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1880

Brothers, I have a last minute change for you this month.  While putting together the usual recounting of historical information gleaned from the Tiler Register, Minutes and Accounting records I encountered an oddity that I described last month.  That is, the existence of multiple copies of Minutes.  Again, I have no explanation for this but to briefly review; our first book of Minutes begins with our first lodge meeting in 1864.  This is now labeled as MIN1 in our library’s classification system.  Our second book of Minutes (MIN2) was started in 1874 and runs concurrent with MIN1.  This book, MIN2, ends in 1881 when we start our third book of Minutes (MIN3) which also runs concurrently with MIN1.  Then on December 27, 1882, MIN1 and MIN3 finally conclude.

 

I think anyone would expect to begin a new Lodge Minutes Log with MIN 4 since our classification system employs a chronological order for historical documents.  This is not the case.  When I began organizing our library in April of 2020 my goal was to bring some order to all of the documents we had.  I identified the documents by type, historical, educational, musical (yes we have music books), accounting and even non-Masonic books.  I wasn’t concerned at the time with contents as much as identifying “what” they were.  I noted date overlaps at the time but did not believe I had the time to read through them, wanting to complete my task before the anticipated resumption of Lodge meetings in June after our Covid lockdown ended… (giving you a moment).

 

To the point, yes, MIN4 is a book of minutes but they are not Lodge Minutes, they are the minutes of the Elk Grove Masonic Building Association (EGMBA).  I have referenced the creation of the EGMBA in a previous article or two but with these minutes in hand, and giving consideration what the changes and challenges our Lodge is currently facing with the purchase and construction of another Lodge Hall, I thought it would be timely to open and review this new source of information.

 

FIRST ENTRY – ELK GROVE STATION, JUNE 5th, 1880 (Presented here as documented)

At a called meeting of the members of Elk Grove Lodge No. 173, F&AM, held at the Rail Road Hotel Hall.  The meeting was called to order by James A. Elder and C.B. Kennard, acting Secretary.  The meeting having been called for the purpose of forming a Joint Stock Company to build a new Masonic building at Elk Grove Station, Sacramento County, California.  The meeting then proceeded to organize by electing a board of five Trustees consisting of John N. Andrews, Norman S. Stewart, Richard Allin, James A. Elder and Silus C. Stewart.

 

On motion of John N. Andrews, seconded by I.F. Freeman and carried, the Capital Stock of the company be fixed at $5,000 and the number of shares to be fixed at the next meeting.  This meeting proceeded to adjourn to meet June 22, 1880.

 

JUNE 22, 1880 (Summarized)

This meeting was called to order by O.S. Freeman serving as President pro tem.  The Articles of Incorporation were prepared for the newly installed Board of Directors who were all qualified by Delos Gage a Justice of the Peace of San Joaquin Township, Sacramento County (and future Master of Elk Grove Lodge No. 173)  The number of shares of stock making up the $5,000.00 total was 500 at $10.00 per share.

 

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF EGMBA (Presented here as documented)

Filed June 25th 1880 by the County Clerk’s Office, Sacramento, Co. California,

Thomas H. Berkey, Clerk, William B. Hamilton, Deputy Clerk.

 

These Articles of Incorporation of the Elk Grove Masonic Building Association of Elk Grove Station in Sacramento county in the State of California, An association desiring to incorporate under the laws of the State of California Witnesseth:

 

First                 The name of the Corporation is the Elk Grove Masonic Building Association

 

Second             The Corporation is formed for the purpose of erecting and maintaining a                                      Masonic Hall at Elk Grove Station in Sacramento County, State of California.

 

Third                The principal place of business of said corporation is Elk Grove Station, in                                      Sacramento County, State of California.

 

Fourth              The Corporation shall continue and exist for fifty years (50 years).

 

Fifth                 The election for Directors of this corporation was held on June 5th 1880 in the rail             Road Hotel at Elk Grove Station in Sacramento County.  A majority of the                                   members of said association were present at said election and voted for            Directors and the result of said election was that five persons were elected Directors and  five is the number of Directors of said corporation; And the names   and residences of said five persons elected as Directors for the first year are as               follows to wit.  John N. Andrews, residence Elk Grove Sacramento County                         California, Richard Allin, residence Elk Grove Sacramento County Cal.

