USA > Kansas > Sedgwick County > History of Wichita and Sedgwick County, Kansas, past and present, including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county, Vol. I > Part 36
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Benjamin Franklin said of it: "Masonry has beauties pecu- liar to itself; but of what do they consist ? They consist of tokens, which serve as testimonials of character and qualifications, which are only conferred after a due course of instruction and examina- tion. These are of no small value; they speak a universal lan- guage and act as a passport to the attention and support of the initiated in all parts of the world. They cannot be lost as long
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as Masonry retains its power; let the possessor of them be ex- patriated, shipwrecked, or imprisoned; let him be stripped of everything he has got in the world; still these credentials remain, and are available for use as circumstances require. The great effects which they have produced are established by the most incontestable facts of history. They have stayed the uplifted hand of the destroyer; they have softened the asperities of the tyrant ; they have mitigated the horrors of captivity; they have subdued the rancor of malevolence, and broken down the barriers of political animosity and sectarian alienation. On the field of battle, in the solitude of uncultivated forests, or in the busy marts of the crowded city, they have made men of the most diversified condition rush to the aid of each other and feel social joy and satisfaction that they have been able to afford relief to a brother Mason."
"The Masonic Institution" is a term generally used to desig- nate all organizations with a Masonic connection. In this "insti- tution" is included not only the basis or foundation of the whole structure, the lodge, but also those bodies whose ranks can only be recruited from those who are already members of the lodge, and, in the case of the Order of Eastern Star, their female rela- tives. The portion of the Masonic family known as the "York Rite," or "American Rite," is composed of The Lodge, or Sym- bolic Masonry, the Eastern Star Chapter or Adoptive Masonry, the Royal Arch Chapter or Capitular Masonry, the Council of Royal and Select Masters or Cryptic Masonry, the Commandery of Knights Templar or Chivalric Masonry. The lodge is the most ancient of all Masonic bodies and is the foundation of the whole fabric. After that it is simply a wheel within a wheel. The first requisite for membership in the Royal Arch Chapter is that the petitioner is a member of the lodge, or Master Mason ; he must be a Royal Arch Mason, or member of the Chapter, before he can · seek admission to either the Commandery of Knights Templar or Council of Royal and Select Masters. Membership in the Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star is limited to Master Masons, their wives, widows, mothers, sisters or daughters.
Symbolic Masonry consists of the first three degrees, Entered Apprentice, Felloweraft and Master Mason. There are three co- ordinate lodges located in this city, Wichita Lodge, No. 99; Sun- flower Lodge, No. 86, and Albert Pike Lodge, No. 303.
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WICHITA LODGE, NO. 99, A. F. & A. M.
This history of Wichita is correlative with that of York Rite Masonry. With the first settlers in this valley came Masons ferv- ent and with the good of the order at heart they went at once to found the order here. Wichita Lodge, No. 99, was born in a stable. The first meeting called for the organization of the lodge was held in the loft of a livery stable, at the corner of what is now known as Main and Third streets. A committee of three was sent to Mystic Tie Lodge, No. 71, of Augusta, the then nearest lodge to Wichita, who was to exemplify the work and prove themselves "worthy and well qualified to do the work of the order." This committee was composed of Bro. Morgan Cox, M. B. Kellogg and J. P. Allen. This committee returned with the necessary credentials, and in October of the year 1870 a dispen- sation was granted for a lodge in Wichita by Grand Master J. M. Price.
