Weekly journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1908-1929, 1914-08-26
is
CORNERSTONE
LAYING
(From Fridays Daily

t1an thirty years ago, plOilCCI Md
sons of Arizona tread imbued with
the high feeling OF responsibility
attendant upon the corner stone lay
ing OF a structure OF State or learn
ing. was again brought into con-
spicuous light yesterday when the
members OF the local Masonic lodge
turning out in full force ofhciated at
the cornerstone laying OF the new
Prescott high school. There were
those aged Masons in the gather
ing who closed their eyes when
they heard the handsome stone rest
in its Mich. and beheld visions OF
thirty years ago when they stood
possibly on the same spot and with
feeling of pride beheld the cor
ner-stonc descend in the erection OF
the structure which was first used
as a city hall. then State capital
and later the high school.
The marked contrast between the
situation OF then and yesterday
was too great to require verbal eX-
preston; the difference in the as
semblage: the collection OF fully
two score machines where at that
time stood several hundred horses
and rigs: the surroundings which
included handsome residences in the
place OF mere shacks and the gen
eral atmosphere of increased civil
cation and culture which pervaded
were all conspicuous.
Yesterdays cornerstone laying
will go down as one OF the most
suspicious events in the history of
the city. Not alone is the ceremony
deemed particularly worthy of lin
gering memory by virtue OF the
historic features connected with it
and the old structure which was
torn down to make room for the
new. On the contrary, it is featur-
cd by the marked facts surrounding
the new building.
Prescott. in voting for the new
| structure looked forward TO the fu-
turc and as result when the new
: building is ready for occupancy
there. will be accommodations avail
: able for fully seventy-fve per cent
more students than are enrolled to-
: day. In addition. the structure will
: serve as 4 monument to spot
sacred in the history OF Arizona.
= 1t fell to the lot OF local men
10 ohiciate at the ceremonies. Fail
e ing to make proper train connec-
tons at Phoenix. State Grand Mas
ter Charles NJ. Smith. of Yuma who
= was to have laid the cornerstone
wired his regrets to the local Ma
sons and deputized Past Grand Mas
ter r. n. Fredericks to ofliciate al
= the cornerstone laying. Owing tc
t the absence OF the grand orator Pas
Grand Master Morris Goldwater
r. delivered the address.
n A crowd of fully 800 people
lhrongcd the platform and sur
rounding space. The Masons anC
Knights Tcmplar numbering abou
7 rs in all. were in conspicuous at
tendance. Forming at the Masonic
Temple. the Masons escorted by l:
c of the Knights TempIar, arrayed il
c their gorgeous regalia. marched tC
:. the corner OF Alarcon and Cur
g lev streets where the handsome new
r $4,000 structure is being erected.
+ One of the caskets containing lit
+ eraturc of today of all kinds anC
s description, was carried by Judg'
+. w. Wells under his arm. Th'
n other Containing the literature, map
+ and pamphlets, reclaimed from thu
i cornerstone of the old building, wa
c carried by Architect Bliesner Boil
o caskcts were informed in cavities ii
the handsome cornerstone for tn
Y new building. The stone bears bu
= one inscription, "l9l4.'
/ The Knights Templar parading il
it their regalia were followed up Cur
i ley street by the 100 Masons march
l. ing two abreast. Arriving at tn
) scene, the high officers OF the lodg'
Il marched to the platform while thu
s others stood at attention. Frequent
; " during the ceremonies and a
the command OF Commander Free
t Brecht, the Masons would offer thei
C three times three hand salute.
IS The program opened with a song
o Columbia the Gem OF the Ocean
/ by the school students occupying
n the platform directly in front OF TIL
A stone. They were followed by Rev
is J. lockwood Jenkins, the gran'
d chaplain who offered prayer for tn
d success OF the new structure ant
c. the attainment OF those things which
it stood for.
T The Prayer.
S almighty God OF Righteousness
z and truth: As we have assemblies
/ in thy name and presence, we in
n woke thy blessing upon this occa
Il sion of Joy and hope, upon all whit
1 are gathered here and upon III
- work before us. Thou, Lord il
the beginning didst lay the founda
ton OF the earth and the heaven
80 Of thu hands Ila-