USA > Washington > Spokane County > An illustrated history of Spokane county, state of Washington > Part 34
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The bodies meet at Masonic hall, on the fourth Thursday of each month, and the work of the rite is exemplified twice annually, at the spring and fall convocations.
El-Katif Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, was instituted on July 31, 1890, by Illustrious Noble George W. Miller, assisted by a special excursion of Nobles from Mecca (the Parent) and Algeria Temple, and other visiting Nobles from Al Kader, Afifi, etc., Algeria Temple taking charge of the work. The petitioners for this dispensation were Clarence S. Scott, thirty- second degree, of Saladin Temple, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Nathan B. Rundle, thirty- second degree, Tripoli Temple, Milwaukee, Wisconsin ; James M. Buckley, thirty-second degree, Afifi Temple, Tacoma, Washington; Horace W. Tyler, thirty-second degree. Tripoli Temple, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Eugene A. Sherwin, thirty-second degree, Tripoli Temple Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Daniel McGuane, thir- ty-second degree, Osman Temple, St. Paul, Minnesota; John F. McEwen, Al Koran Temple, Cleveland, Ohio; George D. Sher- man, Medina Temple, Chicago, Illinois.
The first ceremonial session was held on the same date, during which a class of forty- three were introduced and initiated.
The first illustrious potentate was Noble Clarence S. Scott, who was duly installed on July 31, 1890, and he appointed and in- stalled on October 20, 1890, the first divan.
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being as follows: Nathan B. Rundle, chief rabban; F. E. Snodgrass, assistant rabban; H. W. Tyler, H. P. & P .; E. M. Bloomer, O. Guide; J. F. McEwen, treasurer; Fred Furth, recorder.
On June 19, 1891, the imperial potentate. Samuel Briggs, over the seal of the Imperial Council, issued to El Katiff a regular charter. From its institution to date, January 1, 1900, three hundred and twenty-one Nobles have subscribed their names as members of El Katif Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.
Illustrious Potentate Clarence S. Scott re- tiring in 1891, the illustrious potentates suc- ceeding him have been : Horace W. Tyler, for the year 1892; Nathan B. Rundle, for 1893- 1894; Frank W. Churchouse, 1895; Henry L. Kennan, 1896; Ephraim Dempsie, 1897; J. M. Fitzpatrick, 1898; H. L. Schermerhorn, 1899 ; S. Harry Rush, 1900, still reigning.
ODD FELLOWSHIP IN SPOKANE COUNTY.
BY A. G. ANSELL.
The introduction of Odd Fellowship into Spokane county began with the institution of Spokane Lodge, No. 17. Hon. John M. Swan was the first grand master of this juris- diction. In his report to the second session of the Grand Lodge of Washington held at Van- couver, May 11, 1880. he gives the report of the special deputy, Mr. A. J. Banta, of Colfax. as follows :
COLFAX, WASH., April 30, 1880 To John M. Swan, Grand Master:
Dear Sir and Brother :- Pursuant to the authority in me vested by the special com- mission issued by you, under date March 12, 1880, I proceeded to institute a lodge in the town of Spokane Falls, in the county of Stevens, and assisted by a sufficient number of known, approved and duly qualified brothers, on the 26th day of April, 1880, in- stituted Spokane Lodge. No. 17, and installed the following officers, who were duly elected,
to-wit : Charles W. Cornelius, noble grand ; James N. Glover, vice grand; W. P. Wilber, secretary; B. F. Shaner, treasurer; W. J. Gilbert, warden, and J. W. Stephens, con- ductor.
Yours fraternally. A. J. BANTA, Special Deputy Grand Master.
The act of the grand master in instituting the Spokane lodge was approved by the Grand Lodge and a charter was issued to the lodge in due form. Spokane Falls, as it was then known, was a small village in those days and suitable accommodations for lodge meetings were very meager. The lodge was instituted in. a small hall then used by the Masonic lodge. It was located on the second floor of a small wooden building which stood on the south side of Front avenue, between Howard and Stevens streets. The first initiate into the new lodge was Samuel T. Arthur, a pioneer hotel keeper of Spokane, who has been a member continu- ously ever since and who still resides in Spo- kane.
Spokane Lodge soon changed its place of meeting to a hall on the north side of Riverside avenue, between Howard and Mill streets, and still later to a building owned by J. B. Krien- buhl on the east side of Howard street, just north of Riverside avenue.
