CHAPTER XXV.
FRATERNAL ORDERS AND LODGES.
MASONIC LODGES.
By H. M. Sinclair.The first body of Free Masons organized in Butler county was that of Mystic Tie Lodge, No. 74, of Augusta. This lodge received its charter from the Grand Lodge of Kansas on October 22, 1869, with the following brethren named as its first officers; C. N. James, W. M.: J. W. Douglass, S. W.; Thomas Stewart, J. W. The destruction of its records many years ago render it impossible to give the names of the charter members.
Mystic Tie Lodge is composed of the best citizenship of Augusta and the surrounding country, and is famed both individually and collectively for its broad-minded charity and helpfulness in time of need. The lodge is in a prosperous condition and the membership is now 160.
The second lodge to receive a charter was Patmos Lodge, No. 97, El Dorado, whose authority dates May 19, 1870, with the following brethren as its first officers: T. G. Boswell W. M.; James P. Gordon, S. W.; J. C. Lambdin, J. W.; H. H. Gardner, treasurer; D. M. Bronson, secretary; C. M. Foulk, S. D.; S. M. Feely, J. D.; E. S. Gordon, Tyler, and the following charter members: C. Ferguson, J. L. Cupples, J. A. McKenzie, V. Sain and L. B. Snow. Of the original members of Patmos lodge, Brother John L. Cupples is the only surviving member. The early records of the lodge were destroyed by a tornado in June, 1871, and the early work is very undefined, only as it comes down to us by oral tradition. The lodge owns its own building which is a fine two-story brick structure at the corner of Central avenue and Settler street. The rooms are nicely fitted up and the lodge is in a very propserous[sic] condition. The present membership is 239.
Douglass Lodge, No. 151, was granted a charter on October 22, 1874. The officers elected were: Gideon D. Prindle, W. M.; Solomon Wise, S. W.; James J. Harney, J. W.: John S. Johnson, treasurer; Watson M. Lamb, secretary: James P. Shanks, S. D.; Edwin Stevens, J. D.; Joel H. Price, Tyler, together with the following charter members: Joshua Olmstead, John Stalter, Charles H. Lamb, James Kent.
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James F. Gibson, Adelbert D. Lee, Jeremiah Brittingham, E. E. Harney, Isaac Renfrow and LaFayette B. Wamsley.
In the ranks of Douglass lodge are found men high up in religious and political circles, always battling for the maintenance of truth and the upbuilding of all that is good in the community. The present membership is 140.
Joppa Lodge, No. 223, located at Leon, was granted a charter on February 22, 1883, with the following as its first officers: George A. Kenoyer, W. M.; John J. Brown, S. W.; Charles Tabing, J. W., together with the following charter members: Jerry Campbell, Ambrose Batt, John L. Moore, Daniel W. Poe, Thomas J. Lindsay, E. K. Summerwell and Joseph Pattie.
Joppa Lodge has always responded nobly in acts of kindness and charity to those in adversity and distress and many a one has reason to bless the philanthropy of the members of this lodge. The present membership is eighty.
Towanda Lodge, No. 30, although having a number which would indicate an earlier organization, did not get its charter until September, 1885. Its first officers were: E. T. Beeson, W. M.; John Eddington, S. W.; Andrew Swiggett, J. W.; A. J. Ralston, treasurer; W. H. Young, secretary; L. M. Pace, S. D.; Fred Lyons, J. D.; George Swiggett, Tyler, with these brethren as charter members: J. S. Braley, J. T. Nye, B. W. Eakin, J. M. Read, R. S. Miller, Ely Lytle, Charles Mornheinweg, Julius Straw and William Snyder.
Towanda lodge owns it own building, which is a solid structure of stone, located in the center of the business portion of the city, and enjoys the reputation of being one of the best "working" lodges in this jurisdiction. Its membership comprises the best in the community. The latch string always "hangs out" to those who are worthy. The present membership is eighty-five.
In the early part of 1886, a few Masons living at Brainard and vicinity, being homesick for a place to meet and do Masonic work, concluded to petition the Grand Lodge for a dispensation to open and form a lodge according to ancient usages. On June 25, 1886, authority was given them to work under dispensation, which they did until February 17, 1887, when the Grand Lodge granted them a charter to be known as Brainard Lodge, No. 280, with the following officers: E. T. Eaton, W. M.; G. W. Neal, S. W.; J. C. Jewett, J. W.; W. H. Stewart, treasurer; M. C. Snorf., secretary; A. N. Brumback, J. D.; J. M. Foy, S. D.; B. V. Squire, S. S.; L. J. Turner, J S.; H. Dohren, Tyler, and these charter members: Isaac N. Carson, Daniel M. Green, William C. McCraner, John Stuart, Benjamin D. Squires, Thomas T. Stansbury and James V. Seaman.
