USA > Missouri > Jasper County > A history of Jasper County, Missouri, and its people > Part 55
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The following were the officers :- Royal vizier, J. G. Richardson, Joplin; grand emir, W. E. Harper, Galena, Kansas; secretary, Will F. Shannon, Joplin; treasurer, L. C. McCarthy, Joplin; mehedi, Byron Coon, Joplin; sheik, Floyd Saxton, Webb City; mokanna, C. J. Shortiss, Joplin; joc, George G. Brader, Joplin; master of ceremonies, F. H. Nesbitt, Webb City; Satrap, George H. Boughton, Galena; sahib, Henry Sapp, Joplin; escorts, John Gray, of Carthage; Maddaugh Columbus; representative to Supreme Temple, J. T. Livingston, Joplin. John H. Holmes, imperial nawbob and imperial secretary and H. W. Belding, both of St. Louis, conducted the institution ceremonies. The work of this highly entertaining degree was performed by the officers who had previously been rehearsed in their several parts and was very ex- cellent. Clarence J. Shortiss, who took the part of Mokanna, was es- pecially complimented by the Imperial Nawbob for the masterful way in which he had interpreted his part, saying that he had never seen the work better rendered. J. G. Richardson, Floyd Saxton and George Brader also came in for a liberal share of applause. After the institu- tion of the temple, the one hundred and fifty members partook of a most excellently served banquet at the Clarkton Hotel. Hon. A. E. Spencer was the toastmaster and the following after-dinner speeches were made: The "Doky," by Hon. J. H. Holmes, of St. Louis; "The Kansas Sunflower," W. F. Sapp, Galena; "The Missouri Mule," Howard Gray, Carthage; "When Knighthood Was in Flower," J. T. Living- ston, Joplin; "The Goat," John Flannigan, Carthage; "To the Woman Who is Waiting For Me," John Malang, Joplin.
El Plomo Temple held a semi-annual ceremonial at some point in the district during each of the years up to 1909, having exemplified the work and been royally entertained at Galena, Webb City and Pitts- burg. The financial distress which followed the panic of 1907, how- ever, somewhat dampened the ardor of the Pythian hosts of Jasper county and no ceremonial was had in 1909 or 1910. At this writing (1911) the Knights at Webb City, which lodge is enjoying a boom of no small dimensions, is reviving the spirit of Khorassan chivalry and it is quite probable that a ceremonial will be held at the Twin Cities during 1912.
The D. O. K. K. numbered during its palmy days three hundred Pythians brave and true.
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THE SCOTTISH RITE MASONS
The principal interest in Masonic circles during the decade was the establishment, at Joplin, of the several Scottish Rite Masonic or- ganizations. The importance of this will be more readily understood when it is cited that Joplin is but one of three cities in the state where the highest degrees of this rite are conferred, and that the Joplin Consistory draws its membership from a radius of one hun- dred miles around, bringing to Joplin, at the spring and fall convocations of the rite, large numbers of prominent members. The following Scot- tish Rite Masons, holding their membership at Kansas City, began in November, 1900, the agitation for the establishment of the Scottish Rite, at Joplin, to-wit-George B. Paxton, Robert A. Wilson, George C. Bayne, Levi Riseling, Charles Regan and J. W. McAntire. Their efforts met with success, and in 1901 Martin Collins, sovereign grand inspector for Missouri, recommended to Hon. Jos. D. Richardson, sovereign grand commander, that a Lodge of Perfection be established in Joplin.
JOPLIN LODGE OF PERFECTION, NO. 5
The first regular work of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, at Joplin, occurred at Fellowship Hall. As a preliminary meeting to the organization of Joplin Lodge, No. 5, the degrees from the fourth to the fourteenth were conferred in a class of twenty-seven, the fol- lowing officers being in the chair: Illustrious Brother Martin Collins, sovereign grand inspector general; George Bailey Paxton, venerable master; William B. Waugh, senior warden; George G. Bayne, junior warden; Jos. . W. McAntire, orator; Charles Regan, Almonder; O. H. Picher, treasurer; Robert A. Wilson, secretary; Douglas E. McDowell, master of ceremonies; Cyrus N. Stark, expert; Moses H. Lyon, assistant expert; Albert E. Whitney, tyler. The temporary charter was granted April 8, 1902. The following gentlemen have filled the office of vener- able master: 1901, George Bailey Paxton; 1902, Cyrus Nathaniel Stark; 1903, Martin Toner Balsley; 1904, William T. Branham; 1905, William Latour; 1906, William Latour; 1907, Thomas Herron; 1908, Thomas Herron; 1909, Frank Sansom; 1910, Frank Sansom; 1911, Clyde Scott Poole.
