A history of freemasonry in Indiana from 1806 to 1898, Part 21

Author: McDonald, Daniel, b. 1833
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Indianapolis : By authority of the Grand Lodge
Number of Pages: 614


USA > Indiana > A history of freemasonry in Indiana from 1806 to 1898 > Part 21


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"The ashes of the brave and patriotic sons of these States who fell in the battle of Tippecanoe have mingled together with the dust of this field forty-three years. The volun- teers who fell in this battle were the soldiers and their sons of Clarke and Wayne. The regular soldiers of the 4th Regiment, United States troops, who fell here were the brave sons of the heroes of Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill. Spencer, Warrick, Randolph, Daviess, Owen and


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Baen and their fellow-soldiers who died on this field by the hand of the savage foe were the brave and worthy repre- sentatives of the heroism and patriotism of these States. This 4th Regiment was commanded by Colonels Boyd and Miller. The volunteers were commanded by Colonels Decker and Bartholomew-General Harrison being the commander-in-chief. The army of the Tippecanoe was composed of about eight hundred and fifty men, of whom one hundred and eighty-eight were killed and wounded. Brother Naylor, he says, occupied a subordinate station in this battle. He was a sergeant in Captain Bigger's com- pany of riflemen.


"Whilst the battle raged in all its fury, and the angel of death spread his sable wings over the dark and bloody scene, he saw not the flag of his country, but when the morning light came he beheld the star-spangled banner wav- ing in glorious triumph over a savage foe!"


The battleground of Tippecanoe, he said, was donated to the State of Indiana by Hon. John Tipton, who was a brave soldier in this battle. The State is bound by her Constitution to keep this ground enclosed by a substantial fence. By an act of the Legislature approved January 3, 1852, the Grand Lodge of Indiana has the perpetual right to build and preserve this monument.


"This monument," he said, "is to be made of white mar- ble from the quarries of Vermont, the home of the "Green Mountain Boys" of glorious Revolutionary memory. It is to be twenty feet across the base and seventy feet high, and constructed according to the Egyptian style of architecture. Unlike the pyramids of Egypt, it is to be erected by Free- masons, free men and free-will offerings in a land of free- dom. The white and solid marble of this monument may be emblematical of the purity of the patriotism and the firmness of the heroism of the soldiers whose memory it is designed to honor and perpetuate."


Nothing further was done in regard to it until the meet- ing of 1859, when Grand Master Sol. D. Bayless referred to it in his annual address. A committee had been appointed to act in conjunction with a similar committee on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky to adopt plans and specifica-


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tions and devise ways and means for the erection of the proposed monument, but as no definite action had been taken in reference to raising means, the committee had taken no action in regard to plans and specifications. "Under existing circumstances," he said, "an appropriation from the friends of either of the Grand Lodges is extremely doubtful; and if the friends of the project rely upon funds to be donated by the Grand Lodge of Indiana or Kentucky, it occurs to me that the committee will have ample time to prepare plans, models and specifications in abundance."


Nothing further was done, and, the war of the Rebellion soon coming on, the project was abandoned by common consent.


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GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS 1817 TO 1898.


T' "HE current of Masonic legislation and the more im- portant acts of the Grand Lodge from year to year are embraced in the following condensation. For a period of about fifty years from the organization of the Grand Lodge the publishers of the annual proceedings, generally the Grand Secretary, did not deem it necessary to prepare an index, and few headings, even, were inserted over the dif- ferent subjects, so that the searcher after Masonic light and truth in the annual proceedings must leaf them through and examine each page separately in order not to miss any- thing for which he may be searching. It may be stated in passing that no special feature of a book-especially one devoted to a variety of subjects, as is the proceedings of a Grand Lodge-is so valuable as a carefully prepared index, for the reason that fully one-half of the matter contained therein is of no special interest to the general reader; but without an index to find the action on a given subject from year to year, he is compelled to scan every page and every item, and even then is liable to overlook important matter.


DECEMBER 3, 1817. - A general convention to form a Grand Lodge met at Corydon. Nine lodges, holding charters from Kentucky and Ohio, were represented as follows: Vincennes-General W. Johnson; Lawrenceburg-James Dill; Vevay-Hezekiah B. Hull; Rising Sun-Abel C. Pepper; Madison-Henry P. Thornton; Charlestown- Alexander Buckner, John Miller, Joseph Bartholomew; Brookville-Stephen C. Stevens; Salem-Christopher Har- rison: Corydon-Davis Floyd.