The first officers elected were: Bro. Morgan Cox, worshipful master; Bro. Milo B. Kellogg, senior warden; Bro. J. P. Allen, junior warden. At the end of the year a permanent charter was granted the lodge, and, Bro. Cox being away on his claim, the lodge elected Bro. H. C. Sluss the first master under the charter, with Bros. M. B. Kellogg, senior warden, and J. P. Allen, junior warden. Bro. Morgan Cox, with a man by the name of Green, built the first two-story house in the city, at the corner of Pine and Main streets, where the lodge made its first home until the building was sold to Ida May, and was afterwards known as the Ida May House. The lodge then moved to the attic of a frame schoolhouse, standing where the present high school is being con- structed, where they remained till they moved to what was known as Eagle Hall, afterwards removed to better quarters over the First National Bank, on the northeast corner of Main and First, where the Sunflower Lodge now holds their meetings. In 1886 the lodge was moved to their own new building, where they now are, on the southwest corner of First and Main. The following are the men who have acted as master of the lodge, and the times for which they served :
Morgan Cox, 1870-71-73-74-75; H. C. Sluss, 1872-78; Thomas M. Trickey, 1876-77; Winfield S. Corbett, 1879-80; George E. Harris, 1881; George W. -- , 1896 ; Milton H. Rudolph, 1897 ; William -, ? ???- 87 ; Leonard C. Jackson, 1886; Joseph P.
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Allen, 1888; James H. MeCall, 1889, afterwards Grand Master of state of Kansas; Carlton A. Gates, 1890; George L. Pratt, 1891; John Wilkin, 1892; Lauriston G. Whittier, 1893; Charles A. Cart- wright, 1894; William A. Reed, 1894; August Anderson, 1895; John M. Chain, 1890; Milton H. Rudolph, 1897; William E. Bailey, 1898; Nicholas Steffen, 1899; Matthew J. Parrett, 1900; William J. Frazier, 1901; James F. McCoy, 1902; Harry E. Wil- son, 1903; George M. Whitney, 1904; William L. Kendrick, 1905; Louis Gerties, 1906; Richard B. Wentworth, 1907; William G. Price, 1908; Harvey C. Price, 1909.
The present officers are: Dr. John I. Evans, W. M .; G. A. King, S. W .; Ross D. McCormick, J. W .; J. J. Fegtley, secretary ; L. S. Naftzger, treasurer; Homer T. Harden, S. D .; L. V. Koch, J. D .; Paul J. Wall, S. S .; Glen C. Chamberlain, J. S .; Benjamin Hunt, tyler. The lodge has grown rapidly, especially during the last year, and now numbers 630 members. The fine business block now occupied by the lodge is owned, free from debt, by it, and they are now considering the advisability of moving to larger and better quarters. The stated communciations are held on the first and third Monday evenings of each month. From this lodge has originated the other two lodges of the city, Sunflower Lodge, No. 86, and Albert Pike Lodge, No. 303. In this hall are held all the meetings of the other branches of York Rite Masonry, Wichita Council, No. 12; Wichita Chapter, No. 33; Ivy Leaf Chap- ter, No. 75, O. E. S., and Mt. Olivet Commandery, No. 12, K. T.
SUNFLOWER LODGE, NO. 86, A. F. & A. M.
Sunflower Lodge, No. 86, A. F. & A. M. commenced work under dispensation granted by Most Worshipful Grand Master Lamb, on March 12, 1888. It held its first meeting in what was known as the Sunflower block, on West Douglas avenue, on the West Side. It was composed at first almost entirely of residents , of the West Side. On February 20, 1889, a charter was granted to this lodge, with J. B. Lawrence as the first master, H. A. Hill, senior warden, and J. H. Taylor, junior warden. A most peculiar incident marked the second year of the new lodge. The master, James B. Lawrence, while conferring a degree in the lodge room, was stricken with apoplexy very suddenly and expired before he could be removed to his home.
In 1897 the lodge moved its quarters from the West Side and for a short time used a room in the Wall building on Market
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in what is now called the Sunflower block. This building was formerly the county courthouse. It was bought and remodeled by a company composed entirely of members of this lodge. The lodge owns a large block of stock in this company, which is pay- ing them a handsome dividend. Their quarters are commodious and well adapted for their use. The lodge is in a flourishing and active condition, entirely out of debt, and with a rapidly increas- ing membership. The stated communications are on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Following is a list of the worshipful masters since the organization of the lodge: * James B. Lawrence, 1888-89; * H. A. Hill, 1890; * S. P. Howard, 1891; *H. A. Hill, 1892; * Giles Davis, 1893; F. C. Kirkpatrick, 1894-96- 98; O. L. Drake, 1895; M. W. Cave, 1897; C. A. Latham, 1899; J. C. Dunn, 1900 ; Herman A. Hill, Jr., 1901-02; H. S. Speer, 1903- 04; Frank L. Payne, 1905; John L. Taylor, 1906; Horace M. Rickards, 1907; William F. McFarland, 1908; Arch Debruce, 1909; Guy W. Kyle, 1910. * Deceased.