JOPLIN CHAPTER ROSE CROIX, NO. 3
The degrees of this branch of the rite, covering the fifteenth to the eighteen, were first conferred in Joplin, April 10, 1902, on a Class of sixty-three. As in the former body, Illustrious Brother Martin Col- lins directed the work and George B. Paxton, as venerable master, presided. The following are the past venerable masters of Joplin Chapter : 1902, P. N. Davey; 1903, P. N. Davey; 1904, C. G. F. Toepper; 1905, C. G. F. Toepper; 1906, W. C. Glenn; 1907, W. C. Glenn; 1908, H. Scherl; 1909, H. Scherl; 1910, O. P. M. Wiley; 1911, O. P. M. Wiley.
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JOPLIN COUNCIL, NO. 3, KNIGHTS OF KODASH
The nineteenth to the thirtieth degrees are conferred by the Council of the Knights of Kodash. This first work of Joplin Council was con- ferred December 10, 1903. Elroy J. Pratt being the first commander. The work was conferred by the degree team from St. Louis. The fol- lowing have been called to the office of commanders: 1904, Harry Tam- blyn; 1905, Elroy J. Pratt; 1907, Elroy J. Pratt; 1908, A. Haughton; 1909, A. Haughton; 1910, L. L. Moore; 1911, L. L. Moore.
THE CONSISTORY
Joplin Consistory, No. 3, Master of the Royal Secret, was instituted May 5, 1904, and its institution was the crowning jewel in the casket
PUBLIC INSTALLATION JOPLIN CHAPTER, R. A. M., No. 91
of Masonic gems. The following officers filled the principal chairs: 1904-9, P. N. Davey; 1910-11, E. J. Pratt. The membership of the Scottish Rite bodies, not counting those who belonged to two or more of the orders, was on June 30, 1911, six hundred and fifty.
GRAND CHAPTER ROYAL ARCH MASONS
The meeting of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in Joplin in April, 1909, like the meeting of the Templars in 1906. brought many splendid masons to the city and their coming was the signal for the Masons of Joplin-and their number is legion-to bring forth the fatted calf, as it were, and extend to the brethren a royal welcome.
On the afternoon of the first day the officers of the Grand Lodge, together with their ladies, visited Christal Cave and here, beneath the bowels of the earth and among the great drifts of the old mine. they
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partook of a well served lunch, after which their pictures were taken by flash light.
In the evening a reception was given which was attended by the members of the craft generally, after which the members of Joplin Chapter, No. 91, exemplified in a most creditable manner the Royal Arch degree.
At the conclusion of the session on the second day the entertain- ment committee had in waiting four belt line cars, and the entire delega- tion was taken round the loop and shown the interesting sights at Duenweg, Porto Rico, Prosperity, Carterville and Webb City-a ride of twenty-one miles passing through the richest mining district of the county.
W. O. W. LOG ROLLING, SEPTEMBER 10, 1903
The eighth annual log rolling of the Missouri-Kansas Log Rolling Association was held in Joplin, Thursday, September 10, 1903, and was a great event in fraternal circles. Joplin was gaily decorated in honor of the visiting Woodmen and no pains were spared to make the occasion a day of pleasant recollection.
The following executive committee planned and carried out the splendid program : W. L. Cook, chairman, Joplin ; J. J. Barnett, Joplin ; J. A. Brown, Joplin; W. S. Shelby, Galena; J. W. Kaiser, Fort Scott; W. L. Brockman, Springfield; J. E. Smith, Springfield; M. W. Clark, chairman of transportation committee, Joplin, and Hon. Jas. P. Mead Delegate to Sovereign Camp.
The following officers of the association attended and participated in the deliberations of the business sessions: Verne D. Edwards, Kan- sas City, president; George B. Moore, Fort Scott, vice president; T. J. Robb, Sedalia, second vice president; L. M. Hicks, Rich Hill, third vice president; James E. Fitzgerald, Kansas City, fourth vice president; F. P. Smith, Joplin, secretary; W. L. Owen, Joplin, treasurer.
It was, in reality, Woodmen's day in Joplin; for the choppers from far and near had left the forest and had made a holiday, as it were, to renew old friendships, meet new neighbors and to celebrate the great achievements of their society.
