USA > California > Amador County > History of Amador County, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 63
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76
ยท
274
HISTORY OF AMADOR COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Democratic ground, which it maintained until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, when it became Union Democratic, and finally Republican. It was moved from Volcano to Jackson in 1857. In typographic appearance it was much better than the Sentinel, Springer being a first-rate printer. Though making no pretensions as a writer, he had a short, spicy way of dealing ont the current news. Ho was, at different times, assisted in the editorial department by P. C. Johnson, John Bradly, E.Y. Ilam- mand and others. When Springer was elected Stato Printer, the paper was managed by Grant Springer and Shearer, finally falling into the ownership of R. M. Briggs and J. A. Eagon, who made it a political organ. Both were able lawyers, politicians and writers. Some very able editorials appeared in it; but even a country newspaper requires the undi- vided attention of an able man to make it success- ful, and they soon tired of publishing it for the honor, and sold it in 1875 to Richard Webb, its pres- ent proprietor. Mr. Webb wields a sarcastic pen, and frequently gets into personal difficulties, and occasionally a libel suit, on account of his unsparing denunciations; but nothing can change his course; he returns to the attack with more vim than ever. Ile was formerly connected with a small semi- weekly publication at Sutter Creek, which, on his purchase of the Ledger, was discontinued.
THE AMADOR DISPATCH
Was originally started in Lancha Plana, by Hecken - dorn & Payne. It was a small and badly printed sheet, containing mostly local news. The old roller- press on which it was printed was, until a few years since, lying in a vacant lot near the town. It was enlarged into a sheet of better appearance and pub- lished for some months during the boom at that town. In 1859 it was purchased by - Mullen, and moved to Jackson, and started as a Democratic sheet. On the breaking out of the war, the proprie- tor sold it to Geo. M. Payne and Wm. M. Penry (the latter gentleman being still proprietor), raised a com- pany of soldiers, and went to the aid of the Union. The Dispatch immediately took strong Democratic ground, attacking the administration at every assail- able point, with arguments, sarcasm and ridicule, and made itself a power in politics. The famous L. P. Hall (Long Primer) was associated for some years with Penry in conducting the paper. At the time of the assassination of Lincoln it was suppressed for several months, and Penry and Hall immured in Fort Alcatraz, of which a particular account has been given in another portion of our history. Per- sonally, Mr. Penry is " as mild a mannered man as ever " indicted an editorial, and his serene and kindly face gives no indication of the mental fires burning below; forming a parallel in this trait to the famous Brick Pomeroy, who wields the editorial tomahawk and scalping-knife with a fearful effect, without ruffling a line or curve in his well-fed face.
The paper has passed its twenty-first year, and bids fair to continue to a good old age.
UNION RECORD.
While l'enry and Ilall were incarcerated in Alca- traz, R. M. Briggs took the printing material of the Dispatch and published the paper bearing the above title. He let off the accumulated fire-works for a few months with considerable noise and effect. Some of his editorials on national questions had wide circula- tion in the East. On Mr. Penry's discharge from con- finement, the publication of the Union Record ceased.
THE SUTTER CREEK INDEPENDENT
Was a small daily paper published about 1872 by R. V. Chadd, formerly of Stockton. It made quite a sensation for a while with its local hits and current news, but was discontinued for want of support. The material was finally purchased by Richard Webb, who published a semi-weekly for a short time, merg- ing into the Ledger in 1875.
THE IONE NEWS
Was commenced in 1877 by IIaley & Co. It was continued for about three years and discontinued. The make-up of the paper was good and the contents well edited, but the county could hardly support four papers, and some one must fail, and the publication was suspended about the end of November, 1880. In 1861 a weekly paper was published at Ione for a few months by Folger & Co., who afterwards moved the concern to Alpine county, where it flourished as a political paper for some years.
THE AMADOR SENTINEL.
