GRAND LODGE A.F.& A.M. OF COLORADO

Dedication

To the courageous spirit of "The Original Seven" and the other pioneers who established Masonic principles in the Rocky Mountain area, this voLume is gratefully dedicated.

LEON H. SNYDER
Grand Master
1961

My Dear Brethren:

This is a history of the first one hundred years of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, Ancient, Free and Accepted Mawns of Colorado. It has been dedicated to the sincere and faithful pioneer Masons so influential in bringing law and order to the gold mining camps of the Rockies based upon the principles of truth and justice practiced at the altars of Freemasonry. Let us also pay honor to all the good men and true who saw the light of Masonry through these one hundred years, faithfully following the course charted by our pioneer Masonic leaders.

We pay special tribute to George B. Clark, who, as our Grand Lodge Historian and diligent student of our Colorado Masonic Heritage, has preserved the records and much of the source material on which this narrative is based. We also extend our grateful appreciation for the dedicated, faithful and untiring efforts of the Centennial Committee in the preparation of this history.

We are proud of the great record made by our Brothers since the founding of the Grand Lodge, proud of their courage and strength of character, their devotion to the cause of Freemasonry, synonymous with liberty, justice and freedom.

May we and our successors, who follow in their footsteps, be worthy heirs to a great tradition, our Masonic Heritage.

Leon H. Snyder
Grand Master

Grand Lodge Officers
Centennial Year
1961

OFFICERS OF THE MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF ANCIENT FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF COLORADO 1961

LEON H. SNYDEH, EI Paso No. 13, Colorado Springs - Grand Master
ELLIS LATIMER, Mount Lamborn No. 102, Hotchkiss - Deputy Grand Master
CLARENCE L. BARTHOLIC, Highlands No. 86, Denver - Senior Grand Warden
CHARLES L. THOMSON, Salida No .57, Salida - Junior Grand Warden
THOMAS F. VARDIE, Palestine No. 151, Denver - Grand Treasurer
HARRY W. BUNDY, Denver No. 5, Denver - Grand Secretary
ALBERT E. JAMESON, La Veta No. 59, La Veta - Grand Lecturer
JOHN H. WESCH, Cortez No. 133, Cortez - Senior Grand Deacon
JEAN S. BREITENSTEIN, Columbia No. 14, Boulder - Grand Orator
IRVING M. CANNON, Occidental No. 20, Greeley - Grand Marshal
CHARLES T. GORE, Paul Revere No. 162, Denver - Junior Grand Deacon
STEWART A. SHAFER, Denver No.5, Denver - Senior Grand Steward
WILLIAM L. GOBIN, St. Johns No. 75, Rocky Ford - Junior Grand Steward
ERIC SMITH, Paonia No. 121, Paonia - Grand Chaplain
JOEL C. WALLACE, Jr., El Paso No. 13, Colorado Springs - Grand Tiler CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION COMMITTEE

GENERAL COMMITTEE:
STEWART A. SHAFER, Chairman Denver No.5, Denver
CHARLES J. SEEBURGER Golden City No. 1, Golden
JOE E. KERR Lamar No. 90, Lamar
D. AUBREY SPANN, PGM Gunnison No. 39, Gunnison
CARLTON M. RAY, PGM Oriental No. 87, Denver
CLIFFORD J. GOBBLE, PGM Brighton No. 78, Brighton
GLENN B. VAN FLEET, PGM Albert Pike No. 117, Denver

PUBLICATIONS:
GLENN E. MONROE, Chairman Union No.7, Denver
DOM P. VENDITTI Silver State No. 95. Pueblo
GORDON R. MERRICK Collins No. 19, Fort Collins

DENVER PROGRAM:
Tableau Manuscript
JESS W. GERN Gunnison No. 39, Gunnison
Tableau Production
BURTON D. HAMER Park Hill No. 148, Denver

LOCAL COMMUNICATIONS:
ALBERT E. JAMESON La Veta No. 59, La Veta
All District Lecturers

PUBLIC RELATIONS:
FELIX JONES, Chairman Arapahoe No. 130, Denver
NUMA L. JAMES Mount Moriah No.1 5, Canon City
BERNARD A. FALLER St. Vrain No. 23, Longmont

Turn we our thoughts to early days, when o'er the stretching plains
The long procession wound its way of white-topped wagon trains.
Bearing brave souls to this new land, the mecca of their hopes,
Where wealtlh was found along the streams and on tile mountain slopes,
An army vast, together drawn, by God's all-potent spell
Which stirs such fever in tile blood; its quest alone may quell.
Their settlements in valleys and on many a mountain side -
All types and classes of mankind, 'mong whom e'er long was had
The struggle for supremacy between the good and bad.

'Twas then each Mason knew his place, although as such unknown,
Nor rested till the right prevailed and wrong was overthrown.
No Lodge was here, but Brethren true were leaders in the van
Of each forced march of progress for the betterment of man.
For Order out of Chaos and from darkness into light
Hath ever been the teaching that a Mason cannot slight,
And where a voice must needs be raised, his lips can ne'er be dumb
Whose course is ever guided by the lesson of the Plumb.
Though well they served the common weal, the world may never know
Tile silent force of Masonry those many years ago.

- From the 50th Anniversary Poem by P.G.M. Lawrence N. Greenleaf

IN APPRECIATION

Long ago Tacitus remarked that the principal office of history is to prevent virtuous actions from being forgotten.

This volume has been assembled to preserve some of the romance of the founding of Masonry in Colorado - of the organization and development of its Grand Lodge and constituent Lodges during its first century.

The personalities, the happenings, the spirit and the atmosphere of the Lodges of today are the history to be cherished tomorrow! Many brothers have labored diligently through the years to record the happenings in their Lodges. To all of these we express heartfelt appreciation.

Yet the narrative is not complete. Historians have been lacking in some Lodges. In such cases, willing brethren have labored to glean in for mation to provide those Lodges with representation in this book.

The Centennial Committee

MASONRY COMES TO THE ROCKIES

The Gold Rush fever of the Pikes Peak region in 1858 was intoxicating. It entranced men of all descriptions, fortune-hunters, prospectors, and rovers, eager for quick wealth and excitement. Its hurriedly-formed wagon trains departing from Missouri river outposts threw together for 700-mile, month-long journeys, men of every ilk, many of them fleeing from the rigidity of law and order and civilization.

But its lure was irresistible to Masons, too. Many members of the craft responded to the sudden challenge of the frontier. And having been forced to associate with adventurers of dubious backgrounds during the tedious overland journey, upon arrival in the new country they quickly sought the company of their brethren. Within ten days after the founding of the first permanent settlement at Auraria, at the junction of Cherry Creek and the Platte, the first informal assemblage of seven Masons was held in what was to be the Territory and then the State of Colorado.

Andrew Sagendorf, one of the group, told the Grand Lodge in 1912:

"The first meeting of Masonry in Denver was held in W. G. Russell's cabin on Perry street, near the site of the first bridge, early in November, 1858. The exact date I cannot give.

"Bro. (Jim) Winchester presided. . . but as he was absent much of the time, Bro. Henry Allen generally occupied the Worshipful Master's station. No stated time or place of meeting was observed; it was generally once a week and at the most secure and convenient cabin.

"These meetings were kept up quite frequently during the winter of 1858-59 and the spring of the latter year. In the summer but few meetings, if any, were held, until the Dispensation for Auraria was received.

"All of the safeguards of the Fraternity were as vigilantly guarded as they are today."

J. D. Ramage, one of the "Original Seven," differs slightly in his remembrance of the meeting which he says was on November 3rd, 1858. After being accosted by the salutation "Ho, that tent over there," from a man (Henry Allen) who at the same time made use of a Masonic expression, he narrates:

"I accompanied Brother Allen to his abode, and there found Bros. W. M. Slaughter, Dr. Russell, Andrew Sagendorf, and I think, Oscar Lehow. These brethren together with Brother Allen and myself, made the first seven :Masons, according to my knowledge and belief, who ever met in Colorado, having in contemplation the application for a charter, and a seven who stuck together, as Masons should do. through thick and thin."

"We agreed to meet every Saturday night and as our object in locating in Colorado was to get gold (we were supposed to be out prospecting during the week) we decided that any ideas conccrning the country we were in which might come to us, news of any mines we might discover, or any information which might be beneficial to the brethren, MasonicalIy or financially, would at the next meeting, be given to the Masons there assembled. We had some ecry pleasant meetings."

It has been said that in every pioneer settlement of the West first came the church, then a school, and then the Masonic Lodge but in Colorado this order was reversed. Years ago, the Rev. John M. Chivington, first presiding elder of the Methodist Church in this area and first Grand Master of Colorado, wrote: "On May 8, 1860 I arrived in Denver, published an appointment, and preached the following Sunday in the Masonic Hall. Henry Allen founded a Masonic Lodge in Colorado long before there was a church or school"

Allen was thus acknowledged the father of Masonry in Colorado. He became Master of Auraria Lodge under dispensation.

