The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1915-04-24
A Masonic Celebration


twenty-five years ago, when the first
Masonic lodge was opened in legal
form in Meeker-the first in North
western Colorado.
Some time ago it was resolved to
observe this epoch-making event in
proper manner. The work of arrang-
ing IL program was delegated to Past
Master Moulton, and the duty was
well performed.
The program consisted of number
of short addresses and papers, liber-
ally interspersed with vocal and in
strumental music, to be followed by
banquet and few appropriate
toasts.
Bro. Moulton presided over the ex-
ercises and also acted as toastmaster
at the banquet.
After felicitous opening remarks
by the chairman, the present Master,
Bro. j. l.. Tagert, gave u brief ad-
dress.
A chronological history of the
lodge, by the secretary, Bro. II. A.
Wildhack, followed.
Past Master Bro. Thomas Baker
spoke entertainingly Of Our Early
Day Troubles"
Looking Backward" was an inter-
esting paper presented by Past Master
Bro. John A. Watson. Owing to ill
ness in his family, Mr.. Watson was
not present, so his address was read
by the chairman.
MY Idea of Masonry" was ably
handled by Past Master Bro. Isaac
Baer.
In his usual witty and eloquent
way Past Master w. S. Montgomery
told of "Womans Influence in Ma
sonry."
1.-The General Influence of Masonry
in This Community was well pre-
sented by Bro. Charles +. Brown.
Past Master Bro. +. N. JoHantgen
had q we'll written paper on Our
Future, or Rio Blanco Lodge Twenty
five Years Hence"
sOur Pleasures" was ably present..
ed by Past Master w. d. Simms.
Mesdames Strehlke and Carr and
the Misses Carr rendered number
Of highly appreciated vocal selec-
tiods. Mrs. Ernest Oldland presided
At ,tha piano. Bro. Walter VanC Clenva
favored the gathering with several
fine cornet solos.
At the banquet table Toastnaster
Moulton delivered fine and timely
address on 1.-The Social Phase of Ma
sonny
In the absence of the regular ban
quet committee, Bro. Ed. Saltmarsh
filled its functions in his usual eff
cient manner. What would we do
without Salty?
Being called on for 'Some Early
Revelations" Past Master Bro. James
Lyttle said, in part:
1.-The Masonic body which subse-
quently became Rio Blanco Lodge
No. so. A. F. d A. NJ, had its incep-
tion one day in September, 1889,
when ! called to pay my respects to
the newly arrived manager OF the
Hugus company, at Meeker, Mr.. A.
c. MoultOn. After the usual greet
ings, Mr.. Mou1ton seeing I wore
Masonic emblem, brOached that sub
ject and the prospects of organizing
a lodge here. In reply, I told him of
some. conversation with the late Mr..
II. G. Peterson on this subject year
previous, when | visited his home on
Big Beaver. A week or so after
wards, Mr.. Moulton called on me and
suggested that as knew all the Ma
sons residing in the White River val
ley, send out requests for meeting
at a place and date given. In re-
sponse to these notices, there appear
ed Bros. Peterson, Coon, Moulton,
Thomas Baker, David Smith, John
A. Watson, DIR. Theodore Foote and
myself. This informal meeting was
held at The Herald office. Other
meetings followed at the same place,
when the above named persons were
joined by the Honorable H. H. Ed
dy, John J. Niblock and Herman
Pfeitfer. 1t was resolved to take the |
steps necessary to forming lodge.
But it took considerable time to get |
the demits (tbat of David Smith hav-
ing to come from Scotland), it was
the second week in April before the
Grand Masters dispensation arrived,
and it was April is, 1880. when the
first communication was held in the !
duly titled" hall of the old Meeker
public school building-twenty- five
years ago, tOdaY-the Day We Cele-