This is probably a namesake of the Sentinel which was destroyed by the fire in 1862, though no descendant thereof. It was started in June, 1879, by Turner, McNeil & Briggs, but at present is owned by Turner & Sanborn, both young men but able writers. It is gaining an influence and circulation, having a subscription list of something over six hundred. It is Republican in politics though liberal in its opinions. It is the official paper, and seems to be on a paying basis, with a hopeful career before it.
CHAPTER XLIII. SOCIETIES.
The Society of Free Masons-Modern Masonry-General Ten- dency of Masonry-Introduction into the United States- Volcano Lodge No. 56-Amador Lodge No. 65-Ione Lodge No. 80-Henry Clay Lodge No. 90-St. Marks Lodge No. 15 -Drytown Lodge No. 174-Royal Arch Chapter No. 11- Origin of Odd Fellowship-Encampment-Degree of Re- bekah-Volcano Lodge No 25-Sutter Creek Lodge No. 31- Jackson Lodge No. 36-Ione Lodge No. 51-Telegraph Lodge No. 79-Lancha Plana Lodge No. 95-Plymouth Lodge No. 260-Grand Encamp ment No. 17-Marble Encampment No. 19-Temperance societies-Subjects for Insane Asylums- Good Templars-Knights of the Red Cross-Blue Ribbon Society-General Tendency of Temperance Societies-Bur- lesque Societies-E-Clampsus Vitus -- Hautontimoroumenos -Knights of the Assyrian Cross-Pioneer Societies-Am- ador Society of California Pioneers-Sclavonic Illyric Mutual Benevolent Soc.ety-Grangers.
" UNITED we stand; divided we fall." Organiza- tion is the largest factor in modern civilization. In ancient times, in the rude beginnings of society, the
275
SOCIETIES.
family relation was the source of strength and pros- perity. The mother who bore the most children was the most honored. Perhaps the best illustration of the enormous force of family relation may be seen in the ancient Israelites, who, holding to blood ties, became a great nation, with the full faith that they were destined to inherit the earth. But great as the Israelites were they were scattered by a host of innumerable families united under one gov- ernment. Tribaland family organizations give way to combinations of still greater magnitude, which are made up of innumerable smaller parts, each being to some extent a body politic within itself. Individ- ual valor, though a source of personal respect, can accomplish little compared to the united efforts of multitudes. An army is efficient in proportion to its discipline. A well-trained army of a few thousands, acting under the direction of one mind, will rout a mob of ten times their number. The principle holds "good in all the relations of life, whether the object be to establish a nation, accumulate wealth, damage an enemy, or benefit mankind. The ability to com- bine conflicting or inert elements into a solid, active body will always hold the highest position in civil- ized society.
The so-called secret societies are the results of this instinct. Some of them, if not as ancient as any national or religious organization, have their origin in the ages of elementary government; have, what might be called an umbilical cord, running back to the origin of all government. All of them serve the important purpose in society of teaching authority and obedience, without which law and order is impossible. The most vicious member of a vicious society, by agreeing to sacrifice some of his privileges to better secure the others, becomes unconsciously better prepared to obey other laws, and eventually becomes a useful member of society; while as a member of a higher organization whose objects, in part at least, are beneficent towards society, he acquires the knowledge of parliamentary forms, and the habit of listening deferentially to opinions differing from his own.
Thus we have, as powerful auxiliaries in the maintenance of law and order, the numerous socie- ties of the age, such as Masons, Odd Fellows, Good Templars, and Sons of Temperance, Knights of the Red Cross, etc. The former two of the list, especially, have become almost cosmopolitan in character and influence, modifying the rancors and cruelties of war, and carrying a benign influence into millions of places. The secrets, which are made of great account in all societies, are a means of attracting the public, and holding them together. The mystery of the Shekinah held the Israelites together. The Greeks had the Adelphos, and Elusinian mysteries. The Egyptians had mysteries, and, in later times, the Druids had a wonderful, valuable mystery in their possession. Men, as well as women, love a mystery, and are led away by it.