THE ORIGINAL SEVEN

HENRY ALLEN
The life of Henry Allen, father of Colorado Masonry, is replete with accomplishment in fraternal and business circles. He was a pioneer in Masonry in Iowa, Colorado, Idaho, and Montana.

In Auraria and Colorado he organized many constructive projects. An owner of stock in the Auraria Town Co., in 1859 he was the organizer of the Minnehah Town and Marble Co., and became its president. The next year he developed the Capitol Hydraulic Co., which constructed Platte Water Company's ditch, later the City Ditch of Denver.

Henry Allen

He was a pioneer banker, associated with two other prominent Masons, W. M. Slaughter and R. Sopris. An early advertisement read "Allen, Slaughter & Co. Buy and Sell all kinds of real estate, mining claims and mining stock, collect debts, receive deposits, and in a short time will be prepared to sell exchange on the East."

Politically, he was Auraria's first Postmaster. In April of 1859 he presided over a meeting he had called to consider the advisability of a new Territory. He was a delegate to the first Constitutional Convention in 1859, having in view the formation of the State of Jefferson. He presided over this group as well as being chairman of its judiciary committee.

Allen was the first Senior Warden and second Master of Idaho Lodge No. 1 at Bannock (Idaho City). In 1866 or '67 he was admitted to Helena No.3 of Montana and became its Master in 1869. He had been electcd an honorary member of the Grand Lodge of Montana in 1867. That body upon his death in Los Angeles in 1871 inscribed a page in its proccedings to his memory: "A man of large and warm heart, of generous and active sympathies, a true and tried Mason who loved the institution and lived its principles. . . . An active and efficient promoter of peace and harmony in every community and institution in which he moved."

DR. LEVI J. RUSSELL
Doctor Levi J. Russell was one of three brothers in the Russell prospecting party who first found gold in the Upper Reaches of Cherry Creek in 1857. They arrived at Cherry Creek and the Platte in October, 1853, naming the camp Auraria, after their hometown in Georgia.

Dr. Levi Russell

As they were Southern sympathizers, the three fled to the South in 1862 after the Civil War started but were arrested enroute by Union troops. Denver friends obtained their release. The other two brothers left Denver in May, 1863, for the South but "the Doctor" journeyed to the new mining camps of Montana. After giving up prospecting he resumed the practice of medicine in Bell County, Texas.

WM. M. SLAUGHTER
Wm. M. Slaughter was not only one of "the Original Seven" but also was prominently associated with the erection of the first Masonic Temple at Gregory Gulch. His name has been preserved for posterity in the monument erected to that first Temple by the Grand Lodge. The inscription reads: "On this site there was erected in the Month of June, A. D., 1859, the first Masonic building in the State of Colorado. The Act of Pre-emption as shown by the Gregory Mining District Records:

WM. M. Slaughter

" 'Know all men by these presents that WM. M. Slaughter, John Hughes, and Joseph Castro, a building committee appointed by the Free and Accepted Masons, do this day Pre-Empt one block for the purpose of erecting a Masonic Temple June 12, 1859.

WM. M. Slaughter
John Hughes
Joseph Castro

"'Erected by the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Colorado. AD 1932 AL 5932'"

OSCAR E. LEHOW
After the panic of 1857, Oscar E. Lehow a carpenter and joiner left Charleston, S. C., and came to Belleview, Neb., where he contracted until the fall of '58 when he crossed the plains in search of better promises.

Oscar E. Lehow

When he arrived at Cherry Creek encampment or Auraria, now West Denver, there was but one cabin, that of old John Smith, the Indian guide and trader. He began prospecting for the yellow metal but was disappointed in the results.

However, after John Gregory and George A. Jackson proclaimed their discoveries of large deposits in the mountains, he went up to Vasquez fork and examined Jackson's diggings on Clear Creek, but soon passed on to Spanish Bar, a mile above, where he and Andrew Sagendorf staked out and worked one of the better claims. In May, 1859, he sold his interest for $4,000, taking pay in cattle, horses, etc.

After acquiring land on Plum Creek, at the mouth of Platte Canon, and in thc San Luis valley, he again pioneered in the mining development near Silver Cliff in 1878 when there were only two cabins in that town.

ANDREW SAGENDORF
Andrew Sagendorf, born in 1828 in New York State, came to Nebraska in 1856 and then to Colorado in 1858 on account of tuberculosis. He and his associate, Oscar Lehow, built a double cabin, half of it on each partner's lot, to comply with Auraria townsite regulations. Besides its size, it was noted for having a window with the settlement's only pane of glass and a door made of boards.

Andrew Sagendorf

Sagendorf, expressing surprise to see the boards in the bottom of their wagon upon arrival, was told by Lehow, "Partner, I never thought you'd make it here (they had walked the entire distance from Omaha) and these boards would have made your coffin if you didn't."

He became secretary of the Auraria City Town Company and was a prime mover in merging the competing towns of Auraria and Denver. He also was secretary to Gov. John Evans, Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue, and Postmaster at Denver, resigning the latter position to go to Colorado Springs for his health.

Treasurer of Auraria Lodge U.D., he became Worshipful Master of two Lodges, Denver No.5 in 1864 and El Paso No. 13 in 1880. He was electeced Grand Master in 1883 when 55 years old and died at 83, the last survivor of the "Original Seven."

J. D. RAMAGE
J. D. Ramage was one of the founders of Canon City and president of the Canon City company for two terms. He reported by letter in 1899: "My advent to Colorado was about Nov. 3rd, 1858.

J.D. Ramage

I have had my share of the various trials we have to pass through in this world-amongst others, of having both feet cut off in front of the ankles-the consequence of freezing in the lumber regions of Canada and Maine, which makes it very hard for me to get around; otherwise I would have been in Colorado long ago, as I have very kindly remembrances of it."

CHARLES H. BLAKE
Charles H. Blake became the third Worshipful Master of Auraria U. D. Blake Street in Denver was named after him. He and his partner Andrew J. Williams came from Omaha, arriving on October 29th, 1858 with four wagons of merchandise, each wagon drawn by four span of oxen.

Charles H. Blake

They first sold direct from the wagons and were the first to open business in a log cabin on Cherry Creek in January, 1859. Disposing of the merchandise in four months, Blake purchased Denver's first hotel, the Denver House, in May, 1859. He then engaged in the real estate business.

The Lehow - Sagendorf Double Cabin
Picture Courtesy of the Colorado State Historical Society

COLORADO'S FIRST MASONIC "TEMPLE"

The gatherings of the Brethren at Auraria were interrupted in the spring of 1859 by news of the gold strike in Gregory Gulch, forty miles northwest in the High Rockies. Thousands of prospectors hurried there and again Masons sought their kind. Here the first Masonic "Temple" in Colorado was soon constructed.

W. M. Slaughter, one of the three who pre-empted a block of site, recalled that nearly one hundred Masons leveled the ground dragging in logs for the "Temple." He wrote:

"Word had been passed about among the Masons of the several camps that a Masonic meeting would be held that night at dusk and as the hour arrived the trails and paths leading toward the 'Temple' began to be lined with Masons gathering together to meet each other from distant states and countries for the first time in this wild place amid the pine woods on a lone mountain side.

Log Cabin

"Four men (Masons) armed with rifles and revolvers stood on guard, one at each corner of the Temple and one at the outer door also. . . If he desired examination as to his standing as a Mason he was at once placed in charge of an examining committee, of whom there were not less than ten or more appointed to wait on visiting brethren who were unknown to any known Mason. There were over 200 visiting brethren whose names were entered upon the 'Journal' or 'Roll of Visitors' as it was called at that first meeting. A meeting was held once each week for over three months."

  
Markers

Each summer the Grand Lodge of Colorado visits the monument erected here, and also the monument erected at the site of Lodge No.2, Summit, at Parkville (near Breckenridge) and this year (1961) instituted an annual visit to thc monument at Gold Hill No.3 (near Boulder).

ORGANIZATION OF THE GRAND LODGE

The area later to be Colorado was in 1858 part of four Territories. Auraria was in Kansas Territory and so it was to the Grand Lodge of Kansas that the Brethren in Auraria applied for a dispensation for regular Masonic authority. This was granted and M. W. Bro. Rees of Kansas enthused to his grand session:

"Auraria Lodge is the first advance of Masonry thus far west into the confines of the Rocky Mountains, and it is located within the newly discovered Gold regions of the West and literally amidst the highest hills and lowest valleys, where the sun, reflecting from perpetual snow, warms the rich vale in its constant verdure. Truly, this is an age of penetration and progression, and the genial influence of Masonry, cementing and warming the hearts of its members, keeps pace with the march of civilization.

"To the care of R. W. Bro. D. P. Wallingford of Missouri, I committed this Dispensation, and he has doubtless set the brethren to work in AMPLE FORM in that far-distant land; and we will earnestly pray that they may quarry no stone unfitted for the building, but perform their work in peace and harmony."

