USA > Illinois > The rise and progress of Freemasonry in Illinois, 1783-1952 > Part 18
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Such is the story of the greatest calamity that ever befell the people of Illinois.
On October 30, 1872, Dewitt C. Creiger, P.G.M., as proxy for the Grand Master, laid the cornerstone of the "Fire Monument" in the presence of a large number of Masons and citizens of Chicago. Chi- cago Commandery No. 19 acted as escort to the Grand Lodge. This monument was erected as a memorial of the whirlwind of fire that swept over the city the year before and was therefore of unusual in- terest to the citizens of Chicago.
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Upon retiring from office Grand Master Cregier was presented with a jewel made of solid gold and studded with many diamonds. It was valued at $1,000 at the time. In his will he presented the jewel to the Grand Lodge and asked that it be worn by every Grand Master. In 1943 Grand Master Pierson had the jewel appraised and then in- sured it for $1,600.
Another Grand Officer that received special mention for services during the fire was the Grand Tyler, when the Grand Lodge adopted the following:
Resolved, That the thanks of this Grand Lodge be tendered to Bro. John P. Ferns, Grand Tyler, for preserving the jewels of this Grand Lodge, during the terrible conflagration immediately succeeding its last annual communication.
Chapter 24 CORNERSTONES
First Cornerstone in Illinois
At the time Illinois was admitted as a State and for several years thereafter, Shawneetown was one of the most important points on the Ohio river. It was the most important place below Louisville. The Government maintained an army post there. It was the place where settlers from the Eastern States first came in contact with the soil of Illinois. Owing to the great need of adequate facilities to accomodate the river traffic, the Government took over the water front and main street and laid a cobblestone pavement from the north-east corner of the town to the river, a distance of several blocks. This was known as the PUBLIC WORK.
To commemorate the beginning of this important improvement the members of Equality Lodge No. 102, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, laid the cornerstone with Masonic cere- monies.
Equality Lodge received its dispensation in 1836 and held the first meeting in the Court House, April 7, 1837. The first Master was Arnold B. Dake, a nephew of Benedict Arnold. The first known record of Brother Dake is as Junior Warden of Albion Lodge No. 9 in 1822. Later he was a member of Lawrence Lodge No. 34 at Shawneetown under the jurisdiction of Kentucky. He was a physician and died in Equality where his monument may still be seen. To make arrange- ments for the cornerstone laying the lodge was opened at Equality, on February 19, 1838, on the first degree, closed and then opened on the third degree in regular form; later it was called from labor to refresh- ment until Friday the twenty-third, to meet at Shawneetown at eight o'clock. On the twenty-third the lodge was called from refreshment to labor in the lodge room at Shawnectown and again "called off until tomorrow at 11 o'clock."
The record of the meeting on the twenty-fourth shows those present: A. B. Dake, Worshipful Master; A. W. Pool, Senior Warden; visiting Brother Calvin Gold, Junior Warden; W. J. Gatewood, Secre-
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tary; R. T. Hopper, Treasurer; William Burnett, Senior Deacon; I. D. Towles, Junior Deacon; visiting Brethren A. Kirkpatrick, John Marshall and Edward Savill, bearers of corn, wine and oil; Brother J. Choisser and visiting Brother Anderson of Ohio, Stewards with black rods; Brethren Flanders, Towles and Hewitt, Master Masons, and Bennett, Entered Apprentice, Musicians; E. H. Gatewood, Marshall; White, bearer of Bible; Brother Fellowcrafts Lindsay and Geary; Brothers Entered Apprentices William Choisser, S. Scudder and John M. Burnett. After forming, the procession proceeded to the upper end of the Work, and there laid the cornerstone of the Public Work in due and ancient form, after which they repaired to the hotel of Mr. Wag- goner for the occasion. The lodge then proceeded to the lodge room in Shawneetown and was called from labor to refreshment, to meet at the lodge room in Equality on February 26.
Tradition states that Brother Dake acted as proxy for the Grand Master of Kentucky but the records of that time are so incomplete that no record of such a dispensation can be found. A. B. Dake was installed as Grand Marshal of the first Grand Lodge of Illinois, Jan- uary 1, 1827.
Letters from the Librarian of Congress and Librarian of the War Department state that those offices contain nothing to show how or by whom the Public Work was constructed.
The cornerstone was removed in the Eighties and placed in the lodge room of Warren Lodge No. 14 where it still reposes as an honored relic of the time when Shawneetown was one of the most important towns in the state.
