The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1911-02-16
JOSEPH MONTFORD HONORED.
A Statue Of the Distinguished Mason
Unveiled at HALIFAX Monday.


Halifax, N. c., Feb. 14.-There
could scarcely have been collected
, anywhere more jolly, good-natured
and interested crowd than those
who assembled in this historic old
town of Halifax on Monday, Febru-
ary 18th, to do honor to the memory
Of that distinguished citizen, patri-
etic soldier and Mason, the Right
Worshipful Joseph Montford, first,
last and only Provincial Grand Mas
ter of America, who died here March
25th, ITS. While his memory has
been kept green in the hearts of the
fraternity, until quite recently no
special effort had been made to To-
cate and honor his dust, until Mr..
Harry w. Gowen, one Of our promi-
nent townsmen, ard who is one Of
the most enthusiastic Masons we
ever saw, and unsparing and untir-
ing IN his efforts to create interest
on the part Of the fraternity, began
agitating a movement to the end
that the remains Of this grand and
honored man might be placed near
the Temple of the Royal White
lodge No. 2, A. F. & A. NJ, and
lsuitable memorial erected in his
lhonor. So to-day has been looked
forward to with pleasant anticipa-
ton as the elimination. of Mr..
Gowen's energy and effort, together
with the cooperation of the Masonic
!, fraternity of the State and the or
} ganization at large.
The day began with an overcast OF
clouds, at first thought, but finally
. proving, to be only heavy mist,
, which the warm, strong and wei
come rays of King Sol soon dispell-
ed; then bursting into life was an
almost ideal spring day, and by
every road leading into town, and
by every train carrying passengers,
, there came swarms of Interested
people from different parts Of the
county and State, and a distinguish
led delegation from the Council of
Norwich Conn., Perhaps there
; has never gathered together in the
!, lState more distinctly distinguished
delegation representing the Masonic
fraternity than gathered here to
pay fitting tribute to the honored
, dead, and to celebrate at the same
} time the ninetieth anniversary OF
, Roanoke Council No. 1, Royal and
Select Masters.
In the morning at the Masonic
}, Temple the degrees Of Royal, Select
f and Super Excellent Master were
y conferred upon large class OF
!, Royal Arch Masons.
: The public services commenced al
e 3 o'clock in the cemetery, near the
r Temple, the Grand Master, R. N
:, Hackett, dedicating the Montfore
Memorial. Many very interesting
/, and instructive things were said
} and the statement made that ther'
was present the sixth descendan
= from this illustrious man, Miss Long
= who is a grand daughter Of tina
grand patriot, citizen and soldier
= Captain Thos. M. Mason, of North
Z ampton, who stepped forward ant
removed the veil from the face o
the statue. Then ex-Judge Franci
D. Winston presented the statue t
# Worshipful Weller on behalf Roys
r White Hart Lodge No. 2. Othe
excellent remarks were then mad
le by Grand Master R. N. Hackett, an
- the services at the grave were ove1
:" There then began scramble fo
the Court House to hear the orator
Of the day. An excellent band ha
been procured which furnished goo
music, and the seating capacity W.
! taxed to it's utmost while there wei
no signs of fatigue on the part
any one. "God Save The King
l was sung with animation, aItt
which Companion R. c. Dunn,
:, Enfield, struck responsive chord
his remarks relative to the improve
l condition of the present as compare
with the past. Zone hundred ar
: forty-seven years ago Joseph Mon
ford came to live in this town." sd
: he, land what changes have bee
wrought since then! In this TIVE
> tieth century of ours, with the co
iveniences and contrivances +
y progress and happiness, we wond
!, sometimes at the great men the pa
II has produced who were denied the
j, things"
a. Con,nor;on Dunn then introduce