There were thousands of operative as well as speculative Woodmen present, to contest for the honors to be awarded on the occasion of this big log rolling. Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Ar- kansas, Indian territory and Oklahoma each sent representatives to swell the great multitudes that began arriving on the early morning trains over every railroad entering the city.
The Jayhawker, with his quick, springing step and the breath of the prairies clinging about him, mingled with the tall mountaineer from Arkansas. The Missourian in the meantime mingled with the crowd in the forest, and bid them welcome to the friendship and hospitality which has ever characterized and distinguished the state, believing at the same time that he is a pretty good Woodman himself.
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"Log rolling" is an entertainment promoted in the interest of Wood- craft, and to provide an opportunity for the members, their wives, sons, daughters and friends to enjoy a day of pleasure and innocent amuse- ments, become acquainted and cement the bonds of fraternity, friend- ship and hospitality that have distinguished and adorned the order from its first inception. Some of the principal features of these annual log rollings are exhibition drills by the degree teams of the various camps. The proceedings are always witnessed and attended by large crowds. Instead of using guns and swords like military companies, the teams perform various evolutions and movements with axes-the tools used by operative woodmen to fell the trees of the forest.
The following reception committee from the Joplin Club met the several regular and special trains and escorted the Woodmen up town and to the several places of interest about the city: A. V. Boswell, F. L. Yale, D. D. W. Enrich, G. L. Burkhart, Horace Merritt, Frank Smith, F. W. Manchester and Walter Barrett. Another . pleasant and much appreciated act was the placing on Main street by the W. C. T. U. of a number of water barrels, which were kept filled with good ice water and from which the tired and thirsty choppers drank freely.
The exercises proper began at 1 o'clock P. M. with a monster parade, in which five thousand Woodmen participated and which was wit- nessed by fully twenty thousand spectators. The parade moved in the following order :
Squadron of mounted police.
First division-Kansas Woodmen, W. L. Cook, marshal; Baxter Springs band and six marching companies of Foresters.
Second division-Indian Territory Woodmen, F. V. Kruberg, . marshal.
Third division-Arkansas Woodmen, J. A. Brown, marshal.
Fourth division-Missouri Woodmen, Captain Fred Nesbitt, marshal.
In the Missouri division were twenty marching organizations, in- cluding the crack drill teams of Butler, Springfield, Rich Hill, Nevada, Webb City and other southwest Missouri towns. The parade organized at the Central school, moved north on Joplin to Third street, and south on Main to Cox park, where the competitive drills took place. The following were the prize winners:
Class A-First prize, Rich Hill; second prize, Fort Scott.
Class B-First prize, Springfield;
Class C (hayseed amateurs)-Blendville camp took the first honors. The other prizes were as follows: Woodmen circle drill team con- test : Little Gem Grove, Blendville.
Largest camp in line: Rich Hill.
Best appearing and best drilled camp in parade: East Joplin camp. Best float in parade: Fort Scott.
Best decorated emblematic window : Davis T. Keyser. Vol. 1-33
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After the drill contests the Woodmen again assembled at the Cen- tral school grounds where a number of splendid Woodmen addresses were made.
GRAND LODGE, KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS
The annual legislative assembly of the Knights of Pythias was held in Joplin, October 17 to 21, 1904, and brought to the city 1,500 members of that great fraternity. The brigade assembly of the U. R. K. P. was held at the same time and there were eight companies of the military branch of the order in attendance, to-wit: Kansas City Company No. 3 and Sicilian Company No. 1, of Kansas City; Webb City Company No. 11; Neosho Company No. 56; Joplin Company No. 40, of the Missouri brigade, and the companies from Galena, Pittsburg and Girard, Kansas. At that time the company at Girard held the world's championship, having carried away first money in the prize drills at Louisville, Ken- tucky in August of that year. The Pythian parade at the opening of the grand body was an imposing spectacle.
On the opening night at Germania Hall a reception and ball was given complimentary to the red plumed knights and it was a most brilliant affair. As many of the members of the order appeared in uniform, it was a semi-military event and the mingling of the beauti- ful costumes of the fairer sex with the showy regimentals of the Knights, together with the music which rose with rapturous swell- and half drowned the merry laughter of the dancers,-made a scene of brilliancy long to be remembered. Joplin was profusely decorated with the colors of the order-red, yellow and blue-and the two hotels which served as headquarters. The Keystone, for the Grand Lodge officers, and the Clarkston, for the Pythian Sisters, were decorated . most tastefully and in a manner reflecting great credit on the manage- ment of these two hostelries.