The stone is a rough Ashlar with one smooth face, on which is the following inscription: "C.S. laid by Equality Lodge No. 102, Feb. 21, 1838, A.L. 5838." (Note-the inscription reads February 21, while the record states February 24 as the date the ceremony was performed?)
When this writer visited the Shawneetown lodge room some years ago the stone was safely ensconced behind the piano.
In 1839 Equality lodge laid the cornerstone of the State Bank of Illinois at Shawneetown. The minutes do not contain an account of the ceremony.
Cornerstone of the Water Works at Chicago
Among the most prominent cornerstones laid by Grand Master Gorin was that of the Water Works Tower, March 25, 1867.
The Water Works consisted of a crib which was sunk 76 feet below
C.S LAID by EQUALITY LODCE Nº102. Feb211838, AL J838.
Cornerstone of Public Works in Shawneetown in 1838.
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the level of the lake. The tunnel was five feet high and 21/8 miles long. The tower was 150 feet high, with power to force water to the tops of the highest buildings.
The Grand Lodge was invited by the Board of Public Works to lay the cornerstone of the tower. Several lodges were present; the Grand Chapter under command of O. H. Miner and the Grand Council under M. D. Chamberlain were in the line of march. The escort con- sisted of Apollo and Chicago Commanderies under the command of Wiley M. Egan. The account written at the time said:
Their magnificent dress and martial bearing made them the pride and admiration of every citizen of Chicago. The civic societies and mu- nicipal authorities were in the procession in full force, and several bands of music gave life to the ceremonies. The streets were lined with thou- sands of men, women and children, from the temple to the tunnel - one mile and a half.
Dewitt C. Cregier introduced the Grand Master and the ceremonies were conducted according to ancient custom.
In 1913 the attention of Grand Master Darrah was called to the fact that the old water tower was being rehabilited for preservation as one of the historical landmarks of the city and that the inscription on the cornerstone was almost obliterated. It was suggested that a bronze reproduction of the inscription on the stone be prepared and set in the stone. The committee reported on June 30, 1913:
A bronze tablet bearing the inscription "Laid by the Masonic Fra- ternity March 25, 1867, Jerome R. Gorin Most Worshipful Grand Master" was prepared and placed in position on the stone today. Be- hind the tablet a parchment was placed on which was engrossed the following:
"To all Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons Greeting:
"In the year A.D. 1912 the authorities of the city were seriously considering the question of destroying this water tower, a relic of early Chicago, because it had become useless in the system of waterworks and for the additional reason that the masonry was crumbling under the influence of the elements, when on the carnest appeal of the Chicago Historical Society the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars was voted by the City Council for the purpose of repairing it as one of the his- torical buildings of the city."
Worshipful Brother Martin G. Seifert, Past Master of Constantia Lodge No. 783, was assigned as architect for the city to superintend the work, and he discovered the faint outlines of an inscription upon this stone showing that it had been laid by the Masonic fraternity.
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This fact was brought to the attention of Most Worshipful Grand Master Brother Delmar D. Darrah, by Right Worshipful Brother Wil- liam Arens, Past Master of Germania Lodge No. 181, and District Deputy for the German speaking lodges, with a recommendation that in view of the fact that the inscription had become nearly obliterated by the elements, a bronze tablet be prepared and inserted in the stone. The Grand Master referred the matter to Right Worshipful Brother Ralph H. Wheeler, Senior Grand Warden, who upon investigation concurred in the above recommendation.
The bronze tablet was prepared and set in place on June 30, 1913 in the presence of a small number of members. The report to the Grand Master said:
I would have arranged for a more auspicious occasion, but at the request of the architect for the city, Bro. Martin G. Seifert, all display was omitted, and simply a few of the prominent members of the craft were asked to be present to witness the setting of the tablet.
Douglas Monument Cornerstone Laying 1866 BY HARMON G. REYNOLDS
No such display of eminent abilities, worth, distinction, and force, has ever graced the proud metropolitan home, the Empire State of the Mississippi Valley, and the giant Northwest, like that which occurred at the laying of the cornerstone of the monument to the memory of the orator, magistrate, and Freemason-the most heroic and renowned statesman of the age-STEPHEN ARNOLD DOUGLAS. If our space and the character of our journal would permit, we would give up all our columns as a tribute to the worth of our first Grand Orator, but we must content ourself with a brief outline of events, and the Masonic portion of the ceremonies.
