The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-03-01
MASONS PAY A TRIBUTE
FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY
George Washington Was Member
of the Noble Order.
AND BIRTHDAY is OBSERVED
An Address By Jean A FIittie;
illustrated Lecture, Mr.. J.
N. Mcdonnell.
AND BIRTHDAY is OBSERVED
From Fridays Daily.

from FrioayS Oaliy.
The one hundred and eightieth an.
niversary of George Washington
was celebrated in most fitting man.
ner last evening by the Masonic
lodge of Mankato at it's hall, corner
of Second and Hickory streets. The
attendance was large, the hall being
filled to its capacity. Masons love
to honor the. day. for Washington
was an illustrious member of the
order.
The hall was handsomely decorated
with American flags and hatchets,
and the walls presented unique
sight. A large picture of Washing
ton occupied prominent place in
the room.
Guests Given Reception.
AS the guests entered they were
received by a reception committee
consisting OF the officers of the
lodge, who in turn presented each
with Ratchet and small flag.
J. NJ. Mcconnell, master of the
lodge, and Jean A. Flittie, occupied
seats on the platform, the former
presiding during the evening and the
latter delivering the address on
Washington. The program opened
about $3.50 with a few remarks by
Mr.! Mcconnell in which he said it
was appropriate that all Masonic cele-
brate the birth of George Washing
ton as he was an honored member
of this masnanimous order. As an in.
PRODUCTION to the program Mr.. Nc
Connell announced a selection by the
Eastern Star and Masonic orchestra,
which played the national airs.
Address BY Mr.. Flittie.
J. A.. Flittie, past master of Man
kato lodge, gave an able address Oh
Washington, and referred to him as
"the exalted patriot and Jealous
Mason" He was the first master OF
the Masonic lodge at Mt Vernon,
and the man who Invented the
Ratchet Mr.. Flittie explained the diff
ferent varieties of Washington's,
and wondered how he could get along
today and do business successfully.
There is much TO admire and little
to criticiSe in the life of Washing
tom said the speaker. Washington
was the only American whose birth
day was celebrated while yet alive.
Solo BY Mr.. Griffith.
Following the address was a solo
by /. N. Griffith. who responded to
an encore with Silver Threads
Among the Gold"
Lecture BY Mr.. Mcconnell.
An interesting lecture on the life
of Washington was given by j. Nj.
Mcconnell, who illustrated his talk
with stereopticon views. The canvas
view showed Washington and the
cherry tree, scenes OF the Revolution
airy war, the Boston massacre, the
Continental congress, drafting and
signing of the Declaration OF indie
pendence, WashingtOn's inauguration
as president, his last moments when
ON his deathbed, and many others.
Served a Lunch.
This concluded the program and
all were invited to the banquet hall
where lunch was served, after which
the room was cleared and dancing
INDUCED in. i
N.
the decorations, and the lodge Off
GERS the program.
Mrs. A. o. Eberhart came from st.
Paul to attend the entertainment anu
arrived about 1920, accompanied BY
Mrs. C. H. Nerbovig, who had been
in st. Paul as delegate to the
meeting of the federation.
Mr.. and Mrs. Bert Barnes OF
Vernon Center were among those
who attended from out OF town.
The entertainment was enjoyable
and the committees IN
charge of the pleasant affair are en-
titled to much credit.
The officers of the lodge are j..
NJ. Mcconnell, F. w. Bates ID. e.
Walker, C. l.. Kennedy, F. L. Scar
ing. and III. S. Holman.