USA > Indiana > A history of freemasonry in Indiana from 1806 to 1898 > Part 8
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feited his office, and that he (Harrison) had become the acting Governor of the State. Governor Jennings refused to accept this interpretation, and demanded the possession of the executive office. Lieutenant-Governor Harrison left the room he had been occupying, and, taking with him the State seal, opened an office elsewhere. Thus matters re- mained until the Legislature met in December, 1818, when by resolution both houses recognized the Lieutenant-Gov- ernor as the acting Governor of the State, by appointing committees to notify him that both houses were organized and ready to receive any communications he might be pleased to make. He replied that as Lieutenant-Governor he had no communication to make to the Senate or House of Representatives, but as Lieutenant and acting Governor, if recognized as such, he had. The same day a committee was appointed to investigate the troubles in the executive office, which made a report in effect that it was inexpedient to further prosecute the inquiry into the existing difficulties in the executive department of the government of the State. The vote on the adoption of the resolution was 15 for and 13 against. Governor Jennings was, therefore, recognized as the rightful Governor. Thereupon Lieutenant-Gov- ernor Harrison resigned his office, saying in a note to the House that "As the officers of the executive department of the government and General Assembly have refused to rec- ognize that authority which, according to my understand- ing, is constitutionally attached to the office, the name itself is not worth retaining." The next year he was a candidate for Governor against Governor Jennings, but was badly beaten, receiving only 2,008 votes out of 11,256.
He returned to Baltimore about 1830, where not long afterwards he died.
WILLIAM BAIRD was the first Senior Warden after the lodge was chartered by the Grand Lodge in 1821. For many years he manufactured hats in Salem. He was also a stage contractor. In politics he was a Whig, and when President Harrison died he painted all his stage coaches black. He also kept tavern, and in 1820 entertained Henry
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Clay while on his way to Vincennes. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a bright and enthusiastic Mason. He removed to Terre Haute in 1841, where he died in the fifties.
JOHN KINGSBURY was the first Junior Warden in 1822. He was born in Massachusetts and settled in Salem in 1818. He was a lawyer, and a brilliant one. He was a Whig in politics and a Presbyterian in religious belief. He was clerk of Washington county 1820 to 1821, Representative in the State Legislature 1829, and held other minor offices. IIe was quite eccentric, well educated, and especially well read in the law. He was an enthusiastic Mason and a reg- ular attendant at the meetings of his lodge. He returned to his native State in the fifties.
JOHN L. MENAUGH was of Irish descent and was born in Taylorsville, Kentucky, May 5, 1807, and with his parents settled in Washington county, Indiana Territory, in 1809. When about four years old he and another little boy about the same age were kidnaped by the Indians. Their absence was not discovered until the next morning, when the entire neighborhood was aroused and set out in pursuit of the In- dians, who were overtaken in the morning of the third day. The Indians were making preparations for breakfast, but as soon as they discovered the whites were in pursuit they beat a hasty retreat, leaving everything behind them. The two boys had been rolled in blankets and laid against a big log to sleep, on the side of which a fire was kept burning. After the flight of the Indians, and before the discovery of the boys, the fire had crept along and communicated with the blankets in which they were wrapped, and when discov- ered one of them was so badly burned that he died a few minutes later, while the other was so badly disfigured as to be scarcely recognizable. A dispute arose between the mothers. each claiming the living boy. It was finally de- termined, however, that the little fellow, John L. Menaugh, belonged to Mother Menaugh, which was afterwards con- ceded by the mother of the dead boy.
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In politics he was an old-line Jacksonian Democrat, his first vote being cast in 1828 for Andrew Jackson for Presi- dent. He was very popular as a leader of his party in the county and district, which is evidenced by the many high and honorable positions he held. In 1839 he was pub- lisher and proprietor of the Washington Republican, the only Democratic paper in the six or eight counties adjoin- ing the county in which he lived. He served as sheriff, county treasurer, Representative, was a delegate from the State at large to the Democratic convention at Chicago in 1864, and a presidential elector in 1868, and for seven years was cashier of the Bank of Salem. He was somewhat ec- centric, and many amusing stories are told of him in connec- tion with his public career.
