The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-05
Masons in Charge Of Interesting
Exercises at Peters
burg.
ADDRESS BY Or. BOOKER
Death of Mrs. Philip R. Roper.
Veterans Return
Thanks.
ines-Dispatch Bureau.
q Dollihsbrook Street.
TeleDhOnc l4S5,

petersburg, Va, January 4.
mo Cornerstone of the new seven
story steel Office and business struc-
ture Of the Petersburg Benevolent
Nechan!c Association, at the corner
OF Sycamore and West Tabb Streets,
now In course OF erection, was laid
this afternoon with Impressive Ma
were witnessed by large gathering
OF people.
The Masonic ceremonies were In
charge Of and conducted by Bland
ford Lodge. No. 3. one of the oldest
Iodges In the country. Of which c. L.
Guthrie Is worshipful master The
murch OF the Alasons from their tom
pie In West Tabb Stect was in the fol.
lowing order:
Marshal; tier. with sword; past
master, bearing ssel with corn; three
master Masons. bearing square. level
and plumb; tvo past masters. bearing
oil and wine; secretary and treasurer
Of the lodge; past master. with large
light; junior warden and senior war
den OF the lodge; venerable Mason.
with Holy B.-., square and compass.
two past masters, bearing lights; chap
lain OF the lodge; worshsptul master,
supported by the senior and junior
dcaconB
All OF these officers took part in the
ceremonies, which were conducted in
strict accordance with MaEonic rules
for such OCCASIONS.
The formal address. IN eloquent and
exceedingly appropriate one. was deltv-
cred by the Rev. George %. Booker,
L. D.. pastor OF Washington Street
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Articles In the box.
The officers. directors and members
of the Benevolent Mechanic Association
were present IN q body. Everything
passed Off happily, as arranged. The
articles placed In the copper box
which was sealed In the massive gran
itc stone, embraced a long list. Among
Them were copy OF the charter, con-
eutution and bylaws OF the associa :
t!on, lists OF the original and present
officers. directors and members OF the
association, illustrated copy OF His
toric Petersburg" and map OF tho city.
postcards showing views OF the old
Mechanic building, which was demol-
ishcd 10 give place 10 the new etruc-
1rre. postcards showing the public
buildings and churches Of Petersburg
bullet from the battle-ground near
the city, foreign and domestic coins
handsome bronze medallion struck off
by the Federal government at the time
OF the Inauguration OF President Taft
and Vice President sherman. contrib.
uted by Walter Edward Harris: lists
OF officers and members of Blandtord
Lodge. No. 3. Petersburg Lodge. No
10. and Powhatan Starkc Lodge, No
1876. contributed by their respective sec-
reta-ies: list OF the officers and mem
bcrs OF Market Street NJ L. Church
program OF Christmas celebration, 1911,
of AIpomattoX Commandery knights
Tenpi9r; cards of Mark Masters
sIarks. by several contributors: copies
of the daily papers of the city, nu-
merous individual cards and other ar
t!cle..
Or. Booker. in his splendid address.
spoke In praise OF the noble purposes OF
rhe association. OF the dignity and vic
tories OF labor and OF the educatianal
and benevolent features OF the organ
tZation.
The cornerstone bears the chiseletI
initials OF the Petersburg Benevolent
Mechanic Association. with the date OF