USA > Kentucky > Henderson County > History of Henderson County, Kentucky > Part 46
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Jerusalem Lodge No. 9 has had an eventful career. The Grand Lodge of Kentucky was formed October 16th and 17th, 1800, at Lex- ington, Kentucky. William Murray was the first Grand Master. The Lodges that formed the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, were Lexing- ton, No. 2; Paris, No. 35 ; Georgetown, No. 46; Hiram, No. 57; and Solomon, late Abrahams, under dispensation, all holding charters or dispensations from Virginia. When they formed the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, they took new members, beginning with Lexington, No. 1, and so on. At the eleventh grand communication Dr. Adam Rankin, of Jerusalem Lodge No. 9, acted as Grand Treasurer. In 1813, M. W. Fisher and Ambrose Barbour, offered apology for not being repre- sented, which was accepted-I find no report for 1817, '19 and '20. Then none for 1831, '32, '33, '34 and 35, when the charter was ar- rested, consequently, for 1836, '37, '38, '39, '40, '41 and '42, which in- tervened between the arrest and restoration of charter the lodge was unauthorized to work. From the record Brother E. H. Hopkins was master from 1826 to '37, inclusive, consequently he presided at the
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
last meeting held previons to arrest of charter which was held on Sat- urday December 27th, 1834, at which time officers were elected as fol- lows: D. H. Hopkins, Master ; John D. Anderson, S. W .; William Soaper, J. W .; W. R. Abbott, Secretary ; W. F. Thompson, Treasurer.
As stated, the Lodge held no meeting after this until November 28th, 1842. I find in the old papers, the correspondence between Brother Hopkins and Brother Philip Swigert, the then Grand Secretary, relative to resuming work by Jerusalem Lodge, No. 9. Col. Hopkins addressed a lengthy communication to Philip Swigert, Grand Secretary, in regard to again resuming Masonic work and asking for information as to the mode of procedure. The Grand Secretary responded by authorizing the Lodge to meet, provided they yet had the charter, and resume work as though nothing had occurred. In conforinity with these instructions, a meeting was held November 28th, 1842. Present : E. Hopkins, Master; J. D. Anderson, S. W. ; Wm. Soaper, J. W .; W. F. Thompson, Treasurer ; A. G. Saunders, Secretary pro tem. ; J. W. Williams, S. D. pro tem. ; B. W. Winston, J. D. pro tem .; Jacob B. Hopkins; S. V. Tyler ; Brothers Dr. Owen Glass, late of No. 9; James B. Newland, of St. David's Lodge, No. 52, Edinburg, Scotland ; Moses Morgan, late of No. 9; Henry B. Danc", of Lodge No. 2, Texas ; P. B. Matthews, of St, Joseph Lodge No. 155, Virginia ; Elias Oberdorfer, of Tadmon Lodge, No. 108 ; BY M. Winston, of Good Faith Lodge, No. 95; J. W. Williams, of St. John's Lodge, No. 32, Philadelphia. At this meeting, Brothers New- lands, Glass, Winston, Matthews, Oberdorfer, Morgan, Dance and Saunders petitioned for membership.
From this time, the Lodge prospered in a satisfactory manner. I find on July 24th, 1843, a new code of By-Laws adopted. In the main, they are what we now have. While the ritualistic work of Masonry has changed but little in the last eighty-three years, the laws governing them have been very materially changed In the early history of Jerusalem Lodge, No. 9, the member who dared to appear in Lodge intoxicated or the member who used profane language, by order of the Worshipful Master was subject to be led out of the room, never to return until satisfactory confessions had been made and to testify, by his general conduct, a sincere regret for his behavior. No member in arrears for any sum for twelve months was allowed to vote in any case whatever or eligible to any office in the Lodge until the amount had been paid, and if in arrears for two years, he was subject to expulsion. Now all eyes are closed, and offender No. 1 frequently holds prominent places in the Lodge, Now a premium is almost placed upon non-payment of dues,
487
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
Among those whose names are found upon the books of Jerusalem Lodge, I find it has at all times had the best men in the community. Going back many years we find : Innis Brent, Dr. Adam Rankin, Philip Barbour, Ambrose Barbour, John Posey, Nathan D. Anderson, Thos. Towles, William Soaper, John D. Anderson, E. H. Hopkins, George Lyne, Frank Stites, Richard Stites, John H. Barret, D. R. Burbank, Dr. Owen Glass, James Wilson, and a host of others, I fail now to call to mind, and so on down to the present day our most active business men, our best citizens are numbered with the mystic tie.