Over forty brethren attended the first regular communication October 1st, 1859. The meeting place was the upper floor of a two-story building just completed on Ferry street by a member of the Lodge, Abraham Jacobs.

Ferry Street Building

The Lodge went to work immediately. At the second meeting, six petitions were presented. The first initiation in Colorado was Dee. 10th, 1859. The first Fellow Craft degree was conferred Jan. 7th, 1860. The first Master Mason was raised Feb. 6th, 1860.

Ferry St. Bldg., Auraria's First Home The desire for other Lodges spread rapidly. On Nov. 26th, 1859 Auraria U. D. recommended granting of a dispensation for a Lodge at Golden City, twelve miles northwest. M. W. Bro. Rees of Kansas granted this request to Bro. J. E. Hardy and fellow petitioners on Jan. 21st, 1860.

Less than four months later John Milton Chivington, destined to be first Grand Master of Colorado, arrived as presiding elder of the Methodist Church. Grand Chaplain of Nebraska at the time, he supposedly brought blank dispensations for Lodges with him. Dispensations from Nebraska resulted to Summit Lodge at Parkville (near Breckenridge) and Rocky Mountain Lodge at Gold Hill (near Boulder).

The first charter granted was to Golden as No. 34 under Kansas at the latter's annual communication in October or 1860. As the representatives of Auraria Lodge did not arrive in time to present its charter application, its dispensation was continued for another year. Richard Sopris was named the new Master.

The hardy pioneers who remained for the winter at Nevadaville near Gregory Gulch received a dispensation from Kansas to form U. D. on December 22nd, 1860. Andrew Mason was Master. in the diggings Nevada Lodge.

At the Nebraska Grand Communication June 5th, 1861, charters were issued to Summit Lodge as No.7 and Rocky Mountain as No.8.

Following the recognition of the "Territory of Colorado" by the federal government in February, 1861, sentiment for a local Grand Lodge developed. The three chartered Lodges, Golden City No. 34 of Kansas Jurisdiction; Summit No.7 of Nebraska, and Rocky Mountain No. 8 of Nebraska formed the Grand Lodge of Colorado on August 2nd, 1861.

The officers elected were John M. Chivington, Gold Hill, Grand Master; S. M. Robbins, Parkville, Deputy Grand Master; James Ewing, Parkville, Senior Grand Warden; J. M. Hart, Gold Hill, Junior Grand Warden; Eli Carter, Golden City, Grand Treasurer; and C. A. Whittemore, Parkville, Grand Secretary.

Appointees were C. F. Holly, GoJd Hill, Grand Orator; J. IVl. Ferril, Golden City, Grand Marshal; Joshua Miller, Summit, Senior Grand Deacon; C. W. Smith, Gold Hill, Junior Grand Deacon; D. T. Robley, Summit, Grand Tiler; E. S. Glotfelder, Gold Hill, Grand Steward; J. A. Moore, Golden City, Grand Sword Bearer.

The Grand Lodge of Kansas, seemingly unaware of the formation of the new Colorado grand body due to the slow communications of the time, issued charter No. 36 to Nevada Lodge U. D. and charter No. 37 to Auraria U. D. on October 15th, 1861. Auraria surrendered its charter to Kansas and received a Colorado dispensation from M. W. Bro. Chivington.

At Colorado's first annual communication December 10th, 1861, Nevada Lodge surrendered its Kansas charter and asked for a Colorado charter which was issued as Nevada Lodge No.4. The Nevada brethren are said to have delayed until this time to satisfy themselves about jurisdictional regularity.

During this same session Auraria U. D. was chartered as No. U. D. at Central City as Chivington No. 6. The latter lodge later to Central No.6.

Monument Hardly was the Grand Lodge organized until one constituent Lodge had to be dropped from the rolls. At the second annual communication Rocky Mountain No.3, located on shallow and soon worked-out diggings at Gold Hill, surrendered its charter. Secretary John A. Moore reported: "The secretary was in the states the past winter and summer and upon his return found himself all alone in the district, all other members having removed to different sections of the country from which they could not well come here for Masonic labors ... Thc Lodge has necessarily slept the past year."

Gold Hill No. 3

Denver Brethren survived the bitter strife and controversies of the by an unusual procedure -- chartering a Lodge during the Grand Lodge 1863 without it having been tested under dispensation.

The Masons of the Territorial Governor's staff and the Army were naturally partisan to the North. They found it difficult to fraternize with some members of Denver No.5 who were Southern sympathizers. There was no question of their Masonic abilities so overnight at the third annual communication the idea was conceived to charter their group directly without the formality of a dispensation.

The Lodge was aptly named Union No.7 and S. H. Elbert, Jater governor of the state, became Master.

The two Lodges used the same hall, furniture, and jewels for several years and dwelt together in peace and harmony by meeting on opposite Saturday nights.

Summit Lodge No.2 at Parkville charter in 1865 as the profitable gold estimated 10,000 inhabitants had left.

But three charters were issued that year: to Empire No.8 in Empire, Clear Creek County, Colorado; and two to Lodges outside the territory, Montana Lodge No.9 at Virginia City, Montana and to Helena City No. 10 at Helena City, Montana.

Many of the gold seekers migrated to Montana with the news of the big strikes there and were prominent in establishing Masonry in that area. L. W. Frary, Golden City's Senior Warden in 1861 and Master in 1865, and Colorado's Grand Treasurer in 1863, became the first Senior Warden of Montana Lodge No.9 in Virginia City and Grand Master of Montana in 1867.

Grand Jurisdiction of Colorado 1873

James R. Boyce, former treasurer of Union No.7 also transferred to this Lodge. He installed the first Grand Lodge officers of Montana and became Montana's Grand Master in 1872.

The famed Vigilantes, responsible for discouraging lawlessness, are said to have been formed principally from No. 9's membership. Paris S. Pfouts, first Master of Denver No.5 and Senior Grand Warden in Colorado in 1801, moved to Virginia City, was elected Mayor, and President of the Vigilantes.

Dispensation for the third lodge in the gold regions of Gilpin county was granted by M. W. Bro. Andrew Mason on Feb. 15, 1866. This was to Blackhawk Lodge. It was chartered October 1st, 1866.

Chase Withrow, the Worshipful Master of the new group, was on the same day elected and installed Grand Master of Masons of Colorado.

The Senior Warden was Harper M. Orahood, who in 1876 likewise became Grand Master. Both Withrow and Orahood served as Grand Lecturer for several terms during the next 20 years.

Blackhawk reported 38 Master Masons and two Entered Apprentice affiliates. I t had initiated 17, passed 15, raised 16, and rejected 17.

The chartering of the first lodge south of Denver and to the east of the Rockies was delayed one year when the dispensation for El Paso Lodge at Colorado City was, in 1866, "continued at the Grand Master's discretion." While the lodge reported 17 Master Masons, two Fellowcrafts and five Entered Apprentices and that it had initiated 11, passed six and raised five, still the minutes failed to show a constitutional number had been present at any communication. It was approved as No. 13 in 1867.

The second lodge to be chartered from the floor of the Grand Lodge without a period of dispensation was Washington Lodge No. 12 at Georgetown in 1867. The 14 petitioners named Andrew Mason, recently Grand Master, to be the new Worshipful Master. Their application was recommended by Empire Lodge No. 8, Mason's former lodge.

M. W. Bro. Chase Withrow had at first refused a request from Columbia City for a dispensation as it had nominated Past Grand Master Archibald J. Van Deren as Master. He told Withrow he could not and would not serve and besides Columbia City had "no room suitable to the practice of Masonic rites."

Later the difficulties were removed and the dispensation granted. The lodge had 25 Master Masons, two Fellowcrafts, and five Entered Apprentices. It initiated 19, passed 12, raised 12, and rejected four previous to its chartering October 8th, 1867 as Columbia, No. 14.

In January, 1868, fifteen Valmont brethren likewise obtained a dispensation for a new lodge. The Worshipful Master visited Grand Lecturer Orahood in Blackhawk for two days to receive instruction and later the Grand Lecturer visited Valmont for four days to teach the ritual. He reported to Grand Lodge: "I left them very proficient in the work."

Their dispensation was surrendered in October of that year when Columbia No. 14 moved from the mountain town of Columbia City to Boulder City in the foothills and they consolidated with Columbia.

A dispensation was issued to G. 13. Frazier and 10 other Masons for a lodge at Canon City, Fremont County in December, 1867 by Grand Master Teller. Though the county had few inhabitants and a very few Masons the dispensation was granted because of the intense interest. Frazier, his two sons, and others were so eager to attend lodge that they traveled 55 miles on hourse back to El Paso Lodge at Colorado City, slept overnight on the lodge floor, and returned to Canon City the next day.

Three dispensations were issued by R. W. Bro. O. A. Whittemore, Deputy Grand Master, during the absence of Grand Master Teller. These were to brethren in Cheyenne, Dakota Territory; Pueblo, Colo.; and Denver, where a third lodge was to be called Germania.