He was made a Mason in Salem Lodge about 1828, and up to the date of his death, a period of fifty-one years, he was an ardent, zealous, devoted, hard-working Freemason, never missing a lodge meeting of any character when in his power to attend, and served as Master and other official posi- tions at intervals for about thirty years. He made his first appearance in the Grand Lodge in 1843, and was elected Senior Grand Deacon, and re-elected in 1844. In both of these sessions he took an active part in the proceedings, his reports and recommendations being adopted without ques- tion.
He was a life-long and devoted member of the Methodist Church. He died June 5, 1879, and was buried with the honors of Masonry.
FIRST LODGES UNDER DISPENSATION.
THREE dispensations for new lodges were issued imme- diately or shortly after the organization in 1818, by the Grand Master, presumably, as no record of the fact ap- pears in the proceedings. At the first meeting in 1819 charters were granted, it being stated by the committee that the work of these lodges while under dispensation was satis- factory.
Being instituted the same year the Grand Lodge was or- ganized, it is deemed appropriate to insert a brief sketch of their rise and fall in connection with the lodges taking part in the organization. These lodges were:
ZIF LODGE No. 8, New Albany.
POSEY LODGE No. 9, Jeffersonville.
OLIVE BRANCH No. 10, Evansville.
ZIF LODGE was chartered September 14, 1819, with Asabel Clapp, W. M., Charles Paxton, S. W., and Lathrop Elder- kin, J. W. Stephen Beers represented the lodge at the meeting in 1820. At this meeting a peculiar case was pre- sented. Joseph Jenkins, a Master Mason, appealed from the decision of the lodge in refusing, "for causes known to the lodge," to admit him as a visitor. The committee de- cided, and the Grand Lodge concurred, that it was the pre- rogative of the lodge to determine upon the propriety or im- propriety of admitting a visiting brother.
In 1823 the lodge got into a dispute with Abraham's Lodge, of Louisville, Ky. A candidate had presented his petition for the degrees to Zif Lodge, but before it was acted upon, on intimation of several brethren that they were op- posed to his admission, he was permitted to withdraw his petition. Not long afterwards he presented his petition to Abraham's Lodge. Abraham's Lodge was informed that ob-
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jections existed against him by members of Zif Lodge, in whose jurisdiction he resided, and so notified said lodge by resolution. Abraham's Lodge paid no attention to the objec- tion, but proceeded to confer the degrees upon him. The question was postponed until the next annual session of the Grand Lodge, when the following was adopted:
"Resolved, That the Grand Committee be discharged from the further consideration of said subject."
Thereupon, on motion, a committee was appointed to memorialize the Grand Lodge of Kentucky in regard to the matter. At the next session the following was adopted:
"Resolved, That the misunderstanding heretofore existing between our Zif Lodge No. 8 and Abraham's Lodge No. 8, Kentucky, be passed over, and that this Grand Lodge will no further agitate the subject-matter of said misunder- standing."
Why the Grand Lodge decided to no further agitate the matter is not known. It was a clear case of violation of jurisdiction which would be prosecuted to final judgment in these latter days.
In 1829 the committee stated that Zif Lodge No. S had failed to pay its dues, and had not been represented for sev- eral years, and offered the following, which was adopted:
"Resolved, That the charters of Zif Lodge No. 8,
* * be and the same is hereby arrested, and the Grand Secretary is hereby fully authorized to take possession of the papers, books, dues, tools, jewels and furniture of said lodge as soon as he can get possession of the same, for the use of this Grand Lodge."
This was the end of Zif Lodge.
POSEY LODGE No. 9, at Jeffersonville, was named in honor of Governor Posey. It was chartered September 14, 1819, a dispensation having been granted in 1818. Samuel Gwathmey was named as the first Master, John Weathers, Senior Warden, and Reuben W. Nelson, Junior Warden.
SAMUEL GWATHMEY was a distinguished citizen of South- ern Indiana in the early history of the Territory, and the State at the time of and after its formation. He was a resi- dent of Jeffersonville, and was one of the trustees who laid
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off that town in 1802. In 1801 he was appointed clerk of Clarke county, Indiana Territory, and treasurer in 1802. He was a member of the first Legislative Council of the In- diana Territory, and during his public career held many positions in the Territory and State, among which was the first Registrar of the Land Office at Jeffersonville.