The condition of things in this section was well pictured by T. N. Ford, grand secretary. in his report to the Grand Lodge of Washing- ton, in May, 1880, in these words : "From ac- counts heretofore received, I am led to be- lieve that there is abundant good material in the above mentioned place ( Spokane Falls) for a first-class lodge. This will make seven- teen lodges in the jurisdiction, with a reason- able prospect for three or four new applications soon to follow. Eastern Washington is rapidly filling up with permanent residents, and thriving towns are springing into existence where but a few short months ago not a sign
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of a house or a vestige of civilization could be seen. Many of the new settlers are Odd Fellows and will soon be organizing and knocking at our doors for admission."
Organized on the anniversary of Ameri- can Odd Fellowship, Spokane Lodge had a prosperous and encouraging growth for several years. The large influx of permanent resi- dents spoken of by the grand secretary brought with it a number of Odd Fellows who cast their lot with the then struggling village of Spokane Falls and joined No. 17. For a few years everything in this new region was pros- perous. The coming of the railroad in 1882 and the discovery of gold in the Cœur d' Alenes in 1883 caused a very rapid increase in the population and business of this region. Then came the reaction and depression of 1884 and subsequent years. The new lodge shared in these periods of prosperity and de- pression. Spokane Lodge. No. 17. continued as the only lodge in this community until Samaritan Lodge. No. 52. was instituted in January, 1888. Spokane Lodge at that time had about fifty members. The institution of another lodge, instead of being an injury to the pioneer lodge, had a stimulating influence on it. That period was the beginning of prosperous, progressive Odd Fellowship in Spokane. The brothers of Samaritan entered upon the work with zest and enthusiasm which soon banished the lethargic spirit which for a while seemed to have settled upon No. 17. and though Samaritan Lodge marched ahead with rapid strides. Spokane Lodge always maintained a safe lead in membership. Both lodges were constantly doing degree work and the interest in Odd Fellowship had a steady growth. In 1890 came the institution of the third lodge in Spokane, Mt. Carleton. No. 103. The city was then growing rapidly and the new lodge was gladly welcomed by the two older ones, and a spirit of harmony prevailed among them all. Spokane Lodge throughout this period held tenaciously to its
position of leadership in influence and member- ship.
In the early part of 1893 nearly twenty members of Spokane Lodge withdrew from its ranks to organize Imperial Lodge, No. 134. which was instituted, a giant at its birth, with nearly two hundred members. This dropped the membership of Spokane Lodge behind that of both Samaritan and Mt. Carleton, and seemed to rob the lodge of much of its ag- gressive spirit. Through the next five years they had no incidents to distinguish them from the ordinary lodge. In 1898 they had a mem- bership of ninety. At that time a condition arose in the lodge, a solution of which has at- tracted attention among Odd Fellows through- out this entire country. Three members of the lodge engaged in saloon business in vio- lation of section 5. of article XVI. of the Sovereign Grand Lodge constitution. Charges were preferred against them and attempts made to bring them to trial. The accused rallied a number of their friends and sympa- thizers and prevented the case from coming to trial. The grand master then expelled the lodge for not enforcing the law and took up the charter October 5. 1898. Unwilling to see the entire lodge thus blotted out of exist- ence, the loyal members petitioned the grand master to restore to them the charter. The grand master harkened to their appeal and on October 26. 1898, the charter was restored to the loyal members and the lodge resumed work. The disloyal element was left out. the grand master announcing to the lodges in the jurisdiction that they stood expelled from the order subject to the approval of the Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge of Washington in its session in June, 1899. approved the action of the grand master.
An appeal from the action of the Grand Lodge was taken to the Sovereign Grand Lodge and came up for a hearing before that august tribunal at its recent session in De - troit. Michigan. After a complete hearing of
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the case before the committee on appeals, the committee unanimously affirmed the decision of the Grand Lodge of Washington, and the Sovereign Grand Lodge adopted the report of the committee without a dissenting voice. Thus the great senate of Odd Fellowship, in pass- ing upon a case which originated in Spokane Lodge, No. 17, have enacted into law the principle that our grand officers and grand lodges are vested with authority to enforce tlie laws against all offenders. The brothers of the lodge that pressed this matter to a final conclusion deserve the thanks of the entire brotherhood. In thus expelling the disloyal element, the lodge lost twenty-one members.
About this time a proposition came from the members of No. 17 to consolidate with Samaritan, No. 52. Permission to consoli- date was granted by the Grand Lodge of Washington at its 1899 session, and the con- solidation was effected on the evening of July 3, 1899, by Hon. Wallace Mount, past grand master, acting as special deputy grand master. Thus, after an existence of nearly twenty years, Spokane Lodge lost its identity in Samaritan Lodge, No. 52. As the pioneer lodge, No. 17 made a splendid history and those instituted later owe it a debt of gratitude for keeping alive the principles of the order in this community during the trying experi- ences through which it passed.
