The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1907-04-25
SCOTTISH RITE TEMPLE.
TO BE DEDICATED IN m'ALEsrsR
THIS WEEK.
many Prominent Vsitors-Highes 81
R51kins Mason Of the World
Among Those Present
From States.

McAlester, l. T.. April 23-McAles-
ter IS the Mecca Of Masonry this week
which promises to be one Of the most
notable periods in the history OF the
great order in the United States The
occasion Of the pilgrimage to the ia.
ture metropolis OF this new state Is
the dedication Of the magnificent new
Scottish Rite temple which represents
an Investment Of nearly $500 900. Il
Is one OF the results OF real exist.
ence OF Scottish Rite Masonry Of but
little over three years IN Indian Ter.
ritory during which time new char.
ters have been granted for a Chapter
OF Rose Croix. Council Of Kadosh and
Consistory and the Lodge Of Perfec.
ton.
The distinguished guests from all
parts OF the Tilted States began to
arrive yesterday The Rock Island and
Katy trains north and south. east and
west brought many into the city last
night. Other arrivals came in tody
while more are expected this evening
Hon. James D. Richardson of Muir
ireesboro, Tenn. Sovereign Grand
Commander Of the southern jurisdic.
tion, heads the list OF DISTINGUISHED
guests. He is accompanied by Fredcr
lex Weber, secretary. Harper Sam.
uel Cunningham, inspector general fnr
Oklahoma and Indian Territories.
Admiral Schley, who was t. have
been present, was detained by Illness
He sent a representative. President
Daz Of Mexico will also send Der.
sonal representative
Governor Frank Frantz Of Oklaho
ma Is here with other territorial mem.
bers OF the order who are high up IN
Masonry. Prominent men from out.
side the territory include o. z. Sharp
and wife. Pittsburg. Carl +. Herring.
Omaha and Frank Watchcerob, To-
lcdo.
over 800 applications have already
been received for the Scottish Ric
degree which viii be conferred on this
occasion. This is std-ed upon good
authority to be the largest claas ever
Initiated in Masonry a, o'.e time.
The new temple will hardly be com.
plete H. detail for the dehic'.ion al.
though the necessary adjuncts will
be In successful operatio'. Wc'Imen
were busily engaged all 'eslcI ny get
ting things in readiness for the occas.
ion. Today the n"y temple Is I s,cne
OF hustle and activity. The inclement
weather will not interfere with the
ceremonies which will be inside
The program starts this evening at
S O'Clock when the Masters degree
will be confirmed at the new temple.
William Perry Freeman. worshipfu
master has stated that the degree
will b. staged and costumed more
beautiful and complete than overe be |
fore attempted in the Indian Terri |
tory.
Tomorrow the ineffable degrees will |
be conferred by Albert Pike Lodge of /
Perfection No. > The casts oil the |
different degrees will include many
of the highest masons m Indian Ter. /
ritory and the day will be taken up |
with the work Dedication of the |
temple occurs at $ o'clock in the even. .
ing.
January l, 1904, the Scottish Rite /
In Indian Territory had no property |
whatever 1t had no charters to work /
under except a charter for the first of .
its four bodies, the Lodge of Perfec.
tion and this had even lain dormant
for many months, The order had 1856
members all told.
Today the Scottish Rite in the In |
dian Territory has just sold its first
temporary temple and is ready to
dedicate a second structure.
Its membership has grown in the
brief period of three years. from 1876
to $50 members, while 275 appica.
tions for the degrees are on hand for
the dedication class, This phenomenal
success Is unequaled by any other set
Of Scottish Rite bodies in the land. (