I have spoken of changes having taken place in the law govern- ing Lodges. I now come to another change. For quite a number of years, some of the degrees now under the exclusive control of Chapters of Royal Arch Masons, were then conferred by the Lodges. A copy of the minutes of a meeting held in 1804 will show the truth of this statement. The following is a copy :
" At a called meeting of the Marked Jerusalem Lodge, No. 9, held at their lodge room in the Town of Henderson. on Monday, the twelfth day of November. 1804, A. D., 5804. A. L, Present : Philip Barbour, W. M. M .; Ambrose Barbour. S. W .; Innis B. Brent, J. W. and J. D. pro tem ; John Posey. Secretary ; Wm. Featherstone, S. D pro tem .; Brother Nathan D. Anderson, Treasurer, the Lodge being opened in the Mark Master degree in ancient form.
" Petitions were severally received from James Latham, Ad Rankin and H D Gwatkin, requesting to be initiated into the mysteries of this Lodge, whereupon a ballot being taken and the candidates unanimously received. there were several prepared and iniatiated into the mysteries of Master Mark Masons in due form. The Lodge was then closed in due form and harmony at nine o'clock.
JOHN POSEY, Secretary.
PHIL. BARBOUR.
I stated that from the reorganization of the Lodge in 1842, that it prospered satisfactorially. For many years Jerusalem Lodge had a membership ranging from eighty to one hundred and fifteen.
The crowning glory of this old Lodge is, that for eighty years, with an income averaging four hundred dollars per year, never spend- ing money lavishly on fine paraphernalia or fine Lodge rooms, she to-day has but a trifle in her Treasury, showing that she has been true to the principles of charity as taught in the greatest of all books. Consequently, when the Masonic Widows' and Orphans' Home at Louisville called for aid, Old Jerusalem gave a cheerful response and gave more than any Lodge in the State to that grand charity, never
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY KY.
casting a single vote against it and never placing a single beneficiary within its walls. Such in brief is a poor history of this grand, old Lodge.
We wish we could give a list of all who have worshipped at its altar and met within its holy precints, but we content ourselves with giving the following list of Masters and the year they served :
1804, Innis B. Brent ; 1805, John Posey ; 1806, Philip Barbour ; 1807, Ambrose Barbour ; 1808, M. W Fisher ; 1809, Thos Bell ; 1810, Adam Rankin; 1811, Jas. C. Wardlow; 1812, Thos. Towles ; 1813, Ambrose Barbour ; 1814, Samuel A. Bowen ; 1815, Ambrose Bar- bour, 1816, '17, '18, Samuel A. Bowen ; 1819, James Wilson ; 1820, Samuel A. Bowen ; 1821; Hugh Brent ; 1822, John Eauchus ; 1823, William Soaper ; 1824, '25, '26, '27, '28, '29, '30, '31, '32, '33, '34, E. H. Hopkins ; 1835, Charter arrested, E. H. Hopkins, Master ; 1842, Charter restored, E. H. Hopkins, Master, 1843, E. H. Hopkins ; 1844, John D. Anderson ; 1845, '46, E. H. Hopkins ; 1847, John P. Wilson ; 1848, '49, E. H. Hopkins; 1850, Wm. H. Cunningham ; 1851, Jas. J. Ferree ; 1852, John T. Bunch ; 1853, F. H. Dallam ; 1854, E. G. Hall ; 1855, Wm. J. Dallam ; 1856, '57, L. F. Jones ; 1858, E. G. Hall; 1859, Wm. H. Miller; 1860, Sol. S. Sizemore ; 1861, '62, E. G. Hall ; 1863, '64, Sol. S. Sizemore ; 1865, '66, Robert T. Glass; 1867, '68, P. H. King ; 1869, S. K. Sneed; 1870, '71, W. S. Johnson ; 1872, S. H. Lambert ; 1873, '74, C. H. Johnson ; 1875, '76, B. G. Witt; 1877, '78, Jac. Peter ; 1879, '80, Jas. L. Lambert ; 1881, Phelps Sasseen ; 1882, P. H. King; 1883, F. L. Turner ; 1884, Phelps Sasseen ; 1885, '86, W. J.Marshall, Jr .; 1887, C. H. Johnson.
This Lodge has been singularly honored in the election of two of its members to the highest office in the State, "Worshipful Grand Master," Campbell H. Johnson, October, 1877, and Bernard G. Witt, October 21st, 1885.
