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 37
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The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite bodies are, in the aggregate, the most important body in the county of Sedgwick.
Regarding the historical feature of the Scottish Rite, it may be said that French writers call this the Ancient and Accepted Rite, but as the Latin constitutions of the order designate it as the Antiquas Scotius Ritus Acceptus, or the Ancient and Ac- cepted Scottish Rite, that title has now been very generally adopted as the correct name of the rite. Although one of the youngest of the Masonic rites, having been established not earlier than 1801, it is today the most popular and most extensively diffused. Supreme councils, or governing bodies, of the rite, are to be found in almost every civilized country of the world, and in many of them it is the only Masonic obedience. In 1758 a body of Masons was organized in Paris, called "The Council of Emperors of the East and West." This council organized a rite, called the Rite of Perfection, which consisted of twenty-five degrees, the highest being the Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret. In 1761 this council granted a patent or deputation to Stephen Morin to propagate the rite in the Western Continent. He in turn appointed Isaac Da Costa deputy inspector general for South Carolina, who, in 1783, introduced the rite into that state by the establishing of a grand lodge of Perfection, in Charleston. In 1801 a supreme council was opened in Charleston. There is abundant evidence in the archives of the supreme coun- cil that up to that time the twenty-five degrees of the Rite of Perfection were alone recognized. But suddenly, with the or- ganization of the supreme council, there arose a new rite, fabri- cated by the adoption of eight more of the continental high de- grees, so as to make the thirty-third, and not the twenty-fifth degree, the summit of the rite. This council, being the first one in the world in this rite, is now known the world over as the Mother Supreme Council of the world. In the Southern juris- ' diction there are thirty-two states and territories yielding alle- giance to this parent council, besides the District of Columbia, the Hawaiian kingdom, the Empire of Japan, and southern China. These yield direct obedience to the supreme council at Washington, and further, there are several foreign powers with which the supreme council has relation of amity and corre- spondence. Among these are the Northern jurisdiction of the United States, France and its independencies, Belgium, Italy,
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Ireland, England and Wales, and the dependencies of the British crown. Of the latter, his royal highness, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, K. G., being grand patron. Scotland, Portugal, Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, United States of Colombia, Argentine Repub- lic, Uruguay, Colon, Estados Unidos de Mexico, Greece, Hun- gary, Switzerland, Dominion of Canada, Central America, Egypt, Tunis, Republica Dominicana, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Chile and Spain.
MOUNT OLIVET COMMANDERY.
The Commandery is a semi-military organization of Christian Knighthood, the last of the so-called York Rite series. It is an order "founded on the Christian religion and the practice of the Christian virtues." Here, as in no other Masonic body, are the teachings and example of the Saviour brought vividly to the mind of the initiate. Ritually it is supreme, and the lessons taught are ones never to be forgotten. It is modeled in some respects after the ancient Crusaders, although the direct con- nection is disputed by some authorities.
Mount Olivet Commandery, No. 12, was instituted May 27, 1878, with twenty-one charter members, as follows: M. S. Adams, John D. Pryor, L. K. Myers, George F. Hargis, W. C. Crawford, M. Zimmerly, H. S. Carter, D. W. Cooley, Benj. F. Smith, C. E. Martin, Lewis Lashway, William P. Olmstead, D. S. Black, James S. Mcwhorter, E. B. Kager, K. F. Smith, G. G. Hewitt, S. P. Channell, A. A. Newman, I. Wildey and W. H. Sternberg, with Moses S. Adams as the first eminent commander. This com- mandery has for many years ranked high among the comman- deries of the state in excellence of work, equipment, and skill in drill. The military feature has always been prominent. This feature has been taken in charge by a drill corps composed of members of the Commandery. This drill corps was first organized on May 24, 1888, with a membership of forty-two, with Winfield S. Corbett as drill master, I. H. Hettinger, president, and H. L. Arnold, secretary-treasurer. Ever since that time the drill corps of Mt. Olivet has been a factor in the competitive drill of this state, and for a number of years has enjoyed a national reputation for excellence of drill. It is now under the leadership of Horace M. Rickards as drill master. For the past four years it has won first prize in the state competition, and in
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August, this year, was entered in the national competition at the tri-ennial conclave at. Chicago, where a creditable showing was made in competition with the crack drill corps from all over the United States.