Samaritan Lodge, No. 52 .- The fourth lodge instituted in Spokane county, and the second in the city of Spokane, was Samaritan Lodge, No. 52. This lodge was instituted on the evening of January 9, 1888, in what was known as the Keats hall, in a building then standing on the southwest corner of River- side avenue and Howard street, and owned by Albert E. Keats. That corner is now occupied by the Traders' National Bank building. Samaritan Lodge began its life with twenty charter members, all of the Odd Fellows hold- ing either live or expired cards. Their names were H. C. Long, W. C. Gray, A. C. Edwards,
F. M. Spain, E. M. Shaner, William Cook, E. J. Brickell, J. C. Jannot, Alex MacFee, W. F. McKay, B. D. Brockman, W. J. Shaner, F. M. Dallam, P. Quinn, A. Gibson, A. G. An- sell, J. C. Bennett, H. D. James, J. Cameron, J. Douglas.
The lodge was instituted by Hon. J. W. Binkley, acting as special deputy grand master, assisted by a number of the brothers of Spo- kane Lodge, No. 17. No initiates were re- ceived or degree work done on the night of institution. It was intended by the Samari- tans that the evening should be one of enjoy- ment and pleasure. and not of work, and that program they very successfully carried out.
The first officers of the new lodge were. A. C. Edwards, noble grand; F. M. Spain, vice grand: H. C. Long, recording secretary ; J. C. Bennett, financial secretary ; and W. J. Shaner, treasurer. When the services of in- stituting the lodge and installing the officers was over and the lodge declared to be in per- fect working order, an adjournment was taken to the Grand Hotel, the leading hostlery of Spokane. where a very large assemblage of Odd Fellows enjoyed a banquet. The banquet was followed by a very profitable and enoy- able season of toasts and responses over which the newly installed noble grand presided with the ease and grace of a veteran.
Samaritan Lodge had its good time on the night of its institution. That evening it dedi- cated to unalloyed enjoyments. On its first regular meeting thereafter it began to preach and to practice the gospel work. Candidates for admission knocked at its doors from its birth, and thereafter. for very many months, the lodge never held a meeting without having degree work on its program. On the 21st of December. 1889. the lodge reported a men- bership of fifty-eight.
On the 4th of August, 1889. came the ter- rible conflagration which destroyed the busi- ness portion of the city of Spokane. In this ca- lamity Samaritan Lodge suffered the loss of its
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entire outfit of regalia and paraphernalia, which had been selected with great care and in which had been invested almost the entire receipts of the lodge up to the time. Feeling secure against such a calamity in a building con- sidered almost fireproof and situated in the business centre of the city, the trustees neg- lected to insure the property of the lodge and everything, including the books and records, was a total loss. With very little money in the treasury, great losses to repair, many of the members having suffered heavy personal losses, and an entire new outfit to purchase for the lodge, several members proposed that permis- sion be asked of the grand master to appeal to the other lodges in the jurisdiction for aid. This proposition was rejected by a large ma- jority of the lodge, they pluckily deciding to bear their own burdens, begin again at the bottom and build up through their own efforts.
During this period the lodge held its meet- ings under difficulties. Its hall had been de- stroyed in the big fire and no suitable place could be found in the city to hold its session. A small room used for a reading room by the employees of the Spokane Mill Company was found in the triangular building situated at the confluence of Mill and Post streets, near the Spokane river. Afterwards they met in the Ridpath building on Howard street, near First avenue. Soon after . a more suitable hall was found in the Frankfurt block, on Howard street. Here the lodge remained until they removed into the building erected by Spokane Lodge, No. 17, on First avenue, where its meetings are still held.
In membership Samaritan Lodge has had a steady and continuous growth. During the past few years its affairs have been directed almost entirely by others than those whose names appear on its charter roll, yet the same spirit of aggression seems to possess all who come within the fold and the work has never been permitted to lag. No period of depres-
sion has overtaken this lodge. It has a record of uninterrupted growth.
While nearly all the lodges in this state were suffering heavy losses from the hard times, Samaritan has been constantly report- ing a steady increase. They could not pre- vent heavy losses from non-payment of dues, and the lodge resolved early in its history not to pad its rolls by carrying from year to year those who could not or were not even likely to pay. but the brothers caught the spirit of bal- ancing and even overbalancing these losses by accessions from without. Almost constantly the doors of the lodge were being opened to admit new members. Thus did Samaritan steadily maintain its record as a live working lodge and its membership at the same time.