That the spread of Masonry in the Rocky Mountain area was influenced greatly by Colorado Masonry is shown by the naming of W. Bro. James Scott, Past Master of Golden City No.1, to be Worshipful Master of the lodge under dispensation in Cheyenne. It was chartered in October, 1868.

Cornelius J. Hart, later Grand Master, was instrumental in forming Pueblo No. 17, a lodge which was to be instrumental in the rapid spread of Masonry in the southern part of the state. It also received a charter in October, 1868.

The charter application of Denver brethren of Germania Lodge U. D. was refused after M. W. Teller questioned the wisdom of the action "as the memberships of the lodges already chartered there are not large and I fear another lodge will weaken those already established. I would prefer to see a few strong lodges in the jurisdiction rather than to see a large number of feeble ones." (At that time Chivington Lodge No.6 to which Teller belonged had 123 members, Denver Lodge No.5 had 116, and Union Lodge No.7, 73 members.)

The following year he refused a dispensation to brethren at Granite, Lake county. Among the reasons was a considerable debt incurred by the members. "If there is not sufficient interest to see that the lodge starts out of debt, I think it well to Jet them wait."

Also, dispensations ,were refused to brethren at Idaho, Clear Creek county, because of the sparseness of population and to brethren at South Park City because the application was received in the month prior to Grand Lodge.

The Masons at Cheyenne lost no time in recommending a dispensation for a lodge at Laramie City, Wyoming. This was granted on January 31st, 1870. Chartering followed at the tenth annual communication on September 27th, 1870 to the Lodge as Laramie No. 16.

Concurrently a charter was issued to Collins Lodge No. 19 at Fort Collins to the lodge known under dispensation as Fidelity. Henry Clay Peterson was the first and several times Master. He was another promoter of Masonry wherever he journeyed. Later he became the organizer and stalwart member of Rio Blanco Lodge No. 80 at Meeker.

Collins No. 19 immediately recommended a dispensation for Occidental Lodge at Greeley as it had 44 petitioners. It was chartered as No. 20 September 26th, 1871.

During this year, a group of Masons at Salt Lake City received dispensation and charter as Argenta No. 21, thus making Utah the fourth state to receive Masonic light from our Grand Lodge. First the mother state of Colorado, then Montana, Wyoming, and Utah.

THE EARLY GRAND MASTERS WERE A YOUTHFUL GROUP

That the frontier is a young man's country was proved by the age of the early Grand Masters at the time they occupied the Grand East.

Chivington, the first Grand Master was forty. Only two others of the first nineteen were older: Greenleaf who was forty-one and Sagendorf who was fifty-five.

Youngest was Chase Withrow, Grand Master at the ripe old age of twenty-six! Incidentally Withrow was a Mason for over seventy years, lived to be ninety-one one! in the Jast year of his life conferred the Third degree "in a perfect manner."

Next youngest was Albert H. Branch, thirty years and nine months of age when he mounted the three steps to the East.

Ages of the first nineteen Grand Masters follow, except for Andrew Mason whose life record is unavailable:
Chivington, 40
Weston, 39
Teller, 33
Van Deren, 33
Mason
Withrow, 26
Anthony, 35
Henry, 33
Orahood, 35
Hart, 39
Woodbury, 37
Carr, 37
Greenleaf, 41
Quillian, 39
Church, 39
Sagendorf, 55
Peabody, 32
Wyman, 37
Branch, 30

JOHN MILTON CHIVINGTON
Rev. John Milton Chivington came to Colorado as the first presiding elder of the Methodist church. Biographer Reginald S. Craig in "The Fighting Parson" tells of his interest in Masonry. "Early in his career the new parson was impressed with the fact that, in many communities, the members of the Masonic order were the largest group which was working to establish law, order, and morality. These were his kind of people, and in 1846 he became a member of the order, joining the newly organized lodge in Butlerville, Ohio.

John Milton Chivington

"As John and his wife, Martha, moved to new locations (in their church circuit riding endeavors) they left a series of revitalized parishes behind them. They never stayed more than two years in anyone community. New assignments were always in locations where congregations were weak and the lawless element in charge. Rev. Chivington always left it solvent and with a Royal congregation. The community could also count on the benefits of an energetic Masonic Jodge, improved schools, and a good library, largely due to his efforts. He was a leader in the fight for right and leadership."

Chivington was the first Master of a Lodge under dispensation in Kansas, Wyandotte at Kansas City, and was the first Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Nebraska.

The Civil War broke out during Chivington's term as Grand Master. He was offered the position of Chaplain of the first Colorado regiment by Governor Gilpin. Chivington forcefully replied: "Governor, I have been praying for these disunionists for years, but without avail. They are now in arms against my government; the time calls for action and not for words. I will accept a commission from you, but it must be a fighting commission." He became Major, third in command.

The fighting skill and bravery of Chivington's troops at the Battle of Glorietta Pass is credited with saving the gold fields and the West for the Union.

The later Sand Creek Battle is one of the most controversial episodes in American history. However, two great forces for good - the church and the Masonic fraternity - rallied to his support. He returned to the ministry of Methodism in 1867, and both Denver Lodge No.5 and Union Lodge No.7 endorsed his efforts to make the state safe from the Indians with the following resolution:

"Whereas, there have been the most exaggerated and erroneous reports sent to the authorities at Washington, D. C. of the character of the battle between Col J. M. Chivington, the troops under his command, and the Cheyenne Indians...

"Whereas, we live in Colorado and are presumed to know the facts as they exist, and

"Whereas, CoL Chivington and many of his officers and men of his command are well known to us and members of our order,

"Resolved these Indians were hostile and had committed many acts of barbarity on the commerce of the plains and the outer settlements of the territory and deserved the severest chastisement. . . in our judgment no more women and children were killed than would necessarily follow the attack of a village of Indians, a city or town inhabited by white people,

"Resolved that we express the sentiments of the entire population of Colorado when we endorse the conduct of Col. Chivington and his command in the Sand Creek affair, "Resolved that the command of Col. Chivington has our warmest gratitude and that we urge the Military authorities to repeat the chastisement. . . until the Indians of the plains sue for peace and give evidence of their sincerity.

ALLYN WESTON
Allyn Weston, Second Grand Master from Chivington Lodge No.6, was responsible for Colorado's "work." He brought the Barney "work" from Michigan where he had been editor of the Masonic magazine "The Ashlar."

Weston's attributes were vividly portrayed in 1910 by M. W. Bro. Henry M. Teller, a fellow resident of Central City:

"Bro. Weston was a remarkable man - a man of fine education, good ability, and dignified presence; he traveled extensively in Europe, Asia, and in other parts of the world, and was a most earnest and zealous Mason, and thoroughly versed in Masonic law; and it is no exaggeration to say that he had great influence on the organization, upbuilding, and general character of Masonry in Colorado.

"He believed firmly in the tenets of the craft, in the maintenance of strict order, and was devoted to the great principles that underlie the Masonic institution. During his term as Grand Master he impressed himself upon the Lodges of Colorado as perhaps no other has since done."

HENRY M. TELLER
Henry M. Teller was Grand Master of Masons seven terms - serving as the third Grand Master in 1863 and then again from 1867 to 1872 inclusive.

"He stood upon the heights, one of the really great men of the nation. .. a statesman in the highest sense. . . gifted with prophetic vision. .. wise in counsel, cool, calm, and skillful in debate, tolerant always of the opinions of others, ever ready to give credit for good intentions, but slow to criticize or censure."

Henry M. Teller

These were the attributes of this Mason of Chivington Lodge No.6 which brought him the honors and dignity of being Governor of his state, United States Senator, and Secretary of the Interior in the Cabinet.

"His influence on Masonry in the formative years of the Craft in Colorado and as a conservative, uplifting force at nearly every Grand Communication for over fifty years, will be felt more and more strongly with the passing years."

He became first Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar when it was organized in 1876. He was Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Scottish Rite in Colorado for nearly thirty-two years, being crowned an active member of the Supreme Council in 1882.

ARCHIBALD J. VAN DEREN
Archibald J. Van Deren of Nevada Lodge No.4 was fourth Grand Master.

It was reported to the Grand Lodge:

"When territorial government was established for Colorado he was appointed one of the commissioners to organize and put into operation a county government of Gilpin County. In 1863 he served as a member of the territorial council from Gilpin Co. and was identified in the county and territorial affairs during the exciting times of the civil war.

"Of late years has taken no active part in Masonic affairs, but at all times has been greatly interested in all matters pertaining to its welfare, being content to rest from active labor and permit the younger members of the craft to carryon the grand and glorious work. Nor will he hesitate to remind them of any departure made from the ancient landmarks."

CHASE WITHROW
The unusual or dramatic must have appealed to Chase Withrow of Nevada Lodge No.4. In 1867 he concurrentlv served his Lodge as Master and his Grand Lodge as Grand Master. He was twentv-six year's of age at the time. Then fifty years later he returned to the East of Nevada Lodge.