The Commandery is in a flourishing condition, with fine equip- ment, excellent personnel, and a rapidly increasing membership. The stated conclaves are held on the first and third Fridays of each month, in the York Rite Temple, corner First and North Main.
Following is a list of the past eminent commanders: Moses S. Adams, 1879; W. S. Corbett, past grand commander, 1880; J. P. Allen, 1881; Charles A. Walker, 1882; Charles E. Martin, 1883; Oscar D. Barnes, 1884; Jacob H. Aley, 1885; Finlay Ross, 1886; Charles H. Hunter, 1887; Charles M. Jones, 1888; Jacob H. Hollinger, 1889; Robert C. Deam, 1890; Owen B. Stocker, 1891; I. H. Hettinger, 1892; H. L. Gordon, 1893; George L. Pratt, 1894; E. E. Bleckley, 1895; Thomas H. Griffith, 1896; Charles W. Bitting, 1897; W. M. Anawalt, 1898; Thomas G. Fitch, past grand commander, 1899; William II. Herbig, 1900; John L. Powell, 1901; A. B. Wright, 1902; David M. Galusha, 1903; W. H. Har- rison, 1904; Fred Stearns, grand senior warden, 1905; F. C. Kirkpatrick, 1906; Fred J. Cossitt, 1907; William J. Frazier, 1908; George H. Willis, 1909.
The present officers are: W. F. McFarland, E. C .; Horace M. Rickards, Gen .; James F. McCoy, C. G .; William J. Frazier, pre- late ; Harry Wilson, S. W .; W. H. Boston, J. W .; Elsberry Martin, treasurer; F. J. Cossitt, recorder; H. S. Speer, Std. B .; Thomas W. Blunn, Swd. B .; Robert H. Phinney, warden; Benj. Hunt, sentinel. George M. Whitney, 1905; William J. Frazier, 1906; James F. McCoy, 1907; John J. Fegtly, 1908; Reuben S. Law- rence, 1909. Those holding offices now are: William F. McFar- land, excellent high priest; Galusha A. King, king; Harvey C. Price, scribe; Elasberry Martin, treasurer; J. J. Fegtly, secre- tary ; Thomas W. Blunn, captain of hosts; William H. Harrison, principal sojourner; W. H. Boston, royal arch captain; R. D. Bordeauk, master third vail; W. C. Davis, master second vail; Thomas E. Hansom, master first vail; Ben Hunt, sentinel. The Chapter meets on the second and fourth Friday evenings of each month, in the hall of Wichita Lodge, No. 99, A. F. & A. M.
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HISTORY OF SEDGWICK COUNTY
SCOTTISH RITE MASONRY.
By
HENRY WALLENSTEIN.