Large preparations were made and numerous invitations given. Andrew Johnson, President of the United States; W. H. Seward, Secre- tary of State; Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy; Governor Randall, Post Master General; Ulysses S. Grant, General; Admiral Farragut; Major General Meade; Major General Rosecrans; Henry L. Palmer, Grand Master of Templars; A. B. Alden, Grand Commander of Templars, Wisconsin; Salathiel Coffinberry, Grand Master of Michi- gan; M. L. Youngs, Grand Master of Wisconsin; Thomas J. Pickett, Past Grand Master; L. L. Munn, Grand High Priest of Illinois; D. H. Wright, Grand High Priest of Wisconsin; and O. H. Miner, Deputy Grand High Priest.
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On the sixth of September, the Grand Lodge convened at the Mer- cantile Association Rooms, and was constituted as follows: H. P. H. Bromwell, Most Worshipful Grand Master; J. R. Gorin, Right Wor- shipful Deptuy Grand Master; N. W. Huntley, Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden; Charles Fisher, Right Worshipful Junior Grand War- den; M. J. Noyes, Right Worshipful Grand Treasurer; H. G. Reynolds, Right Worshipful Grand Secretary; Rev. O. H. Tiffany, Doctor of Divi- nity, Right Worshipful Grand Chaplain; Rev. W. M. Willis, Right Wor- shipful Grand Orator; Rev. A. Gross, Worshipful Grand Pursuivant; S. B. Dugger, Worshipful Grand Standard Bearer; M. D. Chamberlain, Worshipful Grand Sword Bearer; D. C. Cregier, Worshipful Grand Marshall; James Lowe, Worshipful Senior Grand Deacon; Rodney Ashley, Worshipful Junior Grand Deacon; John W. Burnett and Paul B. Ring, Grand Stewards; J. P. Ferns, Grand Tyler.
OFFICERS OF THE DAY
His Honor, Mayor Rice, President; Daniel A. Gage, Chief Marshal; General A. C. Ducat, Grand Marshal, Masonic Division; D. C. Cregier, Grand Marshal, Grand Lodge.
The preparations, programmes and arrangements were most ample, and the Committee of Arrangements, C. R. Starkweather, Chairman, with the Chief Marshal and others, had taken every possible pains to have everything in complete order and harmony. About nine o'clock the procession began to form, the Masonic Fraternity forming the first division on the right.
COMMANDERIES AND CHIEFS
Henry C. Ranney, Grand Commander; Peoria, J. H. Thompson; Joliet, Edmund Wilcox; Sycamore, Daniel Dustin; Dixon, James A. Hawley; Crusader, Rockford, W. D. E. Andrus; Peru Masonic Band; Chicago, W. M. Egan; Michigan of Detroit, T. H. Armstrong, 73 Knights; Wisconsin of Milwaukee, A. V. H. Carpenter, 165 Knights; Janesville, Erastus Lewis, 30 Knights; embracing in all, 274, in full costume, and followed by the Garden City Band.
At this point the Craft not appearing as Lodges were formed as follows: Worshipful Masters, Senior Wardens, Junior Wardens, Treas- urers, Secretaries, Senior Deacons, Junior Deacons, Tylers.
LODGES AND MASTERS
Oriental No. 33, J. W. Clyde, Acting; Garden City No. 141, Ed-
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ward Addy; W. B. Warren No. 209, Ira S. Younglove; Blaney No. 271, D. C. Cregier; Blair No. 393, W. D. Stevens; Friendship No. 7, E. B. Baker, Acting; Monmouth No. 37, A. H. Swain; Occidental No. 40, W. S. Easton; Mt. Joliet No. 42, Uri Osgood; Unity No. 48, A. H. Barry; Lacon No. 61, O. J. Cutler; Euclid No. 65, J. J. Hunt; Rockton No. 74, D. Whitney; Vitruvius No. 81, M. Mitchell; Mitchell No. 85, S. M. Carter; Sycamore No. 134, F. Ellwood; Horicon No. 244, John Com- stock; Channahon No. 262, Thomas Willard; Jo Daviess No. 278, A. Robbins; Forreston No. 413, T. J. Hewett.
We have not the means at hand to say that all the above are actual Masters. Such as are not represented them. Then came the North- western Band.
At this point came Elwood Commandery, of Springfield, A. J. Dunning, Commander, as escort of Springfield Lodge No. 4, John L. Davis, Master. This is the Lodge in which the lamented Douglas first joined the brethren of the Mystic Tie, having been raised in 1840.
Borne at the head of this Lodge, which occupied the place of honor on account of its having numbered amongst its members that great brother, DOUGLAS, was a banner, plain and simple, of white, bound with blue, and inscribed on one side the words:
Douglas raised in Springfield Lodge No.+4.
