USA > Indiana > A history of freemasonry in Indiana from 1806 to 1898 > Part 26
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The resolution adopted in 1893, authorizing the purchase of the Hacker electrotype plates, was rescinded.
INDIANAPOLIS, MAY 26, 1896 .- The proceedings of this session contains a photo-gravure of the building at Madi- son in which the Grand Lodge was organized; also pictures of all the Past Grand Masters, except a few which could not be procured.
Grand Master Edward O'Rourke presided, with four- teen Past Grand Masters present.
George A. Macomber, having removed from the jurisdic- tion, presented his resignation as Junior Grand Warden.
Daniel McDonald, for the Committee on History of Ma- sonry in Indiana, made a report showing progress in the
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work. The committee to whom the report was referred recommended the appropriation of $250 to prosecute the work, to be divided between the three committeemen as they might determine, making no provision for work al- ready done. Thereupon Brother McDonald resigned as chairman of the committee.
The Grand Treasurer's report showed total receipts dur- ing the year $20,839.32, which, added to the balance on hand at the close of last year, showed total receipts of $36,- 104.06. He also stated that Grand Lodge securities were deposited in a safety vault amounting to $28,474.79.
The Committee on Charters called attention to the fact that in writing the minutes Secretaries should use the word "meeting" instead of "communication;" that this change was made by the Grand Lodge many years ago.
A stenographer and typewriter for the Grand Secretary was authorized for the future.
The office of the Grand Secretary was ordered to be en- larged by fitting up the room adjoining as an addition to the present office.
A proposition to reduce the Grand Lodge dues from 40 cents per capita to 25 cents was not concurred in.
It was decided that "the Grand Lodge of Indiana has at all times contended and held that a Mason in distress is en- titled to aid and assistance from the Fraternity, wherever he may be at the time of his need, and that, as a matter of law, his lodge is not bound to make any restitution, though it may always do so at its own option."
In regard to the doctrine of "perpetual jurisdiction," the committee reported, and it was adopted, that "The doctrine of perpetual jurisdiction over rejected candidates is held only by a minority of the Grand Lodges of the United States, and by no Grand Lodge outside of the United States. It is unmasonic, uncharitable, unconstitutional, wrong in theory and pernicious in action!"
The total initiations during the year were 1,834, a gain of 455 over the previous year. Total membership, 28,439, being a gain of 932 over the year previous.
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A regulation was adopted requiring the Grand Master to appoint as members of committees at each session only those who may be members of the Grand Lodge.
A proposition to eliminate from the requirements of the Grand Lodge the official degree of Past Master was not con- curred in.
The annual review of the proceedings of other Grand Lodges, printed as an appendix, covers 150 pages of the pro- ceedings.
INDIANAPOLIS, MAY 25, 1897 .- Of the nearly five hundred lodges in the State, all but two were represented, with four- teen Past Grand Masters present.
The address of Grand Master Gillett showed a busy year. Twelve corner-stones had been laid, a number of halls dedi- cated, and a large amount of miscellaneous business had been transacted. There was a gain in membership of 948. The total membership was 29,387.
It was decided that the members of suspended lodges were Master Masons in good standing.
A resolution relative to the organization of Masonic in- stitutes for instruction in the work was referred to the in- coming Grand Master.
The Grand Lodge dues were reduced from 40 to 25 cents per capita.
Section 125 of the regulations, in relation to reinstate- ments in cases of suspension of members for non-payment of dues and for other causes, were amended, for the pur- pose of clarifying them from ambiguity and making them "clear and specific."
Grand Secretary William H. Smythe announced that he had in course of preparation "a book which will contain the latest, best and most authentic decisions of the Grand Lodge, as shown by records thereof;" and the resolution was unanimously adopted "that the Grand Lodge most earn- estly approve this highly commendable enterprise."
The Wisconsin plan of relief, that "it is the duty of a lodge to take care of its own members in distress, wherever they may be, and that in case of its inability to do so, this duty devolves upon the Grand Lodge from which it holds
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its charter," was again before the Grand Lodge. A former decision was reaffirmed, as follows: "The Grand Lodge of Indiana has at all times contended and held that a Mason in distress is entitled to aid and assistance from the Fraternity, wherever he may be at the time of his need, and that, as a matter of law, his lodge is not bound to make any restitu- tion, though it may always do so at its own option."
A proposition to amend Section 85 of the regulations by inserting before the words "use of intoxicating liquors" the words "excessive and habitual," was not adopted.