HENDERSON ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER NO. 65
Received its charter, dated at Lexington, Kentucky, October 14th, 1857, authorizing E. G. Earnheart, E. H. Hopkins, William Soaper, and others, to meet as a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, confer the degrees usually conferred in such bodies, and transact such business as may be proper. This document is signed by Marcus M. Tyler, Grand High Priest; William H. Forsyth, Deputy Grand High Priest ; William M. Samuel, Grand King; Thomas Todd, Grand Scribe ; Philip Swigert, Grand Secretary.
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
ORGANIZATION.
A meeting to organize Henderson Chapter, " under dispensation,' was held in the City of Henderson on Saturday, the eighteenth day of July, 1857. There were present M. E. Marcus M. Tyler, Grand High Priest ; E., R. M. Hathaway, King pro tem .; E., Thomas Poin- dexter, Scribe pro tem .; Comp. Fred. H. Skinner, C. H. pro tem .; Henry F. Turner, P. S. pro tem .; E. G. Earnhart, R. A. C. pro tem .; E H. Hopkins, G. M. Third Vail; William Soaper, G. M .. Second Vail; William Randolph, G. M., First Vail; Rev. John D. Hender- son, S. and T .; Companion J. Woodbridge, R. A. M .; Most Excel- lent High Priest Marcus M. Tyler installe M. E .; E. G. Earnhart, H. P .; E., E. H. Hopkins, King; E., William Soaper, Scribe. High Priest Earnhart then appointed the following companions ; Thomas Poindexter, C. H .; Henry F. Turner, P. S .; John W. Crockett, R. A. C .; John D. Anderson, G. M., Third Vail; A, J. Anderson, G. M., Second Vail ; J. Woodbridge, G. M., First Vail.
The first meeting of Henderson Royal Arch Chapter No. 65, after receiving its charter, was held on the sixteenth day of Febru- ary, 1858. The first election of officers, under the charter, was held June 24th, 1858. On the sixth day of December, 1858, the death of Past Grand High Priest Marcus M. Tyler was announced, and Companions Edmund H. Hopkins and William H. Miller appoint- ed a committee to draft suitable resolutions expressive of the feelings of the Chapter at this sad announcement. There were breaks in the record up to 1862. From that time I find them pretty complete.
At a meeting held August 4th, 1862, the death of Companion Andrew Clark was announced. Owing to the war there were no more meetings held until January 17th, 1866. On the seventeenth day of January of that year a meeting was called and the following officers were present : E. G. Hall, H. P .; William Soaper, King; W. H. Sandefur, Scribe ; F. B. Cromwell, C. of H .; J. Woodbridge, P. S .; L. F. Jones, R. A. C .; S. H. Lambert, G. M., Third Vail ; B. M. Winston, G. M., Second Vail; William Payne, G. M., First Vail; F. B. Cromwell, Secretary; K. Geibel, Guard. High Priest Hall stated the object of the meeting to be the reorganization of the Chapter and the election of officers. The following were then duly elected : E. G. Hall, High Priest; P. Thompson, King; W. H. Sandefur, Scribe. June 24th, 1867, the regular election was held, and the fol- lowing named were chosen : S. K. Sneed, High Priest; E. L. Star- ling, King, and George Gayle, Scribe, These offieers were installed
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
. publicly by Grand High Priest Joseph H. Brahman, at the Presbyte- rian Church, and a lecture on Chapter Masonry delivered by Com- panion Rev. J. Woodbridge.
June, 1868, the same officers were re elected.
June 24th, 1869, B. M. Winston was elected High Priest, George Gayle, King, and William Soaper, Jr., Scribe. This was a sort of dead year, the Chapter doing nothing, and when election day, June 4th, 1870, came, all of the offices were filled pro tem. No election was held. No meetings had been held since July 19th, 1869, and a resolution was passed exempting all the members from paying dues for the year 1869.
Upon the close of this meeting it seemed that R. A. Masonry was dead in Henderson, and so it was, for a time.
February, 1871, a meeting was held and steps taken to revive the Chapter. Jerusalem Lodge came to the rescue and granted the Chapter the use of its Lodge room for one year free of charge. On the twenty-fourth day of June, 1871, the following were elected : William Soaper, Jr., High Priest; James F. Clay, King ; P. H. King, Scribe; G. H. Johnson, C. H .; J. B. Cook, P. S .; E H. Branson, R. A. C .; J. F. Mayer, G. M., Third Vail; J. G. Adams, G. M., Second Vail; J. P. Ioor, G. M., First Vail; S. K. Sneed, Treasurer ; A. W. Overton, Secretary; J. P. Wigal, Sentinel.
