The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-09-04

main portal OF the vast edifice Of
Masonry, the Blue Lodge, one is con-
fFonted BY two corridors--one Scot
tish Rite and the other the York
Rite The former has been followed
In these columns and history OF the
different bodies given.
Starting now up the York Rite cor
ridors. one first comes to the Chapter
Of Royal Arch Masons. In Fargo this
body is represented by strong lodge
Of s2S members, being one OF the
largest lodges OF this body in the
northwest.
After the Blue Lodge had grown to
sufficient strength in Fargo to war
rant the establishment of a Chapter,
several OF the prominent Masons Of
the town Of Fargo held meeting and
applied for a dispensation from the
General Grand Chapter of the United
States. This dispensation was receive
ed on June s, 1883. The work pro-
crossed rapidly and charter was
granted the body by the General
Grand Chapter on August is. 1883, as
Keystone Chapter r. A. M. No. II.
For year and half the organi-
zation worked under this charter. In
1885 the Royal Arch bodies Of the ter
ritory Of Dakota formed a Grand
Chapter and charter was re-issued
to the local body on Feb. rs, of that
year. 1t retained the same title and
number. Under this charter it con-
tinued to work until the two states Of
North and South Dakota were formed
out of Dakota territory in 1889. on
Jan, 8. 1890, the charter was again
reissned this time by the grand
Chapter of North Dakota which was
formed short time previous.
Lodge Has Grown Rapidly.
When the charter was granted by
the general grand chapter Of the
United States to Keystone chapter the
latter had a membership of sixteen.
With it's present membership of 1913
II Is to be seen that this body has
grown in proportion to the other Ma
sonic bodies. OF course all OF these
members are not residents of Fargo,
as some Of them reside in the smaller
towns surrounding the city, while
others have moved to other chimes,
but still keep up their membership in
the local Chapter.
AS in the case with the other Ma
sonic bodies goodly portion of the
records were destroyed in the fire,
and the more intimate matters relating
to the lodge prior to 1893 are hard
to obtain. However a record Of the
elective officers who first occupied the
chairs of honor under the first char
ter granted In 1883 by the general
grand chapter. They were as follows:
High Priest--C. N. Daniels.
King-M. A. Brewer.
Scribe-A. b. Guptill.
The present officers Of the body are:
High PRIEST Albert Anderson.
King Emil l. Mackinroth.
Scribe-Ja James Ell. Morrow.
Treasurer--Isaac p. Clapp.
Secretary-Frank J. Thompson.
Auvsrgne commandry knights Temp
lar.
Another step along the corridor Of
York Rite Masonry. and one comes to
the Commandry Of knights Templar
Those having taken the degrees i'm the
Chapter. r.. A. M. are eligible to men,
hership in the commandry.
This organization is the military
order OF Masonry. Uniformed and
drilled it is one of the most attrac-
tive departments In the great fraeer-
nifty. 1t originated with the Kniglnts
OF the Temple during the crusades
and has since that time been perpeG-
uated as a branch Of the Masonic
order.
Fargo is represented by a strong
commandry, having at the present
time 295 members. 1t is the last and
highest order in the York Rite branch
and Is very popular among Masons all
over the country. Almost every one
Of the larger towns in the United
States Is the home nf a strong body
Of the lodge.
Organized in 1888.
Immediately after the securing OF
the dispensation for the establishment
OF Chapter in Fargo, efforts were put
forward to secure dispensation from
the Grand Encampment knights
Templar, for the formation OF sub
ordinate body OF that department Of
the York Rite in Fargo. On June "a.
1883. this dispensation was granted
and work Immediately started to Sc
cure charter from the Grand En-
campment. This object was accom-
plished on Aug. 2s, 1883. and the body
started its work under tho name OF
Fargo commandry. No. 5.
AS with the other Masonic bodies
In the city there were two charged in
charters corresponding 70 the organi-
cation OF the Grand commandry of the
territory of Dakota and that Of the
establishment OF the Grand COM
rnandry of North Dakota The charter
sfrom the Grand conamandry Of the
territory was dated May IA, 1884,
while that from the Grand COM
mandry Of the state Of North Dakota
was dated June 16, $780, and the
number changed to No. 2. It was. de-
sired to change the name OF the local
body and on June 80. 1892, 1t became
Augergne commandry, No. 2, k T. BY
authority Of the Grand commandry.
Under this name and number 1t Is
operated today
Started With Twenty-Five.
when the first charter was issued
by the Grand encampment the organi-
cation had membership of twenty
ave. It's officers under the first char
ter were:
Eminent Commander. u Benton,
CseneraIissimo r. ID. Fleming
Captain General A. Johnson.
The present officers are:
Eminent Commander Frank r
Thompson.