The Committee on Ways and Means recommended that "Past Grand Master Daniel McDonald be appointed His- torian and duly authorized to write a history of Freema- sonry in Indiana," under certain regulations therein pre- scribed.
The Committee on Jurisprudence submitted a lengthy re- port in regard to the three knocks usually given at opening and closing. The conclusion was, and the Grand Lodge concurred, that they should begin at the South, then West and East.
Nicholas R. Ruckle was elected a Trustee of the Grand Lodge property for the ensuing three years.
The Committee on Jurisprudence, "'to whom was referred so much of the Grand Master's address wherein he con- demns the use of cipher texts of the work and forcibly re- proves the open use of books while the degrees are being conferred, most earnestly endorse his censures of all persons engaging in such unlawful and disreputable practices."
Mortimer Nye presented his credentials as Representa- tive of the Grand Lodge of Montana; Edward O'Rourke, of New Jersey, and William Commons, of the Indian Terri- tory, and all were duly received and welcomed as such.
INDIANAPOLIS, MAY 24, 1898 .- Grand Master Nelson Wil- liams and Past Grand Master Allen H. Andrews, both of Ohio, were present as visitors, and were received with the grand honors of Masonry.
Grand Master Mason J. Niblack, in his annual address, said: "Masonry is pre-eminently a patriotic order. All its teachings are conducive to loyalty, patriotism and a
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made. At the time of the organization he was a member of Blazing Star Lodge at Charlestown, which was estab- lished by virtue of a dispensation or charter from Ken- tucky. He was present as a representative from that lodge at the convention held at Corydon, December 3, 1817, to take into consideration the advisability of forming a Grand Lodge for Indiana, and was unanimously called to the chair as president of the convention. After it had been decided to form a Grand Lodge, he was appointed one of a com- mittee of four to inform the Grand Masters of Kentucky and Ohio of the intended action, and that the lodges would recede from their mother lodges so soon as the Grand Lodge should be organized. 'An address stating the facts was composed (probably by General W. Johnson) and signed by him and the other members of the committee, and there- upon the convention adjourned to meet in Madison on the second Monday in January, 1818. When the delegates met at Madison, January 12th, Alexander A. Meek, being the oldest Past Master present, was called to the chair. After transacting some preliminary business, an adjourn- inent was taken until next morning, when Brother Buckner was elected Grand Master, as stated. He served as suchi until September 15, 1818, when he was succeeded by Alex- ander A. Meek. About this time he left the State and located in Jackson, Mo., and his determination to remove from the State was undoubtedly the reason why he was not re-elected, as he is found, in connection with others, peti- tioning the Grand Lodge of Indiana (the Grand Lodge of Missouri had not then been organized) for a dispensation to establish a lodge at that place, to be known as "Unity Lodge." The dispensation was granted, with Brother Buckner as the first Worshipful Master. Although dili- gent inquiry has been made of the lodge at that place, and of the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, no further information in regard to his Masonic career has been obtained.
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Incidentally learning that he had at one time been a United States Senator from Missouri, information was sought in that direction. His brief record in the Congres-
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sional Directory when he was a member of the Senate is as follows:
"Alexander Buckner was born in Indiana; removed to Missouri in 1818; was a member of the State constitutional convention in 1820; was several years a member of the State IHouse of Representatives; was elected United States Senator from Missouri, serving from March 4, 1831, until his death from cholera at St. Louis, June 15, 1833."
Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography says of him:
"Alexander Buckner, born in Indiana, died in St. Louis, Mo., June 15, 1833. He settled in Missouri; was a mem- ber of the State constitutional convention in 1820; was sev- eral terms in the Legislature, and was elected to the United States Senate, serving from March 4, 1831, until his death."
