USA > Illinois > The rise and progress of Freemasonry in Illinois, 1783-1952 > Part 24
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Your finance committee for some time found it difficult to learn the whereabouts of Bro. Burrill, hence their movements had to be very quiet. It was finally ascertained that he was in Minnesota - thought it doubtful if the report was correct, as he had been in Montana and Da- kota, - but feeling sure, or thinking it probable that he was in Minnesota, your committee, under the instruction of the M.W. Grand Master, and by and with the consent of the Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master, through their chairman, employed the firm of John M. Palmer and Co., of Springfield as their legal advisers. They prepared the necessary papers, and the Governor of Illinois issued a requisition on the Governor of Minnesota. It was placed in the hands of a messenger who proceeded to St. Paul, the chairman of your committee proceeded with him, to see that the papers were duly honored or explain any matter pertaining thereto. The Governor of Minnesota honored the requisition of the Gov- ernor of Illinois, and issued a warrant for the arrest of John F. Burrill. The messenger proceeded to Minneapolis, where he found him located, serving the warrant through the sheriff of that county, had the prisoner turned over to him, and brought back to the city of Springfield, where he waived examination, was held under $10,000 bonds - which he was unable to furnish - and is, so far as known to your committee at this time, in the prison in the city of Springfield.
The grand jury returned three indictments against Burrill for em- bezzlement of the funds of the Grand Lodge for the years 1879, 1880, 1881, the statute of limitations prevented action for 1878. Burrill asked for a change of venue and the case was transferred to the Ma- coupin County Court. Attorneys for the prosecution were Robert H. Hazlett, States Attorney of Sangamon County, A. H. Bell, States At- torney of Macoupin County, John M. Palmer, S. T. Corn and R. B. Shirley; those for the defence were John A. McClernand, Charles A. Keys of Springfield and John I. Rinaker and C. A. Walker of Carlin- ville.
The trial was conducted on the returns for 1880 and lasted eleven days beginning March 13, 1883.
The defense claimed there was no such corporation as the Grand Lodge of Illinois Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. The Act of Incorporation for 1847 reads "Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons." The amended act of 1855 inadvertently omitted the word "Ancient" in the title of the Grand Lodge; however, the prosecution showed clearly that this was merely an omission and that it had no bearing on the case.
In 1883 the Grand Secretary reported:
I desire to say that Burrill never expressed to me nor to any other brother, so far as I am informed, a desire to examine any of the books or papers in the office of the Grand Secretary for the purpose of explain-
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ing, nor did he in any way make an effort to explain nor show that the charges against him were not true, nor did he when on trial account for any money we had reported as received by him and not accounted for, and you will find from the report that will be submitted by the chair- man of the finance committee that a larger sum was proven in court to have been embezzled by him than we charged him with converting to his own use at Grand Lodge one year ago, and there are other sums that appear to have been appropriated by Burrill of which legal proof was not secured.
The report of the jury was:
We, the jury, find the defendant guilty as charged in the indict- ment, and the funds embezzled as two thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight dollars ($2,898) and fix the punishment at five years in the penitentiary.
Motion was made for a new trial and denied, sentence was then passed and the prisoner taken to the State's prison at Chester.
The Grand Secretary was instructed to secure for the Grand Lodge information in regard to the bond of Burrill. No such report was printed and there is nothing to show that any money was collected on the bond.
Chapter 29 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE GRAND LODGE
JOHN C. SMITH
On August 22, 1889 the Grand Master sent an invitation to every Grand Lodge in the world inviting them to send delegates to be pres- ent at the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Grand Lodge and at the placing of the Cape-stone of the Chicago Auditorium, which would take place during the session of the Grand Lodge commencing October 1, 1889. Several visitors were present and 77 sent regrets.
The celebration was held on the second day. At eleven o'clock the procession was formed under the direction of Brother W. A. Stevens, Grand Marshall. About 5,000 Masons were in line. The order of the march was:
Platoon of Police Brother General Charles Fitz Simmons, Marshall-in-Chief Alfred Russell, Chief of Staff and Assistant Marshalls Band
Templar escort under command of Right Eminent Sir Norman T. Gassette, Grand Commander, was composed of eight Chicago Com- manderies.
Band
The several lodges that participated were formed according to numbers, the junior Lodge on the right.
