Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-09-17
The officers of Oxford Lodge for the
present wear are as follows:

present year are as foll0ws:
Harry r. Farris, NJ.
II. +. Andrews, 8. w.
E. II. Allen, j. w.
Lee NJ. Smith, Treas.
H. D. Smith, Sec.
A. j. Stearns, Chap.
A. l.. Proctor, s. ID.
j. C.. Shepard, j. ID.
W. +. Tubbs, S. s.
L. NJ. Coulton. j. s.
+. f. Smith, Mar.
II. p. Jones, Org.
Thaddeus Cross, Tyler.
The guests were prompt about arriv.
ing, and when Stearns Orchestra, seated
on the stage, started the march for sup.
per, the gallery was filled to OVERLOOKING
with the guests, who proceeded to the
tables below. The entire space of the
floor of the hall was occupied by the
tables, plates being laid for about $40,
and there being only few vacant seats.
After all were in place, Worshipful
Master II. r. Farris extended greetings
to those present, and asked Rev. Fred
erick Newport of Oxford to return
thanks, after which the party were seat
ed and proceeded to discuss the supper.
Oxford Lodge is noted for its hos
pitality and its success in providing for
the wants of the "inner man" on all
kinds of occasions. It's supper at this
time was prepared and served under the
immediate direction of the committee OF
arrangements, and fully maintained the
reputation of the lodge. The menu
comprised mashed potatoes, escalloped
oysters, cold meats, hot rolls, salads,
pastry, coffee, fruit, etc, and it was a
most appetizing and satisfying repast.
Following the supper, the short sea-
son OF speech making was opened by
Worshipful Master Farris, who spoke
especially of the first tenet of Mason's
profession, brotherly love, and its in.
fiuence on individuals and communities.
He then introduced to give an historical
sketch of the lodge, its secretary,
Howard d. Smith, one of the best known
Masons in the state, who has kept the
records of Oxford Lodge continuously
for twenty-eight years. Mr.. Smith
spoke as follows:
MIR. SMITHS HISTORY OF THE LODGE
UorshipfM Master and Brethren;
We have assembled to celebrate the
one hundredth anniversary of old Ok.
ford Lodge. The survival of an institu.
ton for one hundred years is certainly
an argument of Importance in estimat.
ing its worth. 1t is fitting that some OBJ.
servance be had of such an event.
1t is we'll known to most of you that
some two years ago was appointed a
committee to write up the history OF
the lodge, and you may fear that am
going to take advantage of your helpless
condition and inflict all of that history
upon you. l assure you l shall do moth.
ing of the sort. The history is being
prepared and will in due season be print.
ed, and you can then take your own
time in reading it. What l shall say al
this time will be very brief. As ouI
legal friends would express it l shall lay
the foundation of the case, and the
superstructure will be beautifully erect
ed by the distinguished speakers who
are to follow me.
On page 364 of the reprint of the pro-
ceedings of the Grand Lodge of Massa.
chusetts under date of Sept. Is, 1907,
appears this item, "The petition for a
lodge in Oxford County, town of Paris,
was again presented. This petition had
on June last been committed to com.
mittee for consideration, it being de-
ficient in constitutional recommends
ton, who reported in favor of the petit
ton; the lodge to bear the name of Ok.
ford Lodge" A charter was then issued
to nineteen Masons bearing date of Sept
IA, 1907, naming Henry Farwell, Master,
Elias Stowell, S. W., and Seth Morse, j,
w. There is some evidence or rather
tradition that an association composed
of Masons held meetings of some sort
prior to the establishment of the lodge,
but it is nearly as mythical as the story
of "Good King Arthur" of England.
We find an allusion, and the only one
on the lodge records Jan. Is, 1910. when
Sl2.7 was received from the "Oxford So
ciety." Owing to delays the first meet
ing of the charter members was not held
until Nov. II, 1907, when they met in
the upper story of the Hubbard House
on Paris Hill and organized, receiving
two applications for degrees. Dec. 10th
following a code of bylaws was adopted
in which it was provided that officers
not attending meetings should be fineo
fifty cents for each omission unless
reasonable excuse was filed in writing
Some officers l have known would have
been bankrupt if they had lived in those
days.
June I'd, 1908, voted to recommend
the petition for lodge at Pennington
This lodge also recommended the for
nation of lodges at Livermore Falls and
Rumford. On the 21st of September
1905, the records say, Entered the Crane
Lodge, procession formed and marched
to the meeting house, GRAFTON, installa
ton, etc., proceeded to the Hubbard
House, dined, etc." None of the names
of the grand officers are given, neither
do we know what the etc. consisted of
although it was very plenty on the
records.
May 10, 1909, the lodge appears to have
had its first official inspection when X
W., District Deputy Grand Master
James D. Hopkins, made an oficia
visit.
Nov. Is, 1909, Joab Hunt Of Boston
was chosen proxy to the Grand Lodge
which position he held for many years
although he was never member OF thi'
lodge.
May II, 1910, voted to accept the in
vitation of Cumberland Lodge, New
Gloucester, to join with them in cele
brating tue festival of st. John the Bap
fist. This custom was followed TO-
several years, one year the meeting
being held in New Gloucester and tn
next at Paris. I wish the custom nigh
be revived. Sept. 26, Albion Z. Paris
afterwards governor of Maine, was elect
ed master.
April 2s, 1914, "voted to choose
committee to make arrangements 10
LAYING the foundation stone Of the cour
house, which Is to be erected in thi
place and to procure plate to deposi
under the same" 1t was also voted Il
invite the lodges at Livermore Falls
Fryeburg and Bridgton to join In per
forming the duties Of the day. There i
nothing upon the records to SHOW
whether or not the duties were eve
performed.
"Sept. Is, 1917, q committee was ap
pointed to provide proper place for tn