And on the other the following appropriate and Masonic language, re- ferring to Douglas as a brother of the Craft, and as a man and a mem- ber of the great brotherhood of the world.
He was our brother, the fearless leader, and the ornament of his age. After his labors were done he lay down to rest, fearing no evil; for he knew in whom he trusted and that he should rise up in the morning refreshed and approved. His virtues are enshrined in the hearts of his brethren; so let their praises illumine and become his perpetual memorial.
This banner was prepared by Professor George F. Wright, guber- natorial artist, and the inscriptions were all designed by him.
After Springfield Lodge followed the oldest and most numerous commandery in the west, Apollo No. 1 of Chicago, commanded by B. F. Patrick, assisted by V. L. Hurlbut, Grand Generalissimo, and Charles L. Brower, Captain General. This fine body of men acted as escort to the Grand Lodge. The remainder of the procession will be found described in the secular papers.
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Arriving upon the ground, the platform over the base of the monu- ment and near the grave of the lamented Douglas, was occupied by the Presidential party, the Grand Lodge, the two sons and the sister of the immortal dead. The Grand Lodge ceremonies were as follows:
After the President and invited guests had ascended the platform the ceremonies of the occasion were commenced. Some little time was occupied in the arrangement and disposition of the company, and when all was in readiness Mayor Rice proceeded to the front of the platform and said:
OPENING REMARKS OF MAYOR RICE
Your Excellency, Fellow-citizens of the United States of America. We have assembled here today to record our appreciation of the life and services of an able and faithful statesman. Under yon slight covering lies the dust of STEPHEN ARNOLD DOUGLAS. That his burial place may be known to generations yet to come, we propose to mark the spot with an endearing mark of our remembrance and our affection; and that we may do so the State of Illinois, his adopted mother, hath opened her bosom and given forth the material of strength and beauty to aid us in this proper work. Here, on this spot, selected by himself for his home, will we raise a shaft that shall speak to future ages our gratitude and our remembrance of a life devoted to the cause of our common country, and we will indulge the hope that each morning sun, for centuries yet to come, when it shall awaken to life and greatness, yon vast and beau- teous American sca, shall gild with his blessed beams the pile to be erected here, and cast a halo of protection around this spot made sacred by the dust of an American statesman.
First, in the order of exercises to-day, will be the laying of the corner-stone, by the Order of Free and Accepted Masons, under the di- rection of the Grand Master of the State of Illinois.
REMARKS OF THE GRAND MASTER
The Grand Master, Bromwell, followed, with the following re- marks, during which the cornerstone was raised and held above the płace:
Fellow-citizens, Masters, Wardens and Brethren: Through the great courtesy of the Association having charge of the erection of this struc- ture, we are assembled today, on their invitation to assist in laying the corner-stone according to our ancient ceremonies.
This work we enter upon with cordial carnestness, not only as citi- zens desiring to honor the memory of one of the most distinguished statesmen of our country, but as brothers of that ancient craft whose Grand Masters have settled the foundations and set up the cap-stones, according to certain ancient and significent observances, of temples, pal-
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aces and monuments in all ages, in every land, though more especially as brothers of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, who have long been proud to preserve, in the rolls of the most distinguished names of our Fraternity, that of our illustrious late brother, STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS, Past Grand Orator, and for many years until his death, a prominent and active member of our Grand Lodge, and companion of our Holy Royal Arch. But of his deeds and virtues I will not speak, for that grateful task and the high honor to represent the sentiments of regard for him which swell the hearts of these accumulated thousands, has been justly re- served for a distinguished orator of the state of his boyhood, whose eloquence will recall, in your presence, that ancient spirit which flamed upon your souls in the masterly oratory of our departed brother. Yet I will speak, so far as to acknowledge that this Fraternity have received this day from the orator of the occasion, a mark of courtesy for which I can make no adequate return, nor indeed any, except to assure him of the cordial remembrance of the 25,000 Masons in the State of Illinois.
Now, may the enterprise and liberality of those who have under- taken this work be so crowned with success that this monument may rise to bear the chiseled form of DOUGLAS in the sight of voyagers, upon these great inland seas of the Northwest, as long as star-light and sun beam shall love to dance upon the crested billows. Ages and ages upon ages, may the patriot and statesman and lover of American institutions come on holy pilgrimage to the soil of Illinois marked, as it will be, by two such monuments to her distinguished sons as already the magnates of the Nation have twice done, to bow over the ashes of one who was once their Master.
