The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-02-15
WHY HE JOINED


Continued from Page OneI
last 20 years. Mr.. Ketcheson's entire
life, outside his business, has been de-
voted to Masonic work in these years.
With squad of soldiers and 104
horses we were riding up the Missis-
sippi river one night in 3d." said Mr..
Ketcheson. Suddenly we were awak-
ened and told that the boat was sink
ing. Every horse was drowned and
seven of my comrades met their
death.
Jumped Into the River
I'VE all jumped into the river and
attempted to swim to shore. Most of
US escaped One man took off all his
clothes before jumping from the boat
and it was a mighty chilly night, too.
Most of us swan to a landing op-
posite a small rebel town in Missouri.
There were two men who met u.s. both
Rebels, and they seemed to enjoy our
suffering. Not a bit of clothing would
they permit us to have. The whole
town refused US shelter and we were
in a sad predicament indeed espec-r
tally the man without any clothes
We loaned him some, but they were
water soaked
But in some way, our two Rebel
friends learned that the poor fellow
was a Mason. 1t didn't take them
long, then, to get him some warm
clothes and provide him with shelter.
Masonic brother to bid the townspeo-
pie supply the entire party with
clothes and shelter. 1 made up INV
mind that day if opportunity pre-
sented Itself to join the Masons I
would take advantage of it
! When Mr.. Ketcheson arrived in
Leavenworth, the Grand Lodge didn't
amount to much. Most of the mem
bers came either from Topeka, Atchi-
son or Lawrence. Among the prom
/ a
ketcheson remembers were: John M
Price of Atchison; G. w. Hogeboom
of Horton; J. L. Philbrick.
! Election of Officers.
John Powers of Marion, that man
with the high silk hat was elected
grand high priest of the Grand Chan
ter, late this afternoon to succeed
john W. Nelson, of Emporia. Har-
mony prevailed in the election TO-DAY
the same as in the election of officers
of the Grand Council yesterday. it
was reported. Other officers of the
Grand Chapter elected are:
Charles A. Conkling, Hutchinson
deputy grand high priest.
Herbert R. Hull. Kirwin, grand
king.
Aaron H. Connect, Great Bend.
/ grand treasurer.
Albert K Wilson, Topeka. grand
secretary.
John A. Forrell. Sedan, grand
scribe.
Charles N Chandler, Topeka, grand
captain of host.
Joseph D. Fell, Concordia, grand
r. A. c.
Charles G. West. Emporia. grand
marshal.
John Wesley Bates. Osborne. grand
William D. Nelson, Topeka, grand
lecturer. tHe takes the place of the
late Charles w. Williams)
w. Amer Burnett, Oberlin, grand
sentinel
At 8 o'clock this afternoon the an
nua1 convention of the anointed high
priests of Kansas opened for the pllr-
pose of bestowing this Holy Order
on those entitled to receive the same
At 1880 o'clock the Mark Masters de-
gree will be conferred at Masonic
Temple oy Topeka chapter No. 5, r.
A. NJ This will end the fifty-first
convocation of the Grand Chapter.
The Grand Lodge.
Tomorrow and the next day comes
the Grand lodge, the big feature of
| held at representative hall
At 9 o'clock the sixtieth annual
| communication of the lodge will be
| opened and the reading of reports of
| committees and other business will
occupy the afternoon. At 2 o'clock
Brother Capper of Orient Lodge No
| 81, will deliver an Grafton. At Pas
Col. Ezra B. Fuller, Hbraria at Fort
| Leavenworth, will read a report of the
committee on neurology From then
until supper time the visiting Masons
will be the guests of Topeka bodies at
a matinee at the Novelty theater. In