The badges given the delegates on the occasion were most unique and emblematic of the mining district. On a triangle of zinc, mixed with aluminum, was a raised representation of the King Jack mine. This novel souvenir was suspended from a neatly arranged bow of red, yellow and blue ribbons, making not only an attractive but valu- able keepsake.
At the Joplin convention of the Knights of Pythias Hon. George J. Crowther, of St. Joseph, former congressman from the Fourth dis- trict, was elected grand chancellor.
At the conclusion of the third day's session the local committee chartered six of the big interurban cars and took the out-of-town visi- tors, including the ladies, through the mining district, concluding with a visit to the then famous King Jack mine, which was represented on the zinc keepsake mentioned above.
In the prize drills Sicilian Company No. 1, of Kansas City, won the first prize ($150.00), and Webb City Company No. 11, second ($100.00). Both of these companies put up excellent drill and won
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round after round of applause from the spectators. The exhibition drill of the Girard company was excellent and won for them repeated applause.
GRAND COMMANDERY, KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
The Grand Commandery, Knights Templar, of Missouri, held its annual convention in Joplin May 22-23, 1906. It was one of the most successful encampments which that body has ever attended and the white plumed knights were loud in their praises for the hospitality which had been extended them by the Jasper county Knights; for, in reality it was a Jasper county affair, the Carthage and Webb City Knights joining with the Joplin commandery in making the event a brilliant success. There were five hundred Knights in the city and many were accompanied by their wives.
The feature of the first day was the grand parade, which was participated in by twenty-eight commanderies. The line was in com- mand of Gib W. Carson, of St. Louis, generalissimo of the grand com- mandery, Grand Commander Campbell Wells, of Platt City, with the other officers of the grand commandery and distinguished guests reviewed the line of march from the balcony of the Elks club house. The parade was a magnificent affair and was witnessed by 15,000 peo- ple. The parade, however, brought with it a sadness in the death of Peter Schnur, first editor of the Joplin Daily News and a Mason of many years standing. During the parade Mr. Schnur became pros- trated by the heat and was obliged to drop out of the line and by a strange coincidence he fell out near his home, No. 626 Sergeant avenue. In a few hours after being taken to his home he died, and a feeling of gloom was cast over the city as the news of his sickness and death passed rapidly from lip to lip.
After the parade the Knights repaired to Barbee Park where the prize drills took place. About two thousand people witnessed the ex- hibition drills of the crack organizations of St. Louis and Kansas City. Colonel Sinclair was in command of the St. Louis contingent and Captain Samuel Hooker, of Kansas City, appeared at the head of the famous Oriental Commandery drill team.
A combined band of one hundred and fifty pieces was provided for the occasion, and rendered a pleasing concert before the com- mencement of the drills. The St. Louis commandery was the first to appear on the field and in a series of wonderful evolutions, executed almost without a flaw, won tremendous applause.
Several members of the Grand Commandery occupied seats in a box, from which floated the Grand Commandery flags of the white and black and the national emblem.
Only by the closest attention could the slightest break ever be detected in the ranks of Colonel Sinclair's fine organization, and when extended in line and the viewpoint was from the side, a momentary glimpse of one man marching by was seen. It was a thrilling sight to watch the manoeuvres, and Colonel Sinclair was but a reflection of
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the evident pride felt by the men as their work brought out round after round of cheers.
Oriental Commandery, with its own band, took the field and also gave an excellent drill. Their execution of the sword manual brought them the loudest applause.
Following the prize drills there was a dress parade which was par- ticipated in by the Grand Commandery, a feature of which was a monster band, made up from the combined bands which had taken part in the parades in the morning and their music made the welkin ring.