street. It now meets on the third floor at 200 North Main street,
ALBERT PIKE LODGE A DISTINCT FORCE.
Albert Pike Lodge, No. 303, A. F. & A. M., of Wichita, Kan., is a distinct moral force in this community and a forceful factor in Masonic circles. This lodge was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Kansas, on February 20, 1895, under dispensation of the Grand Lodge of the state, with a membership of thirty, and began work in July, 1895. George L. Pratt, 33° Honorary, was its first wor- shipful master ; John L. Powell, 33° Honorary, was its first secre- tary ; Col. Elmer E. Bleckley, 33° Honorary, was the first senior warden of this lodge, and Col. Thomas G. Fitch, 33° Honorary, was its first junior warden. From almost the earliest history of this lodge Alva J. Applegate, 32° K. C. C. H., has kept the records of this lodge. In an early day Mr. Applegate was the secretary of Lodge No. 99; he afterwards, on invitation, demitted from that lodge and joined Albert Pike Lodge. He has been the secretary of Albert Pike Lodge since 1897. In this work he excels, as he has the reputation of being a most efficient and natural secretary, his work on the records is always neat and accurate, and he has no superior in looking after the dues and financial part of the lodge. Succeeding George L. Pratt came a line of most efficient masters, who put the lodge to the very front in Masonic circles. Among the masters of Albert Pike Lodge W. W. Pearce, 32° K. C. C. H.,
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has the unusual distinction of passing in rotation every station in the lodge, from junior steward to the master's chair.
Ralph Martin is now the active and efficient worshipful master of Albert Pike Lodge, and it goes without saying that A. J. Apple- gate is still its secretary. It would be invidious to distinguish among the distinguished men and Masons who have filled the master's chair in Albert Pike Lodge. They have all made this lodge a grand success and have the respect and love of the craft in this city. Albert Pike Lodge, during its last Masonic year, raised 80 men to the Master's degree. It now has a membership of 778, and is the largest lodge in the state of Kansas. Its activi- ties during the past Masonic year broke the state's record and the world's record. It now occupies the finest lodge room in the state, in a portion of the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple.
IVY LEAF CHAPTER, ORDER EASTERN STAR.
Ivy Leaf Chapter, U. D., was instituted at Wichita, Kan., in the afternoon of March 26, 1889, by George W. Clark, Grand Patron, with the following officers: Eudora E. Hall, W. M .; Dr. John M. Minick, W. P .; Mary V. Cox, A. M .; May W. Pearse, sec- retary ; David A. Mitchell, treasurer; Sadie Wesselhoft, Con .; Carrie B. Hume, A. Con .; Margaret Lemon, Adah; Mary Allen, Ruth; Helen Solliday, Esther; Carrie M. Brook, Martha; Eliza- beth Minick, Electa; Lydia Starr, warden; Harvey Goodrow, sentinel; Carrie Fegtley, organist. Its charter was issued March 11, 1890, and contained the names of the following charter mem- bers : R. Allen Hall, Eudora E. Hall, Phoebe Peckham, John Minick, Elizabeth Minick, Mary Allen, Helen Solliday, William Wesselhoft, Sadie Wesselhoft, Carrie M. Brook, May W. Pearse, Margaret Lemon, Carrie B. Hume, Mary V. Cox, William Starr, Lydia Starr, David A. Mitchell, Henry L. Smithson, Annie Smith- son, Alva J. Applegate, Anna M. Applegate, Edw. Phillips, James H. McCall, Harvey Goodrow, John J. Fegtley, Carrie Fegtley, David Smyth, Annie Smyth. The chapter was constituted Satur- day evening, April 12, 1890, by Lillian A. Wiggs, grand matron, with the following officers: Eudora E. Hall, W. M .; Dr. John Minick, W. P .; Mary V. Cox, A. M .; May Pearse, secretary ; David A. Mitchell, treasurer ; Sadie Wesselhoft, Con .; Tillie Whit- lock, A. Con .; Anna Applegate, Adah; Ella Dorsey, Ruth; Annie Smyth, Esther ; Lillian Wilber, Martha ; Elizabeth Minick, Electa ;