No history of our prosperous state would be complete without a thoroughly comprehensive and detailed account of York Rite Masonry, which, among its 33,657 members, boasts of men in every walk of life and representing our best citizenship. While this is true of Ancient Craft Masonry in the state of Kansas, he would, indeed, be an uninformed historian who failed to give a complete and accurate account of the growth and influence of Scottish Rite Masonry in the valley of Wichita. It is only twenty-four years ago when Bro. T. Giles Smith, 33d°, who, then a newcomer to the Peerless Princess, and who being a mem- ber of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, and feeling the lack of that friendly and fraternal intercourse he had enjoyed among his brethren of the rite while living in Indianapolis, made the first effort to establish the Scottish Rite bodies in Wichita. Only four brethren responded to his call, and it was not until Decem- ber, 1886, that twelve charter members, influenced by the zeal and enthusiasm of Bro. T. Giles Smith, decided to ask for a charter from the Supreme Council at Washington, D. C., for the purpose of organizing Elmo Lodge of Perfection, No. 9. From December, 1886, to May 21, 1887, twenty additional mem- bers were secured, when the lodge was organized, but it was not until June 9, 1887, that it was properly instituted by Bro. E. T. Carr, 33d°, the sovereign grand inspector general of the state at that time. Struggling under the most unfavorable conditions. the first degree work was done on June 28, 1887, in the Hacker & Jackson business block on East Douglas avenue. The degrees were communicated to the novices in a room furnished with a few cheap chairs; a dry goods box covered with calico was placed in position for altar, while a few tallow candles and sev- eral yards of plain bunting, used as hangings, constituted the balance of their paraphernalia. Encouraged, rather than dis- mayed, by these conditions, and further encouraged by the zealous determination of their leader for final and triumphant success, it was but a few months when additional charters had been secured, which, in November of the same year, enabled the
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brethren to institute Wichita Chapter, Rose Croix, No. 5, and Wichita Chapter, Knights Kadosh, No. 5. With three bodies already secured the enthusiasm of this young fraternity knew no bounds, so that on January 25, 1888, Wichita Consistory, the last and highest body of our rite, had been established in this valley.
Only three years elapsed when it became very apparent that their quarters were inadequate to comfortably accommodate the rapidly increasing membership, and not fearing the assumption of a very large indebtedness this comparatively small organiza- tion, in January, 1891, bought the little Baptist church on the corner of First and Market streets for $10,000, and spent an addi- tional $2,000 remodeling it for their needs. This exceedingly rapid growth was wholly due to the inspiration of the few inde- fatigable workers (all business men of our then growing city), who had charge of the conferring of degrees and whose aim it ever was to establish here the best Scottish Rite bodies in the Southern jurisdiction. Chief among this band of workers was Bro. C. M. Jones, a recognized authority in Masonic lore and ritualist, besides being a prince among men. He was ably assisted by J. H. Aley 33d°, J. H. McCall 33d°, Ed. Goldberg 33d°, Frank W. Oliver 33d°, Thomas G. Fitch 33d°, E. E. Bleckley 33d°, J. S. Cole 33d°, Charles Bitting 33d°, George L. Pratt 33d°, all of whom had been inspired by the lofty teachings of our glorious rite and felt that its exalted lessons of ethics and morality should be communicated to all worthy brother Master Masons in the jurisdiction. In October, 1891, the membership had increased to 119, and in another twelve months 179 brethren had received the 32°. In November, 1893, 226 was the number who had been made Masters of the Royal Secret, and in the same month of 1896 the total membership had been increased to 341. Again it was manifestly necessary to enlarge our quarters if the rite continued to grow as it had in the previous year. Nothing so thoroughly encouraged us as the success of our undertaking, and guided by the spirit the brethren, in January, 1898, assumed an indebtedness of $18,000 on the Y. M. C. A. building, to be paid in yearly payments of $1,000, and expended another $15,000 for remodeling, scenery and paraphernalia. This new and spa- cious home was dedicated in May of the same year, when mem- bers were initiated amidst scenes of the most commendable enthusiasm.
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The hope and dream of him who had been instrumental in establishing the Scottish Rite bodies in Wichita had been fully realized, for in the city then stood what was conceded to be the handsomest Scottish Rite temple in the United States. After a few months of occupancy our bodies suffered their first great loss in the death of their dearly beloved brother, C. M. Jones, who, above all others, had been responsible, with his histrionic ability and tireless efforts, for the proper rendition of our moral and philosophical degrees and for the success thus far attained. While it is true that Bro. J. Giles Smith was and shall henceforth be considered the "father" of Scottish Rite Masonry in Wichita, to Bro. C. M. Jones is due the credit for its marvelous growth up to the time of his death. His was the first funeral conducted in the new temple, it being held at the hour of midnight, a serv- ice for the dead who have attained the 33d°. Only a few days after this Master Masonic genius had been carried to his ever- lasting resting place, Bro. Henry Wallenstein, 33d°, was made director of the work, which position of duty and responsibility he has filled ever since.