But as the ancient Craft faithfully teaches, that no important under- taking should be begun without first invoking the blessing of the Grand Archiect of the Universe and Lord of all; therefore, I request all of you now here assembled, to join with the Grand Lodge and the Grand Chaplain in humble invocation to the throne of Divine Grace.
Brother Chaplain, perform your duty.
PRAYER BY GRAND CHAPLAIN
Almighty Father, we invoke Thy blessings upon us, and upon the people of our land. We give Thee heartfelt thanks for the good ex- ample of Thy servants who have finished their course, and do now rest from their labors; and for the ability Thou hast given us to labor to reproduce their good deeds. We place this corner-stone steadfast and sure on which to raise a monumental tribute to honor our illustrious brother. May the lesson of his life be read aright by us, and all those who shall come after us. May his virtues be held in future remembrance, and his noble deeds be imitated to the latest generation. May this column arise till, crowned with beauty, it shall record the honor and glory of a great life, and be the proud monument of an affectionate and grateful people. May this work be completed without hurt or accident to any
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person; and may all our lives be dedicated to Thee, and our abilities used for Thy glory, so that when all earthly things shall pass away, and these blocks of stone decay, our souls may dwell with Thee forever- more. Amen and amen.
Response; So mote it be.
Grand Chaplain; Amen.
THE GRAND MASTER
The right worshipful Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge will now proceed to deposit in the cavity in the cornerstone the coins and other mementoes there to be placed, first reading the list of articles to be deposited.
The Grand Treasurer then read the list of articles laid in the stone, embracing coins, speeches of DOUGLAS, public documents, etc.
THE LAYING OF THE STONE
The Grand Treasurer then placed in the stone the articles pre- pared for that purpose, and while the guns were fired from a vessel on the lake, and solemn strains of music were played by the band, the stone was lowered gradually into its place. The Grand Master was then presented with the working tools, when, handing the square to his deputy, he said:
Brother Deputy Grand Master. You will apply the square to the stone, to see that the workmen have performed their duty.
The Deputy Grand Master, after applying the square, responded:
Most Worshipful Grand Master - I find the workmen have per- formed their duty. I have examined the stone and found it true and square.
The Grand Master then said:
Right Worshipful Grand Senior Warden - You will apply the imple- ment of your office to the stone, and see if it is true and level.
After performing this service the Senior Warden replied:
Most Worshipful Grand Master - I have applied the level to the stone and I find it true and level. The workmen have faithfully per- formed their duty.
The Grand Master then said:
Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden: You will apply the plumb to the stone, and see if the workmen have performed their duty.
Having proved the stone the Junior Warden replied:
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Most Worshipful Grand Master - I have applied the plumb to the stone and find it is true and plumb. The workmen have discharged their duty.
The Deputy Grand Master then presented the Grand Master with the vessel of corn who scattered it upon the stone. The Senior Grand Warden then presented him with the cup of wine, which he poured upon the stone. The Junior Grand Warden then presented him with a vessel of oil, which he poured upon the stone saying:
May the Grand Architect of the Universe bless the inhabitants of this place, and provide them with all the necessaries, comforts, and con- veniences of life, and all with the corn of nourishment, the wine of refreshment, and the oil of joy, and may He assist in the erection of this monument, and protect the workmen against accident, and long preserve this monument from decay. Amen.
Response - So Mote it Be.
The Grand Master - Amen.
CONCLUSION OF THE CEREMONY
The Grand Master after striking the stone three times with his hiram, said:
The Masonic ceremonies should here conclude with an appropriate ode, but that will be omitted. I beg leave, however, to congratulate those present, and particularly the Craft, upon the fact that no less a personage than the President of the United States, and many other distinguished heads of departments (the President himself being, as I am informed and believe, a member of the ancient Craft), have been present, honoring and participating in the ceremonies of this occasion.
A beautiful prayer was then offered by Rev. W. H. Milburn, fol- lowed by an eloquent oration by Major General Dix, and remarks by President Johnson and Secretary Seward. The Grand Lodge and Tem- plars then retired to a large building near by, and partook of refresh- ments, furnished in abundance and good order by Apollo Command- ery. The Grand Lodge returned under their escort to the association rooms, when the following resolutions were adopted:
Resolved, That the cordial thanks of this Grand Lodge be tendered to Bro. C. R. Starkweather and the Committee of Arrangements for the facilities and accommodations provided for the use of the Grand Lodge.
Resolved, That the thanks of this Grand Lodge be tendered to Em. Sir. B. F. Patrick, and the Knights of Apollo Commandery No. 1, for their courtesy shown in performing escort duty and for the refresh- ment provided for our use.
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