A sketch of his life and career in the "History of St. Louis," Vol. I, page 570, is, undoubtedly, the most reliable information of all that has been obtained. In that sketch he is stated to have been born in Jefferson county, Ken- tucky, and this is probably correct, as he was, presumably, a near relative of Governor Buckner, of Kentucky, and oth- ers of that name who lived there at that time. The sketch is as follows:
"Alexander Buckner at one time ranked high as a poli- tician in Missouri, particularly in the southern part of the State. He was born in 1785 in Jefferson county, Ken- tucky. Little is known of his earlier life, but in 1812 he was in Indiana, had entered the law, and was building up quite a practice. Eight years later he reached Missouri, induced to make this move, it is said, by reason of a duel in which he had become involved. He bought a farm in Cape Girardeau county, practiced law, seldom, however, in the St. Louis courts, and entered the political arena. He was circuit attorney for a short time. The Jackson 'Eagle,' noticing his death, which occurred the 6th of June, 1833. sums up the salient points of his life as follows:
" 'In 1820 he was elected a member of the convention which formed the Constitution of this State. Subsequently he was elected to the State Senate, and in 1830 to the House of Representatives. While in that body he was elected to
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the Senate of the United States, in which capacity he served two sessions. Since the residence of Mr. Buckner in this county he has invariably been elected to every office for which he offered. The loss of Colonel Buckner's services in the Senate of the United States will fall with peculiar force on the southern end of this State.'
"The same journal also states that he died of an epidemic which then prevailed extensively, and that his wife, who had premonitory symptoms of the same disease, would not leave his bedside, and cared for him with intense devotion. When he died she yielded to the destroyer, surviving her husband but little over an hour. Colonel Buckner was genial, industrious, a good speaker, and in every sense a growing man in his community. In November, 1830, he was chosen United States Senator in place of David Barton, the vote being: Buckner, 34; John Milton, 27; W. H. Ast- ley. 2."
At the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge in May, 1897, the Grand Master called attention to the following letter, which is self-explanatory :
"CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., August 31, 1896.
"William H. Smythe, Esq., Indianapolis, Ind .:
"DEAR SIR-Your favor addressed to the Honorable Sec- retary of the State of Missouri with reference to Alexander Buckner, at one time United States Senator from Missouri, and resident of this county, came to hand. Senator Buck- ner died while representing this State in the United States Senate. He was buried in this county on a farm known as the 'Looney Place.' No monument marks his grave. I only last week suggested that his remains ought to be taken up and buried in the Jackson or Cape Girardeau Cemetery. I do not believe that a picture of him can be found, yet I will try and ascertain. Know of no member of his family now a resident of this county. Very truly yours,
"LOUIS HOUCK."
Thereupon the Committee on Ways and Means offered the following which was unanimously adopted: "To the Grand Lodge:
"The Committee on Ways and Means respectfully report that they have examined that portion of the address of the M. W. Grand Master as relates to a monument for Past
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Grand Master Alexander Buckner. The committee recom- mend that the Grand Secretary be and he is hereby author- ized to cause the remains to be removed, a suitable marker or headstone to be set at the grave of our deceased brother, and that an appropriation therefor be and is hereby made, not to exceed three hundred dollars."
On September 28, 1897, William H. Smythe, Grand Secretary, and Mason J. Niblack, Grand Master, proceeded to carry out the instructions of the Grand Lodge. After being dead sixty-four years, his dust was taken up and buried on a beautiful spot in the cemetery at Cape Girar- deau overlooking the Mississippi river. On the day of the ceremonies business was practically suspended in the city, and the people turned out in large numbers to witness the Masonic burial ceremonies, which were performed by Hon. Mason J. Niblack, Grand Master of Masons in Indiana, after which the stone was placed at the head of the grave, bearing this inscription :
ALEXANDER BUCKNER, BORN IN KENTUCKY IN 1785. DIED IN MISSOURI, JUNE 6, 1833. PRESIDENT OF THE CONVENTION AND FIRST GRAND MASTER OF MASONS OF THE STATE OF INDIANA. ELECTED AND INSTALLED JANUARY 12, 1818.
UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM MISSOURI AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH. ERECTED BY THE GRAND LODGE F. & A. MASONS OF THE STATE OF INDIANA, A. D. 1897, A. L. 5897.
At the close of the burial ceremonies Hon. Louis Houck, of Cape Girardeau, delivered a lengthy and eloquent ad- dress in memory of the deceased, and also paid a glowing tribute to the Craft in Indiana for their filial devotion, their loyalty to the early fathers of the ancient Fraternity, and their homage to the men of the past who labored so well and builded so wisely, closing with the following beautiful peroration :
"The culture, refinement, and, in fact, the civilization of a people can be measured by the respect it pays to its hon- ored and distinguished dead. From a people taking no in- terest in the history of its past; taking no interest in the
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struggles that lead to the establishment of its existence; drawing no inspiration from the lives and examples of its eminent men of an earlier time, little can be expected. Such a people and such men, sunk in gross materialism, and living only to make gains, oblivion has already marked for its own.
