Omaha daily bee., 1916-10-04
VETERAN MASONS TO
AID IN CEREMONIES
Laying of Cornerstone of New
Temple Will Be Attended by
Many Old Timers.
PLANS FOR DAY COMPLETE


the laying of the corner stone of the
new Masonic Temple at Nineteenth
and Douglas streets this alter
noon were completed by the general
committee in charge at its last session,
No change has been made in the
scheduled arrangements already an
nounced.
One of the features of the affair
will be the presence OF the veteran
Free Masons who are now residents
of the Masonic Home at Plattsmouth.
These will be brought to Omaha on
the Burlington this morning
and will be met at the depot by a
committee with automobiles, who will
give the veterans ride around the
city and take charge Of them during
the day.
Dinner for Visitors.
In the evening dinner will be served
ut the Temple at Sixteenth and Capitol
avenue for the sojourning brethren,
who will view the electric parade from
there. Word has been received from
the officers of the grand lodge, and
all will be present Many Masons have
sent word of the:r intention to be
present at the ceremony. which will
mark one of the most important
epochs in the history of Masonry in
Nebraska.
The hour for assembling at the old
Temple is l.30, the procession will
move at 2 and the ceremonies will be-
gin at 2:30
Recalls Historic Occasion.
The laying of the cornerstone of
the new Masonic temple will recall to
the minds of older Omahans a SINH
lar ceremony at the old temple, Six
teenth and Capitol avenue, in June,
1876.
OF the officers of the grand lodge
of Nebraska participating in the To-
cally historic exercises marking the
laying of the cornerstone of the orig-
inal temple Of Masonry in this city,
only four, as far as can be ascertained.
are alive today. They are G. H. Thum-
mel, John Bamford, R. E. French and
Eben X. Long.
Interesting accounts of the corner
stone laying in 1876 are contained in
accounts of that time.
Clippings in a scrapbook owned by
Mr.. Thummel tell of the Large crowd
which attended the ceremonies de-
spite the threatening weather"
Grand Officers in Line.
The order Of procession on that day
was as follows. George w. Lininger,
chief marshal; James S. Gibson, as
sistant marshal; Jean Scleous, cap
tain of guards; Union Pacific band,
Mount Calvary commandery No. l,
Knights Templar; St. Johns lodge
No. rs, Covert lodge No. II, Capital
lodge No. 3, visiting brethren.
Then followed Jacob Kins, grand
tyler, and the officers of the grand
lodge of Nebraska. They were: Thom-
as H. Daley, senior grand steward;
Charles P. Needham, junior grand
steward; Egbert E. French, senior
grand deacon; John G. Taylor, junior
grand deacon; John Bamford, grand
William R. Bowen, grand
secretary; Charles F. Goodman, SEN
ior grand warden; Eben K. Long, jun
ior grand warden; George Armstrong,
deputy grand master; Rev. Ira N. Par
dee, grand chaplain.
Veterans Who Were Present.
Riding in carriages were Right En-
inent Charles F. Cabin and Most
Worshipful George H. Thummel,
grand master of ceremonies.
Grand Architect Dufrene invited
Grand Master Thummel to lay the
Grand Chaplain Pardee
Orations followed.
Some of those taking part in the
laying of the cornerstone in 1876
were: H. c. Akin, w. S. Askwith,
Gustav Andreen, John H. Butler,
John Bamford, DR.. o. S. Wood, Eben
K. Long, John G. Willis, John G. Cur
tbs, H. w. Barnum, John Reed, John
c. Gown, w. T. Robinson, J. p Dew
alon, w. J. Connell, Thomas H.
Swobe, L. H. Korty, John E. Nc
Bride, DR.. L. A. Merriam and ]. New
ton Wise.