The brethren appeared dressed in dark clothes and hats, white gloves and aprons. Officers wore their jewels, and the lodge furniture was carried.
Second Regiment Band
Brother Walter A. Stevens, Grand Marshall; Brother Samuel H.
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Smith, Aid. Masters and Wardens of lodges not represented in pro- cession, according to rank; Officers of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois, Free and Accepted Masons; Grand Offi- cers and Past Grand Officers of other jurisdictions in carriages.
The procession marched through the streets of Chicago to the Audi- torium. The ceremonies were opened by an anthem by the Columbia Male Quartette. Ferd W. Peck, President of the Auditorium Associa- tion then addressed the Grand Master:
In behalf of the directors and stockholders of the Chicago Audi- torium Association, under whose auspices this structure has been thus far completed, and in behalf of the citizens of Chicago, who feel a deep interest in this enterprise, I now respectfully request that you complete this building by the placing of the cape stone in accordance with the forms of the most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Ac- cepted Masons.
After a response by the Grand Master the architect of the building said:
Most Worshipful Grand Master: Having been entrusted with the duty of designing this edifice, and of supervising and directing the work- men in its erection, and having been enabled to witness its completion, I now with due respect, present to you for inspection and approval the last stone that enters into its composition, and with it the implements of operative Masonry, there being no further occasion for their use.
The stone was placed in position on the top of the tower and the working tools handed to the Grand Officers who applied them and then pronounced the work perfect and that the workmen had per- formed their duty. The Grand Master then consecrated the stone with the traditional corn, wine and oil, and concluded by saying:
May corn, wine and oil, and all the necessaries of life, abound among all men throughout the world. May the blessings of Almighty God be upon this undertaking, and may the structure here erected long remain.
I have the honor to report that in compliance with the request of the proper authorities, the cape stone of the Auditorium has been cele- brated with the ancient ceremonies of the craft.
The Grand Marshall then made the usual proclamation. Brother Dewitt C. Cregier, Mayor of Chicago, was introduced and delivered an appropriate address in which he called attention to the fact that, while cornerstones have been laid from time immemorial this was the first time a cape-stone had been placed with Masonic ceremonies. The
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procession was then reformed and the Grand Lodge returned to Central Music Hall where the Grand Lodge was called from labor to refreshment until 10 o'clock Thursday morning.
At five in the afternoon the members and their families assembled at the Second Regiment Illinois National Guard Armory, to the num- ber of about four thousand, where they listened to the oration by Rev. Brother George C. Lorimer, Doctor of Divinity, Grand Orator. His subject was "Masonry and the Dignity of Labor."
After the oration was ended the Craft to the number of about 600 assembled at "Battery D," where tables had been prepared for the banquet. The service started at seven o'clock and ended at ten-thirty P.M. Then came the banquet of oratory. The subjects were "The Grand Lodge of Illinois," "The City of Chicago," "The Mother Grand Lodge, Pennsylvania," "Freemasonry and Patriotism," "Woman," "Universality of Freemasonry," "The United States," "Masonic Veterans," "Our sister Grand Lodges."
During the meal the Columbia Quartette sang and the Second Regiment Band played.
One of the guests was Red Jacket, Chief of the Six Nations, whose grandfather was a friend of General Washington. He displayed a medal given his grandfather by Washington in 1792. One side shows Red Jacket and Washington exchanging the peace pipe; the other has the coat of arms of the United States. Another medal, a souvenir of the occasion was distributed. On the obverse is an altar with a refulgent sun above it, and the words "Semi Centennial Celebration." On the reverse, in a circle around the edge, are the words "Semi Centennial of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, F. & A. M., October 1, 1889. Within the circle is
1840 Jacksonville Abraham Jonas Grand Master.
Chicago John C. Smith Grand Master 1889.
Thus closed the celebration of fifty years of organized Freemasonry in Illinois.
Chapter 30 75th ANNIVERSARY OF THE GRAND LODGE
An invitation was sent inviting the Craft to attend the exercises at Medinah Temple, Chicago, October 13, 1914, at seven-thirty P.M. The Grand Master, Henry T. Burnap, presided. The program began with four selections by Siloam Commandery Band, of seventy pieces. This was followed by the Soldiers' Chorus from Faust by the ten united quartettes.
