Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-08-13

tradition of the founder of their order,
they united and organized their be-
loved institution in these western
wilds.
Virginia City lodge was the first
Masonic temple; then followed Mon
tana, Helena and Nevada lodges. and
many others would shortly be gathered
within the circle of Masonry.
Result of Masons Uniting
How stands the record of Masons
as citizens of this land? l am proud.
most worshipful grand master, to say
that it Is unstained and brilliant. They
remembered the old adage, When bad
men combine, good men must unite
and to their unity Of action in those
troubled and stormy times the inhabi-
tants of this territory are indebted for
the tranquility and civilization we now
enjoy in this favored city, in Helena,
and. in greater or less degree, IL every
mining hamlet in this land of gold. The
delegates from Helena are here: lors
miles OF weary travel in storms and
snow of unprecedented depth have tee-
titled their devotion to Masonry and
to the active life that animates tho
craft in their mountain home.
Most w~orshipful grand master,
ohu yOyluLy udA tOQI ElC-
vation to your important office, and
with pleasure I congratulate my right
worshipful brethren and myself that
We have been favored so highly by the
Great Architect as TO be permitted to
lay the foundation of a permanent
temple of Masonry in the territory Of
Montana. Let US live and act as q
bright example of Masonic virtue to
all, that we may in after days say with
pride. 1 was a member of the first
grand lodge of this mighty state"
The second communication Of the
grand lodge was held in Virginia City,
Oct. 1. 1865, during which charters
were granted to Morning Star lodge
No. 3 of Helena; Gallatin' lodge s of
Bozeman, and Diamond City lodge No.
Z of Diamond City.
Fifth Communication In Helena
At the third communication. which
opened in Virginia City, Oct. Z. 1867,
Leander W. Frary, of Virginia City,
was elected grand master, and charters
were granted to Wasatch lodge No. s.
of Salt Lake City, Utah territory; King
Solomon lodge No. 9, of Helena; Sum
NIT lodge No. 10, of Summit City,
II. of P%hilipsburg. and Red Mountain
No. 10, Of Red Mountain City,
Highland district, Deer Lodge county.
At the time of the fourth communi-
cation. which opened in Virginia City,
Oct. D. 1868, the reports from the II
subordinate lodges showed a total
membership of 4J6. Col. W. +. San
ders was elected grand master at this
meeting n a charter was granted to
lodge No. 13. of Missoula.
The first communication to be held
other than in Virginia City was the
meeting Of the grand lodge which
was opened Oct. 4. 1859, in Helena, at
which \. T. Langford of Helena was
chosen grand master and a charter
was granted to Deer Lodge No. IA, Of
Deer Lodge.
AT the grand lodge communication
of 1870 Cornelius Hedges was elected
grand master and a charter was au-
for Jefferson lodge No. Is.
Of Radersburg. The grand lodge Of
held in Deer Lodge, elected as
grand master James r. Weston, Of
Diamond City lodge. and granted char
ters of Bannack lodge No. Is, of Ban
lack, and Silver Star lodge No. II, Of
Silver Star: while the grand lodge Of
1872. meeting in Helna. chose as
grand master, James r. Boyce ST.. and
!, charter was given to Bozeman lodge
10. OF boZenan.
1t was due TO the courage and de-
termination of many of the men who
Constituted these few pioneer lodges Of
and who organized the grand
odge in 1866 that what is now Mon
ana was rid of the lawless elements
terrorized this part of the coun.
ry only a few years before Masoury
became organized here.
AoroIn Graz A,e.
According to Masonic history it wa
his very lawlessness which resulted
n Masonry obtaining it's initial footing
n the wilderness and which caused the
of that day to act through the
'igilantes in Furnishing crime and re-
toring order to an u~norganized and
nprotected section.
This part of the history Of Nom
ana is related in The Heroic Free
1asons of Early Montana; Their Re.
emption of That Territory From Ruff
ian Rule in Pioneer Times" which
ppears in the Montana historical IL
rary in book form AS an address de-
vered in 1896 before the Masonic
,dges of Peoria, ILL.,. BY William 8
racket of Peoria and of Park county.
The address is of considerable
myth and only portions of it are
ereby reproduced. In the course Of
his address MIR. Bracket said:
We meet tonight to recall the deeds
nd heroism Of Il little band of Free
,asons who carried the sublime prin-
of our order into the western
of America. and in a time
t terror and darkness became instru-
tents in the hands of Divine Provi-
ence for the restoration of law and
rider there, and for the foundation
nd establishment of a prosperous and
young state of the federal
The thrilling story of the Masons
{ early Montana has been, in some
articulars. told in a general history of
nose times by those who took a prom
tent part in these scenes. u e.
,emed brother. the Hon. Nathaniel
lit Langford, now living in st. Paul.
II the story is largely lnknowr IL
e great body of our order. 1t is
DRY which deserves the highest en-.
gy of poet and historian, a story a
or self sacrifice. Of loyalty !
tcontnutd ON Pass Thee,