Alexander Buckner was chosen chairman and Davis Floyd secretary. It was then resolved that it was expedi- ent and advisable to form a Grand Lodge. A committee of


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four was appointed to notify the Grand Lodges of Ohio and Kentucky the lodges named had determined to form a Grand Lodge. The convention then adjourned to meet at Madison, January 12, 181S.


MADISON, JANUARY 12, 1818 .- Alexander A. Meek, of Madison, being the oldest Past Master present, was called to the chair, and William C. Keen, of Vevay, appointed secretary. The Committee on Credentials reported the fol- lowing present and entitled to seats as representatives: Rising Sun-Nathaniel Jenkins; Vevay-William C. Keen; Charlestown-Alexander Buckner, Isaac Howk and Sam- uel C. Tate; Brookville-John B. Rose; Lawrenceburg- Jonathan Woodbury; Vincennes-Benjamin V. Beckes; Salem-Marston G. Clark; Corydon-John Tipton, Reu- ben W. Nelson. The following brethren were present as visitors: Madison-Richard C. Talbott, Abraham King, John Meek, Alexander McCoskey, James L. White, Moses Gray, James Ross, Nicholas D. Grover, Copeland P. J. Arion, Joshua Wilkinson, George Leonard; Vevay-Wil- liam Carpenter and Joseph Bently. Grand Officers were then appointed for the time being, various committees ap- pointed, and the Grand Lodge declared ready for the trans- action of business. (See under head of "Organization of Grand Lodge.")


CHARLESTOWN, SEPTEMBER 14, 1818 .- The first charter issued by the Grand Lodge was to members residing at Rising Sun, with Abel C. Pepper as the first Master. He afterwards became Grand Master. Several cases of griev- ances were considered, Grand Officers elected, and a resolu- tion adopted that a Grand Lecturer be appointed to lecture the lodges; also that it was improper to publish the suspen- sion or expulsion of members; that subordinate lodges ought to take cognizance of sojourning Masons; and also that any kind of betting or gambling is considered unmasonic.


MADISON, SEPTEMBER 13, 1819 .- The session was mostly taken up considering appeal cases and investigating lodges under dispensation. A folio blank book was ordered to be procured in which to record the proceedings of the Grand


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Lodge. Two hundred copies of the proceedings were or- dered to be printed. The following resolution was adopted:


"Resolved, That as a feeble testimony of the high and heartfelt veneration in which we hold the memory of our late lamented and useful brother, Thomas Smith Webb, the members of this Grand Lodge wear crape on their left arm for thirty days."


The Grand Treasurer was authorized to loan the surplus funds of the Grand Lodge at 6 per cent. interest, and a form of lodge returns was adopted.


JEFFERSONVILLE, SEPTEMBER 11, 1820 .- A visitor was refused admittance to New Albany Lodge and appealed to the Grand Lodge, which decided that "the right to deter- mine upon the propriety or impropriety of admitting or not admitting a visiting brother is a prerogative which every lodge should possess." Matters of general interest to the Craft were referred to the Grand Committee-that is, to the entire membership. The Grand Lodge was called to refreshment, and some brother was called to the chair to . preside over the Grand Committee. After arriving at a decision, the committee adjourned, the Grand Lodge was called to labor, and the chairman reported the action of the committee. This was following the rules of Congress. Later the practice was discontinued.


AA committee appointed to examine into a work proposed to be published by General W. Johnson, entitled "The Secrets of Masonry," reported that they found nothing in the work improper for publication, and ordered the manu- script to be returned to the author.


During this session the Grand Lodge was convened in "case of emergency." The "lodge was opened on the fifth degree of Masonry and Jacob Thomas, Master of Scott Lodge, was installed," etc. How our ancient brethren fig- ured out the fifth degree is not stated.


It was resolved that thereafter no appeal case would be acted upon unless all the evidence was presented in writing. Two hundred copies of the Constitution were ordered to be furnished at the next session.


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A code of twenty-three rules for the government of the Grand Lodge was adopted. A committee of five was ap- pointed to memorialize the Legislature to pass a bill author- izing subordinate lodges to hold real estate. The Grand Lecturer was ordered to proceed at once to visit the several lodges. A resolution of thanks was extended to Past Grand Master Alexander A. Meek. It was decided that no lodge should be allowed representation until all dues were paid. The Grand Treasurer was authorized to make some dispo- sition of the funds "to prevent depreciation."