The society of Free Masons has, probably, the best claims to antiquity of any of the beneficiary societies of modern times. It is quite certain that at least one thousand years ago the builders of churches and palaces, who moved about over Europe as their services were wanted in the different towns, formed themselves into guilds, where each one's rank as a builder was fixed by his rank in the society. They were accustomed to camp in a body, under the direction of the officers. The society was not unlike the modern Typographical Union in its objects and organization. From the best accounts there were several of them in different parts cf Europe, but a membership in one made it much easier to gain admission to another. In several instances the governments manifested considerable hostility to the organizations on account of their maintaining extortion rates for work. The terms, entered apprentice, fellow craft, free and accepted Masons, i. e., free to work at the trade, indicate beyond doubt the nature and object of the organi- zation.
The signs and secret work enabled the members to recognize each other's standing as workmen without the trouble of testing the work, and also to assist each other in traveling about the country in those lawless times, in going from one job to another.
The changes in the system of building large cathe- drals like those of the middle ages in sparsely settled countries, the denser populations and greater diffusion of knowledge, architectural as well as other kinds, obviated the necessity of societies for mutual protec- tion, as every city of any note had an ample number of architects and stone-cutters to do all its work.
The churches or church had, in the first instances, rather encouraged the formation of the societies as tending to disseminate the knowledge of build- ing. In the later years it discouraged the existence of the societies as setting up a secret which was superior to the confessional, an opposition which it still maintains with persistent action.
In the beginning of the seventeenth century the societies gradually ceased to be of a trade character, and began to take on a form of self-protection, admitting as members persons who had no knowledge of stone-cutting or other mechanical arts, the old emblems of the tools of the trade being retained as symbols of degrees and character.
MODERN MASONRY
Began in London, June 24, 1717, when the four London lodges united into one and named their grand master. From this time forward no practical knowledge of mechanical work was required for admission. The principal promoters of this union were, Desaguliers, a well-known popularizer of science, and James Anderson, a Presbyterian clergy- man, who compiled the book of constitutions con- taining the charges, rites and traditions of the craft, reducing them to something like system and order. From this time no new lodge could be formed without
276
HISTORY OF AMADOR COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
a warrant from the grand lodge. The Duke of Montagu became grand master. Other noblemen also joined the order so that it lost somewhat of its democratic character. The principle of charity, as well as self-protection, became incorporated into it, and schools were organized at the time, some of which (Battersca and Tottenham) are continued to this day.
The latter part of the eighteenth century a kind of rebellion or assumption of authority took place by the old York lodge of masons, claiming the right to issue warrants for the organization of subordinate lodges. This lodge claimed to have existed from 926. They also had a new ritual, introducing the red color of the Royal Arch, which they declared of higher rank than the blue degree of St. John. It was claimed to be a degree used at the second build- ing of the Temple. Another branch also introduced an order of the Templars. In 1813, the Dukes of Sussex, Kent and Athole, succeeded in uniting all these orders together under the name of " The United Grand Lodge of England." This patronage of the nobility gave the order an impetus which resulted in making it almost a national matter. About this time Jews were admitted to membership. They built a hall for the collection of material per- taining to the order, established several magazines such as the Freemason's Magazine, and the Freemason, and the Freemason's Quarterly, and built an asylum for indigent and unfortunate members of the order.
At present, England has sixty provincial lodges, twelve hundred minor lodges, grand chapter of the royal arch degree, grand lodge for the mark masters, grand conclave of the knights' templars, and a superior grand council of the ancient and accepted rite of the thirty-three degrees.
Masonry was introduced into Ireland in 1730. In Scotland the history of the order was much like that in England-except that at one time females, widows of members, were admitted as parties interested in building contracts. Desaguliers, the apostle of Masonry in England, appeared in Edinburg in 1721, and succeeded in modifying the character of the organization, and bringing about a union with the London societies. St. Andrew's day was substituted for that of St. John the Baptist, and on November 30, 1736, a grand lodge for Scotland was formed, act- ing in connection with the grand lodge of England.