The unexpected taking off of Bro. C. M. Jones threatened to prove an irreparable loss to our discouraged brotherhood, for his enthusiasm and zeal had been the inspiration of all his co- workers in the conferring of our degrees. Fully realizing the enormous responsibility of this newly acquired position, Bro. Henry Wallenstein gathered about him all of the former earnest workers, and adding thereto quite a goodly number of newly made and zealous brethren, he endeavored not only to maintain the high standard of perfection already reached by his predeces- sor, but strove, if possible, to give a broader interpretation to our philosophical, historical and dramatic degrees. His labors were more than arduous on account of the preconceived ideas of the older brethren, who thought that the conception and ren- dition of our degrees under the direction of Bro. C. M. Jones had reached the acme of perfection. Nothing daunted, however, and with an unfaltering determination to retain the exalted position of our bodies already established in the Southern jurisdiction, and if possible to place them on a still higher plane, he labored incessantly for years to accomplish his laudable ambition. The result of his effort soon manifested itself in the astonishing in- crease of our already large membership. The beautiful temple, which everyone had supposed would be amply large for all time,
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was insufficiently commodious for our needs, and for a third time in our history larger quarters were demanded to comfortably care for the increasing brotherhood. On June 2, 1906, he drew the first lines of the plans of our present temple, which was dedicated on the evening of June 7, 1908, by Bro. James D. Richardson, 33d°, sovereign grand commander of the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States, and Bros. Franklin Pierce, 33d°, of California; Bro. Charles E. Rosenbaum, 33d°, of Little Rock, Ark .; Bro. Thomas W. Harrison, Topeka, Kan .; sovereign inspector general of our state, Bro. William Busby, of Oklahoma; Bro. H. C. Alverson, of Iowa; all members of Bro. Richardson's official household.
During the dedicatory services the brethren were delighted with a statement made by Bro. James D. Richardson, 33d°, who had just returned from the international Scottish Rite convention in Belgium, and who had visited many other prominent places while on the continent, who said: "It is my pleasure to say to this vast audience that we are assembled in what in my judgment is the handsomest and most perfectly equipped Scottish Rite tem- ple in the world.". The following morning, June 8, 1908, at 9 o'clock, began the initiation on a class of 469, the largest in the history of the Southern jurisdiction. After three days of the most painstaking degree work, over 1,300 brethren were conducted into our spacious banquet room, decorated under the supervision of the Southern jurisdiction. After thy enjoyed a sumptuous meal, prepared by the ladies of the Eastern Star, and listened to many able addresses by prominent visitors, all of whom pronounced the meeting one of the most successful they had ever attended. No general can win a battle without the assistance of a well disciplined army, neither could Bro. Wallen- stein without his many willing helpers, all of whom are ardent and enthusiastic Scottish Rite Masons, have accomplished his wonderful success. It requires about 130 men to perfectly portray the several degrees, while many changes have been made in the years which have elapsed. Bros. Frank Oliver, Thomas G. Fitch, J. H. McCall, Charles W. Bitting, George L. Pratt, E. E. Bleckley, all of them original workers in Scottish Rite Masonry, excepting those who have been called to their last home, are still among the zealous co-laborers of Bro. Wallenstein, thus demonstrating their loyalty to our cause of fraternal brotherhood.