BALL IN A MINE
Perhaps the most unique and novel entertainment accorded the Templars was a ball which was given by Colonel and Mrs. W. R. Caulkins, of Carthage, which occurred at the plant of the Yellow Dog Mine and was probably the first occasion where a ball was given under such unique and peculiar circumstances. It was not only the place in which the gathering was held, but the fact that, mingled with the music of orchestra, and the merry passage of jest and repartee among the dancers, was the whirl and rumble of the big mill; for, by special arrangement with the employers, a sufficient force of "top men" were working a half shift to enable the guests to enjoy the exceedingly novel and interesting sensation of dividing their time between the grand ball in progress at the north end of the great building and a stroll among the varied equipments of a modern leviathan mining plant in full operation. The north end of the Marigold-in other words, the Yellow Dog-had in very truth been converted, through the artistic work of the decorating committee, into a grand ball room such as was wholly in keeping with the dignity and grandeur of the ancient organi- zation under whose auspices the gathering was held. By most dexterous manipulation of black and white drapery, used interchangeable, looped streamers and the liberal use of bannerets bearing the Masonic and knightly mottoes, "Magna est Veritas," with the maltese cross and "In Hoc Signo Vinces," with the Saint Andrews cross, a strikingly charac- teristic transformation was obtained from the bare walls of the mill building to a really beautiful assembly hall. An orchestral stage had been erected at the north end, which was draped with the red, white and blue of the stars and stripes, with knightly banners and other ideals of the art decorative, creating a fine background as seen from the body of the hall. Viewed from the orchestra, there was a brilliantly illuminated vista stretching more than 350 feet in a direct line, the hall itself being about half that distance.
The programme began with a grand march in which all present par- ticipated and was followed by twenty-six dancing numbers. It was long after midnight when the guests departed and by all the occasion was voted to have been most enjoyable and memorable.
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STATE ENCAMPMENT, UNITED CONFEDERATE VETERANS
Jasper County Camp No. 522, of United Confederate Veterans, en- tertained the State Encampment at Joplin September 26-27, 1906. This gathering brought to Joplin two hundred and fifty delegates, besides a large number of old veterans with their wives and daughters who accom- panied them to participate in the reunion. The sessions were held at the Club Theatre. At ten o'clock Wednesday morning, September 26th, the doors of the theatre were thrown open and in a few moments the building was filled with the Confederate veterans and their friends. After the band had played Dixie, which was loudly cheered, James B. Gant (then a member of the Missouri Supreme Court), major general commanding the Missouri division, U. C. V., rapped for order and intro- duced Mayor C. W. Lyon, who in turn, introduced H. Clyde Compton, who delivered the formal address of welcome to the veterans. He re- viewed the history of the nation with special reference to the principles of government which have been established. In reviewing the Civil war he paid a glowing tribute to the courage and ability of the Southern leaders and soldiery. When he concluded there was no doubt of the sincerity of the welcome which the city extended to the visitors.
"It is one of the chief joys of the Confederate veterans that his children are not ashamed of his record," said Commander Gant in in- troducing William L. Butts, who welcomed the visiting Sons of Confede- rate Veterans. Mr. Butts' address was a delightfully eloquent one and met with a hearty reception at the hands of the audience. At this juncture the band again played "Dixie," and the old soldiers went wild with the enthusiasm which the old song provoked.
Commander Gant responded to the welcomes in a short address which aroused the greatest enthusiasm. In part he said: "The Con- federate Veterans of Missouri already knew that the hearty welcome to Joplin was theirs before this morning. Already the visitors in this city know that all that Joplin has to offer is theirs. The city of Joplin is a wonder to many of the old soldiers who fought in the battle of Carth- age forty years ago when there was no Joplin. Permit me to say that the men who are before you, Mr. Mayor, are worthy of the welcome which has been extended. Among them are men who followed Lee and his peerless lieutenants through the four years of the great conflict. There are those who followed the stars of Hood and Johnston and the great cavalry leaders, Forrest and Shelby. Not to be forgotten are the men from Missouri who, without money, arms, food or equipment, joined 'Pap' Price and fought some of the hardest battles of the war.
"The record of the Confederate soldiers is commendable not only for his military accomplishments, but for what he has done for the south since the close of the war. With his parole, he returned to his once happy home often to find nothing left but the charred chimneys. With nothing left but his honor, his manhood and his trust in God, he began again the battle of life. How magnificently he has succeeded all the world knows. The universities, schools and churches have been
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rebuilt. The New South is prosperous and happy as the result of the work of the Confederate soldier." Following this he spoke briefly of the accomplishments of Confederate soldiers in the civic affairs of Missouri.
One of the pleasant features of this meeting was the extending of a hearty welcome by the members of O. P. Morton Post, Grand Army of the Republic, who appointed a reception committee to assist in en- tertaining the boys who had worn the gray.
Perhaps the most pleasant and delightful bit of entertainment ex- tended the visitors was a reception given at the Keystone Hotel in honor of the Maids of Honor. The parlors were crowded during the hours of the reception. The sponsors and maids of honor who had taken part in the ceremonies of the morning were all in attendance at the reception and were the center of attraction during the afternoon.
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