The Grand Master then introduced Leroy A. Goddard, Past Grand Master, who delivered the welcoming address. Three addresses were delivered: The Glorious Past, the Present, the Future. These were by Owen Scott, Alexander H. Bell and William B. Wright respectively. Between the addresses the quartettes sang. The ceremony closed with the audience joining with the quartettes in singing Auld Lang Syne. The story of this celebration is told in few words but the enthusiasm was great and the addresses of the Past Grand Masters gave the Craft much food for thought on how to plan to make the Grand Lodge more influential and helpful to its members.
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Chapter 31 CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE GRAND LODGE
On April 6, 1840 sixteen Masons met at Jacksonville and organized the Grand Lodge. On April 6, 1940 several hundred Masons came from all parts of the state to celebrate the centennial anniversary of that meeting. The Masons of Jacksonville under the leadership of Carroll T. Hughes, District Deputy Grand Master, made ample prepa- rations for the event. Tuesday the fifth was devoted to the Rainbow Girls and Order of DeMolay. At 2 P.M. on the sixth, Harmony Lodge No. 3 was opened for the purpose of conferring the third degree. This was followed by an address by Frank I. Buckingham, Grand Orator for the Order of DeMolay.
At 6:30 P.M. the centennial dinner at MacMurray College was par- ticipated in by four hundred brethren. Frank J. Heinl, chairman of the centennial committee, presided at the banquet. The chairs at the speakers' table were those used one hundred years ago when the Grand Lodge was organized and the gavel used by the chairman was a coup- ling pin used by trainmen on the Northern Cross railroad one hundred years ago.
Arthur Mather, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Missouri was the first speaker. He reviewed the story of Masonry in the Middle West and gave the date of the charter issued to Harmony Lodge.
John T. Jones presided at the formation of the Grand Lodge. His grandson was introduced; also a great grandson of W. B. Warren, first Grand Secretary, who displayed the sword given his great grandfather by the State of Illinois.
Allen T. Gordon, Grand Orator, was next introduced and spoke of the activity of the past hundred years.
James B. Skelly of St. Louis, Past Grand Master, represented St. Louis Lodge No. 20 which recommended that a dispensation be issued to Harmony Lodge No. 24 on October 4, 1837.
The Grand Master Dan DeBaugh; Karl J. Mohr, Deputy Grand Master; Stuart E. Pierson, Senior Grand Warden; William Tinsley, Junior Grand Warden; Edward C. Mullen, Grand Treasurer; R. C.
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Davenport, Grand Secretary; and twelve other Grand Lodge officers together with Past Grand Masters Beach, Emmerson, Stephens, McLoud and Lawrence were present.
The masters of the four lodges that formed the Grand Lodge were also present. The next day, the seventh, the officers of Hospitaller Commandery, Knights Templar, conferred the Order of the Temple in the Masonic Temple.
At 6 P.M. there was a dinner for the Knights and ladies followed by a dance in the Temple for Masons, DeMolays and their ladies.
The building where the Grand Lodge was organized was deco- rated. It was erected in 1839 and is still in use. Pictures of this build- ing, the home of W. B. Warren, the present Masonic Temple and cuts of Warren and John T. Jones were published.
At the meeting of the Grand Lodge on October 8, 1940 another celebration was held.
This was a big event. Invitations were sent to all the Grand Lodges in the United States and Canada to send representatives to participate in the celebration on October 8, 1940. Forty-nine visitors were present, accompanied by 41 ladies. For the ladies there was a bus ride and luncheon at the Edgewater Beach Hotel and a banquet in Bal Tabarin, Hotel Sherman at 7:30 P.M. The celebration opened with a dinner at the Hotel Sherman when about 1,300 sat down to the tables. The same menu was served at both banquets. For the ladies there was music and a floor show.
Three members were to be the guests of honor but all were unable to attend; Ex-Governor Emmerson, Past Grand Master; Governor Horner who had died the preceding day and Ex-Governor Lowden, Honorary Member of the Grand Lodge.
The Grand Master then introduced Brother, the Count Oskar Wal- demur Sederstrom of Copenhagen, Denmark, Past Worshipful Master of King Christian Lodge of Copenhagen who, after twenty minutes of fun and hilarity was found to be Axel W. Christianson of Oak Park Lodge No. 540.
Following him Miss Mary McCormic of the Chicago Opera Com- pany was presented; she delighted the audience with her gifted voice and charming personality.