Norman D. Stewart residence Elk Grove Sacramento Co. Cal, James A Elder residence Elk            Grove Sacramento Co. Cal, Silus Stewart, residence Elk Grove, Sacramento Co. Cal.

 

Sixth                The Capital Stock of said corporation is ($5,000) Five Thousand dollars and is                                divided into (500) five hundred shares of Ten Dollars each.

 

Seventh           There has been actually subscribed to the Capital stock of said association the                              following sums by the following named persons, to wit;

 

Elk Grove Lodge No. 173, F&AM has subscribed $1,000

Richard Allin has subscribed $50.00

John N Andrews has subscribed $150.00

Norman P Stewart has subscribed $200.00

C.B. Kennard, has subscribed $50.00

S.C. Stewart has subscribed $50.00

O.S. Freeman, has subscribed $250.00

 

In witness whereof we the undersigned have hereunto set our hand and seals the 22nd day of June 1880.

[Signatures]

Richard Allin, James A. Elder, Norman Stewart, Silus C. Stewart, John N. Andrews

 

On this 22 day of June 1880 before me, Delos Gage, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said county personally appears Richard Allin, James A. Elder; Norman P. Stewart; Silus C Stewart; and John N. Andrews.  Known to me to be the persons who executed the foregoing instrument and they acknowledged to me that they executed the same.  In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand the day and year aforesaid.

Delos Gage;

Justice of the Peace.

Worshipful Master of Elk Grove Lodge No. 173 1898

 

Beginning of the Articles of Incorporation as contained in the EGMBA Minutes

 

 

By-Laws as contained in the EGMBA Minutes

 

 

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

The 1880’s were a period of economic growth experienced throughout the world.  Ever taller buildings, becoming known as “skyscrapers”, reaching as high as 20 stories were being erected in major cities.  Fortunately, the first reliable elevator, one with safety brakes was invented in 1852 by Elisha Graves Otis.  In December of 1880, the same month we first occupied our second lodge, Thomas Edison established the Edison Illuminating company.  By 1882 his
Pearl Street Station was generating electricity for 85 customers and 400 street lamps.  By 1883, electric carbon arc lights were installed in New York City with the new Brooklyn Bridge having 70 of them.  Modern technology was slowly being created but it reached some places more readily than others.  On October 26, 1881 a gunfight broke out in Tombstone, Arizona near the OK Corral, when the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday attempted to disarm Billy Clanton and Frank McLaury.  Here in Elk Grove things were quite a bit more peaceful and as we discovered, our Brothers were doing well, enabling them to build a new lodge.

 

The minutes of June, 1882 show that we still owned our first lodge at Elk Grove Corners with the Chinese laundry downstairs as we were still receiving rent from that business.  We also appointed a new committee of five consisting of brothers Thomas McConnell,
Richard Westlake, J.T. Chinnick, James A. Elder and I.F. Freeman to represent the capital stock of Elk Grove Lodge at the annual meeting of the Elk Grove Masonic Building Association held the following month.

 

GALT LODGE

On December 23, 1882 we note a Brother Alex Duweer who signed in as a visitor from the
Galt Lodge, U.D. (Under Dispensation).  Under Dispensation is a term showing that a community had received permission from the Grand Master to organize a lodge.

 

FREEMASONS AS LANDLORDS

As soon as Elk Grove Lodge No. 173 began owning property we had people lining up wanting to rent it.  There is reference to the Templars renting our lodge on a weekly basis back in 1873.  Of course there is the ever present Chinese laundry on the first floor of our first lodge at the Four Corners Area, which paid rent diligently every month.  Another group that had expressed interest as was mentioned in the July Trestleboard was the Odd Fellows.  Our founding brothers actually sought out this noble organization, with permission from the Grand Lodge, in order to build a hall with them.  The Odd Fellows responded that they were unable to commit to that joint venture at the time so we eventually went on the build our own lodge near
Elk Grove Station, today’s Old Town area on Elk Grove Boulevard.  Later, the Odd Fellows applied to rent our lodge for their use.