It is said that in Scotland the growth of the order was rather towards conviviality than charity. Some of the ceremonies, such as drinking beer out of a human skull, had to be eliminated. The head of the St. Clair family resigned his hereditary office and became the first grand master. The supreme grand royal arch chapter was organized at Edinburg, but its authority is not recognized by other similar orders.
Masonry as a speculative order was introduced in France in 1725, and from the first was patronized largely by the nobility. An attempt to engraft on
it the mysteries of Cagliostro, the most accomplished humbug the world ever saw, which were said to have been derived from the deciphered records of Egypt, and also the Rosicrucian mysteries, and still more, a pretension to holy inspiration, came near strangling the infant in its cradle. Some of the Bonapartes, and Marshals Kellerman and Massena, were members of the order. Napoleon the Great rather frowned on the order, as it contained too many of the nobility, who might come to a better understanding, and the members of the familie with- drew from the order. It does not flourish in France as in the more Protestant countries, the secrets of the order being out of reach of the confessional.
Germany claims the honor of organizing modern masonry, and have what is called the royal mother lodge of the world. Those best acquainted with its workings and history, or at least some of them, say that the masonic organization was older in England than in Germany; that it was carried to Germany; and flourished there while it was nearly forgotten in England; that it was brought back from Germany, getting its final movement in England.
GENERAL TENDENCY OF MASONRY.
It is impossible, even for members, to judge accu- rately what its general tendency is. It undoubtedly is to some extent a rival, for favor, with the religious societies of the world, in a manner satisfying the hunger for a religious belief by holding in its bosom a continued mystery, whose end cannot be reached. The claim to be a charitableinstitution, to do good to the whole world, has perhaps a tendency to make them brethren with those who cannot give the signs of fellowship. Others contend that there is a ten- dency to a degeneracy into a convivial club. It is likely that all these tendencies prevail in different places, depending upon the tone of the surrounding society.
The charge that was made against the order a half a century since of hatching treason to government, or the general plunder of society, has been forgotten and need not be defended here, though the Masonic lodges in some parts of Europe, especially in France, Italy and Austria, are said to be amenable to this charge, as also to the charge of entertaining irrelig- ious opinions.
INTRODUCTION INTO THE UNITED STATES.
Masonry was introduced into Boston in 1733, which was followed by lodges in different colonies. After the war of Independence grand lodges were formed in the several States. It flourished until 1829, when an exposure was made by a man by the name of Morgan in Batavia, New York. He was spirited away, and never heard of more. The old Whig party, which had an existence of a quarter of a century, was formed out of discontents in regard to the tariff and opponents to Free Masonry. In the hurry and . skurry of politics, Masonry was forgotten and allowed to outgrow the odium attached to it in Mor-
277
SOCIETIES.
gan's time. Ben. Franklin was a grand master of a lodge in Philadelphia. Washington was also a meni- ber. There are now forty-three grand lodges, and five thousand subordinate lodges in the United States, numbering four hundred thousand members, officers being elected each year by ballot.
The officers of an organized lodge are : Worshipful Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer, Secretary, Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Tyler and Chaplain.
The Masonic library of books, written to explain its workings and claims to antiquity and support, numbers four thousand volumes.
VOLCANO LODGE, NO. 56,
Is the oldest in the county, having been in existence since 1855. The first officers were J. C. Shipman, W. M .; T. Stewart, S. W .; E. Sammis, J. W .; B. W. Payne, Treas .; W. Hudson, S .; J. H. Welch, T. Sinee then the position of W. M. was held by G. R. Walker, 1856; W. Ayer, 1857; J. W. Bicknel, 1858; R. Stew- art, 1859-60-62-65; Charles Wilson, 1861; L. Mc- Laine, 1863-64, 1869, 1878-79 ; A. Young, 1866-67-68; James Adams, 1870-71, 1873-74-75-76-77; Louis Mil- ler, 1872. Many prominent men have been members of this lodge. Quite a volume might be written on the actions and adventures of the men who have at different times been associated in this institution.