The lodge had a steady and healthy growth until 1892, when the Rock Island railroad, having built its road through Whitewater (practically leaving Brainard "out in the cold") decided to move to the latter
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place. Brainard lodge, like many others in a new country, had its "ups and downs," but still with its eye on that "hieroglyphic bright, which none but craftsmen ever saw," pursued the even tenor of their way until at the present ime[sic] they can boast of one of the best working lodges in the States, composed of the very best men in the community and enjoying the confidence and respect they richly deserve. The total membership is now fifty-eight.
On February 23, 1913, a charter was granted to Howard C. Tillotson, W. M.; William Yenter, S. W.; William H. Brown, J. W., together with the following charter members to do all regular Masonic work at Latham, to be known as Latham Lodge, No. 401: John R. Jarnell, John T. Comstock, Thomas T. Trigg, William McKinney, A. E. Jones, W. L. Murphy, W. H. Ellis and Sam S. Wright.
Although a new lodge, it is forging to the front both in membership and in the accuracy of its work. The future certainly looks bright for Latham lodge. Its membership is thirty-six.
The Order of the Eastern Star, an auxiliary, or appendix, of Free-masonry, is in a very flourishing condition in this county. Stars, or chapters, being located at practically all places where Masons meet and when the hand of a brother Mason is in need of the refinement, grace and the soothing presence of woman, some good sister of the order is certain to be found.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
By George F. Fullinwider.El Dorado Lodge, No. 74, is the oldest and strongest. It was instituted May 31, 1871, by H. L. Stoddard and the only charter member now living, I believe, is H. M. Logan, who also bears the distinction of being the oldest in point of membership in continual good standing who was initiated in the county, now living within its boundaries. Present membership, 177.
Following closely after this organization was that of Western Star Lodge, No. 81, at Augusta, October 19, 1871, by W. A. Shannon, P. G. M. This lodge has passed through many vicissitudes, but has always held its charter, and at present is in a thrifty growing condition. Its membership numbers one hundred.
Leon Odd Fellowship has experienced a rough voyage in the past, on May 24, 1882, A. H. Dow instituted Leon Lodge, No. 203. After struggling for several years, the members surrendered their charter, March 20, 1896. The present lodge was instituted October 7, 1905, by H. K. Herbert and given the same name and number as the old lodge. Number of members, thirty-nine.
Walnut Valley Lodge, No. 156, was instituted in Douglass, May 20, 1879, by W. A. Shannon, P. G. M. It, too, has had its ebb and flow, but is now in good working condition. Membership, thirty-four.
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Benton Lodge, No. 255, was instituted April 23, 1885, by William Mathewson. This lodge has passed through tribulation. At one time it lost its hall ,together with its regalia and paraphernalia, by fire. It struggled to its feet, bought a new site and erected a fine brick building, the upper floor of which is occupied for its lodge room. It is now in a flourishing condition with fifty-one members and good prospects.
Milton Lodge, No. 268, was first instituted at Brainard, October 14, 1885. It is now located at Whitewater. When it was moved or by what authority, the records fail to show. Suffice it to say, the lodge is comfortably located in its own hall, a new brick building, has a membership of forty-seven and is in a flourishing condition. William Mathewson was the instituting officer.
Beaumont Lodge, No. 275, located at Beaumont, was instituted January 11, 1886, by J. S. Codding, G. M. It has a membership of fifty-five. It is one of the real live lodges of the county and is doing good work.
Potwin Lodge, No. 525, at Potwin, was instituted May 20, 1901, by B. F. Allebach. This lodge has recently erected a new brick block, the upper floor of which is used for lodge purposes. Membership, fifty-four.
Rose Hill Lodge, No. 557, was instituted September 25, 1903, by T. D. Wardell. Its membership now numbers twenty-nine.
Rosalia Lodge, No. 565, of Rosalia, was instituted by H. K. Herbert, December 15, 1905. The membership of this lodge is a lively bunch. They have a fine degree team in splendid fettle and put on the work by the ritual. E. S. Gray is captain of the team. The lodge has a membership of sixty-three, with good prospects to increase it to one hundred.
