Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-03-11

Viroqua has long been recoFrszed as
town of fraternity, but last Thursday
cinched the proposition std made the
claim reality. The formal opening
of the new Masonic fenpls was an &C
CASTOR long 10 he rememnerel nv mem
bers of the order and the punlic II
broug ht together the most formidable
party of neighbOrs aud fraters this city
has ever known. Three hnadted people
entertained at enc sitting and " ,th such
2 spread, festivities and fellow ship as
serve to admonish us the old world is
on the upgrade. In fact, an occasion
throughout hat reflects credit upon an
ancient and hOnora5ia erdee and an ap
oIeciative citizenship.
THE NEW MASONIC HOME
Nowhere il Masonry better fquipped
with quarters more sdapted TO IT'S needs
than the foue branches enjoy now
in Virt qua Fhe neW temple project
took rout just year ago, when Hon. J q.
Henry Tate rendered the second story
OF the block he vas about TO erect, CIV
ing the rig ut to construct as the needs
OF the order demanded I'll tender
was accepted, plans formulated and a
bulldog committee selected. the orders
represented GA the committee by their
superior officers, $. A. Farr Tor the
Knights Tempar, Geo. G Fawcett for
Royal Arch Chapter and Berlie Moore
for the Blue Lodge. with Fred Eckhardt
and A. j Beat the other members
How faithfully and well the committee
performed the large task 10 evidenced
in the magnificent building and It's ey-
cry appointment and fnrnishiug. The
basement and ground Il ,or rooms OF
this rect Of YifSqua blocks nss--been
given ia the past, builded add Furnish
ed by Mr.. Tate at cost OF Si2, 900, with
like investment bg M.,sons. Three
stores are occupied BY Anderson e. Sau.
or, hardware dealers; S 3. Lil!is, jew
eler; Hendrickson Shoe Store, al sub.
stantial trade marts. The walls are
brick and tile, attractive fronts, and
the structure stands on ground sur
face of 66xl00 feet. The Masonic quar-
ters are adequate for town of 500
and doubled membership. The lodge
room proper is 30x64, with stage, drop
curtain and two paraphernalia rooms,
dining room adj lining 2Sx4S In the
rear of these are kitchen, ante rooms,
preparation and wardrobe quarters, h..
vatories for men and women The en-
tire front space is devoted to reading
and club rooms, with pool and billiard
tables, where members may spend an
hour or evening al innocent amusement
and meet fellow craftsmen such an in
stitution as every town should possess
for young men. The reading and card
room is 24x30, billiard room 1894
Halls connect the numerous rooms as
is most convenient A spacious hail
aud stairs are entered from the street,
with rear stairs for cgress. Ceilings
in the main rooms are Ia feet Through
out the temple is finished in golden oak.
all new furniture to correspond, with
the best of wiring and electrical effects
Wells e Bennett of La Crosse was
temple architect, C. l. Peterson su-
perintendent and constructor of car
pentery, while J w Lake & Sons did
the masonry.
THE BANQUET AND DEDICATION
There is but one sentiment among
the three hundred attendants, that the
opening banquet was the most delight.
full and best conducted affair Viroqua
has ever known. Six long tables were
spread with necessary additional ones
in side rooms. The table and room de-
corations were in American flags, flow
ers and potted plants, with bowers of
festooning on walls and ceilings, mir
rors creating a pretty effect on the
sides. At $50 the reception opened in
the club rooms and all passed the re-
ceiying line with Captain Tate az the
head, Mrs. l.. c. Boyle, Col Butt, Miss
Esther Butt, Superintendent and Mrs
Buffers, Mr.. and Mrs II p Proctor,
Fred Eekhardt, Mrs. W. d. Dyson.
At 7:15, to the strains OF the orchestra
the throng passed in single file TO the
banquet halls, and after word of
thanks to the Supreme Ruler by Rev.