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Lydia Starr, sentinel; William Wesselhoft, warden; D. A. Mitchell, chaplain; Mary Hall, marshal; Carrie Fegtly, organist. The first person initiated under the dispensation was Anna M. Applegate, now past grand matron. The following well known. ladies and gentlemen have been at the head of this organization since its beginning :
Mrs. Eudora Hall, 1889-90-91; Mrs. Anna M. Applegate, 1892; Mrs. Anna Smyth, 1893; Mrs. Matilda S. Whitlock, 1894; Mrs. Mary M. G. Cossitt, 1895; Mrs. Eliza Ruth Bristow, 1896; Mrs. Maggie L. Rudolph, 1897; Mrs. Grace M. Anderson, 1898; Mrs. Carrie C. Cossitt, 1899; Mrs. Mary A. Baker, 1900; Mrs. Georgia C. Kilgore, 1901; Mrs. Mary E. Charlton, 1902-03; Mrs. Anna S. Phinney, 1904; Miss Vesta Charlton, 1905; Mrs. Anna L. Cott- man, 1906; Mrs. Anna Schnitzler, 1907; Mrs. Kate Rebstein, 1908; Mrs. Kathryn Duckworth, 1909; Mrs. Mary M. Miles, 1910; Dr. John M. Miniek, 1889-90; James T. Dorsey, 1891; Dr. E. A. Whit- lock, 1892; Edgar N. Hall, 1893; August Anderson, 1893-94-1904; David Smyth, 1895-99-1903; W. H. Harrison, 1896; Fred J. Cossitt, 1897; W. E. Bailey, 1898; F. C. Kirkpatrick, 1900; S. H. Kilgore, 1901; M. J. Parrett, 1902; W. S. Mickle, 1905-06; G. M. Booth, 1907-08; Dr. H. H. Taggart, 1909-10. Many of its members have been appointed to fill distinguished positions in the Grand Chapter.
The following members have filled the offices of Grand Matron and Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of Kansas: Eudora E. Hall, grand matron, 1891-92; Anna M. Applegate, grand matron, 1906-07; August M. Anderson, grand patron, 1896-97; David Smyth, grand patron, 1900-01. These are the highest offices within the gift of the Grand Chapter, and their occupants filled them with credit to themselves and honor to their home chapter.
Of the twenty-eight members in 1890 but six are members of the chapter at this time. Mr. and Mrs. David Smyth, and Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Applegate have held continuous and active member- ship, and Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Fegtly, who were out of the city a number of years, affiliated again as soon as they returned. The membership at the present time is 451, Ivy Leaf being second only to Kansas City in point of membership in the state. Its members are known throughout the country for their active efforts in behalf of the Kansas Masonic Home, and their "gathering here a little and there a little," with which to provide a home for themselves some time in the future. This chapter was among
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the first to furnish a room in the Masonic Home, the money there- for being earned by giving a lawn social on what is now Masonic Home ground. The remembrance of that social still remains with those that lived here at that time, as the largest and finest gather- ing that had ever taken place in the city of Wichita, and in the minds of the members as the largest amount of money ever cleared from a like source. Ivy Leaf also has the distinction of being the first to offer, and of giving, the largest donation towards the building of the Eastern Star Chapel on the Masonic Home grounds. It is known as a liberal contributor towards this grand institution, so dear to the heart of every good Mason, and espe- cially dear to the ladies of the Eastern Star. Its lady members are especially known for the splendid banquet they have served in the Scottish Rite cathedral the past few years, which has given Wichita the name of being a good entertainer and given the order the opportunity of living up to its teachings, that the cry of the widow and orphans of those less fortunate than themselves shall never be heard in vain. The kindness of the Masonic fraternity to this adoptive rite in Wichita is not exceeded by any fraternity in the country, and Ivy Leaf is deeply sensible of this fact. The Grand Chapter of Kansas will hold its next annual session in this city, May 11, 12 and 13, 1911, and it is needless to say that the thousand members who will be in attendance will go home with glowing accounts of the hospitality of Ivy Leaf and the citizens of Wichita in general.