His first appearance in the Grand Lodge was in 1820, being present as Past Master of Posey Lodge, Jeffersonville. Ile was appointed Junior Grand Warden pro tem., and was afterwards elected to that office, serving as such one year. He was appointed chairman of the Committee on Griev- ances. One of the lodges had refused to admit a brother as a visitor "for causes known to the lodge." The rejected brother appealed to the Grand Lodge for a decision on the question. Brother Gwathmey made the following report, which has practically been adopted and held to be the un- written law ever since:
"It appears to your committee that the right to determine upon the propriety or impropriety of admitting or not ad- mitting a visiting brother is a prerogative which every regu- larly organized lodge should possess; and if, in the opinion of that lodge, there existed sufficient cause to reject the visit of the brother, they had a right to do so; but, at the same time, the committee are of the opinion that, in justice to the applicant, the lodge should have stated in their records the cause of his not being admitted."
He did not again appear in the Grand Lodge, and died in 1850, at the age of 72 years.
From the beginning Posey Lodge seems to have been a very weak organization. It paid no dues, and, with the ex- ception of one or two years, did not send a representative to the Grand Lodge. In 1829 its charter was arrested and it ceased to exist.
JOHN H. FARNHAM was a member of the Grand Lodge in 1820. He was the first Secretary of Posey Lodge, in 1819, and served several years as such. He was three times elected W. M., and was a delegate to the Grand Lodge in 1824. He dimitted in 1826 and took up his residence else- where. He was a lawyer and a man of ability.
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OLIVE BRANCH LODGE No. 10, Evansville, was granted a charter September 15, 1819. Jay Morehouse was named as the first W. M., William Olmstead, S. W., and Amos Clark, J. W.
At the next session of the Grand Lodge no representative from the lodge was present, and John Sheets, of Madison, was authorized to act as its proxy.
At the session of 1821 the Committee on Accounts made the following report, which was concurred in:
"Your committee are sorry to remark that Olive Branch Lodge No. 10 have so far neglected their duty as to fail in the payment of their dues to this Grand Lodge for two years in succession, and that said lodge is entirely unrepresented at this annual communication. As this neglect is a viola- tion of an imperative provision of our Constitution, your committee recommend the adoption of the following:
"Resolved, That Olive Branch Lodge be suspended from all the privileges of the Order until they shall pay their arrearages to this Grand Lodge, and that, on the first day of January next, the said lodge be stricken from the list of lodges and their charter withdrawn, unless they shall pre- vionsly pay their arrearages."
The dues were arranged for, and the lodge continued un- til 1826, when the following communication was presented :
"EVANSVILLE, 15th April, 1826. "BROTHER M. G. CLARK,
"Sir-By a resolution of Olive Branch Lodge No. 10, held in this place a short time since, it was determined to tender to the Grand Lodge a surrender of the charter of said lodge. Various circumstances combined have induced the lodge to take this measure. The fluctuating nature of the population of this place, the hardness of the times, and the limited number of its members, have induced the members to believe that the continuance of a lodge in this place will not be promoting the great end and aim of Masonry, etc.
"I am. fraternally, etc., " WILLIAM OLMSTEAD."
A resolution was then passed suspending the further working of the lodge, except for the purpose of enforcing the collection of dues, and when said dues were paid to the
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Grand Lodge, then the Grand Master was authorized to re- ceive a surrender of their charter. At the annual session of 1827 the lodge had paid up the dues, and asked to have the order of suspension removed, and it was so done. The vear following the District Deputy visited the lodge and in his report said: "Members were generally absent, and those who were not were very indifferent. They worked very badly, and their records not well kept. The prospects for future prosperity in Masonry in this lodge is very dull."
Having failed to report and pay dues, in 1835 it was stricken from the roll of lodges and its number subsequently given to Thorntown Lodge, and was never again revived.
HISTORY OF MASONRY IN INDIANA.
ACTION OF THE GRAND LODGE.