Cassoday Lodge, No. 592, located in Cassoday, in northeast Butler, was instituted October 8, 1906, by H. B. Rogers. It has a membership of forty-eight and they are the substantial sort that make up an organization of true Odd Fellows.
Andover Lodge. No. 624, located at Andover, is one of the youngest lodges in the county. It was instituted December 17, 1909, by James Wilson. Its membership numbers thirty-seven.
Latham Lodge, No. 637, located in Latham, was instituted May 10, 1910, by W. K. Adams. This is the last and youngest of the lodges of Odd Fellows in Butler county, but its membership is made up of the best men in the community and its influence is manifest. There are thirty-three members.
Along with the subordinate lodges and working with them in the great object for which they stand, are the Daughters of Rebekah. A detailed history of the sister organization in Butler county is at this time not available. It is, however, safe to say that in nearly every instance where a subordinate lodge is organized a Rebekah lodge is almost certain to follow. And this is true in Butler county as well as elsewhere. It is also safe to say that the oldest lodge of Sister Re-
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bekahs in Butler county is Friendship Lodge, No. 10, of El Dorado. The strongest, perhaps, in the county, is Potwin Lodge, and it is, perhaps, the most active.
MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA.
By U. M. Green.The first camp of Modern Woodmen of America in Butler county was organized November 10, 1902. Chelsea Camp, No. 8877, with the following officers: Creed Hamilton, Counsel; U. M. Green, Adviser, C. E. Winkler, clerk. The charter of this camp was afterwards surrendered, most of the members uniting with the El Dorado camp.
Camp No. 627, Douglass; chartered June 18, 1888; first consul, J. R. McNabb; first clerk, W. A. Phipps; present membership, 133. Camp No. 647, El Dorado; chartered July 10, 1888; first consul, J. F. Wright; first clerk, C. M. Cruncleton; present membership, 265. Camp No. 902, Augusta; chartered April 9, 1889; first consul, J. F. Richardson; first clerk, Lem Locker; present membership, ninety-one. Camp No. 1838, Potwin; chartered November 25, 1892; first consul, Joseph King; first clerk, G. W. Ball; present membership, fifty. Camp No. 3108, Towanda, chartered July 25, 1895; first consul, W. G. Turner; first clerk, M. Orban, Jr.; present membership, thirty-six. Camp No. 3860, Whitewater; chartered May 9, 1896; first consul, J. W. Stiger; first clerk, J. M. Pace; present membership, forty-nine. Camp No. 408. Benton; chartered July 27, 1896; first consul, J. B. Patton; first clerk, J. C. Osborn; present membership, twenty-eight. Camp No. 5469, Leon: chartered March 26, 1898; first consul, E. L. Bornhouse, first clerk, Charles H. Watson; present membership, forty-five. Camp No. 4381, Latham; chartered June 23, 1898; first consul, W. D. Jessup; first clerk, Roy Shafer; present membership, sixty-nine. Camp No. 6694, Andover; chartered June 15, 1899; first consul, Henry Hart; first clerk, S. B. McClaren; present membership, forty-seven. Camp No. 999, Rose Hill; chartered September 7, 1899; first consul, J. B. Hall; first clerk, W. J. Harrold; present membership, thirty. Camp No. 7154, Rosalia; chartered October 28, 1899; first consul, Val Piper; first clerk, C. E. Prescott; present membership, thirty-four. Camp No. 7261, Bodarc; chartered November 25, 1899; first consul, I. Stewart; first clerk, L. T. Elder; present membership, thirty-four. Camp No. 11063, Cassoday; chartered January 6, 1908; first consul, J. W. Young; first clerk, W. G. Robinson; present membership, eleven. Camp No. 11403. Elbing; chartered September 7. 1911; first consul. W. H. Hallett; first clerk, H. H. Cassell; present membership, seven. Other camps have been organized in the county and afterward disbanded and the members uniting with the nearest camp.
