
ance and admiration for Col. Hayes.
He had worked with Mr.. Hayes as a
Mason for the past quarter of a cen
fury and he had always known him to
be an upright, honorable man, working
upon the square. Judge Barnes Is one
of the ablest impromptu speakers in
the northern part of the state and he
did himself unusual credit upon this
occasion.
A quartette, consisting of Mr.. and
Mrs. c. E. Green, Mrs. H. l.. Snyder
and J. B. Maynard, gave the audience
an appropriate song.
A well written original poem was
given by w. R. Hoffman, in which
fitting tribute was paid to the brother
who is now the eldest brother of the
whole Masonic fraternity of Nebraska.
Grand Custodian French, bearer of
the medal from the grand lodge, won
friends at once with his easy delivery
and bright remarks, which were made
more attractive by original poetical
illusions, as he lauded the oldest Ma
son and told of the many upright traits
of character he had found in Col.
Hayes since he had known him, and
he especially commended his career as
grand master during the term he
served in that capacity
c. E. Burnham, past grand master,
representing the grand master Mason,
then gave the official address of the
evening and presented the grand medal
on behalf of the grand lodge, and I'M
der his direction Grand Custodian
French bestowed it upon Col. Hayes.
Col. Hayes responded in a most
happy manner. He said that he didn't
understand why all this fuss was be-
ing made about him. 81 have not &C
quired a wealth of this worlds goods"
he said, "and yet | feel much like the
man who went to bed at night and
awoke to find himself famous. | don't
know why | should be exalted above
my fellows for.having cheated Nature
out of few years of life
A solo by Miss Alberry, a short talk
by Mr.. Viele, and the singing of
Nearer, My God, to Thee" by the
quartette, illustrated with stereopticon
views, finished the ceremonies in the
lodge room
In the banquet room adjoining long
table in the form of square, we'll lad
en- with things pleasant to the taste
awaited the guests of the evening, Col
Hayes occupying the place of honor
1t was an impressive and enjoyable
evening, every Norfolk resident de
parting with the proud feeling that a
great honor had been conferred upon
a citizen of the town.
Mr.. Burnham's Address.
Mr.. Burnham said:
In appearing as the representative
OF the Grand Master of Masons Of
this jurisdiction this evening, | do sc
with a sense of honor dual in it's ma
ture, for as the representative of the
grand master, who is unavoidably alb
sent, whom it is always an honor t.
serve, it becomes my pleasure anC
great honor to decorate a worth!
brother with the distinctive badge o
a patriarch Mason, one who is re
nowned throughout the state for hi
love of Masonry, one who for man!
years has in his every day life stoot
as just and upright man among mel
and Masons, noble example of tn,