The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-10-23
MASTERS OF
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States, and indeed, Europe as well,
as he was one of the two representa-
tives sent by the fraternity to make
survey OF the War-tOrn countries of
Europe and to recommend what dis
posal should be made of the thousands
of dollars which had been raised
among the members of Masonic lodges
of the country. He will tell some Of
the things he found there with rei2
ton to Masonery. Mr.. Newly has
given a lecture on this trip in many
parts of the country, but will only hit
the high places in his talk here.
History of Webb Lodge.
The following is a history of the
lodge prepared by John l.. Rupe:
Webb Lodge. No. "a, F. & A. NJ,
was first chartered by the Grand Lodge
of Indiana, October 7, 1923.
1t appears from Grand Lodge pro-
ceedings, that a lodge had existed I'M
der dispensation under name of Wayne
Lodge, No. "a, holding its meetings at
equal periods at Centerville and Rich
mond.
In October, 1923. a charter was
3
to Wayne Lodge, but to be thereafter
known as Webb Lodge, No. "a !;
William Pugh, a resident of Center
vile, being designated as its first
Master, James r. Mendenhall as Sen
ior 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 1928. James r. Mendenhall
and William H. Vaughan were prom
inent 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
History of Name Uncertain.
There is no known authentic history
of masonry of that early period from
which it can now be certainly 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 distinguished local Ma
son of that early period.
1t is believed that the name was
adopted in honor of Thomas Smith
| Webb who was at that early day a
| distinguished Mason of national rep
| utation as sch. He was a native OF
Boston, Massachusetts, ard at the time
of his death, which occurred at ClCve
land, while on a masonic mission tC
| that city July 6, 1919, he was a resi-
| dent of Providence, Rhode Island. He
! died at the age of forty-eight years
and was one of the most distinguished
Masons of his day. He was one of the
men instrumental in establishing the
General Grand Chapter and was its
Deputy Grand High Priest at the time
| Of his death.
Publishes Monitor.
Out of a very general confusion in
| his time, existing in Masonic work
| this distinguished Mason evolved q
system generally recognized as admir-
able and published the first Masonic
Monitor, which was adopted by The
Grand Lodge of Indiana and generally
adopted and used. 1t is believed
therefore, that this lodge bears the
name of webb" in honor of this dis
! tinguished Mason and in recognition
of and as a mark of appreciation OF
his great services to the fraternity and
of his exalted character as a man and
| Mason.
The membership of Webb Lodge its
Among these, however, were a number
of the leading men of the community
among which may be mentioned, DR.
James R. Mendenhall, John C. kibhey
| Lewis Burk, John Finley
Lewis Burk was one of the early
bankers of Richmond and a man OF
the highest character and standing.
Literary Man.
John Finley was for MANY voorc
| to the time of his death, Mayor of the
City of Richmond. He was also a poet
of more than local celebrity; his
"Hoosiers' Nest being widely pub
! lished and generally regarded a poetic
! gem.
In these early days of Masonry in
Eastern Indiana, there were Difficult.
ties, prejuuices, hostility and obstacles
which we of this day know nothing OF
| except as matters of Masonic history
The early settlement of Richmond
was largely members of the Society of
Friends, commonly called "Quakers. u
who regarded Masonic orders with sus-
plcion and distrust and it was no easy
task for our early brethren to organize
and maintain Masonic lodge in their
| midst
From the date of the charter of
Webb Lodge in 1923 to 1888, a period
OF ten years, there were only forty
two limitations, as appears by the rec
ords of the Grand Lodge.
Obtains New Charter.
In 1882 the lodge surrendered its
charter to the Grand Lodge, it having
| existed to that time a lodge divided
between Centerville and Richmond