The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-12-09

lin, R. R. Morris, Edward Crivel, w.
E. Wineberg and Charles e. Land.
The officers for 1915 follow: Leroy
Hodge, w. M; Ernest o. Evan, S. W.:
Fred E. Kershner. j.. W.; John E.
Peltz, treasurer; William c. Jones,
secretary; j. Burton Wharton, 8. D.;
George Matthews, J. D.; Clarence. E.
Parks, s. S., S. Burton Gaines, J. S.;
Richard Van Zant, tyler; Harry Land,
Philip H. Worrall and Earl Thomas,
trustees.
The following is a history of the
lodge, prepared by John L. Rupe:
Webb Lodge. No. "a, F. and A. NJ,
was first chartered by the Grand
Lodge of Indiana, October 7, 1923. 1t
appears from the grand lodge proceed
ings that a lodge had existed under
under the name of Wayne
Lodge, No. "a. holding meetings at
equal periods at Centerville and Rich
mond. In October, 1923, charter
was granted by the Grand Lodge. of
Indiana to Wayne Lodge, but to be
thereafter known as Webb Lodge, No.
"a, William Pugh, a resident of Cen
terv1lle, being designated as its first
master; James R. Mendenhall as &C.
nior warden and William H. Vaughan
as junior. warden, Bartholomew Nc.
Cleary being received and acknowl-
edged as the representative of that
lodge at the session of the grand lodge
of 1923. James r., Mendenhall and
William H. Vaughan were prominent
citizens of Richmond at that time,
Brother Mendenhall being one of the
leading physicians of Richmond and
Wayne county for many years later
and until the time of his death.
There Is no known authentic history
of Masonry of that early period from
which It can be known how the name
webb" came to be adopted for this
lodge. 1t is known, however, that it
was not adopted in honor of any dis.
tinguished local mason of that early
period.
1t is believer that the name was
adopted in honor of Thomas Smith
Webb, who was at that early day a
distinguished Mason Of national repu'
tatiOn as such. He was born in Bos-
ton, Mass, and at the time of his
death, which occurred at Cleveland
O., while on Masonic mission to
that city, July s, 1919, he was a resi-.
dent of Providence, r. I. He died at
the age of 48 years, and was one OF
the most distinguished Masons of his
day. He was one of the men instru.
mental in establishing the General
Grand Chapter, and was it's Deputy
Grand High Priest at the time of his
death.
Out of very general confusion in
his time, existing in Masonic work,
tot IN I'D q
system generally recognized and ad-
mirable and published the first Ma
sonic Monitor. which was adopted by
the Grand Lodge of Indiana, and gen.
orally adopted and used. 1t is believ-
ed, therefore, that this lodge bears the
name of "Webb' in honor of this dis
tinguished Mason and in recognition
of and as mark of appreciation of
his great services to the fraternity
and of his exalted character as man
and Mason.
The membership of Webb Lodge its
Among these, however, were a num-
Der of the leading men of the com
munity, among whom may be rem
toned DR.. James r. Mendenhall, + 'hn
C. Kibbey, Lewis Burk and John Fin
bankers of Richmond and q man of
the highest character and standing.
John Finley was for many years and
at the time of his death, mayor Of the
city of Richmond. He was also poet
of more than local celebrity, his Hoo
siers' Nest" being widely published
and generally regarded as poetic
gem.
In these early days of Masonry in
eastern Indiana there were difficulties.
prejudices, hostility and obstacles
which we Of this day know nothing of
except as a matter of Masonic history.
The early settlement of Richmond was
largely members Of the Society of
Friends, commonly called "Quakers,"
who regarded Masonic orders with sus-
picion and distrust, and it was no easy
task for our early brethren to or
ganize and maintain a Masonic lodge
in their midst.
From the date of the charter of
Webb Lodge in 1928, TO 1888, period
of ten years. there were only forty-two
limitations. as appears by the records
of the grand lodge.
In 1882 the lodge surrendered its
charter to the grand lodge. it having
existed to that time a lodge divided