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Phenomenal is the only word which will fittingly describe our growth under the leadership of Bro. Wallenstein, but much credit is also due the many brethren who so ably assisted him in his labors for the propagation of our glorious rite. Since his tenure of office as dictator of the work there are many brethren who have never failed to do their full quota of work at each reunion, and it is but just to mention at least a few, while all, no matter what simple assistance they may have rendered, are in a measure responsible for the unstinted commendation which has been bestowed upon the bodies in this valley by all who have had the pleasure of witnessing our rendition of degrees, in which the brethren named are seen in more or less important stations : Fred H. Stuckey, I. W. Gill, W. S. Grant, O. H. Bentley, Edward Vail, August Anderson, F. B. Harris, Richard Bird, C. G. Cohn, Harry R. Jones, J. F. Bennett, I. Goldsmith, Ransom Brown, L. Hays, Bruce Griffith, Floyd Amsden, G. M. Booth, W. G. Price, A. C. Means, M. Kraelsheimer, Harry Cottman, W. H. Harrison, Fred Stanley, W. W. Ledgerwood, Claude Stanley, B. F. Dunkin, A. K. Wilson, Rev. J. D. Ritchey, E. B. Sawyer, John B. House, William M. Shaver, J. F. McCoy, J. Wal- lenstein, A. D. Taylor, Paul Brown, J. H. Reynolds, Willis Davis, Amos Mclain, Ralph Martin, A. S. Buzzi, Rev. George W. Cassidy, F. Stearns, Frank Rebstein, M. L. Truby, William J. Frazier, W. W. Pearce, R. B. Petrie, O. E. Billinger, Henry Lampl, Innes House, J. H. Turner, Franklin L. Payne, John L. Taylor, Floyd W. Hunt, W. T. Rouse, J. E. Luling, Clem Spruance, Homer J. Harden, H. S. Kilgore, A. G. Mueller, M. E. Gates, J. H. Turner, W. Parrott, Herman Hoffman, George Schollenberger, Hal McCoy, Fred Wright, A. C. Means, J. A. Parkinson, B. W. Jaquith, Robert Mc Vicar, H. E. Wilson, W. A. Ayers, O. E. Juengling, M. E. Gates, C. A. Magill, Charles Bergenthal, C. A. Baker, W. H. Schwerhoff, Ray McHugh, W. C. Means, Jay Gill, Lloyd Ray, E. H. Stevens, S. J. Houston, and numerous others, all of whom have been instrumental in gaining the reputation of merit bestowed upon Wichita Consistory. No article written on this subject would be in any sense complete without the special mention of Bro. Bestor G. Brown, past grand master of the Most Worshipped Grand Lodge of the state of Kansas, mose able and learned Mason in our state, if not in the United States, a gifted gentleman of the highest type and in its truest sense. For years, sacrificing his business interests,
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he has rendered Bro. Wallenstein invaluable assistance in the portrayal of our historical and dramatic degrees. Nor should we forget to give due credit to Bros. S. A. Hanlan, of Newton; B. Nussbaum, of Hutchinson; Wilbur H. Rice, of Hoisington, J. W. Wright, 33d°, of Independence; Wallace T. Rouse, Wichita, who by their love and zeal, together with their untiring efforts in behalf of our bodies, have succeeded in securing an unusually large quota of our present membership of 2,400 Scottish Rite Masons.
Whatever the success reached by our great brotherhood, if measured only by its material growth and progress, it would be worse than worthless. Philosophy teaches us that the entire world changes with every breath we exhale-when we drop a tiny pebble in the seething expanse of the ocean, the circle which is formed grows wider and larger until it reaches the farthest shore, then rebounding, continues its inconceivable travel with infinitesimal effect until the end of time.