On the evening of June twenty-ninth the foregoing officers were publicly installed at the Baptist Church, Past Grand High Priest Jo- seph H. Branham officiating. Companion Rev. Dr. Talbird delivered the address. The Chapter had now taken on new life, and has had no backsets from any cause. In looking over the list of those who have been exalted I find the same distinguishing features that marked old Jerusalem No. 9. Men of prominence are those who make up the majority, yet I find that from every station, the mechanic, the lawyer, the physician, the merchant, the ministers, and the politician, all are there, and, once inside the Masonic door, all are alike and equal.
OFFICERS.
1857-E. G. Earnhart, High Priest; Edmund H. Hopkins, King ; William Soaper, Scribe. 1858-E. G. Earnhart, High Priest; Ed- mund H. Hopkins, King; William Soaper, Scribe. 1859-E. G. Hall, High Priest ; E. G. Earnhart, King; William Soaper, Scribe. 1860-E. G. Hall, High Priest; J. D. Anderson, King ; William Soaper, Scribe. 1872-E. G. Hall, High Priest ; J. T. Bunch, King ; W. H. Sandefur, Scribe.
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
No elections to January 17th, 1866.
1866-E. G. Hall, High Priest; P. Thompson, King ; W. H. Sandefur, Scribe. June 24th-E. G. Hall, High Priest; P. Thomp- son, King; J. B. Cromwell, Scribe. 1867, '68-S. K. Sneed, High Priest ; E. L. Starling, King ; George Gayle, Scribe. 1869- B. M. Winston, High Priest; George Gayle, King; William Soaper, Scribe. 1870-No election. June 24th, 1871-William Soaper, Jr., High Priest ; Jame F. Clay, King; P. H. King, Scribe. September 9th, 1871-William Soaper, Jr., High Priest; S. D. Posey, King ; J. B. Cook, Scribe. 1872-C. H. Johnson, High Priest ; William Soaper, Jr., King; J. F. Mayer, Scribe. 1873, '74-C. H. Johnson, High Priest; H. W. Fulton, King; A. S. Winstead, Scribe. 1875-Wil- liam Soaper, Jr., High Priest; B. G. Witt, King; A. J. Winstead, Scribe. 1876-B. G. Witt, High Priest ; H. W. Fulton, King; A. S. Winstead, Scribe. 1877-H. W. Fulton, High Priest; Jac. Peter, King ; J. F. Mayor, Scribe. 1878-R. D. Peay, High Priest; H. W. Fulton, King; R. B. Batte, Scribe. 1879-B. G. Witt, High Priest ; C. H. Johnson, King; Jac. Peter, Scribe. 1880, '81-Jac. Peter, High Priest; E. H. Branson, King; P. Sasseen, Scribe. 1882-S. A. Chambers, High Priest ; P. Sasseen, King; E. H. Branson, Scribe. 1883-P. H. King, High Priest ; P. Sasseen, King; E. H. Branson, Scribe. 1884-No election. 1885, '86-C. H. Johnson refused to qualify and P. H. King retained the office; Marion Duncan, King ; W. J. Marshall, Jr., Scribe.
On the twentieth day of October, 1885, at a meeting of the Grand Chapter of Kentucky, held in the City of Louisville, the ex- alted position of "Grand High Priest" was conferred upon B. G. Witt, of Henderson Chapter. Thus, it will be observed, that Mr. Witt was, in October, 1885, elected both " Grand Worshipful Master" and "Grand High Priest," the first and only time, perhaps, the two Grand offices were ever conferred upon one person during the same year.
HENDERSON COMMANDERY, U. D.
This Commandery was instituted in Henderson, under dispensa- tion, on the twenty-sixth day of December, 1871. [The credit of its institution was due almost entirely to the indefatigable work of Past Grand Master Campbell H. Johnson. It is more than probable that but for his liberality and effort there would have been no Command- ery here. ]-ED.
