The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1932-02-25
E. A. Richards Laid
AT Rest Today at 2:30
Continued From Page One)

wife is taking her great bereave-
ment heroically.' There were no
children born of this union.
Mr.. Richards was a great nature
lover and out door man. He was a
hunter and fisher of note. 1t was
his life motto to only eaten as
many fish as he could use or kill
as much game as he could con-
sumo. All game laws were rigidly
respected by this man among men.
For a quarter of century and
more it was his annual custom to
visit the north woods in quest of
a deer. He always brought his limit
home with him.
E. A. Richards was raised to the
Sublime Degree of Master Mason at
Ada, Minnesota, in the late COS. He
Identified and became member of
Star in the West Lodge. of this
city, in 1900. He held all of the
offices of Star in the West Lodge.
He was very active in the work of
the Third degree at the time of his
death and was famous all over Min
nesota for the manner in which he
conducted his work.
In about 1903 he was exalted as
Royal Arch Mason in Sank Centre
Chapter No. 40. When Sank Cen
ire Council of Royal and Select
Masters was constituted, Mr..
Richards became a charter men,
Der. In 1914 he was made Knight
of the Temple in Nazarene Com
mandery, knights Templar, st.
Cloud. When Pilgrim Command
cry, No. 33, was constituted in this
city in 1916 Mr.. Richards be-
came a charter member. He was
elected to the position of General
isimo. Two years later he was
chosen as Emminent Commander
of Pilgrim Commandery.
The tenets of Missionary made a
lasting impression upon him and it
was ever the earnest effort or
Gene to live up to those teachings.
When the proposed Masonic Tenn
pie existed only vaguely in the
minds of most Masons Mr.. Rich
ards with nine others incorporated
the Masonic Building Association
in 1916. He became the first presi-
dent of the corporation holding this
position continuously until his
death. In the actual building Of
the Temple Mr.. Richards gave
much of his time. He invested
heavily in the stock of the corpora
ton. To his care came the direct
management of the property. He
lived to see the day when this fine
monument to Missionary was free
from debt and the stock held by in
dividual Masons was reduced to
minimum.
Simple funeral services were
held at the family home this Thurs
day afternoon at 2:30 conducted by
Rev. c. ]. Morgan, pastor of the
First Congregational church. The
remains were accompanied to the
grave by the knights Templar act
ing as escort with the Blue Lodge
having charge of the services. Ma
sons from several outside cities and
from st. Paul, were in line. Past
Master John H. Hanson had charge
of the simple and impressive rites
at the grave.
The pallbearers were all old and
close personal and Masonic friends
of Mr.. Richards: William Otto.
Theodore Dock, Asa M. Wallace.
David B. Caughren, Gunther Hill
lerud, and Donald Hanson.
Besides the grief-stricken wife
the immediate relatives left TO
mourn are william Richardsvr4a
brother, Detroit Lakes, Mimi, and
a sister, Mrs. Clara Smith, of st.
Paul. There are also q Number OF
nephews and nieces.
Gene Richards lived an unosten-
tatious life. He was q wonderful
friend as the writer appreciates af-
ter a close experience and associa-
ton of 10 years. He had the hum an
frailties, of course, but his ideals
were high and his purpose stead
fast. He has left vacancy In his
family and fraternal circles which
cannot be filled. The community
has lost a citizen who has left a
1.z4;zo. ;v,,DracS ,,non n