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GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
By W. E. Bates.At the close of the Civil War, Greeley's advice, "Go West, young man, and grow up with the country," was followed by a large number of courageous, energetic and intelligent young men who had served their country valiantly in preserving the union of States unbroken. Men of brain and brawn found their way to Kansas, 128,000 of them. The rich bottom land and the fertile grass producing upland of Butler county attracted many to locate within its borders. They came here to make a home and a future for themselves and their posterity. The demands and hardships of pioneer life were cheerfully and heroically borne. A feeling of comradeship and ties of common service drew them closely together. The need of organization soon became apparent if the interest in each other was to be kept alive and be of helpfulness in their common experiences. Very soon after the founding of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1866, organizations of veterans of the war sprang up quite generally throughout Kansas. The veterans of Butler county, inspired by a spirit of brotherhood, quickly fell into line and posts were organized at El Dorado, Douglass, Augusta, Leon, Latham, Potwin, Towanda, Andover, Benton, Whitewater and Beaumont.
Interest in comrades of the war spread beyond the limits of the local post to comrades of other posts. A county organization was formed and meetings of the boys who wore the blue were held annually. These reunions were seasons of renewing the youth of old boys. By recital of daring adventures and comparison of army experiences, the veterans were boys again, fired with enthusiasm and ready to shoulder the musket and go forth to repeat the service of other days if need should require.
Of late the county reunions have been discontinued. The boys of sixty-one-sixty-five have become old men. Their number has become small. The long and often forced marches of active service on the field, the manning of rifle pits, the strain of musket fire and bayonet charge, the exposure of picket service and sleeping on wet and frozen ground are manifesting themselves in enfeebled constitution and lessened physical vigor. Probably the last county reunion of the veterans of the Civil War has been held.
The number of comrades has become greatly reduced. Some of the posts of the county have ceased to exist and of those still remaining most of them have only occasional meetings. Three posts meet only on call; one has meetings only quarterly; two monthly; one semi-monthly.
As the comrades grow older and feebler and their number fewer, the tie of sympathetic fellowship between them grows stronger and more tender. Only a comrade can enter into completest oneness with another comrade.
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"An aged soldier with his snow white hair, Sat looking at the night; A busy shining angel came with things, Like chevrons on his wings; He said, The evening detail has been made, Report to your brigade.' The soldier heard the message that was sent, Then rose and died and went." —Ironquill. |
WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS.
By Mrs. Hattie F. Riley.The work of American women in the great war for the preservation of the Union was that of relief. Relief on the battlefield and in the hospital for the wounded and sick; relief in homes provided for them, of the wives and children of the soldiers at the front, as well as for the widows and orphans of those who went forth never to return.
Ten years after the close of the war much distress was felt among the people of the country a financial crisis was on; sickness, old wounds, lack of work and bitter disappointment began to make fearful ravages in the veteran ranks.
The Grand Army of the Republic had been doing its utmost to aid and comfort their unfortunate comrades, to assist the comrades.
Then it was that the wives, mothers, daughters, sisters and other loyal women answered again to the call of the men who saved the nation. Thus it came about that in the fall of 1883, Mrs. L. L. Wood, eager to assist the Grand Army of the Republic and to render aid and sympathy to the survivors of the Union, organized, in Wingest Hall, in El Dorado, the order known as W. H. L. Wallace W. R. C., No. 7. auxiliary to W. H. L. Wallace Post of the G. A. R. The meeting was
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composed of twenty-seven members, all stanch, true, loyal women of the city. After the organization was established a charter was granted on November 20, 1883, issued from Boston, Massachusetts, and signed by National President Florence Barker. The charter members of No. 7 were as follows: Carrie M. McGinnis, E. S. Phillips, Hattie E. Riley, S. Beardsley, Mary Ellen Beardsley, Matilda Smith, Mary S. Ball, Laura Wood, Nora Steele, Cynthia Daily Oldfield, Laura E. Jay, Bertha Nye, Lizzie Bearse, Margaret Copeland, Sarah E. Boyden, Lon Gordon, Cordelia Story, Mary M. Smith, Laura Tuttles, Dora Jackson McAnally, Mrs. Milan, Lydia Stiver, Eliza Gibson, Clara Story, Mary Tankersley, Mrs. Olive Colyer and Jennie Flenner. Of these charter members only four are living, Mrs. Hattie E. Riley, who has served as president ten years; Mrs. Cynthia Daily Oldfield, who is a faithful attender, and who is proud of the fact that she is a charter member of No. 7; Lydia Stiver and Mrs. Jennie Flenner, who are not now members of the organization.
During the thirty-three years of its existence, over three hundred members have been initiated into its ranks. They have been of inestimable value to the W. H. L., Wallace Post, and these old Boys in Blue are always glad to testify to the merits of No. 7.