"And now here, in this old graveyard, where sleep so many of the pioneers of this section of our great State, the Grand Lodge of Indiana rears this monument over the ashes of its earliest Grand Master. May this memorial stone stand as an enduring testimonial of filial affection as long as this river at your feet flows to the all-embracing and boundless rolling sea."
After an eloquent and appropriate address by Grand Master Niblack, this beautiful tribute of love and affection for a deceased brother came to an end.
ALEXANDER A. MEEK, the second Grand Master, was a resident of Madison. When the convention re-met at Mad- ison, January 12, 1818, to perfect the organization of the Grand Lodge, Brother Meek, being the oldest Past Master present, was accorded the honor and distinction of presiding over the preliminary deliberations. When the representa- tives present went into the election of officers, Alexander Buckner was chosen Grand Master and Alexander A. Meek Deputy. At the election September 15, 1818, Grand Mas- ter Buckner having left the State, Brother Meek was elected Grand Master, and served until September 14, 1820.
He was born in Ireland about 1786, and with his parents emigrated to this country when quite young, as is learned from several published sketches of his career. As did nearly all the first settlers in the Northwest Territory, he undoubtedly floated down the Ohio river on a flat-boat from Pittsburg, which was a general place of embarkation, and finally located at Cincinnati, where he is said to have en- tered upon the study of law with Arthur St. Clair, son of General St. Clair, and afterwards became one of the most noted practitioners in Indiana. During the war of 1812 he served as lieutenant in the regular army of the United States. At the close of the war he married and settled in
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ALEXANDER A. MEEK.
JOHN TIPTON.
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Madison, Ind., and engaged in the practice of the law. In 1817 he formed a partnership with Major Henry P. Thorn- ton, a distinguished Mason and the first Grand Secretary, who had just removed from Bourbon county, Kentucky, which partnership continued for several years.
He was afterwards elected brigadier-general in the State militia, and appointed Major Thornton his brigade inspec- tor. On the admission of Indiana into the Union he was appointed by President Madison United States Attorney for the First District, in which he served until his death, which occurred in 1821. One who knew him well pays this tribute to his personal worth: "He was a well-trained and successful lawyer; a noble, generous, chivalrous man, and possessed of the characteristic warm-heartedness of his native isle."
JOHN TIPTON, third Grand Master, was elected while a resident of Corydon, September 14, 1820. He was re- elected to the office of Grand Master November 28, 1828, and served one year.
He was born in Sevier county, Tennessee, August 14, 1786. While young he removed with his parents to the West, where his father became a leader in the defense of the frontier against the hostile Indians, and was murdered by the savages in 1793. Left fatherless and on his own re- sources, in the fall of 1807, with his mother, two sisters and a half-brother, he removed to the then Indiana Territory and settled on the Ohio river. In June, 1807, he enlisted in a company recruited in his neighborhood, which was soon afterwards ordered to the frontier for the protection of the settlements.
In September, 1811, the company entered the campaign which terminated in the battle of Tippecanoe, November 7, 1811. Early in that memorable engagement all of Major Tipton's superior officers were killed, and he was promoted to the captaincy when the conflict was at its height. He kept a journal of this campaign, which is, or was recently, in the possession of Mr. John H. Holliday, of Indianapolis. It is written upon common writing paper, folded and stitched, and is yellow with age, says Woollen in his "Early
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Indiana Sketches." The following is Brother Tipton's ac- count of the battle and the events that occurred about that time. It appears on his journal, spelling and all, as fol- lows:
"Wednesday the 6 a verry Cold day We moved early a scout sent out they Came back and seed indian sines. We march as usel till 12 Our spies caught four horses and seed some indians. Stopt in a prairie the foot throwd all their napsacks in the waggons. we formed in order for Battle-marched 2 miles then formed the line of Battle we marched in 5 lines on the extreme Right. went into a cornfield then up to the above town and surrounded it they met us Pled for Peace they said they would give us satis- faction in the morning. All the time we ware there they kept hollowing. This town is on the west side of wabash- miles above Vincinnis on the Second Bank neat built about 2 hundred yards from the river. This is the main town, but it is scattering a mile long all the way a fine cornfield, after the above moovment we mooved one mile farther up. Camped in timber between a Creek and Prairie after cross- ing a fine Creek and marching 11 miles.