The organization of a Commandery at Henderson at that time was a matter of more trouble than well could have been imagined,
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
There were but few Knights Templar here and they were old and rusty in the work. Rev. Dr. Talbird, of the Baptist Church, Wil- liam Davis, Hon. H. F. Turner, H. W. Fulton and Andrew J. Flana- gan constituted the number. In order to institute an asylum names had to be borrowed from Owensboro, yet there was no Commandery at that place. It required nine names to the petition, and those nine were secured under difficulties. However, the petition received the requisite number of signatures, and in the course of time a dispensa- tion was received and notice from William C. Munger, the then Grand Recorder, that as proxy of the Grand Commander, he would visit Henderson on the twenty-sixth of December, with such assistance as he could procure in Louisville, for the purpose of setting Henderson Commandery, U. D., to work. In order to have a sufficient number present to open a Commandery an invitation was sent to Evansville. Ind., and in response thereto Sir Knights James K. Minor, William E. Hollingsworth, and George H. Fish, came down. A Commandery was then opened at 8:30 o'clock P. M., December 26th, 1871. There were present William C. Munger, E. C .; H. W. Fulton, Generalissimo; William H. Parvin, C. G .; Henry Talbird, Prelate ; James K. Minor, S. W .; William S. Hollingsworth, J. W ; A. J. Flanagan, Warden ; George H. Fish, Recorder.
The order of Red Cross was conferred that evening upon several candidates and next day following, the Knights Templar order was conferred. Thus this little body of workers proceeded until Hen- derson Commanders was able to stand alone without the aid of outside help. From that time to this Henderson Commandery has had an uninterrupted career of prosperity. In May, 1879, she entertained the Grand Commandery of Kentucky and visiting Com- manderies from Evansville and Terre Haute, Ind., in a manner that gave her a reputation for true hospitality that has spread both far and near, and each succeeding year the Commanderies in other parts of the State have said : "We only wish to come up to Henderson, No. 14, in our entertainment-we know we can't surpass her." Notwith- standing the large amount of expense attending such an entertainment, yet the treasury of the Commandery was not depleted, but, on the other hand, after the work was all done, the entertainment committee returned to the Treasury about ninety dollars. This branch of Ma- sonry, as stated, has never ceased to prosper, and during the year 1882, at a large expense, fitted up very handsome, convenient and spacious apartments, where the orders of knighthood can now be con- ferred with ease, comfort and imposing effect.
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
Henderson Commandery has initiated into the mysteries of knighthood over one hundred Companion Royal Arch Masons. Alida Commandery, DeKoven, Ky., one of the best and strongest in South- ern Kentucky, sprang from Henderson, yea, more, La Vallette, Evansville, owes a great portion of its success to Henderson.
LIST OF OFFICERS FROM INSTITUTION.
1871-H. W. Fulton, E. C .; H. F. Lewis, General; A. J. Flan- agan, C. G .; C. H. Johnson, Prelate. 1872-H. W. Fulton, E. C .; S. K. Sneed, General; A. G. Flanagan, C. G .; H. H. Johnson, Pre- late. 1873-H. W. Fulton, E. C .; S. K. Sneed, General; A. J. Flan- agan, C. G .; C. H. Johnson, Prelate. 1874-H. W. Fulton, E. C .; William Soaper, Jr., General ; B. G. Witt, C. G .; A T. Dudley, Pre- late. 1875 William Soaper, Jr., E. C .; E. L. Starling, Jr., General ; B. G. Witt, C. G .; A. J. Dudley, Prelate. 1876-William Soaper, Jr., E. C .; E. L. Starling, Jr., General ; B. G. Witt, C.G .; A. T. Dudley. Prelate. 1877-William Soaper, Jr., E. C .; A. T. Dudley, General ; B. G. Witt, Prelate. 1878-B. G. Witt, E. C .; O. Collins, General ; ยท H. W. Fulton, C. G .; James L. Lambert, Prelate. 1879-B. G. Witt, E. C .; A. S. Winstead, General ; William Soaper, Jr., C. G .; James L. Lambert, Prelate. 1880-C. H. Johnson, E. C .; A. S. Winstead, General ; James L. Lambert, C. G .; R. D. Peay, Prelate. 1882-C. G. Perkins, E. C., M. Duncan, General ; R. H. Digman, C. G .; R S. Barrett, Prelate. 1883-Same officers. 1884-M. Duncan, E. C .; R. H. Digman, General ; P. H. King, C. G .; R. S. Barrett, Prelate. 1885-M. Duncan, E. C .; James L. Lambert, General; William Soaper, C. G .; C. H. Johnson, Prelate. 1886-James E. Lambert, E. C., W. J. Marshall, Jr., General; S. H. Lambert, C. G .; C. H. Johnson, Prelate. 1887-B G. Witt, E. C .; C. G. Perkins, General ; Marion Duncan, C. G., C. H. Johnson, Prelate. P. Sasseen, Re- corder since 1881.
