Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-24

o.
+. A. A. NJ.
William G. Pond, long prominent and
beloved in Masonic circles in the Dis
trict. died at his home, 400 K street
northwest, at 1925 o'clock last even
ing. Of heart trouble
The beautiful funeral rites Of the
knights Templar and of the knights Of
Rose Croix will be performed at the
house at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon, in
addition to the blue lodge rites, conducted
by Hiram Lodge, No. 10, r. A. A. NJ, of
which Mr.. Pond was a past master, at
the grave in Rock Creek cemetery.
Mr. Pond leaves a wife, two daughters,
Mrs. F. E. Scotch Of Chicago and Mrs.
]. w. Greene, and one son, William G.
Pond, jr., both Of this city.
Native Of New Haven.
Mr. Pond was born in New Haven.
Conn, January %. 1856. He came to
Washington when seven years old and
remained here ever since, for the past
thirty three years having been engaged
in the tobacco business at 1916 F street
northwest His illness, which covered a
number of months, took serious turn
between three and four weeks ago.
He was initiated in Hiram Lodge, No. TO-
F. A. A. NJ, January 18. 1903. and there
made a master Mason March "a, 1908.
From that time his interest in the fra
ternity was strong and all his spare mo-
ments were devoted to perfecting him
self in Masonic lore.
He was accounted one of the best
ritualists who ever belonged to the
craft in Washington, and to his in
struction hundreds of Masons in the
official line Of the various lodges Of
the District owe their knowledge Of
the esoteric ceremonies. great many
OF the present masters OF the blue
lodges were instructed by him, and
probably seventy-five past masters owe
sonic degrees to him.
Received Phirty-Second Degree.
He was made. Royal Arch Mason
September Z. 1908, in Mount Vernon
Chapter, No. 8, Royal Arch Masons;
was knighted in Washington Conn
mandery, No. l, Knights Templar. Oc-
tober IA. 1903; was one Of the earliest
members Of Washington Council. No.
l, Royal and Select Masters; received
his first degree in Scottish Rite Ma
sorry July Fl. 1903, in Mithras Lodge Of
Perfection. No. /, at its cathedral. then
at 1907 street northwest; was regu-
larly advanced in the rite through
Evangelist Chapter, No. /, knights
Rose Croix; Robert de Bruce Council.
Pike Consistory. receiving his thirty
second degree, or that of Master Of the
Royal Secret, February q. 1904. He was
also member of Almas Temple Of the
Mystic Shrine
His store on F street was a gather
ing place for the Masons Of Washing
ton for years and by many Of the craft
was known as the annex to the Grand
Lodge School of Instruction"
He counted his friends by the thousands
among the Masons Of Washington and
other cities. 1t is said he did not aspire
to high Office in the craft, and the only
office he ever was induced to accept was
in the official line of Hiram Lodge,
through which he was advanced to be its
master In 1910.
In recognition of his superior services
TO Masonry he was unanimously elected
an honorary member Of the Association
of Worshipful Masters Of the District
of Columb a. in 1907 and since then he
election at the time was considered a
distinguished mark of Masonic favor.
Services for Masonry Extolled.
At the meeting of Robert de Bruce
Council Of the Scottish Dite last even
ing Mr.. Ponds virtues as a man and a
Mason and his special services in be-
half Of blue lodge Masonry were ex-
tolled by Stirling Kerr, tr., deputy Of
the Supreme Council for the District
OF Columbia. and at the convocation Of
Mount Horeb Chapter. No. Z, Royal
Arch Masons. appropriate resolutions
were adopted and q special representa-
ton, headed by Acting High Priest j.
w. Collins, Past High Priest W. W.
Jermane and Raymond B. Dickey. was
appointed to attend the funeral.