"Thursday the 7 agreeble to their promisd. Last night we were answered by the firing of guns and the Shawnies Breaking into our Tents a blood combat Took Place at pre- cisely 15 minutes before 5 in the morning which lasted two hours and 20 minutes of continewel firing while many times mixed among the indians so that we could not tell the indians and our men apart. they kept up a firing on three sides of us took our tent from the gueard fire. Our men fought Brave and by the timely help of Capt. Cook with a company of infantry we maid a charge and drove them out of the timber across the parairie. Our Loost in killed and wounded was 179 and theirs greater than hours. Among the dead was our Capt Spier Spencer and first Lieutenant Mcmahan and Capt Berry that had been attached to our company and 5 more killed Dead and 15 wounded. after the indians gave ground we Burried our Dead. Among the Kentuckians was killed Mayj Owen, and Mayj Davis badly wounded and a number of others in all killed and wounded was 179 but no company suffered like ours. We then held an election for officers I was elected Captain.
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We then built Breastworks our men in much confusion, our flower been too small and our beeve lost. Last night onley half ratuns of whiskey and no corn for our horses. my horse killed I got Mcmahan's to Ride. 37 of them had been killed wounded and lost last night. I had one quart of whiskey.
"Friday the 8th a Cloudy day and last night was also wet and cold. we lay all night at our Breastwork fire in the morning Spies sent out found the indians had left their town, the horsemen was all sent to burn the town. We went and found Great Deal of Corn and some Dead in- dians in the houses. loaded 6 waggons with corn and Burnt what was Estimated at 2 thousand bushels and 9 of our men died last night."
He soon, with his company, returned home to Corydon. Subsequently he was, by regular gradation, promoted to the rank of brigadier-general, and given command of the mi- litia in southern Indiana.
The following extract from a letter written by Brother Tipton, April 24, 1813, to Acting Governor Gibson will indicate the character and value of his services to the pio- neers in the early history of the Territory. He said:
"Since I have had command of the militia stationed on the frontiers of Harrison and Clark counties, there has been much mischief done by the Indians in those counties, of which I have made correct reports to Col. Robert M. Evans, believing it his duty to make report to you. On the 1Sth of March one man was killed and three wounded near this place (Valonia). At that time I was not here. On my arrival, I took twenty-nine men, went up Driftwood river twenty-five miles. I met a party of Indians on an island in the river-a smart skirmish took place: and in twenty min- utes I defeated them; killed one dead on the ground, and saw some sink in the river; and I believe that all that made their escape by swimming the river, if any done so, lost their guns. I lost no men, killed or wounded. On the 16th instant, two men were killed, and one wounded, eight miles southwest of this place, and five horses stolen. I im- mediately took thirty-one men and followed them three days, notwithstanding we had five large creeks to raft, and
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many to wade more than waist deep, and every day heavy rain. The third day I directed my spies to march slow (as I found the Indian horses were much fatigued), and not try to overtake them until night. But, contrary to my orders, they came up with one that had stopped behind to fix his pack, and fired at him. From his motions they think he was mortally wounded, as he fell, but raised and run away. They all left their horses and other plunder; and the ground being hilly, we could not catch them, as they were on a high hill, and we were in a deep hollow, except the spies. Had it not been for my orders being disobeyed, I would cer- tainly have killed them all at their camp the ensuing night. On their way out, they passed the Saline Salt creek, and there took an old trail leading direct to the Delaware towns; and it is my opinion, that while the government is support- ing one part of that tribe, the other part is murdering our citizens.
"It is much to be desired that those rascals, of whatever tribe they may be, harboring about those towns, should be routed, which could be done with one hundred mounted men, in seven days. If there is not effective measures taken to guard this place, the whole of Clark and Harrison counties will break. It is rumored here that when the rangers come out, the militia will be dismissed. If so, our case is a dangerous one, as it is hard for mounted men to range through the swamps and backwater of Driftwood and Muscackituck rivers, as they have been most of the season more than a mile wide, by reason of low marshy bottoms that overflow, and, many times, three or four miles wide. They (the Indians) come in then, and secrete themselves in some high ground surrounded by water, and by help of bark canoes come in and do mischief, and until I came out never could be found. Since I came out they have made two attempts to take off horses. The first time on the 12th instant. I took all their horses but one; the last I took all, and still followed them with footmen. The last time we lived three days on a little venison, without bread or salt; and I believe if there are to be rangers, there should be spies of young and hardy footmen who could lay and scout through the swamps and thickets like the Indians do, and then we'll be secure-not else. I have been constantly out for the last eight days, on foot, wading and rafting the
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