CORYDON, SEPTEMBER 10, 1821 .- The first report made to the Grand Lodge was by Grand Master John Tipton at this session. He gave a brief account of his official acts, in which he stated that he had issued a dispensation to Alex- ander Buckner, Past Grand Master of Indiana, who had previously moved to Missouri, and others, to form a lodge at Jackson. The Grand Lodge of Missouri had not then been organized. A committee was appointed to draft a code of by-laws for subordinate lodges. The Grand Secre- tary was ordered to send copies of the printed proceedings to other Grand Lodges and request fraternal correspond- ence. It was decided that members of lodges could petition other lodges to recommend them for dispensations; that they must apply to the nearest lodge, and cannot vote on their own application. It was also decided that each subor- dinate lodge have full and complete power over all who may wish to become members who shall reside nearest such lodge. The Grand Secretary was ordered to publish a list of suspensions, expulsions and reinstatements by the several lodges in the "Independent Examiner," published at Vevay.


CORYDON, OCTOBER 7, 1822 .- A lengthy communication and proposition for the formation of a Supreme Grand Lodge, signed by Henry Clay, of Kentucky, and other dis- tinguished Masons, was presented. (See "General Grand Lodge.") A resolution was adopted requesting the Grand Secretary, when communicating with other Grand Lodges the change of Grand Officers, "shall accompany the same with their signatures written with their own proper hand!"


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A brother had been suspended for six months. When the time expired he applied for admission to the lodge and the Master refused to admit him. The brother appealed to the Grand Lodge, and it decided that the Master acted erroneously, and added: "To shut the door of the lodge against a brother who has paid the forfeit of his offense by patiently submitting to the punishment is to punish him twice for the same offense, with aggravated marks of morti- fication and disgrace."


The death of Past Grand Master Alexander A. Meek was announced and suitable resolutions adopted.


Suspensions and expulsions were ordered to be published in the "Republican" at Madison, and that all editors within the State be requested to publish the same. The next day the following was adopted:


"Resolved, That, as the opinion of this Grand Lodge, it is expedient to continue the practice of publishing the names of persons who are or may be returned by subor- dinate lodges as rejected on their petition for initiation into the privileges of Masonry."


MADISON, OCTOBER 6, 1823 .- A list of the proceedings of thirty-five Grand Lodges was presented, which was referred to a special committee.


An appeal from the decision of Vincennes Lodge for ex- pelling him was presented by Dr. J. B. Emerson, covering three pages of the proceedings. He said: "The accusa- tion for which I was thrown in prison-for which I was shamefully robbed-for which I was expelled, was declared by the principal judge insufficient to sustain an action." Action was deferred until the records of the lodge could be secured.


It was resolved that no delegate representing a lodge under dispensation had a right to be a member of any com- mittee until the return of said lodge be examined and ap- proved.


It was resolved that it was inexpedient and unnecessary that a General Grand Lodge should be formed; also, that it was inexpedient to continue the practice of publishing in


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public papers the names of persons who are or may be sus- pended; also, that it is improper to install the officers of lodges working under dispensation.


The Grand Lodge recommended to the subordinate lodges the adoption of a uniform mode of working agree- ably to the principles of illustrative Masonry as laid down by Brother Cross in his lectures and Masonic chart.


The printing of the proceedings was awarded to W. C. Keen at 373 cents per 1,000 ems.


It was decided to be improper for any regular Mason to reside in the vicinity of a lodge without being a member thereof, provided he is of sufficient ability to pay his lodge dues.


It being represented that late Past Grand Master John Sheets had had the misfortune to be engaged in a rencontre with another individual, in which he was so unfortunate as to kill his opponent, for which act lie was about to be called to answer before the constituted tribunals of his country, in consequence of which he had voluntarily absented himself from the meeting, it was resolved that his absenting himself met with the decided approbation of the Grand Lodge; also a resolution complimenting him on the efficient manner in which he had always conducted the business of the Grand Lodge.


It was also resolved "That it shall be the duty of the Grand Tyler hereafter to furnish no refreshments for the use of the Grand Lodge, unless otherwise directed by the same."