F ROM time to time for the past fifty years efforts have been made by many Grand Masters and others looking to the writing and compilation of a history of Masonry in Indiana, and especially the history of the Grand Lodge from its organization down to the latest period. The early records of the proceedings, even, were lost and scattered, and had it not been for the efforts of Brother William Hacker, who copied those missing from the original records and had them printed and bound from 1818, the date of the organization, up to and including 1845, only a scattered copy of the printed proceedings of any of those years could be found, and they were in hands that would not part with them for "love or money." The electrotype plates of this valuable work are still in existence, and extra copies can therefore, no doubt, be had whenever they may be wanted. Another edition, covering the years between 1845 and 1855, inclusive, ought to be printed, and then it would not be difficult to procure full sets of the proceedings down to the present time.
But the printed proceedings cover the smallest portion of the history of Masonry in Indiana. The history of the fathers who established the Institution on a firm founda- tion, sketches of the early lodges, scenes and incidents, "reminiscences," if you please, gathered and arranged in proper form, pleasantly and truthfully written, should by all means comprise a large space in our Masonic History. In urging the Grand Lodge to take action in this matter, Elizur Deming, of Lafayette, Grand Master in 1849, said:
"I would respectfully suggest the propriety of taking effective measures to preserve from oblivion the incidents
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and transactions of our early Masonic history. If proper research was made, there is no doubt that much would be rescued from the past of great interest and utility to the Craft. I am certain there is in Indiana a mine of rich ma- terial that only requires searching to obtain valuable ore- gems not from the dark and dirty mine, but from living mind-from lofty genius. Many of our old pioneers were brethren of our Fraternity. They belonged to that goodly company that formed the advance guard of civilization in the great West. Some of their most important acts were the setting up of the tabernacle and erecting the altar in the wilderness. Most of them have been gathered to the high service of that lodge which never closes. To us and all the Fraternity their memory is precious. Let us embalm it in our hearts."
The Grand Lodge concurred in the sentiments expressed, and resolutions were adopted requesting Brother John B. Dillon, State Historian, to take upon himself the task of collecting materials and preparing for publication such a history, but his time being entirely occupied with other matters, so far as is known, he did nothing in regard to it.
In his address to the Grand Lodge in 1851 Grand Master Deming again called attention to the subject, and showed the importance of early action. He outlined the plan of such history, and among other things said:
"As American citizens, we all know that the settlement. of the Northwest-the thrilling adventures of those pio- neers who first pitched their tents in its vast wilderness- forms one of its most brilliant pages in our history. While we venerate the memories and admire the heroic actions of those who founded our Eastern empire, we feel equally grateful to those who founded the Western. Among both were individuals not only illustrious for their virtues, in- telligence and patriotism, but many among them, and those, too, of great prominence and efficiency, were ardently at- tached to the principles and landmarks of Freemasonry. Though acting in different localities, and surrounded by different circumstances, they all breathed the same spirit, and as genuine Craftsmen were animated by the same lofty hopes and noble aspirations of soul, whether on the shores,
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of the Atlantic or Chesapeake, or on the banks of the Hud- son or Potomac, Ohio or Wabash. It has been the fortune of Freemasonry, in all past time, to have enrolled in her archives a large number of those honored names connected with human progress and advancement; but in no land is there a higher and a purer registry than ours. In the Western galaxy of departed worth and usefulness, our stars cluster thickly. We cannot but regret our indifference in not preserving the Masonic history of many eminent indi- viduals in the West. Much of this history is of a deeply in- teresting nature, and is connected with the most exciting scenes of frontier adventure. Of this, as a portion of the Northwest, Indiana has been in times past an important theater."
He then stated that he had prepared some historical notes and sketches on the lines suggested, and continued:
"In reviewing our Masonic history, the Grand Lodge will discover the names of brethren who were influential and prominent in forming our first Constitution, and in laying the broad and prominent foundations of our civil institu- tions. A few yet survive, and are here to gladden us with their presence, but the majority have finished their work and passed into the lodge of perfect light.
"Our Masonic military history is also rich in ineidents. Many of our brethren slumber on the battlefield of Tippe- canoe, and among the hallowed names whose last resting place is on that memorable field are those of Daviess and Owen, of Kentucky. Colonel Daviess, at the time of his death, was the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ken- tucky, and it is believed it is the second instance where a Grand Master came to a violent end."
