The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-06-05

Masonic history of this state is inter
woven with that of our neighboring
province of Manitoba. In all proba-
bility. Ancient Landmark lodge, Win
nipeg, is the outgroWth of this earlier
lodge.
Organized Lodge at Fort Buford.
On Jan. 26, 1874, Yellowstone lodge
at Fort Buford, Dakota Territory, was
organized by the granting of a dis
p%ensation to Bro. Asa T. Blunt, an
army officer formerly a member, of
Passumic lodge No. 81, st. ~Johnsbury,
VT. OF the eleven charter members,
six were officers of the Seventh In
fantry and included Mascns made in
almost as many states. north and
ty-two Masons were made in this
lodge and seven affiliated. Many Of
these were soldiers or civilians con-
nected with the U. S. army post. This
lodge was chartered JAM. 10, 1872, with
the number eighty eight and contin-
ued until June s, 1874, when, in con-
sequence of the removal of the troops,
the lodge was left practically without
an officer II a past master. It could
not be legally convened except by the
| grand master or his deputy. Bro. b.
L. Perry, district deputy, went
to Fort Buford. found that
| conditions did not seem to war
rant the continuation of this lodge
and the brethren surrendered their
charter. Such property as could not
be easily moved was sold, we under
stand, to pay Brother Perry's ex-
penses. The jewels and clothing were
left with Bismarck lodge u. ID. Tt is
lprobable that these jewels afterwards
came into possession of Bismarck
lodge, though a motion to present
them to this lodge was ruled u of
order by the grand master at the 1876
session of the Minnesota Grand lodge.
Fargo Came Into Being.
With the coming Of the Northern
Pacific railroad into Dakota Territory
in the early '7O's, Fargo came into be-
ing, and wherever men congregate
Masons. are to be found. Early in
September these Masons began TO
consider the establishment of a lodge,
and on Nov. o., 1872, a d~ispensation
OF Minnesota to form and open Shiloh
lodge. This lodge was chartered Jan.
Ia, 1874, as Shiloh No. 105, and con-
tinued to work under the Minnesota
jurisdiction until 1879, when, by pc
tition, Shiloh withdrew and affiliated
with the grand lodge of Dakota Ter.
ritory, which was organized several
years before. There is much interest
ing history which centers about the
controversy between the grand lodge
OF Minnesota and the grand lodge of
Dakota over the jurisdiction 81 the
lodges at Fargo and Bismarck. which
had been chartered; by Minnesota.
In 1874 a dispensation was granted
to organize a lodge at Bismarck. This
lodge had some difficulty and Its char
ter was refused in 1875, but another
d~ispensation was issued. On Jan. ~,
1879, a charter was granted to- Bis
marck lodge No. 100. Bismarck com
tinued her allegiance to Minnesota un-
til June 5, 1880, when Bismarck petit
toned the grand, lodge Of Dakota fol
a~fiIiation. This petition was granted
and Bismarck lodge became No. 16 or
the roster of Dakota.
Prior to their action, Pembina lodge
on May "a. 1878, received b dispense.
ton, with such well known men ant
Masons as M. 3. Nelson, wv. M; Jud'
son LaMoure, s.. w; and John Kab:
~ernagle, u. wv. On July ~. 1879, Gas.
SETON lodge was organized, witt
Thomas j. Wilder as master. or
March 30. 1880, Acacia lodge. q