Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1907-10-31

gle slight and temporary exception al
ready mentioned as having occurred about
1870.
OF the considerable number of those
who have at one time or another been
members Of Rising Sun lodge and who IN
various ways attained to more than or
binary distinction in life / can mention
but a few. 1 have already spoken of
Judge Collamer. DIR. Joseph Denison was
also member of this lodge in it, early
days. He was the most noted physician
OF his time in the White River valley. The
name Phineas Parkhurst appears in many
OF our early records. He was a charter
member and his name is the first signed
TO the original bylaws. There were, as
we learn from early town history. two
men bearing that name, father and son,
both physicians. Il is pretty clear.
though perhaps not absolutely certain,
that II was the elder OF these two men
whom our records mention. | have
neither time nor space to present ali the
evidence have examined upon this
point, but will simply say am satisfied
as 10 the correctness of my conclusion.
He it was who has been called the Paul
Revere of the time OF the burning Of Roy
alton ~ the Indians, October IS. 1850.
How Phineas Parkhurst then a young
man, earned that unique aud distin-
guished title is told in the many historical
articles describing that thrilling event.
He rode down the east side Of the river.
warning the inhabitants Of the approach
OF the enemy. Returning. he attempted
to cross the river TO the home Of his faith
er, lilly Parkhurst, but Was fired upon
by the Indians, the tall passing through
his body and lodging in front underneath
the skin and just below the ribs. In this
condition he wheeled his horse about and
continued to give the alarm. He rode
down the valley through Sharon ard
Hartford and a mile further on crossed
the White river 10 the south side. then on
to Robinsons ferry over the Connecticut
river and at Or. Halls door on the Cd
posite bank he hGlted and the ride was
done. He had called the men to arms
and the militia marched that afternoon TO
Royalton. On his recovery, Parkhurst
studied and practieed medicine In
March, 1TS4, he was married TO his
cousin, Lucy Pierce, and the record Of the
intended marriage says that 'sboth were
OF Royalton.' he was born in Plai.-
field, Conn. He died in Lebanon. y. II,
in 1874, aged So. On his tombstone i
inscribed, THE skillful physician, the up
right man."
Gen. Elias Stephens and Capt. Joseph
Parkhurst, both active members Of Rising
sun lodge in its early existence. were
prominent figures in the eventfuI scenes
on the occasion OF the burning Of Royal
ton. need not recount their adventures.
simply refer TO the published histories
of the affair.
Statistics are VIGOROUSLY dry and unin-
teresting, for which reason | avoid then,
as
hat, as nearly as we can ascertain. six
hundred and eighty-six men have become
members of Rising sun lodge by initia-
ton or utilization during the century OF
us existence. The largest membership at
any enc time was oGe hundred forty-two.
rms was, / think, in 1870. The lodge
men lost many members by demit, they
going to White River lodge, No. 90, which
had been chartered at Bethel one wear he
lore, or in 1869. The first burial service
attended by this lodge was tie funeral of
Brother Thomas Church in Tunbridpe.
Nay q, 1913. Simeon Bingham was
master and the lodge was convened with
30 Masons present, all presumably mem
'ers Of this lodge.
Since 1865, the lodge has had but six
secretaries. OF those forty-two wears the
present incumbent, Brother Mark i sa--
gent, has held the Office "a years. the last
wenty years being continuous service.
20 far as we have been able to learn. there
nave been forty worshipful masters.
some of them have been men of emil
renee in the affairs OF the community. of
he state and Of the nation. Jacob Cola
ner was master in 1919. The longest
ERIN of service for any master was that Of
len. Lovel Hubbard, " no has been 80 ire
luently mentioned. and who held the
'fhce To- seven years. Edwin Pierce, Ed I
nund r. skinner and others had terms Of :
ervice nearly as long.
II u not my purpose today to pro I
lounce eulogy upon the memory OF any (. I
individual; tut there ars many arDo-s, a
ur past masters of mere recent yaars O.