CAPITULAR MASONRY, WICHITA CHAPTER.
The next step in Masonry after the three degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason is known as that of Capitular Masonry and belong to the Chapter, and are known as Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent, and Royal Arch. . Many persons get the erroneous idea that the more degrees they get in Masonry the higher they are considered. This is not the fact, however. On taking the Master Mason's degree the candi- date steps upon the highest level or plateau of Masonry ; all other degrees are but side rooms or views from which to see the beauties of the order and where the great principles of the order are exemplified. Wichita Chapter, No. 33, Royal Arch Masons, was organized under dispensation, December 5, 1875. The first offi- cers were: Most excellent high priest, George F. Hargis; excel-
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lent king, David A. Mitchell; excellent scribe, M. S. Adams; cap- tain of hosts, J. C. Redfield; principal sojourner, Morgan Cox; royal arch captain, M. C. Crawford; master of first vail, R. P. Murdock; master of second vail, A. A. Jackson; master of third vail, Dave Hays; treasurer, Mike Zimmerley; secretary, M. B. Kellogg; tyler, L. Hays.
The same officers were elected after the charter had been granted. The persons holding the highest office in the chapter since the organization, viz., that of high priest, are as follows: George F. Hargis, 1876-77; D. A. Mitchell, 1878-79-80-86-87; Jo- seph P. Allen, 1881-83-85; William F. Walker, 1882; James L. Dyer, 1884; Charles E. Martin, 1888; Carlton A. Gates, 1889; Ed- ward Phillips, 1890; George L. Pratt, 1891-99-1901; Charles M. Jones, 1892; Jacob H. Aley, 1893; William A. Reed, 1894; Thomas C. Fitch, 1895 (grand high priest of Grand Chapter of Kansas) ; James H. McCall, 1896; Merritt A. Carvin, 1897; William H. Har- rison, 1898; Abraham B. Wright, 1900; Matthew J. Parrett, 1902; Charles W. Biting, 1903; Frank C. Kirkpatrick, 1904.
THE SCOTTISH RITE IN WICHITA.
By J. GILES SMITH, 33°.
Review of Wichita Bodies. The pyrotechnic career of the local organization of Scottish Rite Masonry is so really marvelous and brilliant that a brief recapitulation must be of interest to all readers. Its embryonic state was commonplace and primeval enough. Eleven years ago the coordinate bodies in this valley were organized with twelve charter members. They then met in the Hacker & Jackson block, corner Douglas avenue and Fourth, in lowly quarters. In January, 1891, having ninety-two members, the cathedral property, corner of Market and First streets, was purchased of the First Baptist Church society, and fitted up for exclusive Scottish Rite purposes. From that date the advance- ment was so rapid that very soon it became evident that those accommodations were entirely inadequate, and it was talked among the members to erect a new edifice on that site. In the meantime, the massive and architectural Y. M. C. A. structure, corner of First street and Topeka avenue, was about to revert
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to the church society who held the indebtedness, and the exec- utive committee from the Consistory at once entered negotiations to secure it, which was finally effected January 1, 1898. The building was erected at a cost of $75,000, and to this was added a sum of $12,000 for remodeling, decorating and furnishing the building for the use of the bodies of the rite. The result is that right here in Wichita is located one of the most completely equipped and magnificent temples, entirely devoted to Masonry, anywhere in the Southern jurisdiction. There were sacrifices of time, money and attention during the struggling early period of the Con- sistory, and at least three men deserve special mention, but all are entitled to due credit for their steadfast perseverance and inspiring faith in the ultimate outcome, the fruits of their fidelity remaining today a credit to the city, of all citizens, Masons or not. Jeremiah S. Cole and J. Giles Smith were the earliest leaders who infused hope and courage into the little band, who bravely overrode all difficulties