It was the custom in the beginning to provide "refresh- ments" during the sessions, which, according to tradition, was brandy and sugar and other spirituous liquors! When the Grand Lodge was called to "refreshment" it meant more than it does nowadays!


The Grand Secretary was instructed to publish a list of expulsions and reinstatements in the "Republican" at Mad- ison, and request all editors within the State to publish the same.


A new dispensation was issued to Albion Lodge. Illinois. That was before a Grand Lodge had been formed in that State.


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Subordinate lodges were directed to charge all Master Masons residing within their jurisdiction with Grand Lodge dues.


MADISON, OCTOBER 4, 1824 .- A lodge of emergency was opened and Governor Jonathan Jennings installed Grand Master and received the customary salutations and con- gratulations.


Notice was given that Terre Haute Lodge contemplated surrendering its charter.


Twenty dollars was placed in the hands of Abel C. Pep- per to be applied to the relief of the family of a deceased brother, Moses Tapley.


An investigation of the Treasurer's accounts showed $283 in Kentucky money which was reported to be worth only half its face value!


The first tabulated statement of the work of the several lodges appears at this meeting. There were twenty-eight lodges, with an aggregate membership of 368. During the year 46 were initiated.


James Whitcomb was recognized as the representative of Bloomington Lodge.


Eighty dollars was voted for the relief of the widows of four deceased brothers.


It was declared to be unmasonic for any lodge to initiate any person applying when it is known that the applicant has been rejected, without first securing the consent of the lodge rejecting him.


Lodges were instructed to charge the following sums for conferring the degrees: Entered Apprentice, $8; Fellow Craft, $3; Master Mason, $4.


Subordinate lodges were ordered to summon all members to appear and show cause, if any, why they should not be charged $1 for dues and Grand Charity Fund.


The Grand Secretary was ordered to have published a list of expulsions and reinstatements since last meeting, for four weeks successively, in the "Indiana Register," a news- paper published at Vevay.


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SALEM, OCTOBER 3, 1825 .- Harvey Gregg being about to leave the United States for the city of Acapulco, Mexico, petitioned for a dispensation to hold a lodge there. The committee, upon mature reflection, did not think it ex- pedient to grant the petition.


The resolution taxing Masons $1, passed at the last ses- :sion, was repealed.


General W. Johnson, of Vincennes, presented a letter, in which he stated that he had been taught to believe in the authenticity of the Holy Scriptures, and having heard some Masons declare differently, he desired the Grand Lodge to decide the matter. It was indefinitely postponed.


Grand Master Jonathan Jennings declined a re-election.


The Constitution was amended so as to provide for the following committees: Dispensations, Unfinished Busi- ness, Foreign Communications.


Lodges were requested to admit free of initiation fees ministers of the gospel, and were ordered to be exempt from Grand Lodge dues for such ministers.


Lodges were thereafter to be exonerated from payment of dues for Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts.


Webb Lodge was authorized to hold its meetings either at Richmond or Centerville, as a majority of the members might determine; provided that their meetings should not be held at either place for a longer or shorter term than six months without the consent of at least three-fourths of their members.


It was left discretionary with the members of Lafayette Lodge, Shelby county, to locate the same in such part of said county as they might deem expedient.


A subscription of $1 from each member was recom- mended to be made to assist in erecting monuments to the memory of Generals Green and Pulaski in the city of Savannah, Ga.


The practice of delegates appointing sub-delegates to act for them was deemed unconstitutional and inexpedient. Lodges were recommended to appoint delegates whose oc- cupations would permit them to remain during the whole session.


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Funds collected from members for the Grand Charity Fund under a previous resolution were ordered to be re- funded to the donors.


SALEM, OCTOBER 2, 1826 .- Marston G. Clark, Grand Mas- ter, was not present, but sent the following letter:


"BRETHREN-Business imperatively calling me from home, induces me to tender this as my resignation as Grand Mas- ter, and permit me to say that I do not wish to be consid- ered as a candidate for that office the ensuing year."


The letter was laid on the table, and at the 3 o'clock meeting in the afternoon he was present and presided.


W. H. Lilly, Grand Treasurer, sent a letter regretting his inability to be present, and soliciting a re-election, which was not complied with.


The Grand Chaplain was paid ten dollars for his services.


The Committee on Grievances reported no business had come before them.


The following resolution was adopted:


"Resolved, That an expulsion of a Royal Arch Mason from a chapter be considered an expulsion from all the privileges of Masonry."