He recommended the erection of a plain monument to the memory of those brethren and others who fell there. and added:
"Let us raise a shaft, on the spot where Daviess fell, wor- thy of the cause, the principles, the characters and chivalry of those men-a shaft that shall tell to all coming genera- tions the enduring but silent and effective attachment of Masonie love and Masonie brotherhood. Long ago the blood
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of our brethren was poured out there as a rich libation. Let that ground in all future time be consecrated to the country, virtue and Masonry."
The committee to whom this subject was referred offered the following resolution, which was adopted:
"Resolved, That Past Grand Master E. Deming be hereby appointed Historiographer of Masonry in the State of In- diana, and that all the necessary expenses be paid by this Grand Lodge."
At the meeting of the Grand Lodge in 1852 the follow- ing was adopted:
"The Committee on Accounts recommend that the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars be placed at the disposal of Past Grand Master Deming to defray expenses in preparing his History of Masonic Pioneers for the current year."
Between this date and the meeting of the Grand Lodge in 1855 Brother Deming had died, and at the meeting that year the following resolution was adopted:
"Resolved, That Grand Master A. C. Downey be, and he is hereby appointed a committee to inquire into the state of the documents and manuscripts left by our late Brother E. Deming in relation to the history of Masonry in Indiana, and report at the next annual communication."
At the next annual meeting-1856-Grand Master Downey, in relation to this matter, said:
"Soon after the close of the Grand Lodge at its last com- munication I opened a correspondence with the family of Past Grand Master Deming, as requested by the resolution of the Grand Lodge, in order to learn what progress had been made in the preparation of a History of Masonry in Indiana, and to enquire into the state of the documents and manuscripts relating thereto. The manuscripts of Dr. Deming had not been examined, and his family could not give any information in regard to them, except that it was known to them that he had been engaged in the preparation of the work."
At the close of this communication Grand Master Downey was appointed a committee to take such action as he might deem best in reference to the documents and man- uscripts prepared by Dr. Deming, and was authorized to
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pursue such course as he thought best in reference to the completion and publication of the work. In 1857 Grand Master Downey said:
"This unlimited discretion was very flattering to me, and in order that I might not abuse it I have done nothing in reference to the matter. I made some inquiry for a suit- able person to complete the work, and, meeting with no suc- cess, I did not see what else I could do. If some suitable person will undertake to complete and publish the work, it would probably be advisable for the Grand Lodge to sur- render her claims upon the manuscripts and let the work be published by such person on his own account."
The committee to whom the subject was referred made a report as follows:
"That in the opinion of said committee it is inexpedient for the Grand Lodge to engage directly in the publication of any books of the character contemplated. At the same time your committee deem it very desirable to collect and preserve the early history of the Order in this State, and be- lieve that such a volume, if prepared by competent and judicious hands, would meet with remunerating patronage; but we think it should be done by private enterprise."
A resolution deeming it inexpedient for the Grand Lodge to publish the work referred to was adopted, and also the following:
"Resolved, That we recommend those having charge of the papers and material collected by our late Past Grand Master Deming to place them in the hands of some com- petent brother for publication on private responsibility, and the committee beg leave to suggest the name of Brother Cornelius Moore, editor of the Masonic Review, as a very suitable person to take charge of the work and prepare it for publication."
Whether Brother Moore came in possession of the mat- ter referred to, the writer has no means of knowing. At least, if he did, it was not published in book form.
Nothing further was done until 1868, when Grand Mas- ter Hazelrigg, in closing his address, said:
"As this is the last communication I shall ever make to you from this place, I feel that I shall not have performed
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my whole duty did I not call your attention to the impor- tance of preserving and presenting to the Craft a written history of the introduction, progress and present high stand- ing of Masonry in this jurisdiction-a duty that should no longer be deferred, as much of the means of authentic and reliable information will soon be beyond our reach. This is a duty which we not only owe to the past and the present, but more especially to the future. I trust the present Grand Lodge will not permit this most important matter to linger, but will at once take such efficient steps as will pre- serve from oblivion the important and interesting reminis- cences connected with the past and present history of Ma- sonry in this jurisdiction, as well as the well-earned fame of those who planted, maintained and perfected the Institution through all its trials and misfortunes to its present pros- perity."
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