  
Chase Withrow 1867 and 1917

Possessed of a retentive mind until his death at the age of ninety-one, he was an important source of information about early CoJorado Masonic thinking and happenings.

ANDREW MASON
The restless seeking for gold and movement from camp to camp was personified by Andrew Mason, second Deputy Grand Master and fifth Grand Master. Previously Master of William B. Warren Lodge No. 211 in Chicago, Illinois, he became first Master of three Colorado Lodges, Nevada No. 36 chartered by Kansas and now Nevada No.4 of Colorado, Empire No.8 at Empire, and Washington No. 12 at Georgetown.

He later went to Utah where he assisted in formation of the Grand Lodge of Utah and "was a constant visitor and advisor of our city (Salt Lake) Lodges. A more charitable 'Mason' never stood before the altar of a Masonic Lodge, and a more genial miner never prospected the Wasatch and Oquirrh mountains in Utah or superintended a mine."

WEBSTER D. ANTHONY
First Grand Master from Union Lodge No.7 was Webster D. Anthony who served two terms, 1873 and 1874. He was private secretary to the first Territorial Governor, first Speaker of the House of Representatives in Colorado, and secretary of the convention which met to frame a constitution for the organization of the state government.

OREN H. HENRY
Our eighth Grand Master, Oren H. Henry, was both a miner and a railroad man. He came to Central City from Vermont in July, 1860. In the fall of '61 he enlisted in the Colorado Volunteers and served until 1864 when he returned to Central City. He mined there and at Ward for five years. He was a director of the Colorado Central Railroad when it was built to Boulder and later became its superintendent. He organized the North American Mining Co. in Leadville in 1881 and was one of the first Coloradans to go to Montana during the Coeur d'Alene mining excitement. He returned to Denver in 1885 and made three mining expeditions to Mexico. Receiving his Masonic degrees in Nevada Lodge No.4, in 1867 he became a charter member of Columbia Lodge No. 14.

HARPER M. ORAHOOD
Harper M. Orahood, law partner of Henry M. Teller, was Grand Master of Colorado Masons in 1876 and Grand Commander of Colorado Knights Templar in 1879 and 1880. For thirty-seven years he headed the committee on correspondence in the Grand Commandery and attended every triennial conclave of the Grand Encampment from 1877 until his death in 1914.

In 1861 he joined the Colorado National Guard and helped recruit the first militia company, named after Ex-Governor Samuel H. Elbert, first Master of Union No.7. As Captain of Company B of the Third Colorado Cavalry, Orahood had charge of guarding the mails, stages and wagon trains on the pJains from desperadoes and Indians. He was Captain of the Second Division under Col. John M. Chivington in the famous Sand Creek battle, winning plaudits for his coolness and bravery.

His casket was draped with a worn American flag presented to him by the women of Colorado for his militant efforts in preserving the Union.

CORNELIUS J. HART
Cornelius J. Hart, tenth Grand Master, organized Pueblo Lodge No. 17. He served as its Master under dispensation, for the first six years after chartering in 1868, and again in 1876, 1881, and 1882, a total of ten years. On April 18th, 1918, wearing the Master's jewel he had worn fifty years before, he presided over his Lodge's fiftieth anniversary with a dignity characteristic of over five decades of Masonic thinking. He was the powerful figure of the first half-century of Masonry in Southern Colorado.

ROGER W. WOODBURY
Roger W. Woodbury, the 1878 Grand Master, was the organizer and first president of the Denver Chamber of Commerce and was re-elected as long as he would consent. He was president of and the most active worker in the Denver Public Library. His greatest Masonic memories are in connection with his suggestions for the George Washington Centennial, though he was active in the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons.

OUTSTANDING GRAND MASTERS

All LIVING PAST GRAND MASTERS (1903)
Including James R. Killian, the 1903 Grand Master and Oliver A. Whittemare, Past Deputy Grand Master and First Grand Secretary.)
Back row: Horace T. Delong, 1898; Alphonse A. Burnand, 1899: John M. Max. well, 1891; William D. Wright, 1892; James R. Killian, 1903; George D. Kennedy, 1901; Andrew Sagendorf, 1883: William D. Pierce, 1895; Ernest leNeve Foster, 1890; Cromwell Tucker, 1897.

Middle row: George W. Rose, 1896; Oliver A. Whittemore, 1861-65-67; lawrence N. Greenleaf, 1880; Chase Withrow, 1866; Henry M. Teller, 1861, 1867-72; Archibald J. Van Deren, 1864; Harper M. Orahood, 1876: Cornelius J. Hart, 1877; Frank Church, 1882.

Bottom row: George K. Kimball, 1887; Joseph M. Milsom, 1900; William D. Todd, 1888; James H. Peabody, 1884; William T. Bridwell, 1890; Marshall H. Dean, 1902.

Inserts: Jethro C. Sanford, 1893; Albert H. Branch, 1886; William l. Bush, 1894.

LAWRENCE N. GREENLEAF
The Grand Master of 1880) Lawrence N. Greenleaf of Denver, No.5 was the founder of the "Square and Compass" magazine and was hailed as the poet laureate of Freemasonry. His most famous work was "The Lodge Room Over Simpkins Store" which has appeared in every copy of the Colorado Craftsman. It was the inspiration for the re-creation and furnishing of "Friendship Lodge" in the reconstructed pioneer South Park City adjacent to Fairplay, Colo.

Lawrence N. Greenleaf

Greenleaf was respected throughout the Masonic world for his illuminating correspondence reports, the first of which appeared in 1870, the last in 1917. He was a close friend of Albert G. Mackey, Albert Pike, Robert Freke Gould, Henry M. Teller, Henry P. H. Bromwell and was in touch with all the great Masonic thinkers of his time.

WILLIAM D. TODD
William David Todd, Grand Master in 1888, came to Denver in 1868 as confidential secretary to Schuyler Colfax, Territorial Governor. He was elected to the state legislature in 1879 and because he was an accomplished parliamentarian he was often asked to preside in the Legislative hall. He introduced the bill for the creation of the State Historical and Natural History Society and was its treasurer for over thirty years. He belonged to Union Lodge No.7.

JETHRO C. SANFORD
Jethro c. Sanford of Durango, No. 46, Grand Master in 1893 attended fifty-five of the fifty-seven annual communications between 1883 and 1939. After moving to California, he made nineteen special trips to meet with his brethren. He knew personally each of the first seventy-five Grand Masters of Colorado with the exception of Chivington.

Sanford headed all four of the Grand Lodge York Rite bodies in the state: Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter, Grand Council, and Grand Commandery.

L D CRAIN
The spacious Temple at Fort Collins is a monument to L D Crain, Grand Master in 1917 and Secretary of the Fort Collins bodies from 1912 through 1941. The principal Lodge room has the greatest seating capacity of any Symbolic hall in the state - 550 persons. Crain gave distinctive service as chairman of the Washington National Memorial and Masonic Soldiers and Sailors WeIfare Fund and as a trustee of the Benevolent Fund.

HAZLETT P. BURKE
Hazlett P. Burke of Sterling, No. 54, Grand Master, 1920-21, was honored by Sertoma International as Colorado's leading citizen in 1954. For over 30 years a member of the Grand Lodge Jurisprudence Committee he told the 90th Annual Communication that of all the honors he had received in many fields, he wanted to be remembered as the author of Colorado's current "Book of Constitutions." Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Scottish Rite in Colorado from 1941 to 1957, at the time of his death he was Venerable Lieutenant Grand Commander of the Supreme Council Thirty-Third Degree, of the Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A.

Hazlett P. Burke

DR. HARRY L. BAUM
A man of varied accomplishments was Dr. Harry L. Baum, Grand Master in 1937. In Masonry he was particularly distinguished for his authorship and production of several Masonic dramas, for his astute comments as head of the correspondence committee of the Grand Lodge, and for his proficiency in the ritualism of the Red Cross of Constantine.

"The Lion's Paw" was an historical Masonic play performed during the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Celebration of the Grand Lodge and at five other Annual Communications. It was presented many times in Colorado and the larger cities of thc country.

Another popular favorite was "An 18th Century Lodge." "John Brent," a Masonic play of the Revolution, emphasized the connection of George Washington with the fraternity, and "Brother Service", the immortal Washington at Valley Forge. "Vigilante" was a Masonic play of the great western frontier.

He was Worshipful Master of Emulation Lodge U.D. and at chartering.

GROVER C. OLINGER
Grover C. Olinger of Park Hill, No. 148, Grand Master in 1946, was noted for his kindness and benefactions, his assistance to youth organizations, his abilities as a ritualist.

M. W. Bro. Olinger offered his time, his home, his automobile for the service of many Brethren so they could enjoy Masonic gatherings and fellowship.

He devoted his intelligence, his energy, and his money to the Order of DeMolay for Boys and to the Highlander Boys.

He organized the Thespians, the ritualistic divan of El Jebel Shrine Temple, and thrilled thousands as its Orator and Ceremonial Potentate. Over the years he exemplified many of the important ritualistic parts of the Scottish Rite degrees.

