Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1909-08-26
A SPLENDID DAY
FOR The MASONS
The Laying of Corner Stone Largely At
tended-AddreSS by Or. J. S. FrenCh--A
Fine Procession and interesting Ger
mOnieS--GueStS are Entertained.

stone of the new High School building.
The Masonic fraternity here, who had
charge of the affair, had made earnest
effort to have it a notable event in the
history of the town; and all who attend
ed, as well as those who participated.
declare that it was more than success
ful. The programme as published was
carried out to the letter, without hitch
or unpleasant incident.
The Master Masons assembled at the
Lodge Room, and the Knights Templar
in the courthouse. The lines for the
procession were not formed until l. 80
a. m, the delay being made to await
the arrival of train No. IL, which
brought large delegation of Masons
from Cedar Bluff and Richlands. A
number of Knights Templar from Gra-
ham and Bluefeld Communicates came
up to participate in the ceremonies.
The lines were formed in front of the
court house with twenty-six Sir Knights
IN front as escort. This escort was in
charge of Eminent Sir J. B. Saunders,
of Graham Commandery, No. o. The
Master Masons were formed in rear of
the Knights in the order laid down in
the Text Book. Past Eminent VIM. c.
Pendleton acted as Chief Marshal, hav-
ing as his assistants Brothers J. B.
Boyer and J. I. Heldreth. At IL 80
1
hundred men in line moved off smoothly
and with sOldierly bearing. They kept
their eyes to the front on their Knight
ly escort, in the midst of which was the
beautiful banner of Clinch Valley Com
mandery. The march was up Main
Street to Marion Avenue, where the
possession filed to the right and march
ed along that avenue to the entrance
gate of the grounds that surround the
May residence. The Templar escort
was halted at the steps on the walk-way
leading up to the residence, and ranks
were opened facing inward, for the re-
versing movement practiced by Masons.
Right Worshipful George W. Wright,
Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge
OF Virginia and its present Grand Lee
| turer, who had been marching at the
rear of the procession, accompanied by
Past Master J. Taylor Ellyson. pre-
ceded by the Chief Marshal, marched
through the lines, the Knights forming
an arch of steel under which the dis
tinguished visitors and all the Masons
passed. All who witnessed this move
ment said it was the most beautiful and
perfectly executed they ever saw. 1t
was marvelously well done, considering
that there had been no previous drills OF
the men who marched and only partial
instruction from the Marshal. Ranks
were broken and the Masons mingled
with the large crowd assembled at the
east side of the May mansion to hear
the address. Judge r. T. w. Duke, of
Charlottesville, Va, had been invited to
deliver the address and he had accepted
But on Wednesday telegram had been
received here announcing that Judge
Duke was very sick and could not be
present Fortunately, DR. J. Stuart
French, of Atlanta, Ga, had just ar
rived in our town to visit friends. He
had been made a Mason by Tazewell
Lodge, and he was promptly conscript-
ed to take Judge Dukes place and like
a good soldier he accepted the task.
A platform had been erected at the
May residence, and there DR.. French
was introduced to the audience by
Judge S. M. B. Coulling The intro
ductory speech was a chaste and ele-
giant one. DR.. French used for his
theme popular education. Though the
address in the main was eXtemporary,
it was finished, forceful and one of the
most interesting that our people had
ever heard 1t was the general express
sion, that while regret was felt over the
sickness of Judge Duke, the occasion
had not been less interesting on account
of his absence, so far as the address
was concerned.
|
procession was again formed and march
ed to the northeast corner of the new
High School building, where the inter
estlng ceremonies connected with the
laying of the cornerstone were per-
formed by Right Worshipful George w.
Wright, assisted by various stationed
and special officers. During these cere-
monies excellent music was furnished
by choir composed of young ladies' and
gentlemen of the town, led by Rev. G.
c. Rector.
The invocation at the beginning of
the ceremonies was made by Rev. VIM.
H. Kelly, Chaplain of Tazewell Lodge,
and the father of Tazewell High School
This venerable Mason, now eighty-six
years old, was deeply moved and his
prayer was full of beauty and sweet
sentiment.
The cornerstone" is made from a
very handsome block of dark blue gran
ite, which came from the quarries at
Quincy, Mass. 1t is 25x11x12, and was
prepared by the Quincy Granite Com
pany and procured through the Marble
and Granite Company of Tazewell, Va
Mr.. w. K. Vermiliion, of the latter
company, was present and assisted in
placing the cornerstone in the position
1t will hold as long as the building
stands. For his very generous assist
ance in procuring and helping to place
the stone the Masons and school author
tiles owe him vote of thanks.
On the front of this beautiful corner
stone is chisseled: Laid by Tazewell
Lodge: No. 81, A. F. and A. NJ, Au-
gust 10, 1909"
At the conclusion of the ceremonies.
the Lodge and escort were reformed
and marched back to the places where
they had first assembled. The visitors.
to the number of nearly two hundred,
were invited to the two hotels, where
excellent dinners were served to them
as the guests of Tazewell Lodge.
1t was delightful affair, a happy oc.
casion throughout The Masons anC
citizens here tried to make the visitors
have an enjoyable time, and from tht
expressions we heard on all sides tht
effort was not in vain,