AMADOR LODGE, NO. 65,
Was organized the same year, at Jackson, with W. W. Cope, as W. M .; W. M. Rogers, S. W .; C. Boyn- ton, J. W .; P. Clark, Treas .; B. Hubbard, S .; J. J. Gib- bons, T. Since then the chair of W. M. was filled by J. E. Graham, 1856-57; W. W. Cope, in 1858; M. J. Little, in 1859-60-62-63, 1865; M. Levinsky, 1861; J. Foote Turner, 1867; R. Aitken, in 1868-69-70-71-72- 73; Wallace Kay, in 1874-75-76-77-78-79. This lodge also has had several distinguished names on its rolls, such as W. W. Cope, who was a Chief Justice, and also that of J. T. Farley, United States Senator for California. The institution is flourishing, having a hall of its own.
IONE LODGE, NO. 80,
Was also organized in 1855, with A. E. Callaway as W. M .; J. T. Poe, S. W .; E. Benedick, J. W .: I. B. Gregory, Treas .; J. C. Gear, S .; and W. S. Porter, T. Soon after the organization the lodge, in conjunction with the citizens, erected a two-story building, taking the upper portion for the Masonic Hall, while the low- er was occupied as a school-house. About 1870, the Masons and Odd Fellows together purchased the Turner building, on extremely favorable terms, and converted the upper part into a convenient and com- modious hall, which they have since occupied. The position of W. M. has been filled since the organiza- tion by A. E. Callaway, in 1856; J. C. Gear, in 1857; J. A. Eagon, in 1858; H. H. Rhees, in 1859; J. Foot Turner, in 1860; R. F. Stevens, in 1861, 1866; J. Farnsworth, in 1862; R. H. Withington, in 1863; George Haverstick, in 1864; A. K. Dudley, in 1865;
James Cumming, in 1867; M. C. Parkinson, in 1868-69; J. W. Surface, in 1870-71, 1874; B. Isaacs, in 1872-73; John Merchant, in 1875-76-77; W. A. Bennetts, in 1878-79. The members of this lodge are said to be worth, in the aggregate, near a million dollars, and the society is always in funds.
HENRY CLAY LODGE, NO. 90,
Was organized in 1856, at Sutter Creek, with S. F. Benjamin as W. M .; A. H. Rose, S. W .; O. P. South- well, J. W .; James Murry, Treas .; A. Hayward, S .; and D. Crandall, T. The position of W. M. has been filled by O. P. Southwell, in 1857; A. Hayward, in 1858-59-60-61; H. Wood, in 1862; John Gaver, in 1863-64; Ilenry M. Fisk, in 1865-66-67-68; Thomas Dunlap, in 1869, 1871-72-73, 1875 ; A. C. Joy, in 1870 ; Henry Peck, in 1874; Morris Brinn, in 1876-77; J. E. Russel, in 1878; and John Lithgow, in 1879. This lodge is also in good financial circumstanees, many of the rich mine-owners, as Ilayward, Chamberlain and others, having been members.
ST. MARKS LODGE, NO. 115,
Was organized in 1857, at Oleta (Fiddletown), with T. L. Sullivan as W. M .; A. B. Rowland, S. W .; T. M. Horrell, J. W .; A. Eneas Quin, Treas .; Thomas Horan, S .; and H. A. Kutehenthall, T. This lodge, in consequence of the decrease of the population and failure of the mines, has had a struggle for existence. In 1875 it was consolidated with No. 85, at Indian Diggings, to which it was attached until 1879, when it was reorganized at Oleta. The position of W. M. was filled in 1858-59-60, by F. L. Sullivan; in 1861, by Thomas Horan; in 1862, by J. B. Hill; in 1863- 64-65, by W. B. Norman; in 1866, by D. Coblentz; in 1867, 1872-73-74, by Charles Lee; in 1868, by A. P. Wood; in 1869, by J. W. McManus; in 1870, by C. A. Purinton; in 1871, by H. J. Dial; in 1879, by H. II. Bell.
