Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-09-24
Auditorium is the Scene Of the
Impressive Ceremonies.
GOVERNOR SHELDON A SPEAKER
Past Grand Master H. H. Wilson
Orator of the Day.
STREET PROCESSION IMPOSING
Three Thousand Masons March from
the Temple 20 the Big Audit
administrations viii
Close Today.

!
Sixteenth and Capitol evenue to the
| Auditorium. at Fifteenth and How
ard Streets for tho beginning OF
the celebration OF the hftleth anniversary
Of the Nebraska grand lodge The line
of serious looking men extended for blocks
, In length and presented an imposing APP
pearance. In It were the oldest and young
| est Masons in the state as we'll as many
from other states who had come TO par
| ticipate In the celebration. The first
Mason initiated in Nebraska, Henry II.
Clarke, was central figure IN the
demonstrations at the Auditorium Gov
ernor Sheldon was another conspicuous
figure and there were others, high in the
ranks of Masonry and distinguished in
private or public life. Throughout the
day the exercises were interesting They
| concluded for yesterday with an address
at night by Rev. Frank l.. Loveland. d. D.,
pastor of the First Methodist church OF
Omaha, on the Magma Charter OF Ma
sonry." Elery's band furnished a spe-
cal program last night for the Masons
and will repeat It today.
Biggest Masonic Meeting.
Since Sunday afternoon officers and mem-
| bers of the grand lodge of Nebraska An-
cient, Free and Accepted Masons have
been coming to Omaha, together with mem-
|
to celebrate tho fftieth anniversary of the
! grand lodge IN the state
AS early as a. M Monday the visitors
gathered at Masonic temple and at that
| hour members OF the reception and badge
committees were present to greet the breth-
rem and to give badges to those who de-
/ sired to attend the meeting at the Audi
torium in the afternoon.
At the time the grand lodge was called
to order about 1880 o'clock probably 1000
visitors, with as many from Omaha and
the suburbs. were present. 1t was by far
the largest gathering OF Masons ever held
In the state. Members Of other iurisdic-
- tions were present in large numbers. Iowa
contributing the greater number.
Tho grand lodge was called to order by
Grand Master King and the visitors from
foreign Jurisdictions were given a hearty
welcome to the state.
Informal Meetings of Friends.
From IL to 2 o'clock informal gatherings
of friends and oId-timers took place at the
temple and luncheon was served to out-of-
| town guests
At o'clock. under the direction of w. T.
! Bourke, master of ceremonies, the grand
lodge formed in procession, accompanied by
representatives OF lodges of Omaha and
other cities which had sent delegations
large enough to preserve their lodge forma-
tion. Nebraska lodge No. l. by reason of
/ its seniority. held the first place in the
| line, followed by the other lodges in order
Of their creation. The grand lodge formed
the rear Of the procession. The line of
march was from Sixteenth and Capitol
avenue south to Farnam street, east on
| Farnam to Thirteenth. north on Thirteenth
to Douglas. west on Douglas to Fifteenth,
! south on Fifteenth to the Auditorium.
where the ranks opened and the grand
lodge marched down the line, the nrst %
enter the Auditorium.
At the Auditorium only Masons and MEM
bers Of their immediate families were ad-
mitted. The program, consisting OF ad-
/ dresses and music, is being carried out
Grand Lodge COnvenas.
The grand lodge met at 1880 o'clock,
Grand Master o. j. King of Lincoln pre-
siding. After an invocation by the grand
chaplain, Very Rev. George Allen Beecher,
the grand secretary reported all grand
lodge officers present except Grand Orator
| Roscoe Pound and all members OF the gem
eral committee, grand masters OF the order,
except Past Grand Master Evans and Past
| Grand Master Baird
Following this came the opening of the
bottle of wine, which was sealed twenty
! five years ago by a number OF the brethren
to be drunk to the memory of the departed
and the health OF the survivors at the
semi-centennlsl celebration. OF the TWEEN
| ty-six names attached TO the certificate
accompanying the bottle sixteen Masons
survive and twelve OF them were present
| at the ceremony Monday morning as fol-
| lows: Past Grand Masters Martin Dun
| ham, c. X. Coutant, J. r. Cane and j. j.
! Mercer, Past Deputy Grand Master Henry
Brown and Messrs. John IL. Butler. O. M
| Nattinger, Edwin Davis, w. ]. Mount.
Jacob King, d. r. Mcnlhinney and John
| Bamford. Other survivors not present are
| Edwin II. Warrent OF Nebraska City, ]. b.
Kernahan Of ST. Johns lodge, Omaha;
Alexander Atkinson OF Nebraska No 1.
Omaha, who is now in Boston; John H.
| Ware. Jr., and Edward f. Coopef.
Wine f. Tainted.
After the wine had been taken from the
box which covered tho bottle It was dis
covered that considerable part OF the
contents OF the bottle had disappeared and
some running from the cork, has 80
stained the original signature as to make
them in part illegible. What wine remained
in the bottle was mixed with newer wine
and the survivors solemnly drank TO the
, memory OF departed comrades and 10 the
health Of those who remain. AT the close
OF this ceremony two other bottles Were
| ordered to be sealed to be opened one in
twenty-five and one In Atty years.
Following the ceremony OF the drinking
OF the wine Past Grand Master Coutant
read memorial TO the departed members
OF the grand lodge, and after all members
present had signed certificate OF their at
tendance, to be placed In the archives OF
the grand lodge. adjournment was taken
for luncheon, which was served In the
temple.
Lodges In Procession.
Al 1870 p IN. the grand lodge was again
called To order and shortly after the lodges
were formed in procession. Nebraska lodge
No had the place Of honor as escort
TO the grand lodge which followed the
lodges In order OF formation. the process