Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1916-04-28
MASONS Do HONOR
TO OLDEST MEMBER
pov,l Arch, Blue Lodge and Eastern
Star Join in Celebration of
seventy eighth Birthday of
II. y. Benton

In honor of the seventy-eighth
birthday of Pullman's oldest Mason,
Benton, the Royal Arch, Blue
Lodge and Eastern Star organiZa-
tions Monday evening held a joint
celebration of the occasion in Ma
sonic hall. Mr.. Benton has been an
active member of the Masonic order
for so years, having become associ-
ated with the order at Willsville,
New York, in 1884. For rs years
he has been in the employ of the
N. P. railroad company and for many
wears has been one of the most active
and influential mem bers of the Pull
man Masonic lodge.
Every member of the three affili-
ated orders of Masonry deemed it a
rare pleasure to do honor to their
esteemed brother and the occasion
was one of the most pleasant in the
long history of the local lodges.
Scores OF congratulatory letters
and messages from all parts of the
Northwest and from eastern points
we're read, and each correspondent
took advantage of the opportunity
to laud the excellent characteristics
of the honOred guest. One message
was from an old friend who referred
to the fact that 60 years have elaps-
ed since the two were boyhood com
panions and school mates at Hornell,
New York. Another letter from Mr..
and Mrs. f. H. Madison of San Fran
cisco, which but reiterated the laud-
atory sentiment expressed in num-
bers of other communications, said
IN part; 1T is a source of great
satisfaction to us that you have al
ways lived a clean, honorable, up
right life, so much so that when
years ago you left the town of your
boyhood and young manhood the pa
f0AS SPNhS VI SOul SOIHS With ItSIcl
and referred to you as one of
natures noblemen. "
Following the reading of the
messages of congratulation which
thoroughly impressed the hearers
mat a life of honesty, unselfishness
and faithfulness is eminently worth
while, sketch of the life of
MI. Benton was read by U. G. Law
Ter The life history carried the story
OF Mr.. Benton's rs years in detail
ana proved that from boyhood to the
present time every action of the hon
ofed guest has been in the interests
OF his loved ones and of humanity.
H. II. Watt and A. B. Baker, who
are numbered among Pullman's old
est Masons, in point of continuous
membership, eulogized Mr.. Benton
III the highest terms, both from the
STANDPOINT of Masonry and civil life.
ooth speakers mentioned faithful
ness TO every duty as one of the chief
characteristics of the veteran Mason,
"nu spoke of their long associations
WIN Mr.. Benton in lodge work and
citizenship as among their most cher
shed memories.
prlef response to the remarks
was made by Mrs. Benton. and a yo-
.a' SOLO was rendered by Mrs. V. f.
NUM- Miss Irene Henderson gave
recitation. which was we'll received.
:, one OF the happiest m oments of
'"e evening came when a poem-pic-
lure OF the life and spirit of Mr.. Ben
"" was read. The poem, which ex-
pressed the love for humanity, the
Sontentment and the happiness OF
benton as thoroughly and as ac-
uia'ely as if every thought of the
'''eran Mason had been OWNED
written by A. F. Smith of Mil
""uAee' Wis, and contained the fol
'o"lng sentiment in its openine
Paragraph:
=, my tells me | am growing old,
M me mas passed in yellow scar
~ "' Joys have fled and impulse cold
nat nome and friends no longer
cheer?
Tho
spflngtime flowers, though
NJ blooming late,
-"ey still are mine at seventv-eight
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