LIVING GRAND MASTERS

CASPER S. DESCH
Because of the Depression, the Grand Lodge in 1932 authorized Grand Master Casper S. Desch to transfer as much as $5,000 from the General Fund to the Benevolent Fund for the relief of needy brethren.

It being the year of the George Washington Bi-Centennial Celebration, the Grand Master read a letter from the Grand Secretary of Virginia giving credit to the Grand Lodge of Colorado for originating the Washington Centennial observance in 1899, out of which came the development of the plan to build the Washington Masonic Memorial on Shooters Hill in Alexandria, Va. He belonged to Mesa, No. 55. (M.W. Bro, Desch passed away August 12, 1961, while this volume was in production.)

WILLIAM R. "POP" ARTHUR
William R. Arthur of Columbia, No. 14, Boulder, Grand Master in 1936, traveled 36,000 miles by auto to visit all of the 147 Lodges of that time. A student of history and all facets of Masonry, he founded the William R. Arthur Museum and Library in the Boulder Masonic Temple. Over 250 Masons gathered to honor him two decades later on a "Pop" Arthur night.

T. HARVEY COX
A joint communication of sixteen Western Colorado Lodges was held in 1939 to honor Grand Master T. Harvey Cox, a Western Slope resident of Olathe, No. 157.

The Educational Masonic Association in Northwestern Colorado was formed during the year by six Lodges on the Moffat railroad. Grand Lecturer Charles L. Young who attended the year's last meeting with the Grand Master, exulted:

"The meeting closed at one hour past low twelve, and some of the members who had come from nearly 200 miles distant, did not reach home until after sunrise. Frequently a lament is heard that the 'gold ojd days' when Masons came on horses and in wagons to their communications, and returned to their homes just in time to start their morning chores, are a thing of the past. They are not; the only change being that the Brethren can now travel farther."

FRANCIS J. KNAUSS
All but three of the 147 constituent Lodges in 1941 were visited by Grand Master Francis J. Knauss, a member of Temple, No. 84, Denver.

Three visits were in connection with Fifty-Year anniversaries: at his own Lodge, Temple at Brighton, No. 78; and Carbondale, No. 82.

But the crowning celebration was the combined communication No.4, and Central, No.6, both eighty years old, and Black Hawk, seventy-five years old.

Representatives from sixty-three Colorado Lodges and members of the craft from seventeen other states and two foreign countries made up the large attendance at the gathering. . . in the historic cradle of Masonry in Colorado.

M.W. Bro. Knauss also dedicated the monument to mark the site of the Lodge Hall at Summit Lodge No.2.

GEORGE C. TWOMBLY
Masonic service to our Brethren in the Armed Forces was the principal discussion at the Grand Session in 1943. M. W. Bro. George C. Twombly of Oasis, No. 67 requested a voluntary contribution of one dollar per member to be collected by the constituent Lodges and forwarded to a fund for service to our military Brethren. Occidental, No. 20 was the first one hundred percent contributor.

After Grand Lodge discussion it was decided that the funds should not be used for purely entertainment purposes. Its dispersal to meet need and want was entrusted to the Trustees of the Colorado Masons Benevolent Fund.

FRANK D. ALLEN
Following his visit to Breckenridge, No. 47 in 1946 Grand Master Frank D. Allen furnished a bronze plaque to adorn a stone monument marking the cemetery near Parkville, site of Summit, No.2.

The Lodge records of 1862 show a Mrs. Dillon was allowed $1.50 for making a shroud for a Bro. Green, who was buried in the cemetery.

While M.W. Bro. Allen presided, Arthur Ponsford, Chairman of the Trustees of the Benevolent Fund, was elected a Permanent Member of the Grand Lodge in appreciation of his service.

M.W. Bro. Allen's mother Lodge is Akron, No. 74.

S. STUART KREBS
S. Stuart Krebs of Montrose, No. 63 presided over two Grand Communications. The first was in 1948 following the death of Grand Master John R. Swinton. The second was in 1949 at the close of his own term as head of Colorado Masons.

The latter year he started a custom of making an official visit and being officially received in the Scottish Rite.

The current system of District Lecturers was put into operation during 1949.

EDWIN J. WHITTELSHOFER
The 1950 term of M. Wor. Bro. Edwin J. Wittelshofer was one of building.

He announced the completion of new Lodge structures in the nine communities with "more in contemplation."

In appreciation of their first year of excellent service, he invited the 23 District Lecturers to be guests at the annual communication.

M.W. Bro. Whittelshofer is a Past Master of Columbine, No. 147.

C. WHEELER BARNES
C. Wheeler Barnes of Berkeley, No. 134 served the longest single term of any Grand Master, the sixteen months from September, 1950 to January, 1952 because of a change in the Grand Lodge year. He visited each one of the 150 chartered Lodges, made at least one trip to each of five Lodges Under Dispensation, visited 260 Lodges and other Masonic groups in Colorado and addressed a total of 315 Lodges and Masonic groups. He traveled over 45,000 miles.

Due to the change of the Grand Lodge year, no Grand Lodge communication was scheduled during the terms of the Constituent Lodge Masters of 1951 so M.W. Bro. Barnes had them as special guests at a 90th Anniversary celebration August 4th. This was held in the new hall of Golden City Lodge No.1 with the Chivington Chair and other relics of the pioneers removed from their display cases and used for the anniversary ceremonies.

Possessed of a marvelous memory for names, faces, and events, "Barney" since starting through the Grand Lodge line has been called upon to be master of ceremonies at thousands of meetings.

M.W. Bro. Barnes bccame the first Master of The Research Lodge of Colorado when it was approved by the Grand Lodge in 1953.

Presently as an active member of the Supreme Council, Thirty-Third Degree of the Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A. of the Scottish Rite he is Sovereign Grand Inspector General for CoJorado.

OLIN P. LEE
One of the most scholarly Grand Masters was Olin P. Lee of Tejon, No. 104 who filled the post in 1952. It is fltting that two events of an educational nature should have been started during his term-the formation of The Research Lodge of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Masonic conference. The latter group is composed of the Grand Lodge officers and education committee chairmen of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Utah and Idaho. Thus are brought together, to stimulate Masonic study and development, the parent Rocky Mountain grand lodge, Colorado, and the others to whom it furnished early authority and leadership.

HUBERT GLOVER
Hubert Glover of Silver State, No. 95 personified W. Bro. Amos Andrews, Master of Doric Lodge, in all but one of 74 performances of the famous Carl H. Claudy play, "The Rose Upon the Altar," presented by Pueblo Council No.6.

The most notable performance was during the Grand Communication in 1953 when M.W. Bro. Glover was Grand Master and M.W. Bro. Claudy was in attendance. The author heaped lavish praise upon the cast.

In behalf of Harry S. Truman, then President of the United States and formerly Grand Master of Missouri, M.W. Bro. Claudy presented a stone bearing a Masonic mark from the original White House to the Grand Lodge. The letter accompanying it was framed in wood taken from the White House during its remodeling and was marked with a brass plate attesting to that fact.

CHARLES A. MANTZ
Undoubtedly the greatest world-traveler of all Colorado Grand Masters is the erudite Charles Armstrong Mantz of Emulation, No. 154.

During his term in 1955 he was invited to speak on behalf of the Grand Masters of North America and Anglo-Saxon Masonry at the festival dedication of the Grand National Masonic Temple in Havana. His efforts to help several of the Grand Lodges of Mexico have won him wide personal acclaim.

As Grand Master he attended the Grand Sessions of Kansas, Louisiana, Cuba, New Mexico, Nebraska, Iowa, Montana, Wyoming, Missouri, lllinois, and California.

He was responsible for the remodeling of the Grand Lodge quarters to provide an office for the Grand Master which had been lacking for 95 years. He contributed an oil painting of the San Juan mountains to decorate the new office.

Mantz is the grandson of Andrew Armstrong, Grand Chaplain for many years before the turn of the century.

He made the original recommendation for a small annual per capita assessment to meet the expenses of the 1961 Centennial of the Grand Lodge.

MILLARD E. RYAN
To afford officers of Constituent Lodges opportunity to express opinions or ask questions about Masonic policies, M. W. Bro. Millard E. Ryan of St. Johns, No. 75, Rocky Ford, devoted an evening at Grand Lodge in 1957 for such purposes.

In rccognition of their services, increased travel allowances for the District Lecturers were approved at this session.

During this communication an assessment of twenty-five cents per member was authorized for the first time to defray expenses of the 1961 Centennial of the Grand Lodge.

The Grand Master ruled that all groups, rather than officers, desiring to confer degrees should first stand examination on their proficiency and that examination not be waived in any instance.

D. AUBREY SPANN
Finding nothing suitable in the" Book of Forms and Ceremonies" for dedication of thc monument on Gold Hill commemorating Rocky Mountain Lodge No.3, M. W. Bro. D. Aubrey Spann in 1956 prepred a ceremony for the occasion.