On the twenty-third of May, 1884, this Commandery was greatly honored in the election of Sir Bernard G. Witt to the position of Grand Eminent Commander of the State of Kentucky. The honor was conferred at Bowling Green at the annual conclave of the Grand Commandery. Upon Sir Knight Witt's return home he was received at the depot by Henderson Commandery, with Warren's Band in the lead, and escorted to his residence. During the evening an elegant banquet was given him in the Asylum. A number of addresses were made, inspiriting music graced the occasion, and all was joy and gladness.
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
ODD FELLOWS.
"STRANGERS' REST LODGE, NO. 13."
In the year 1842 a few members of that ancient and honorable order, who had, owing to a force of circumstances, been denied the pleasure of its social meetings, and desirous of establishing a Lodge, and extending its benefits to those who wished to embrace its beauti- ful theories, as well as partake of its charitable work, determined to petition the Grand Lodge of the State of Kentucky, for the organiza- tion of a subordinate Lodge in Henderson. At that time there was not much material here of which it could be expected to build a grand organization, but there was enough to begin the good work, so a peti tion was forwarded, and on the fifteenth day of October, 1842, the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, by authority of the Grand Lodge of the United States, granted a warrant, or dispensation, to Mark M. Jeffries. William L. Stone, J. M. Stockwell, W. G. Allin and Barak Brashaer, to constitute a Lodge to be hailed by the title of "Strangers' Rest" Lodge, No. 13, to be held in Henderson. This warrant was signed by Jessee VanSickles, M. W. G. M .; J. S. Lithgow, R. W. D. G. M .; A. R. W. Harris, R. W. G. S .; C. W. Taylor, R. W. G. W .; Jas Met- calf, R. W. G. T.
On the twenty-second evening of October, 1842, Jessee Van- Sickle, Grand Master of the State, and Charles Woodford, both of Louisville, visited Henderson, and with the assistance of the charter members living in the town, and to whom the charter had been granted, organized a Lodge, using the second story room over the brick build- ing on the West side of Second Street, and now occupied by James Mullin, as a saloon. In this room the Lodge continued to meet until the year 1845.
During the early part of 1845 the Trustees of the town determined to build a market house, with a brick calaboose of small capacity at one end of it, this house, or skeleton, was to be built on square brick pillars at equal distance, and a frame roof placed thereon. Before their plans had been fully matured, the Odd Fellows, whose order had grown to be an important one for those times, proposed to the Town Trustees to build in conjunction with the market house and calaboose, a Lodge Room, the town to build the brick pillars and prison, and the Lodge to build a frame Lodge Room the whole length overhead ; the proposition was accepted and the house was soon after built and ready for occupancy. The next thing then was to have a grand parade and the dedicatory festivities.
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
At the July meeting of the County Court, held in 1845, the fol- lowing order was passed : " Ordered that the Independent Order of Odd Fellows have leave to use the Court House on the twenty-ninth day of August next in performing their ceremonies in the dedication of their hall in the town of Henderson." On this day and night the new hall was dedicated with all the solemnity and eclat which usually attaches to such occasions. A grand parade and banquet feast was held, and at which many members of the order from Evansville and other places participated. It was a great day, and each particular member felt and exhibited a creditable amount of Lodge enthusiasm. The paraphenalia and effects of the order were removed to the new Lodge Room, and the work of the order carried on there until the year 1852, when through the infamy of an incendiary, the Lodge Room with all its books and effects, was totally destroyed by fire. This un- fortunate circumstance cast a gloom over the order, and for a time they hardly knew what to do. Reviving their past energies, they rented the third story room of the building erected in 1853 by F. Mil- let, and now occupied and owned by A. S. Winstead, on the east side of Second Street, where they continued to meet until 1862. On the twenty-second day of April, very soon after the great battle of Shiloh, or Pittsburg Landing, their Lodge Room was taken possession of by the United States authorities and converted into a hospital forsick and wounded soldiers. Immediately all of the effects of the Lodge were removed to the second story of R. G. Beverley's store house on Main Street, now the corner house of the Soaper Block, and no meetings were held until the seventh day of June, 1862, when a meeting was called to pay the last sad rites of the order to W. E. Lambert, a de- parted member. Subsequent to that time, business meetings of the Lodge were held in that room until 1864, when the Lodge property was removed to the third story room in the building on Main, two doors from the corner of Third Street. While located in this room the work of the order was revived and many candidates were initiated into the mysteries of the craft. It was here preliminary steps were taken to utilize a valuable piece of ground they had purchased from Dr. Owen Glass on March 18th, 1852.
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