and often paid out of their own pockets large sums of money to keep alive the spark of being for the rite in Wichita. Once, when extensive improvements were needed, they went to W. H. Sternberg, one of the early members of the rite, and laid the case before him. Without a word of promise or any contract Mr. Sternberg went right ahead with the work and finished it up, just as desired, with no prospects of remuneration, and, in fact, it was not for a year or two, after the rough sailing was passed, that he was paid. Twice each year the four bodies met and created more Masters of the Royal Secret, until at last the attention of the Supreme Council was drawn to their efforts, and J. S. Cole and J. Giles Smith were summoned to appear before the Supreme Council at Washington, there to receive the reward for their patient, toiling labors, and this was the coveted 33d degree, that of inspector general, which is never extended except for meritorious service in behalf of the . rite. From then on a new spirit of ardent zeal was inculcated, and the growth has been so phenomenally rapid that today the youngest consistory in the southern jurisdiction of the world leads all the particular consistories in membership and high order of the working of the established ritual. Since its organ- ization, there have been created in this valley twelve 33d degree Masons, and there are now on the rolls ten Knights Commander of the Court of Honor, which is the initial step toward the 33d. The inspectors general honorary, or 33d degree Masons, are : J. S.
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Cole, Lanark, Ill .; J. Giles Smith, deceased; Jacob H. Aley, de- ceased; Major Edward Goldberg, Quapaw Indian Agency, I. T .; Col. Henry C. Loomis, mayor of Winfield; Charles M. Jones; S. H. Horner, Caldwell; James H. McCall; Henry Wallenstein, James A. Corey, Dodge City; George L. Pratt; Col. Thomas G. Fitch. The Knights Commander of the Court of Honor now enrolled and awaiting further advancement are: Judge Henry C. Sluss, Judge David A. Mitchell, Elmer E. Bleckley, Charles G. Cohn, Fred H. Stuckey, Frank W. Oliver, Charles W. Bitting, Stephen F. Hayden and John L. Powell, the latter general secretary of all of the four bodies. Be it said that the secret of the wonderful growth of the Wichita bodies, and their pinnacle standing in the esteem of the Supreme Council, is the solidarity and ardent zeal of the membership. Once a Master Mason is created a 32nd degree he at once feels he is a propagandist and missionary to induce others among his Masonic acquaintances to progress up the "mysterious ladder." All work together, and the fruitage of their labors is today amply in evidence. But to a few spe- cially gifted members along the dramatic and histrionie art is due the extension of unlimited praise. Charles M. Jones has proven an invaluable aid to the upbuilding of the rite in this city, and no more popular and respected member is listed. Gifted with a remarkable memory, quick to learn the difficult parts of the dramatization, retentive, and with natural histrionie gifts, and patient, willing readiness to serve, his rare and gifted talents have more than once been brought into play at a time when enthusiasm was at its ebb and just such powers most in demand. Henry Wallenstein, Fred Stuckey, Colonel Bleckley, Tom Fitch, Edward Goldberg, George Pratt, and many others along this line have never faltered when their invaluable services were most desired. The efficiency of the equally necessary talent of scribe has been of great practical benefit to the four bodies, that pos- sessed in an unusual degree by John L. Powell, who for several years has acted in the position of secretary. Thus, from a very little, has the Wichita consistory grown, until today her members stand first in numbers throughout the expanse of the Southern jurisdiction.
Wichita Consistory, No. 2, now has a membership of 2,500, and they are a power in any line, as there is a wonderful unan- imity in their efforts. Many of those enumerated in this article have passed away, but "their works live after them."
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