The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-01-08

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partly due to the nature of their
ransom which consisted of $500, a
keg of powder and a barrel of
whisky.
Another member of Centre of the
time was jeremiah Johnson, wide
ly known as odd Rough and
Ready" who was the first man ever
to be married in Marion county
He was obliged to walk sixty miles
through wilderness to Connersville
to get his license; and after his re-
turn, it was six weeks before a
minister appeared in town and the
ceremony could be performed.
Hervey Bates, master of the
lodge in 1925, was the founder OF
the Bates House, the predecessor OF
the present Claypool. He was the
first sheriff of Marion county.
CALVIN FLETCHER, junior
~ warden under Bates, was the
first prosecuting attorney of In
dianapolis district.
1t is interesting to note thai
members of Centre were not only
the first Judge, the first clerk, the
first prosecutor, the first sheriff, the
first county commissioner, the first
member of the legislature, the first
postmaster, the first justice of the
peace and the first mayor ever
known to the city; but also that
many of them bore names that are
still prominent in affairs of the city
1t would be possible indefinitely tc
continue presenting accounts Of
early distinguished members Of the
lodge, but by this time it has beer
amply demonstrated that the early
history of Indianapolis and that Of
Centre lodge are close to analogous
The Centre lodge of those days
was not only prominent in civic af-
fairs, but also enjoyed itself socially
This is evidenced by a record OF
payment found in the lodge archives
by the present secretary, Charles
Jones. This showed that the lodge
had duly reimbursed the seller
for barrel of cider, four gallons
Of hard liquor" and had acknowl-
edged a gift Of eight dozen dough-
nuts from some generous heart.
Centre, after brave and des-
perate struggle, survived what are
known as the Dark Days Of Ma
sonry," period in the United
States when reaction set in against
all secret societies. Little record OF
the lodge activities of this period
is available, but a few loyal men
kept the order alive in indianapolis
while it was dying in many another
city, and even in one state, YER
mont, where no active chapter sur
vived. During this period, Centre
became the fifth oldest lodge in In
diana, for only four of the twenty
two which had been chartered
earlier survived the storm.
Among the names, which must be
remembered as always remaining
aboard a ship which at times
seemed to be sinking, are Charles I
Hand, Fleming T. Luse, George
Lockerbie, after whom the street
made famous by Riley'S poem is
named, John Foster, Austin w. Nor
riss, James L. Hogin, Townsend
Truslow and Samuel Rocker.
The year 1885 brought to the
lodge a turning point in its history
and from then to today Centre al
ways has been in a most healthy
condition.
During the ensuing years, the
roster of the lodge has been filled
with men prominent in both the
business and civic affairs of the
city, state and nation. Space limi-
tations will limit further mention
only to the most salient events and
extraordinary men in Centres his
tory.
1t is know that the Marquis de
Lafayette, during his triumphal
hour, in the administration of John
Quincy Adams, was a guest of Cen
tire lodge. Details of the event are
/ lacking. but it is safe to assume that
he mentioned moro than once to
the members his great mutual friend
and fellow Mason, George Wash
! ington.
Louis Kossuth, the great Hun
garian patriot. with the members
of his party, all except one, of whom
were Masons, visited Centre on Feb.
%. 1852. One week later DR.. Louis
Szpaczch, Kossuth's friend and
physician, having duly set forth in
writing that he entertained "a IA
vorable opinion Of the ancient and
honorable fraternity" was elected
and given all three degrees in one
night by Centre lodge, being grant,
ed a dinit the same evening in or
der that he might connect himself
with lodge in his native land upon
his return.
Among the notable men enrolled
in Centre lodge during the nine
teenth century are General Joseph
Lane, Mexican war hero, Governor
of and senator from Oregon, and
candidate for vice-president
Another was the Hon. William H.
English. author Of The Conquest of
the Northwest" and candidate for
Vice-President. He is believed to
have been the oldest man ever to
become a Mason in Indiana. He
took the degree when II, with his
son. William E. English, as wor-
shipful master. which is believed tc
be the only case Of this sort in the
history of Indiana Masonry.
Still other were Richard j. Cat
ling. inventor Of the Calling gun;
Noah Noble. Governor of Indiana
John Evans, Governor of Colorado.