An extra touch came when he, a cattleman from Gunnison Lodge No. 39, chiseled his "mark" or cattle brand on the reverse side of the monument.

At the Grand Session he reported : "Your Grand Master had an experience never before coming to a Grand Master in Colorado in that it was my duty to meet with my own Lodge today the corner-stone and then later to dedicate our new Temple for Gunnison Lodge No. 39."

The importance of DeMolay, Rainbow Girls, and other youth groups was stressed in his address.

THE VAN FLEETS
Outstanding service of Father and Son - both Grand Masters - will make the name of Van Fleet a lasting rememurance in Colorado Masonry. Marshasl H. Van FJeet headed the Grand Lodge in 1921; his son, Glenn B. Van Fleet, in 1958.

The elder Van Fleet visited all 136 constituent Lodges and thirty-eight and a half pcrcent of the membership turned out to greet him! He passed away in 1934.

The fraternal accomplishments are many and varied. Both received the honorary Thirty-Third in the Scottish Rite. The father headed all four of the Grand York Rite bodies. The son is currently Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons of Colorado and Intendant General of the Red Cross of Constantine for the state, and a member of the Royal Order of Scotland.

The younger Van Fleet has given distinctive service to the Washington National Memorial and to Public Schools Week. His is a true Masonic family as he married the daughter of R. W. Bro. W. W. Cooper, Past Grand Lecturer-Secretary.

CLIFFORD J. GOBBLE
M. W. Bro. Clifford J. Gobble of Brighton, No. 78 had the pleasure in 1959 of dedicating "The Lodge Room over Simpkins Store", as a memorial to its author, Lawrence N. Greenleaf, Past Grand Master, Past Master of Denver, No.5, and the Poet Laureate of Masonry late in the nineteenth century.

This restoration is part of the historical project known adjacent to Fairplay, Colorado, a project of the South Park as "South Park City" Historical Association,largely sponsored by our present Grand Master Leon H. Snyder. Grand Secretary Harry W. Bundy suggested that the lodgeroom be included in the historical reproduction of this pioneer gold mining town. The lodgeroom and many other authentic buildings are now open to the public.

Over twenty lodges participated by presenting carly day Masonic relics and equipment to furnish the Lodge Room. An authentic copy of the Chivington Chairthe chair the first Grand Master occupied at the first annual Grand Communication - is there. A homemade, unique tiler's sword, original equipment of one Lodge, was donated, as well as many early day treasures.

CARLTON M. RAY
As M. W. Bro. Carlton M. Ray presided over the One Hundredth Communication, three important decisions were made. The Memorial Lodge was established to confer Masonic burial, a special committee on Public Relations was authorized, and application procedures for initiation were amended so that only one of those recommending the applicant need be a member of the Lodge receiving the petition. The other signer may be a member of that or any other regular Lodge.

Four Lodges were constituted and one instituted during his term.

The Grand Lodge gave endorsement to the move to investigate a "Masonic Manor" to provide pleasant housing for Masons and their families under the United States Housing Act of 1959. The Grand Lodge would assume no financial responsibility in such a project.

M. W. Bro. Ray is a Past Master of Oriental Lodge No. 87.

COLORADO'S GRAND SECRETARIES

The Grand Lodge has had just seven Grand Secretaries in one hundred years. Oliver A. Whittemore of Summit, No.2 was the first, from 1861 through 1865. He became a charter member of Union, No.7 and its first Secretary. After serving the Lodge as Master in 1866 he was Deputy Grand Master of Colorado in 1867.

Edward C. Parmalee of Chivington, No.6 (later Central, No.6), second Grand Secretary, was among the first arrivals in the early settlement of the Clear Creek valley. In 1864 he was Engrossing Clerk in the Upper House of the Territorial Legislature and in 1867 became Secretary of the Upper House. In 1872 he was elected a member of that body.

He was first elected Grand Lodge Sccretary in 1866 and annually thereafter for thirty-four years. He served in a similar capacity for the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for its first twenty-six years and as Recorder of the Grand Commandery for its first twenty-five years.

William D. Todd of Union, No.7, Grand Master in 1888, was Grand Secretary from 1901 through 1903.

He was succeeded by Charles F. Jacobson of Albert Pike, No. 117, who had been the first Senior Warden of Washington Lodge No. 12 at Georgetown. Jacobson was one of the most gifted orators of the first century of Colorado Masonry. Upon his death in 1920 the Jacobson Educational Fund was established in his name. lts principal source of revenue has been from the sale of his book "Gavel Strokes."

W. W. Cooper, who had been Grand Lecturer since 1910, became Grand Secretary in 1921. Of him it was said: "He never removed his Masonic apron. . . . In his mind and in his practice of the ideals and tenets of Freemasonry, his apron was always girded about his loins."

R. W. Bro. Cooper's death was probably the most dramatic in Colorado Masonic history. Called to preside in the Second section of the Third degree on Past Masters night in 1935 in his home Lodge, Pueblo No. 17, he conducted the work in his customary effective manner, offered the prayer and addressed the Senior Warden, closing with the words "never fails." At that point the "word from the darkness" came to him. Slowly he sank to the floor and his voice was stilled forever.

He was the author of "The Plan, A Brief Outline of Masonry."

Charles A. Patton of Sterling, No. 54, Grand Master in 1934, then served until 1943 when the present Secretary, Harry W. Bundy of Denver Lodge No.5, was drafted from the Grand Lodge appointee line to these important responsibilities. Bro. Bundy has served with such distinction that he was unanimously elected Honorary Grand Master in 1951. He is a foremost authority on Grand Lodge recognition and Masonic jurisprudence and has been honored with national offices in several of the organizations appendant to Freemasonry. Particularly is he noted for his long-time service to the Order of DeMolay for Boys.

Harry W. Bundy

LEADERS OF ALL FOUR GRAND YORK RITE BODIES

Seven Grand Masters have also headed the other three Grand York Rite bodies, the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters, and the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar. The seven, and their years as Grand Master, were:

James H. Peabody, 1884
Jethro C. Sanford, 1893
George W. Roe, 1896
Marshall H. Dean, 1902
H. Ward Woodward, 1911
Marshall H. Van Fleet, 1921
Will D. Grisard Marshall, 1902
M. W. Bro. Peabody was also elected Governor of Colorado in 1902.

During the Centennial year of Colorado Masonry, the heads of the four grand bodies are: Leon H. Snyder, El Paso, No. 11, Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Colorado; Glenn ll. Van Fleet, Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Most Excellent Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Colorado; Harry L. Palmer, Grand lllustrious Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Colorado; and Leo H. Edwards, Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Colorado.

SOVEREIGN GRAND INSPECTORS GENERAL OF THE SCOTTISH RITE

Five distinguished Masons have been Sovereign Grand Inspectors General for Colorado in the eighty-two years of the Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite in the state.

The first of these active Thirty-third degree members was Henry M. Teller, seven times Grand Master, Governor, Senator, and Secretary of the Interior. He served for 32 years and attended all sessions of the Supreme Council from 1886 to 1911 except four. He rose to be Grand Prior.

Alva Adams, three times Governor of Colorado, was next and served from 1917 to 1922.

Stanley Warner, next SGIG, was one of the few men to be elected a Permanent Member of the Grand Lodge without serving either as Grand Master or Deputy Grand Master. For twenty-two years he was head of the Grand Lodge Foreign Correspondence committee. He was also on the Finance and Appeals and Grievances committees.

His successor was M. W. Bro. Hazlett P. Burke, for over four decades a powerful figure in Colorado Masonry. As head of the important Jurisprudence committee, his consent was needed before any proposal could achieve success. He rose to be Venerable Lieutenant Grand Commander of the Supreme Council.

The affable C. Wheeler Barnes, Past Grand Master, was elected as an active member of Supreme Council in October, 1959. As its youngest member he will at the Supreme Session in October, 1961, deliver the traditional eulogy to Albert Pike.

GRAND LECTURER'S OFFICE

The extent of the responsibilities of the Grand Lecturer and District Lecturers are indicated by the 1961 report of R. W. Bro. Albert E. Jameson, Grand Lecturer.

Brother "Al" traveled 21,107 miles to make 153 visitations within the state:

To Chartered Lodges - 97
To Masonic Clubs contemplating formation of new Lodges - 16
To Lodges Under Dispensation - 10
To Grand Lodge Functions - 6
To Schools of Instruction - 24

He attcnded thirty-four other meetings of recognizcd Masonic bodies and youth groups, the Grand Lodge of Oregon whcre he was designated official representative by M. W. Bro. Carlton M. Ray, the Grand Lodge of New Mexico, and the Rocky Mountain Masonic Conference in Casper, Wyoming.

In making 356 visitations to 137 separate Lodges the thirty-seven District Lecturers traveled 10,553 miles. They submitted reports of Lodge offIcer proficiency and in general the condition of the Lodges.

Information was gathered on Lodge attendance, funeral attendance, waivers of jurisdiction, and many other matters of interest.