The ceremonies were brought to a close with the address of John B. Hubbard, Grand Chaplain, whose ability as a speaker is unex- celled. The first century of Masonry in Illinois ended and a new era began which, it was hoped, would far surpass the first century.
Chapter 32 MASONIC CONVENTION
CHICAGO, JUNE 22-24, 1887
To Theodore T. Gurney belongs the credit in a large sense for the call for the convention. He had advocated such a convention for years but did not live to see the consummation of his idea.
To Grand Master R. H. Gove, of Minnesota, is the credit for the initiative for the call. He drafted a letter to all the Grand Masters in the United States and, receiving many favorable replies, the Grand Masters of Illinois, Ohio, Iowa, Indian Territory and Minnesota signed the call. The Masonic press in general vigorously opposed the convention on the ground that out of it might come a General Grand Lodge. This was distinctly disavowed in the letter as will be seen by a perusal of it:
GENERAL MASONIC CONVENTION From the Grand East of the
MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGES, A.F. & A. MASONS of the States of MINNESOTA, ILLINOIS, OHIO, IOWA AND INDIAN TERRITORY.
To the Present and Past Grand Masters of Masons in the United States of America, the Territories thereof, the District of Columbia, Can- ada, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Greeting: Health, Peace and Prosperity:
Most Worshipful Brethren :- In November last, the Most Worship- ful Grand Master of Masons in Minnesota addressed letters to all the Grand Masters in the above named Grand Jurisdictions, making inquiries of them as to their views on the subject of a General Masonic Convention for the purpose of consultation and advice on subjects of general interest to the Craft wheresoever dispersed. From the nearly unanimous favor- able response to such interrogatory, and from the very great importance of such meeting, it has been thought to be wise and prudent to call such convention; not for the purpose of legislation, nor for the purpose
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of forming a General Grand Lodge, as may be feared, but simply and solely for the purpose of consultation and advice.
The undersigned Grand Masters are jealous of the rights, integrity and perpetuity of Independent Grand Lodges, as the only lawful govern- ing bodies over Ancient Craft Masonry, and under no circumstances would either consent that such lawful authority should be divorced from the proper source.
It is well known that there are associations, other than Sovereign Independent Grand Lodges, claiming the right to establish lodges and exercise authority over the first three degrees of Freemasonry, viz .: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason, and this too, in total disregard of the fact that Grand Lodges, the only lawful source of authority, already exercise jurisdiction over the territory in which it its proposed to establish such unlawfully organized bodies.
This and many other subjects of general interest, including juris- prudence and Grand Representatives, may properly be discussed. In fact it is intended that the discussion shall take a wide range, and cover any and all subjects of genuine interest to the Craft.
It has been deemed best to fraternally invite you to attend such convention, for the purposes specified, to be held in the city of Chicago, Illinois, commencing on Wednesday, the 22nd day of June, A.D. 1887, A.L. 5887, at ten o'clock A.M., and to continue in session at least three days, including the Festival of St. John the Baptist June 24th. The con- vention to be governed by such rules and regulations as it may seem proper to adopt.
Now we do most cordially and fraternally invite you to be present to assist with your counsel and advice to the end that great good may be accomplished, a better understanding of many vexed questions arrived at and closer fraternal relations established. It is very desirable that all the American Grand Lodges be fully represented. In order that hotel and other accommodations may be provided for all those who attend, you are requested to advise M.W. Alexander T. Darrah, Bloomington, Illinois, on or before the first of May, of your intention, or otherwise to attend.
Alex. T. Darrah, Grand Master of Masons in Illinois S. Stacker Williams, Grand Master of Masons in Ohio. William P. Allen, Grand Master of Masons in Iowa, Florin H. Nash, Grand Master of Masons in Indian Territory, R. H. Gove, Grand Master of Masons in Minnesota.
When the time for the convention arrived, the committee on creden- tials reported jurisdictions represented by Grand Master or Past Grand Masters: Canada, Dakota, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Manitoba, Michi- gan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio. The officers elected were: Alex. T. Darrah, President, Rufus C. Hatheway, First Vice-President; Henry Robertson, Second Vice-President; H. R. Denney, Third Vice-
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President; DeWitt C. Cregier, Treasurer; John H. Brown, Secretary; Moses N. Fuller, Doorkeeper.
