Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-22


ing. and those who held them were
threatening to enforce: the lodges were
even in debt for the furniture in use. and
the outlook was, indeed. gloomy. Under
the premises ordered their trustees to
convey the property in trust to Grand
Master William w. Billing. with author
ity to sell the same and apply the pro-
ceeds 10 the liquidation of the debts. and
ii any surplus remained to divide 1t
among the lodges interested. The prop
erty was thus conveyed to Brother Billing
February IL, 1885. and on the following
day by him conveyed to Brother John
Purdy, in fee simple, the consideration
being that said Purdy should fully pay
and satisfy all claims. provided said
claims did not exceed the sum of 5000.
Right of Occupancy Assured.
Brother Purdy then, having discharged
the debts. February 20. 1850, executed a
lease for ninety-nine years to Grand Mas
ter Billing, his executors, administrators
or assigns, by which. in consideration of
$50 annual rental and certain agreements
and covenants. the fraternity might have
perpetual right of occupancy of the third
floor of the building. May =. 1885. Grand
Master Billing offered to assign the lease
hold TO the Grand Lodge. with the under
standing that that body should assume
the payment of the annual rental of 500
which the property was held by him.
While this course was recommended by
committee. the Grand Lodge took no
action that is of record, but for a period
of years. the leasehold still remaining in
Brother Billings name, the rents were
collected through the grand secretary and
grand treasurer, and the Grand Lodge
was in virtual control and this Is the
only instance in the history OF the local
craft. until the taking over of the present
I'm w har q N
was made to vest title to real estate in
the Grand Lodge December "A, 1912. w.
w. Billing assigned his trust to Abraham
Butler, Joel Downing and Nathaniel Null
Gken, with the consent of the Masonic
bodies interested. The lease. however.
had already become forfeited by reason
of non-payment of rent, and the lessor,
Brother Purdy, entered into possession.
This action appears to have awakened
the lodges involved; an injunction was
obtained 10 restrain Purdy from further
proceedings, and a special convention was
held February Il. 1913. when it was re-
solved to make over to the Grand Lodge,
for its use and benefit, and for the use
and benefit of the subordinate lodges, ali
right, title, claim or interest which said
lodges had in or to said Masonic Hall.
But ii was too late.
Report Exonerated Purdy.
March 80 following the cause was
heard on the bill and the answer OF
Purdy, and was dissolved and the bill
dismissed. and Brother Purdy entered
into quiet possession Of the premises.
Carrying the story of this episode at
once TO it's conclusion, it may be men,
toned that charges We preferred against
Brother Purdy for his actions In con-
nection with the loss of title, but the
charges were not pressed, and the whole
matter lay dormant for thirteen years.
WHEN a very complete report of the
whole transaction was brought In by
committee, headed by the late b. B.
French, in 1853. which appeared to ex-
onerate Brother Purdy from blame. and,
while the Grand Lodge again failed of
action, The incident then and there closed
After the removal of the injunction the
Masonic tenants were literally set out
on the street. In this emergency the
grand master, Robert Keyworth. had
some of the furniture moved and stored,
and called a convention of the interested
bodies, which met lin room near
Brother Greers printing Office The
convention authorized the sale at auction
Of the fragments of furniture Sill re-
manning unstorcd, and directed the d.
vision of the proceeds among the lodges,
which, having been done. Brother Key
worth, on his own responsibility, round
quarters in building on tine northwest
corner of Pennsylvania avenue and 12th
street. This room was fitted up with
the furniture saved from the old hall, and
Lodges / and agreed TO occupy it Jointly
with the Grand Lodge. No. . having In
the meantime found quarters in the old
Circus building, now Havenners bakery,
on & street northwest near Az. Ihis
separation gave rise to considerable con-
troversy as TO the proper division of the
furniture, which lasted for quite period,
but is not of sufficient Importance 10 iol-
low in detail
Georgetown Lodge Buys Home.
While these troubles were being expert
enced by the centrally located lodges, Po-
tomac Lodge. OF Georgetown. had sold
its property on Jefferson street, but
continued to rent the same room until
1S42, when they bought house on Wash
ington street (now 3Oth), opposite the
Union Hotel the third story Of which
IL fitted UP as a lodgeroom and Occu-
pied for the next twelve years.
ST. Johns Lodge, No. IL. chartered De-
cember -. lSiJ, in the midst of these
troublous times. found a fairly convenient
home in the building the northeast
corner OF ~ street John Marshall place.
and Pennsylvania avenue. known as
Odeon Hall. which is still standing
where ii remained for some years
There is some slight evidence that Nos
i and also met in this building in 1S44
but this lacks veritication.
Hiram also during the year 1916 found
n new home in what was known as
Smiths stable. 18th street between
PENNSYLVANIA avenue and ! street north
west During its occupancy this
building burned. but was Immediately re
placed by the structure which now stands
on the site.
In the same year the upper floor of the
old medical college building at 10th ant
F. streets was occupied by the Crane
Lodge and several Of the subordinate
lodges. and in 1s47 an offer was made
TO sell the upper floor to the fraternity
This was not acted upon. but by 1S4!
Nos. /. Z. and L. were meeting here
Increasing prosperity and comparatively
rapid growth soon. however. made the
brethren FESTIVE in these unsatisfactor,