DRYTOWN LODGE, NO. 174,
Was organized in 1865, with J. B. Hill as W. M .; J. M. Hinkson, S. W .; Daniel Worley, J. W; M. A. Hinkson, Treasurer; A. S. Richardson, S; and C. II. Misner, T. The first W. M. occupied the same posi- tion the two succeeding terms; the years 1868-69- 70-71-72-74-75-76, by J. M. Hinkson; the year of 1873 by Henry Burchell; 1877, by J. A. Gessler, and 1879 by William Jennings. This lodge, the youngest in the county, has had its seasons of prosperity and adversity. When the mines along the lode employ a great many men the numbers on the roll increase.
ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER.
This is an advanced order of Masonry, and was derived from the York branch, having no connection with Scottish branch, which confers the thirty-three degrees. They date from the second building of Solomon's temple, which date is obtained by adding five hundred and thirty to the current year, 1881, becoming 2411 A. I., or Anno Inventionem (year of the discovery). The officers are High Priest, King, Scribe, Treasurer, Secretary, Captain of the Host,
278
HISTORY OF AMADOR COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Principal Sojourner, Royal Arch Captain, Masters of the third, second, and first vails, and Guard.
A Chapter, called the Volcano Chapter, No. 8, was organized at Volcano, May 3, 1856. At the session of the Grand Lodge in 1860, the name was changed to "Sutter Creek," retaining the same number. The present officers are John Lithgow, H. P .; T. Dunlap, K .; Robert Robinson, S .; V. Untenesky, Treas .; A. K. Dudley, Sec'y .; J. Mc- Dongal, Post C. of IL .; Wallace Kay, P. S .; M. Brinn, R. A. C .; R. Redpath, Mastr 3d V .; D. A. Patterson, Mastr 2d V .; John Oulds, Mastr 1st V .; John Jelmini, Guard; Past Iligh Priests, Alvinza Hayward, R. Aitken, John Lithgow, J. W. Surface.
Members of the Royal Arch Chapter: James Adams, J. Q. Adams, G. Allen, W. A. Benncts, A. Berryman, J. M. Campbell, P. A. Clute, W .S. Cool- idge, R. Cosner, D. T. Davis, P. Fagan, J. T. Farley, II. D. Ford, F. Frates, W. H. Gunsolus, Il. F. Hall, J. W. Houston, B. Isaacs, John Marchant, L. Me- Laine, S. S. Manon, J. W. McMurry, J. Milliken, J. Miller, G. Newman, L. R. Poundstone, C. A. Purin- ton, J. Reardon, P. S. Robertson, J. E. Russel, S. G. Spagnoli, B. Spagnoli, J. A. Steinberger, J. F. Stewart, J. B. Stevens, W. Sutherland, J. P. Sur- face, F. K. Taber, W. H. S. Welch, D. H. Whitlatch, numbering fifty-six.
ORIGIN OF ODD FELLOWSHIP.
Unlike the Masons, the origin of this order was in a convivial club, existing in the latter part of the last century in London, called the " Ancient and Honorable Order of Odd Fellows." Attempts were made to change the character of the order to one of more sobricty and decorum, which not succeeding, a portion seceded, and called themselves the Union Order of Odd Fellows. The members in England now number about five hundred thousand. April 26, 1819, Thomas Wildey and four others organized the first lodge of Odd Fellows in the United States, acting under a charter from the Union Order of Odd Fellows. This day is frequently celebrated by the members. The order was established in Boston, March 26, 1820, and in Philadelphia, December 26, 1821, both lodges receiving their charter from the Baltimore lodge. A grand charter was then issued to the past grands of New York. Since then the order has been established in every State and Terri- tory, and, perhaps, every county in the Union. There are forty-eight grand lodges, thirty six grand encampments, five thousand four hundred and eighty- six subordinate lodges, one thousand five hundred and twelve subordinate encampments, and five hun- dred and twelve Rebekah degree lodges. Candi- dates for admission must be free white males of good moral character, and twenty-one years old, who believe in a Supreme Being, the creator and preserver of the universe. Fidelity to the laws of the land and of the society, and the duties of good citizenship are strictly enjoined, though the order
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.