The first subject discussed was:
Resolved, That no brother should be permitted to vouch for another brother as to his Masonic standing, unless he has sat in open lodge with him or duly appointed by the W.M. to re-examine the visiting brother, in accordance with the usual customs of the Fraternity.
The discussion of this subject was freely indulged in by many of the brothers present, many deprecating the loose methods practiced by and in the subordinate lodges, in the examination, avouchment and introduction of visitors among us. The opinion was generally ex- pressed that our rules in this respect were entirely too lax, and should be made more stringent, to the end that but few unworthy characters gain admission into the sacred precincts of our lodge rooms. The resolution was concurred in.
The second question was, "The physical qualifications of candi- dates for the mysteries of Masonry-what they should be."
This question was warmly debated; widely different views were presented. Some believed in the literal perfect man interpretation, others leaned to the modern idea of what constitutes a perfect man - one with clean hands and a pure heart.
Topic number three was "Perpetual jurisdiction over Rejected Candidates."
Resolved, That in the opinion of this convention, what is generally termed perpetual jurisdiction of rejected candidates, is not Masonic law. But the rejecting lodge should be consulted when practicable upon any subsequent application to any other lodge.
This resolution was adopted.
The fourth topic was, "Grand Master and his prerogatives." This was widely discussed but no decision was made.
The next was "What shall be done to stay the progress of spurious and clandestine Masonry in our respective Grand Jurisdictions?"
The decision on this was:
Resolved, That the Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. is the supreme governing power in and over Freemasonry within its territorial jurisdic- tion, and that the landmarks of Freemasonry, together with the laws, edicts, regulations and statutes of such Grand Lodge constitutes the only law and authority of Freemasonry within said jurisdiction and all constituent lodges, and all members thereof, and all Masons within said jurisdiction must obey and conform thereto.
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Resolved, further, that there is no power or authority in or over Freemasonry above the legitimate and duly recognized Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M., nor is it within the power of any body, organization or collection of Masons to assume to exercise such powers or authority.
The Grand Master said the questions were ably discussed and much valuable information accumulated, much of which must of necessity be lost to the Fraternity for the reason that the full proceed- ings have not, and it is to be feared will not, be published. He closed by saying:
I feel perfectly free in saying that in point of interest and impor- tance to the Craft, no such meeting of the Fraternity has been held since the Baltimore Convention of 1843.
Chapter 33 MASONIC CONGRESS
CHICAGO, AUGUST 14-18, 1893
The origin of the Congress was in a set of resolutions adopted by the Grand Lodge of Kentucky:
Resolved, That the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, F. and A.M., is in favor of joining with other Grand Jurisdictions of the United States and other nations in holding a Fraternal Congress in the city of Chicago, Ill., at some time during the continuance of the World's Fair.
Resolved, That it is the sense of this Grand Lodge that said Fra- ternal Congress should not be held with a view to the formation of a General Grand Lodge, but for the interchange of fraternal sentiments conserving the general interests of Masonry throughout the world, and especially looking to a greater uniformity in the modes of recognition, and the fundamental features which characterize our system the world over.
Resolved, That in order to carry out the foregoing resolutions, the present Grand Master appoint five delegates who shall act in cooperation with other jurisdictions desirous of joining in the proposition, and if said congress shall be held, said delegates shall represent this Grand Lodge in the same.
Resolved, That the present Grand Master be ex-officio chairman of said delegates.
The Grand Master appointed Joseph Robbins, DeWitt C. Cregier and John C. Smith as a committee on the Fraternal Congress. The com- mittee recommended six delegates to consist of the Grand Master and five to be appointed by him. In addition to the first committee he named Daniel M. Browning and Loyal L. Munn. Brother Browning, being Commissioner of Indian Affairs, was unable to serve and Leroy A. Goddard, Deputy Grand Master, was appointed in his place.
He also appointed an executive committee consisting of DeWitt C. Cregier, John C. Smith, Daniel J. Avery, Joseph H. Dixon and William K. Forsyth. To this committee was assigned the duty of entertainment of delegates. The sum of $5,000 was appropriated to care for the ex- penses of the Congress.
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The delegates assembled in the preceptory of Oriental Consistory in the Masonic Temple at ten A.M. and were called to order by Monroe C. Crawford, Grand Master of Masons of Illinois who said:
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