A very prominent feature in the history of this lodge is the pleasant spirit of unity which has ever been manifested among its members. The lodge has been a genuine brotherhood. The acrimony of anger and ill feeling has never found a place in its discussions. Dif- ferences of opinion have disappeared when the edict of the majority has pronounced a con- clusion. Not one of its trusted servants has betrayed its trust or robbed the lodge of its funds. Its members have without exception maintained upright character ; they are recog- nized as men of integrity in the community and many of them have been honored by being called upon by their fellow citizens to fill po- sitions of trust and responsibility.
Early in 1899 a proposition came to Samari- tan from Spokane Lodge, No. 17, to consoli- date the two lodges. This was desired for the purpose of securing and saving to the order the valuable real estate then held in the name of Spokane Lodge. This consisted chiefly of the Odd Fellows' Temple, on First avenue, near Post street. Spokane Lodge had been reduced in membership to about sixty and they feared that the indebtedness on the building was too heavy for them to carry alone. A joint committee was ap-
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pointed by the two lodges and the terms of consolidation were agreed upon. These terms were afterwards ratified by the lodges. By this agreement Spokane Lodge was to sur- render its charter and be merged into Samari- tan Lodge. The terms of consolidation were ratified by the Grand Lodge of Washington. and by the authority of the grand master, the two lodges were consolidated by Brother Wal- lace Mount, past grand master ; on the evening of July 3. 1899. The consolidation gave Samaritan a membership of one hundred and ninety-seven. An arrangement was then made with the holder of the mortgage on the Odd Fellows' Temple by which Samaritan Lodge paid all liens, interest and taxes against the building, except eleven thousand dollars, which was renewed on a five-year loan at five per cent interest. This places the lodge as the owner of a fine building worth twenty-five thousand dollars, the indebtedness on which is in such shape that they can easily meet it when due. The lodge also owns cemetery property worth probably three thousand dol- lars and has several thousand dollars in cash and securities in its treasury. It is one of the largest and richest lodges in the state of Wash- ington.
Samaritan Lodge has among its members many prominent and influential Odd Fellows. It has received generous recognition in the grand councils of the order of the state. One of its members, Brother J. B. Krienbuhl, is grand treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Wash- ington, and is also grand treasurer of the Grand Encampment of Washington. Brother Krienbuhl is one of the oldest and most worthy Odd Fellows in this state. He has been a member continuously for forty years. Brother G. W. Stocker is now grand scribe of the Grand Encampment of Washington. Brother A. J. AAnsell, also a Samaritan, has passed the chairs in the Grand Lodge of Washington, and has now entered on his fourth year as grand representative from that body to the
Sovereign Grand Lodge. Brother A. C. Ed- wards, the first noble grand, was appointed by President Cleveland as United States Com- missioner to Alaska, which position he ably filled for nearly four years, when he resigned to engage in other business. Brother E. L. Powell was the third grand master of this jurisdiction, and served in the Washington state Legislature and as mayor of the city of Spokane. Brother Norman Buck was for a number of years United States district judge for the northern district of Idaho and served for four years as judge of the superior court of Spokane county. Brother J. J. White; the present noble grand of this lodge, was for three years city clerk of the city of Spokane, served four years as deputy city treasurer and in May, 1899, was elected city treasurer for a term of two years.
The present officers of Samaritan Lodge are : J. J. White, noble grand ; R. A. Chambers, vice grand; C. Burch, recording secretary: G. W. Stocker, financial secretary: Charles E. Matson, treasurer: and John May, G. W. Stocker and A. G. Ansell, trustees.
Mount Carleton Lodge. No. 103 .- The third lodge instituted in the city of Spokane was Mount Carleton Lodge, No. 103, which was instituted in the Odd Fellows' hall in the Frankfort building, on the west side of How'- ard street, between Riverside and Main ave- nues, on the evening of August 4. 1891. by J. B. Krienbuhl, acting as special deputy grand master by appointment of Charles A. Has- brouck, grand master.
Mount Carleton Lodge took its name from the mountain peak of that name which stands about thirty miles from Spokane, a little east or north and which is the highest mountain in this region. The institution of this lodge was a very important event in the history of Odd Fellowship in Spokane. The deputy grand master was assisted in the work of or- ganizing the lodge by several of the members of Nos. 17 and 52 and the occasion was one
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MILLARD T. HARTSON SPOKANE
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which called together a large number of the members of the fraternity in this section, both residents and visitors.
