The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-06-26
A Great Concourse Of
Masons From ALI
Parts Of the
State.
Eloquent Addresses Deliver
ed by Gov. M. F. Ansel
and Col. w. w. Lump
kin-A Great Aud
ience Present.

The laying of the corner stone OF
Sumter's stately and beautiful new
Court House Thursday with impressive
Masonic ceremony by Grand Master
f. e. Harrison of the Grand Lodge A
r. M. of South Carolina, assisted by
other Grand Lodge officers, the OFF,
GERS and members Of Claremont
Lodge, No. 81, and a large concourse
Of Masons, representing lodges in all
parts of South Carolina, marked the
completion of the ediice, instead OF
it's beginning, as is usually the case
with such ceremonies. Viewed from
The exterior the building has com
uleted appearance and its simple,
beautiful and artistic lines and It's
stately proportions, it's air of sohdlty
and enduring permanence aroused
the admiration Of all Of the
great throng present during the cere-
nony. It is true that the interior is
not yet quite complete, but the work
is being pushed and If no unforeseen
de1av occurs the building will be de-
l,vered to the county commissioners,
COMPLETED according to plans ana
specifications, by the contractor be-
foreSshe end of July. The work on
the interior has reached stage that
narnits of a correct and satisfactory
conception Of the appearance it will
nresent when the finishing touches
have been given and the completed
edifice has received the approval OF
tne master builder and has passed
the final critical inspection OF the
supervising architect.
Both before ano after the ceremo-
ries hundreds availed themselves Oh
the opportunity to inspect the oa1io-
ing within and without, and the spa
cious corridors and halls and court
room were filed with proudly admir-
ing taxpayers of Sumter and enVl-
cusly admiring citizens OF other less
fortunate counties.
The ceremonies attending the lay
ing of the corner stone began prompt
w at noon. the appointed hour. The
Grand Lodge officers, the officers ana
,oo,bers of Clayemont Lodge and
visiting Masons assembled in the
Masonic Temple at II O'Clock, where
+he procession was formed and pro-
ceeded up Liberty to Main and then
rr North Main street to the Court
House. arriving few minutes before
high noon.
The officers of the Grand Lodge
oficiating were:
wc-shipful Grand Master F. Z,
Harrison.
R. ". Deputy Grand Master ]. L.
Niche.
Senior Grand Warden W. r. Mood.
Junior Grand Warden NJ. F. Ansel.
Grand Marshal 3. ]. Rhane.
Grand Puisuivant W. c. Davis.
Grand Chaplain J. P. Marion, Jr.
Grand Treasurer Abe Ryttenberg.
Grand Secretary w F. Rhame.
Senior Grand Deacons Geo. T.
Beaumont and ]. E. Davis.
Junior Grand Deacons ]. G. De-
Lorme and Lucius Harvin.
Grand Stewards w. W. McKagen
and C. P. Lesesne.
Grand Tier C. C. Beck.
Upon arrival at the Court House
the Grand Lodge officers and the
choir. composed of a number OF ohe
hest male voices in the city, assem-
bled on the stand. which had been
erected on the northeast corner OF the
building.
The following programme, pre-
scribed by the ritual, was carried out:
Ode-"When Earth's Foundations
First Were Laid"
Prayer-Grand Chaplain j. r
Marion, Jr.
The following articles were then
deposited in the stone
Articles Deposited in Corner Stone.
Roster officers and members Clare
noont Lodge, No. 81, A. F. NJ.
ccpy of Columbia STATE June 20
1907. :.
COPY News and Courier, June 20
1907.
Copy watchman and southr0n