Phoenix tribune., 1922-04-08
ODDFELLOWS WILL
erect STATE TEMPLE
in HOUSTON TEXAS
Special to- The Tribune

Houston, Texas, April 1T now
appears that Houston will bs the
home of the state temple of the
Grand United Order of Odd Fellows
and Household of Ruth of the Texas
jurisdiction, as the committee met
here during the week and talked
shop and at hour of writing this
article earnest money was benig post
ed on the Lotus property, which
measures 100x100 feet and is located
at the southwest corner of Prairie
avenue and Louisiana street.
This piece of property is situated
in the very heart of the colored bust
ness district and is less than two
blocks from the city auditorium. AS
a matter of fact, it is in the heart of
the business section of the city with
out regard to race.
Diagonally across from this site is
located the Hogg building, consisting
of seven stories, which cost around
three quarters of a million dollars,
while the Lincoln theatre, South's
finest colored playhouse, is just a
few steps east of the site the Odd
Fellows are purchasing. 1t is current
ly reported that this downtown site
will cost the Odd Fellows about
$S5,OOO
The committee having the purchase
of this property in hand consisted of
Hon. H. G. Goree. grand master; B.
Y. Aycock and ]. H. Riddle, treasur-
er and endowment secretary, respect
lively.
Several other local propositions
were submitted to the committee, but
they were turned down, the officials
deciding that it would be poor policy
to purchase some old building and
after spending a huge sum of money
in improving it. it would not then be
what they wanted.
For that reason they decided to pur-
chase vacant property and erect a
building according to their own ideas
and in keeping with the high stand
ing of the order.
A committee consisting of Grand
Master H. G. Goree, Prof. G. w. Jack
son and Prof. David Abner, Jr, dep
uty grand master and most noble gov
ernor of the Household of Ruth, re-
spectively, has been appointed to Sc
cure the services of a colored archi-
tect to draw the plans and specifica-
tions for the building and it is hoped
to use practically all colored labor in
the construction of this state temple
here.
This decision and action of the Of
ficial family of Odd Fellows will put
at rest all current rumors regarding
the probable" site and erection of a
handsome and imposing structure in
Houston, and, when the edifice is
completed, it will mark the crowning
event to the career of Grand Master
Goree who has given the temple pro-
ject much time and consideration
When he assumed charge of the or
der several years ago, it was in an al
most insolvent condition, while today
the order is in prosperous and
healthy condition and has nearly
100000 on hand in the endowment
fund.
Attorney w. M. c. Dickson, race bar
rister, has been employed to look into
and examine the title to the local
property and if the title is clear and
unclouded, the original paymtnt will
be made and property transferred to
the grand lodge of the order, through
its regularly appointed and duly au-
thorized officials.
Several local Odd Fellows and Ruth
ties labored untiringly and unceasing-
ly to bring the state temple to Hous-
ton and their efforts have been amply
rewarded. Those who took a leading
part in pushing Houston's claims were
Mr.. and Mrs. F. H. Hart, DIR. B. ].
Covington, Editor C F. Richardson,
ct al