 

In 1883 there was also the Knights of Pythias who sought to use our new hall.  I had never heard of this group before but there is something strangely familiar about them.  This fraternal organization is divided into local and grand lodges.  Within the knighthood there are three degrees or ranks, Page, Esquire and Knight.  Suspiciously similar to freemasonry the Knights were founded in 1864 based on a play by the Irish poet John Banim about the Greek legend of Damon and Pythias.  This legend illustrated the ideals of loyalty, honor, and friendship that are the center of the order.  On vote of the lodge the application was rejected.

 

Oddly enough we even rented our lodge from ourselves.  At the beginning of 1883 we record rent paid by Elk Grove Lodge No. 173 to the Elk Grove Masonic Building Association in the amount of $150.00.

 

GLIMPSE INTO CEREMONY

In March of 1883 our lodge approved the purchase a setting maul.  The setting maul is a heavy wooden hammer with which the operative mason sets the polished stones into proper alignment.  For you Master Masons, you will have slightly more information on this, unique to the 3rd degree.

 

BROTHER WILLIAM DAVID WAY

The minutes of February 10, 1882 briefly note the passing of another
Brother William David Way, who passed away in the city of Sacramento two days before and was interred in the Masonic Cemetery in Elk Grove on February 10.  Brother Way had been entered as an Apprentice in this lodge on April 9, 1881 and passed to Fellowcraft on July 23 of that year.  His signature is noted in the Tiler Register as a lodge member throughout 1881 until December when he was appointed as Junior Deacon.  In the minutes of the stated meeting held on February 10 of 1882 we note that Brother Way had passed two days before on February 8.

 

“He was conveyed to the spot by his fellow Craftsmen and there buried in accordance with the custom and usages of Ancient Free Masonry.”

 

A review of Elk Grove Cemetery records show the location of Brother Way’s burial plot, however, a physical inspection showed no evidence of interment.  This issue was raised with the good people of the Elk Grove-Cosumnes Cemetery District.  It explained that many burial sites are now difficult to identify if they were marked with a wooden marker.  Coincidentally there is no mention of a headstone purchase for Brother Way in the minutes or any record of such a purchase in our accounting ledgers.  In the minutes of July 29, 1882 a bill was presented by A.J. Veremilia for Brother M.D. Way’s funeral expenses amounting to $61.60.  However, the Elk Grove-Cosumnes Cemetery District was able to provide information which is not captured in the minutes of our lodge.  Specifically, Brother Way was 26 years of age when he died.  Born in the United States his residence was in Elk Grove.  The cause of death is listed as “Brain Fever” and his attending physician was a Doctor Simmons and of course the exact location where he was buried.  “Brain Fever” was a term used at the time to identify a few different conditions, including encephalitis, meningitis, cerebritis and scarlet fever.

 

While researching this information at the Cemetery District’s office I encountered a perspective that I would like to share with all of my Brothers in closing.  That is, when we die we are subject to two deaths.  The first death occurs when the life leaves our body.  But that is not the end of us on this earth as we are remembered by our loved ones, our family, including our grandchildren, and possibly others.  Then, eventually, for most of us at least, the second death comes; that is the fading from the memory of those who remain behind.  I remember stories I was told of my Father’s parents so in a way I am able to remember them even though I never knew them.

 

I believe it is well within the bounds of Freemasonry for us to keep each other alive in memory.  We are doing so by maintaining our lodge records and adding to them with each passing year.  Some of our Brothers who have passed and faded from memory, such as William David Way can be resurrected by once again memorializing them as we have done here.

 

 

 

The foreground of this photograph, specifically the bottom right corner of the plot is where Brother W.D. Way’s marker should have been.  Following the bricks on the right, just past the tree you will see a marker shaped like an obelisk.  This marks the gravesite of Brother John Irons, our first Brother to have passed.  (Refer to the Trestleboard in February, 2021)  Yes, that is my finger…

For additional reference, Brother Way’s plot without a marker is in the middle of this picture.  Interesting to note, on the right is the burial plot for Worshipful Thomas McConnell and family, who will be addressed at a later date.

 

-Brother Don Price, Lodge Historian

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