This worked the expulsion of a Grand Master, Johnson Watts. The final decision in his case resulted in the repeal of the obnoxious resolution and his reinstatement.


The Grand Lodge adjourned to the Presbyterian Church, where an appropriate sermon was delivered by Job M. Baker, Grand Chaplain.


A resolution of thanks to the Grand Lodge of Pennsyl- vania was passed for a copy of the "Ahiman Rezon."


For several years our Grand Lodge had been in a wrangle concerning dues from two or three lodges holding charters from Kentucky. The matter was adjusted at this meet- ing by ascertaining that the trouble had originated through a misunderstanding, and the Grand Lodge resolved "that we will no longer agitate the subject-matter of said misun- derstanding."


It was ordered that candidates should not be balloted for except at a regular meeting of the lodge.


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SALEM, OCTOBER 1, 1827 .- The Grand Lodge "hail with satisfaction the formation of a Grand Lodge in Mich- igan Territory, and recognize them with pleasure."


The Provincial Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia was recog- nized.


Lodges were directed to instruct their representatives to the next Grand Lodge to vote for or against allowing actual expenses to Grand Officers.


Several important propositions were presented and post- poned until next communication.


The Grand Secretary reported that he had procured and bound three copies of the proceedings of 1823-4-5-6; two of 1819 and 1822, and one of 1820 and 1821.


INDIANAPOLIS, NOVEMBER 25, 1828 .- The State was di- vided into three districts and one Deputy was ordered to be elected to represent each at a salary of $1.50 per diem for time actually employed.


The "Morgan excitement" was then just beginning to be felt, and Past Grand Master Tipton introduced a resolution "That, in the opinion of this Grand Lodge, the situation of Masonry at this time imperiously demands the most earnest exertion of every friend of the Craft, and that, to further the end and designs of the Institution, it is expedient and proper that a meeting of one or more representatives or delegates from each Grand Lodge throughout North America should take place at Louisville, or some other suit- able place, on a day to be named, to confer together and adopt such measures as the exigencies of the case at that time demand." The proposition was laid upon the table.


The following propositions were presented and ordered to lie upon the table:


"Resolved, As the opinion of this Grand Lodge that no officer of a subordinate lodge can Masonically resign or secede during the period for which he may have been in- stalled; also that no one can constitutionally officiate as Master or Warden until he has been duly installed."


The proposition "That no brother shall hereafter be en- titled to more than two votes in this Grand Lodge in any


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capacity whatever, except such cases as are already pro- vided for by the Grand Constitution," was adopted-ayes, 21; noes, 2.


A vote of thanks was presented to the Grand Chaplain for his "ingenious and appropriate discourse so appropri- ately delivered at the Methodist Church on the 27th inst."


It was decided "that each Grand Lodge is, and should be. and remain, supreme within its own State."


The following was adopted:


"Resolved, That it be recommended to the several lodges. subordinate to this Grand Lodge that they use their utmost influence to suppress the use of ardent spirits by members. of the Fraternity and others."


It was decided by the committee that an officer elected and installed for a definite period could not secede, resign or demit, having been elected for a definite period; but the Grand Lodge decided otherwise.


It was decided that the fees for all the degrees must be paid in advance.


The Grand Treasurer was authorized to loan any surplus funds not otherwise appropriated to any number of Royal Arch Masons sufficient to form a chapter in Indianapolis, not to exceed one hundred dollars.


A committee was appointed to confer with Center Lodge and the chapter, when one shall be established in Indianap- olis, for the purpose of procuring a lot in said town and making arrangements for erecting a Masonic Hall.


The Grand Secretary was ordered to procure a book and open it with reference to keeping the number of members, initiations and other statistical matter.


INDIANAPOLIS, NOVEMBER 30, 1829 .- Grand Master John Tipton presented the following communication :


"The multifarious engagements of the undersigned will probably prevent his attendance at the next Grand Lodge; he therefore tenders his most sincere thanks for the par- tiality and friendship shown him by this Grand Lodge, and declines a re-election as Grand Master.


"JOHN TIPTON."


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It was decided to appoint a Grand Lecturer who shall not be entitled to salary, and thereupon Brother William Sheets was duly selected. The further appointments of district Deputies was discontinued.


Lengthy reports by the three district Deputies were made, which contained much valuable information. They were allowed for their services, respectively, $45, $25 and $60.




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