The charter members of the new lodge were James P. Boyd. W. P. Harris, J. W. Wilson, M. E. Gibbs, H. A. Traughler. C. F. Leeson, J. Stinsman, J. M. Ellis, P. G .. J. E. Hughes, A. Anderson, W. Cook, P. G., A. J. Bertrand, Robert Muhs, R. L. Sewell. L. C. Bailey. E. Sturgeon and H. F. Jones. There were seventeen applications for men- bership in the new lodge balloted on and elected that evening These were all given the ini- tiatory and three degrees that night. the de- gree work being done by the degree staff of Stanley Lodge, No. 70, of Medical Lake, who were present for that purpose by special invita- tion. This was the beginning of degree staff work in Spokane. The projectors of this lodge early recognized the value of degree team work, and as this had not at that time been taken up by either of the lodges in Spokane, they called to their assistance the well drilled team of Stanley Lodge, their exemplification of the degrees being very complete and inter- esting. From the beginning Mount Carleton Lodge has magnified the importance of the degree staff work and its members have always bent their energies toward perfection in that line. No lodge in the state of Washington has given more assiduous attention to this fea- ture of work and it is perfectly safe to say that no lodge in this state has ever been, or is now, the equal of Mount Carleton in the beauty, thoroughness and adaptability of its floor work.
During the evening on which the lodge was instituted, a very elaborate banquet was spread for the members and guests in the · Cœur d'Alene restaurant. All did justice to this feast and many were the expressions of good will made by those who enjoyed the hos -. pitality of this newcomer into the lodge family. The officers elected and installed for the first term were: J. E. Hughes, noble grand; L. C.
Bailey, vice grand ; J M. Ellis, recording sec- retary : A. J. Bertrand, treasurer.
Mount Carleton Lodge was organized with a membership composed almost entirely of young men. Their accessions have been from the ranks of young men of the com- munity. This safe conservative policy has been of vast benefit to the lodge treasury. The lodge has not been called upon to pay heavily for sick benefits and in not a single instance during nearly nine years of its history has the lodge been called upon to hold its service over the grave of one of its members, or to pay funeral benefits. This very striking ex- perience in the history of this lodge has fully demonstrated the wisdom of its founders' de- termination to look carefully after the quali- fications of those who sought membership.
The lodge has had a very prosperous growth from the time of its institution. It numbers among its members some of the most faithful and zealous Odd Fellows in the state. On December 31, 1899. it reported a con- tributing membership of one hundred and seventeen, and its finances are in splendid con- dition, the lodge having a handsome balance to its credit.
The officers for the term beginning Jan- uary 1, 1900, are as follows: Robert G. Fra- zier, noble grand: Rufus G. Horr, vice grand ; C. T. Bogart, recording secretary ; Ewing Mc- Closkey, financial secretary: John Hearn, treasurer.
Imperial Lodge, No. 134 .- The most im- portant single event that has ever occurred in Odd Fellow circles in Spokane county was the organization of Imperial Lodge. No. 134, on the 9th of March, 1893. For several years prior to the institution of Imperial Lodge the population of Spokane had been very rapidly increasing. Many who were already members of the order in this city believed that the real interests of Odd Fellowship would best be pro- moted by the organization of a new lodge which would be composed largely of the business and
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professional men of the community. On the evening of January 23, 1893, a meeting of those who favored the idea of starting the new lodge was held in the office of Charles L. Knox. The idea was thoroughly considered in all its bearings; the influence of such a movement on the work of the order in the community as well as on individuals. The character of this meet- ing may be judged from its personnel. Those in attendance were: Samuel Glasgow, past grand, E. N. Cory, past grand. J. G. Davis. past grand, Nelson Martin, past grand, Frank P Robinson, past grand, C. L. Knox, past grand, P. D. Tull, past grand, E. P. Gillette, past grand, E. C. Covey, past grand. A. W. Strong. G. Rushing, W. deLaguna, G. H. Holloway, past grand, and E. D. Omans. J. G. Davis was chosen chairman of that meeting and Nelson Martin, secretary. The proposition to organize a new lodge met with unanimous approval from all present. It was decided at that meet- ing that true character and moral worth should be the supreme test of membership in the new lodge. Having decided to organize and out- lined the plan on which the new lodge would be founded, the necessary committees were ap- pointed and an active canvass for members was at once entered upon in which each one who participated in the preliminary meeting con- sidered himself a special committee of one for active and aggressive work. The consent of each of the other three lodges for the establish- ment of a new lodge was obtained without ob- jection, and a dispensation was then obtained from the grand master.
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