Not only have they aided and assisted the G. A. R. and perpetuated the memory of their heroic dead, but they have assisted all Union veterans who have needed help and protection, and have extended aid to their widows and orphans by finding them homes and employment and assuring them of sympathy and friends.
For a number of years their meeting place was Wingert Hall, but later the old Methodist church was purchased by W. H. L. Wallace Post, and ever since the W. R. C. meets twice a month in this beautiful G. A. R. hall on Settler street. One would think, as the ranks are growing thinner, that their interest would lag, but not so with W. R. C. No. 7. Their love for the remaining few seems to grow stronger and their ambition to cheer and comfort is something admirably beautiful. In conclusion, let us say that the life history of W. R. C. No. 7 has been that of loving service, and we are reminded of Thomas Buchanan Reed's beautiful poem:
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"The maid who binds her warriors sash And smiling, all her pain dissembles The while beneath her drooping lash One starry tear-drop hangs and trembles, Though heaven alone records the tear, And fame shall never know its story. Her heart has shed a drop as dear As e'er bedewed the fields of glory. The wife who girds her husband's sword 'Mid little ones who weep and wonder, |
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And bravely speaks the cheering word, Although her heart be rent asunder, Doomed nightly in her dreams to hear The bolts around him rattle, Has shed as sacred blood as e'er Was poured upon the field of battle. The mother who conceals her grief As to her breast her son she presses, The mother who conceals her grief, Kissing the patriot brow she blesses, With no one but her secret God To know the pain that weighs upon her, Has shed as sacred blood as e'er Was poured upon the field of honor." |
The ladies who have served as president are: Mrs. Conley, Catherine Wells, deceased; Clara Doughty, deceased; Hannah Pattee, deceased; Maggie Ripley, Hattie E. Riley, Mollie Avery, Alcuida Fisher, Marietta McCormack; Laura Woods, deceased; Annie Wardell, Cynthia Daily Oldfield; Mary Douglass, deceased; Dr. Emiline Tanner, deceased; Eliza Gibson, deceased; Elizabeth Collet, Lillian James, Libbie Ford, Addie Gardner, Sarah Boyden.
THE ANTI HORSE THIEF ASSOCIATION.
By H. M. Logan.The Anti Horse Thief Association was founded by Major David McKee in 1876. The first State assembly of the order was held in Humboldt in 1882.
The order is all that its name implies and much more. It is an association of law abiding, peaceable and liberty loving citizens banded together for mutual protection and fraternal assistance to make the commission of crime more difficult and the capture of the criminal more certain. It is not a vigilance committee. It bears no resemblance to the Vigilants, Regulators or Whitecaps. It is opposed to mob violence in any form. A member who takes part in the actions of a mob will be expelled, and a lodge taking part therein will have its charter taken away. It turns the captured criminal over to the legal authorities and assists in the prosecution with evidence. Thus the innocent are protected and the guilty brought to justice.
The Anti Horse Thief Association holds to the great principle that all men are endowed with inalienable rights of life, liberty and the peaceful possession of property. It has come nearer solving the problem of dealing with those who molest these rights, than all other methods com-
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bined. In 1911 bank robberies became so frequent, that the State bank commissioner said, "I am simply appalled at the number of bank robberies in Kansas." As a remedy, Mr. Dolley and other leading bank officials recommend that bankers join the Anti Horse Thief Association. Many of them did so, and it is a well known fact that bank robberies stopped and but very few have occurred in the state since.
Since the organization of the order in Kansas, other states have fallen into line and now very many of the best people in the nation belong. But, of course, Kansas leads them all with a membership of 22,000 in good standing.
While attending the National convention at Fayetteville, Ark. recently, I was reliably informed that over ninety per cent. of all property stolen from Anti Horse Thief Association members last year was recovered.
As the years come and go, crime grows less. Butler county has several good live orders of the Anti Horse Thief Association, and all are putting forth an effort to make this a better world in which to live.
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Pages 304-313,
Transcribed by Carolyn Ward from History of Butler County, Kansas by Vol. P. Mooney. Standard Publishing Company, Lawrence, Kan.: 1916. ill.; 894 pgs.
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A | B-Bn | Bo-Bz | C-Cn | Co-Cz | D | E | F | G | H-Har | Has-Hn | Ho-Hz | I | J | K | L |
M-Md | Me-Mz | N | O | P | Q | R | S-She | Shi-Sn | So-Sz | T | U | V | W-Whe | Whi-Wz | Y | Z
