Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1916-06-14
MASONS CELEBRATE
FIFTIETH Anniversary

Continued from first page)
J. Y. Powers, Sec
Dan Lawrence, s. ID.
Z. B. Plumb, j. ID.
NJ. NJ. Sherman, S. S.
ID. c. Monty, j. S.
j. G. Richardson, Tyler
A. Skoffstad, j. H. Montgomery,
James Hargreaves, W. Franklin, A.
j. b. Abbey, Rev. r. Swearingen, ].
e. Meuser, A. Davis, Henry Assem-, E.
Mccartney, d. N. Hawley, Jas. Nc
Donald, D. N. Hoyt, d. C. Bacon, n.
Woleben, VIM. Mcintosh, Charles AL
len, d. c. Baldwin, w. w. Wheelock,
E. A. Miller, B. b. Green, John
Scott, On. MS; and c. w. Quincy,
A. H. Tuikham, P. Friedman, Jos.
Kelley G. l.. Lewis, (as E. A's).
J have made diligent enquiries, and
have correspondent in regard to near
ly all of these brethren, and find
that they have all passed away, with
one exception, Brother ID. C. Bacon.
who for many years has resided in
Connecticut.
AS the years passed there have
been the usual slight increases, and
decreases. But today the roll con-
tains the names of 116 members in
good standing.
The first meetings of the Lodges
in DEBORAH were held in the second
story of H. S. Weiser's bank. The
building is now standing and occu-
pied by Mr.. Gullickson as a jewelry
store, 3 doors west of the Stiles hotel.
on the North side of Water street.
i re
stone building on the corner of Mill
and Water streets, now occupied by
Mr.. Geo. Bernatz. In 1867 the First
National Bank was erected, and the
third story was especially fitted for
Lodge purposes. The newspapers of
that date state, "That it was pro-
nounced the best in Iowa" In 1882
the third story on this building was
erected by Mr.. Barthell, for the pur-
poses OF it's present use and now we
occupy both upper stories. ~
During the so years existence of
the Lodge, the following Brethren
have been honored and have presided
as Masters in the East: s
c. S. Rollins, 1S65-6-7,- Dan Law
renee 6S-69-70; T. A. Watson, II;
John E. Meuser, 1913; Dan. Lawrence,
74-75; R. w. Jamison, 10; Geo. l..
Vending, II; S. B. Owen, 1879;
Joshua Lantry, so; Dan. Lawrence,
81; s. p. Barr, 82-3-4-5; F. g. Ian
ders, S6-S7; Cyrus Mckay, So; E.
Mather, SO; c. M. Boutelle, s90-91:
R. F. B. Portman, 90; A. N. Vance,
SO; F. S. Landers, "a; C. o. Moore,
95. A. F.. Barfoot, 90; E. Brakeman
81; C.. B. Lennon, SO; C. o. Moore,
80; F. w. Daubney, 1900-O1-02-O3;
w. A. Zeigelmeier, GA; H. j. Green,
r. H. Miller, 10; j.
F. B. Portman, IL; F. w. Conover,
II; w. Headington, 10; ]. @. Nc
Callum, 14L15 Frank Jewell, 16. In
all 2S. Fourteen of whom have
passed to their reward. One stricken
from the roll, two Omitted and eleven
left, and still active in lodge duties
There have in all, been 446 mem
bers of the LODGE have endeavor2
ed to keep track of them, and every
little while | hear of one, bat it is
in most cases only to add name TO
the list of the departed. 'IF~ 10
We have with US yet two brothers,
Brother A. l.. Abbey and j. H.cMack-
enstadt, who will ere long, have the
honor of having been On the roll for
so years.
Once there was an amusing Incl
dent-the records don't mention
much about it, but l find, that the
Secretary did not let it pass Entirely.
For he wrote: He thereupon refus-
ed to submit to the requirements OF
the order and left-unceremonlous
ly, and without reason"
Some years after there was pub
lished in "The Voice of Masonry" a
short poem. The author was one OF
our Pastmasters-whic with your
permission / will read
The hall was dark as night; the
gang were at their prayers;
Mid rafting bones,
And sobbing groans,
The goat dashed up the stairs
The waiting victim quaked, though
bravest in the town, f :.
And, as the beast rushed toward the
east,
The candidate rushed down.
He got one glimpse within:
The room was vague and dim
By all the shapes Of sin,
1t was enough for him!
Imagination's might
Filled out the picture black
A corpse upon the right;
Beyond-the scourge and rack!
Upon it's fiery bed,
That smote his aching sight,
The branding iron, red,
Grew redder, redder-w white!
ne go with such a crowds?
He to their altar. come?
If 1t might be allowed,
He'd rather gallOp home.
Picture his wild despair,
Imagine how he felt,
Who saw dozen there
Who'd slug him as he knelt.
He saw wicked glance!
And trembled for his pelf;
He give the rogues a chance?
Not if he knew himself!
He caught somewhere a whispered
word;
His fears to frenzy rose.
1t could but be inferred
They meant to steal his clothes!
He could not-dared not-speak
The perspiration cold,
Down limbs all trembling-weak-
In icy courses rolled!
And-ah. a chance to take!