Realizing the logical force of this well established and scien- tific truth, we must unhesitatingly accept the indisputable con- clusion that the enabling and exalted teachings of Scottish Rite Masonry, founded on the religious code of Moses, Zoroaster, Con- fucius, Mohammed and Jesus of Nazareth, which are the adaman- tine foundation of our present-day civilization, and these being instilled into the receptive and matured minds of our 2,400 breth- ren must of necessity influence their lives for good, making of them better and nobler husbands, fathers and brothers, giving them a higher and better conception of God, and beautifying their religious beliefs, dispelling from their minds intolerance, bigotry, superstition and fanaticism, filling their souls with a spirit of charity, love and duty toward their fellow man, broad- ening their ideals of liberty and making of them more loyal and patriotic citizens, devoted to our glorious stars and stripes, that banner of freedom, the pride and glory of our own dear land. May the day not be far distant when our altruistic teach- ings may be the portion of humanity. Then and not until then will Scottish Rite Masonry have fulfilled its mission; then and not until then will its influence for good have been ultimately established in the minds of the entire human family, when all will accept the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man .- A Scottish Rite Mason.
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HISTORY OF SEDGWICK COUNTY
THE MYSTIC SHRINE.
By
THE EDITOR.
If Wichita is noted for any one thing more than another, it is the fact that it is distinctively a Masonic town. All of the Masonic rites are represented here; three blue lodges make up the early degrees, and, in addition to this, these lodges are all very prosperous; they own their own property and have money at interest. Albert Pike Lodge is the youngest lodge in Wichita, but has the largest membership of any lodge in Kansas. Only a few months since a charter was granted to organize a Shrine temple. With its usual vim, the Masonic brethren took hold of the Shrine, and Midian Temple today numbers a membership of more than 500. George H. Bradford is the efficient Imperial Potentate, and James F. McCoy the energetic Recorder of the Shrine. The Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine is a flourishing one, and this rite has made arrangements with the trustees of the Masonic Temple whereby they occupy that build- ing, the finest building in the West devoted entirely to Masonry. The Shrine is noted for its fine banquets, its general good fellow- ship and its unsurpassed patrol.
WICHITA: A MASONIC TOWN.
By A CRAFTSMAN.
All branches of Masonry are represented in Wichita and Sedgwick county, and the rites of this order are in full form and strength. The Scottish and York Rites are strong, and the Order of the Mystic Shrine is especially flourishing. The membership of the orders existing in Wichita take in today a membership in every state in the Union, and even in the isles of the sea. Some of the most distinguished Masons in the state and nation hold their membership in Wichita. It is likely that Wichita holds today more distinguished and eminent Masons than any city of its size on the American continent. The following is a list of those-brethren in Wichita who have attained the distinc-
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tion of the thirty-third degree, Inspectors General Honorary : John L. Powell, Thomas G. Fitch, James H. McCall, Paul Brown, Charles G. Cohn, Henry Wallenstein, Frederic H. Stuckey, Frank W. Oliver, Orsemus H. Bentley, William S. Grant, Elmer E. Bleckley, Leland L. Newcomb, Edward Vail, Salmon T. Tuttle, Isaac Goldsmith, Floyd A. Amsden, George L. Pratt and Isaac W. Gill.
KANSAS MASONIC HOME AND CHAPEL.
There is an institution in West Wichita that is always spoken of and pointed out by citizens with pride. Not only is it the pride of Wichita, but the whole state is proud of the Kansas Masonic Home. In the early days of Wichita this building was considered the handsomest home in the city. It was built by R. E. Lawrence. It was a handsome gray stone residence set in the midst of fifteen acres of lawn, garden, orchard and grove. In 1896 the Grand Lodge of Kansas bought the property, valued at $75,000, for $21,000, and on September 10, 1896, the Kansas Masonic Home was dedicated. Since that time nearly one hun- dred thousand dollars have been spent on buildings alone. The paving of Seneca street on the east side and Maple street on the north and the sewer tax have cost nearly nine thousand dol- lars. A building has just been completed to be known as the Isolation Cottage. Many times the entire family has been quar- antined on account of some contagious disease among the chil- dren. Now those who are sick or have been exposed can be iso- lated and cared for in a modern cottage, thoroughly furnished and equipped with everything necessary for their care. This improvement, with its furnishings, will cost nearly nine thousand dollars.
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