The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-10-20
ADDRESS DELIVERED
By Hon. WI. Crutcher At The
S. S. Parkes Dinner

1t is pleasure to meet wit my Ma
sonicsbrethren tonight, and while look
upon new faces aglow with youth and
vigor, and taking such a lively interest
in Masonery. May l not hope they are
practicing those true Masonic virtures
useful citizens in their future lives.
But | cannot refrain from looking back
some fifty-five years, and calling to
memory some of the grand men that not
only occupied prominent positions in
the lodge, but were honored by their fe.-
low citizens in other walks of life.
In October, 1850, during that memorable
campaign in which Mr.. Lincoln was
elected president.I | was initiated into the
ancient order of Freemasonery. Bro.
Samuel Ware conferred the degree, as
sisted by Bros C. C, Ball and Thompson
Burnam. Bro. Ware married a sister of
Sam F. Miller. Justice of the Supreme
Court of the United States. He was a
the greatest respect for the carpenter.
My father in early life was a cabinet
maker, and the scriptures tell US that
the greatest man that ever lived on this
earth was brought up in the city of
Nazareth as carpenter. Soon after my
initiation Mr.. Lincoln being elected. the
war clouds began to gather and we had
four years of bitter and bloody contest
During this period but little was done
in Freemasonery and did not apply for
when l was passed and raised to the
sublime degree of a Master Mason.
| The following December | was elected
to the position of Secretary. In Decem-
Der, 1886, was elected TO the Station oi
Senior Warden, and in Decem Der, 1867,
was elected as Worshipful Master, ar
honor | esteemed then and shall ever
! hold in proud remem berance. In De
cember, 1872, l was again elected Wor-
Shipful Master, and At the same time
our esteemed and honored guest tonight
was elected to the station of Senior
| Warden. Here our acquaintance anG
friendship began and has remained un-
interrupted through all these years.
These were trying times, brother was
arraigned against brother, father
against son, and even some of our
churches were torn asunder, but it wa:
lovely TO note at times a Federal SOL
dier in the Worshipful Masters stand
and Confederate soldier in the Senior
Warden Station. Brother Parkes was
competent to fill any position in the
lodge, but this was time when com
potency and honesty was at premium
and the brethern were looking for &
man to whom could be entrusted tn,
the keys of the treasury with safety.
He has locked and unlocked for more
than forty years, and at no time did i
become necessary to explain for an ab,
sent dollar. In fact, his reports were Sc
full and accurate, that it became a mat
ter of poem to have the financial com
mittee TO examine and report on his &C
counts. Were l called upon to define
the man or his chief characteristics,
would appeal to the Masonic Manuel
for the cardinal virtues, temperance
prudence. fortitude and justice, and
would also add charity, which is tn,
hand of perfectness.
His whole life has been an example,
fication of these virtures and an inspir
ration to the young men of this com
munity, aad especially to the young mar
associated with him in the banking bus
ness. Take him all in all, as a Ma
sonic Treasurer, as banker. as a citi
zen and as a christian gentleman, tn,
youn gest member of this lodge will no
live long enough to find bis like again.