As chairman of the Custodians of the Work, the Grand Lecturer reported that the 1958 Grand Lodge recommendation to Masters, suggesting that they should-at the proper time-read aloud a certain admonition regarding the need for dignity and impressiveness, is being generally used and well-received.

GRAND LECTURERS

With members hailing from many and scattered jurisdictions and travel between lodges slow and difficult, there were many variations in early Colorado ritual.

An early trial of District Lecturers did not succeed due to the time and expense required for travel in pioneer days.

The Grand Lecturer's office was filled by year-to-year appointment, principally of Past Grand Masters, until about the end of the century. Then Ernest LeNeve Foster, Past Grand Master and outstanding Masonic worker, undertook its duties for several years in succession.

Albert E. Jameson

In 1909, William W. Cooper of Pueblo, No. 17, probably Colorado's most thorough student of the ritual, assumed the responsibilities of Grand Lecturer. Under his direction, the wording was purified by Grand Lodge action in 1911.

When R. W. Bro. Cooper became Grand Secretary in 1921 he was succeeded by Charles L. Young of Durango, No. 46 who endeared himself to Colorado Masons during 29 years of devoted service.

William W. Cooper

The current successful system of District Lecturers, authorized, in 1949, was developed during the 1950-56 term of Giles N. Alkire, Occidental, No. 20, and the term of incumbent, Albert E. Jameson, La Veta, No. 59.

Museum at 1614 Welton Street

OUR MUSEUM CURATOR

W. Bro. George B. Clark of Pueblo, No. 17, curator of the Grand Lodge Museum in the Masonic Temple at 1614 Welton Street, Denver, has been a member of the Grand Lodge History committee since 1920. His voluminous collections of research material gathered since that time have never been published due to limitations of Grand Lodge funds. Bro. Clark's abilities were recognized in the proceedings of 1954 by M. W. Bro. Harry W. Bundy, Grand Secretary and Grand Librarian:

George B. Clark

"The one who does the work of the office (Librarian) is War. Bro. George B. Clark whose tireless energy has gained recognition throughout the Masonic world. He serves without remuneration, at his own request, and to the benefit and profit of all Grand Lodge officers and members of the Craft from the Grand Master of Masons to the youngest Entered Apprentice. A difficult problem, a forgotten ruling, a statistical record or the historical significance of Masonic artifacts, all are the sources of challenging work, and Brother Clark has yet to be deprived of his ultimate success in securing the necessary information all of which is to the benefit and furthering of Freemasonry."

W. Bro. Clark in his own words "knelt at the knee of Cornelius J. Hart, tenth Grand Master," receiving not only Masonic inspiration from him but also authentic knowledge of early Colorado Masonry.

Known locally as author of "Our Masonic Heritage," W. Bro. Clark achieved national stature for his "Genealogy of the Masonic Grand Lodges of the United States," a chart distributed by the Masonic Service Association of the United States.

He has recently compiled "Decisions by Grand Masters, Deputy Grand Masters, and by the Grand Lodge" from 1874 to the present.

Dedicatory Exercies, Masonic Temple, 16th & Welton, Denver, 1890

Many Lodges had two early projects, to obtain proper Masonic meeting halls and places to bury their dead. In the case of the Denver Masonic bodies, the cemetery helped to obtain the hall!

In 1866 a 40-acre tract was purchased for a cemetery "on the slopes of the hill on the west side of the Platte river for the sum of $1200." This land, Acacia Cemetery, roughly bounded by West 29th, Zuni, West 32nd, and Tejon, was to be held and owned jointly by the various Masonic bodies.

Because of increasing property values, the remains interred therein were moved to an old cemetery now embraced in Cheesman Park. The Acacia property was then sub-divided and sold as lots. Money from these sales constituted the major part of the holdings that eventually made possible the present Masonic Temple at Sixteenth and Welton streets.

When Cheesman park was developed, the remains were again moved and interred in Riverside or Fairmount Cemeteries. Thus, many of the early Masons were buried three times.

THE BENEVOLENT FUND - THE BRIGHTEST STAR IN MASONRY'S CROWN

A donation of $60, the entire salary of the Grand Lecturer in 1900, was the start of the Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund.

Later during his tenure as head of the fund, the administration cost averaged Jess than $300 per year. And upon his death this man contributed $1000 to the fund provided that the Grand Lodge did likewise. Naturally, the Grand Lodge did.

The man was Ernest LeNeve Foster, secretary of Washington, No. 12 at Georgetown for many years and Grand Master in 1890. He officiated at the constituting of Temple Lodge No. 84 and later became a member of it.

The Colorado Masons Benevolent Fund was incorporated in 1912 to administer the charitable and benevolent funds of the Grand Lodge. It is managed by five trustees who serve without salary.

Each of its five funds constitutes a trust which can be administered only in accordance with the purpose for which it was created. Some may be used for charitable purposes only. Others are limited to educational purposes. Some allow the use of income only, others of both principal and income.

The Colorado Masons Benevolent Fund with book assets of $1,338,204.72 had income of $55,320.13 the last fiscal year. It is an endowment fund to aid needy Masons or their families. Last year seventy-one beneficiaries rcceived assistance, sixteen of whom were children. Of the fifty-five adults, thirty-three were younger than sixty-five, victims of illness or accident before retirement age. Payments are generally made through Lodges. Last year forty-seven Lodges were concerned, thirty-seven of which were out-state.

The Robert Russell Foundation Fund bas assets of $937,603.04. This fund supplements the Benevolent Fund under Grand Lodge authority.

The Colorado Soldiers War Relief Fund, of World War I origin, is for benefit of maimed, wounded, or disabled Brethren, their widows and orphans. Its book value is $42,495.43.

The Jacobson Memorial Education Fund, in honor of Past Grand Secretary Jacobson, is to assist sons and daughters of Masons by loans during their junior and senior years of college. Its assets are $9,891.26, obtained principally through the sale of Jacobson's speeches.

The Charles L. Young Memorial Scholarship Fund, originated by the widow and daughters of our late Grand Lecturer, annually helps a student of Durango High School with a $200 scholarship. Its balance is now reduced to $619.

GOOD MEN AND TRUE

The responsibilities of the ballot were carefully considercd by the early Masons of Colorado. Grand Master Henry M. Teller at the Fourth Annual Communication admonished: "Admit no one because you can find nothing bad in him; make it a rule that no man shall be admitted who does not possess some trait of character which recommends him for admission."

Grand Master Archie J. Van Deren in 1865 elaborated further: "The doors of our Lodges are thronged by persons anxious to be admittcd to our mysteries. . . . We cannot be too vigilant in guarding the doors of our Lodges or too careful in the use of the ballot. In this lies our safety. Allow none to pass the threshold except the worthy. Advance none who have not sufficient zcal to learn the lectures of the several degrees. . . . Avoid the blighting defect of filling your Lodges with inefficient and inactive members to become drones in the hive of Masonry, consuming it's, vitality."

In 1865, the Lodges rejected more applicants than they approved is a table showing their concern for the ballot:

M. W. Brother Teller cautioned further in 1869:

"The demands of the Lodge for money to meet the current expenses, such as rent, lights, and fuel have become so pressing that when a petition is presented, the brethren think more of the advantage to be derived by the candidate's election in a pecuniary view than of the qualifications which should recommend him to be made a Mason. It is impossible for a small Lodge, embarrassed with debts, to to do justice to the fraternity at large."

Joseph A. Davis, Grand Master in 1907 observed that the temperate character of the Masonic fraternity had impressed him most during his 5,000 miles of travel. "God has not written on the faces of the membership of the Craft the signs of dissipation and licentiousness and wrong living. They were good husbands, loving fathers, sympathetic neighbors and loyal citizens."

50-YEAR MEDALS

In 1934 the Grand Lodge started the presentation of Gold 50-year pins to all members of the Jurisdiction who had completed 5O full years of Masonic membership. M. W. Bro. Howard T. Vaille recommended the practice in these words:

"For many years it has been the custom in many jurisdictions to give a medal to every member who completes 50 years of Masonic life. Every jurisdiction that has tried it is very enthusiastic about it. Several Grand Masters have heartily approved of it; as one of them expresses it 'considering the pleasure they give, the cost is small.'

"I have met several such Brethren and have been impressed with the pride they take in wearing them and the pleasure it gives them in their declining years. Most of their old Masonic Brethren have passed away. They sometimes feel that new actors on life's stage have crowded them off and that they have no part in the play but these medals give them tangible proof that they are not forgotten; that the active young Masons of today love and respect them, and the thoughts cheer them.

"The Lodge in honoring them honors itself for they give dignity to Masonry. One happy feature is that in many cases they will be given to Brethren who in their long Masonic careers have received no preferment from the craft."

The 1949 Grand Master, M. W. Bro. Whittleshofer added another touch which has increased the sentiment of the presentation. He started a custom which has been continued by each Grand Master since, that of a personal letter of congratulations from the Grand Master to each recipient. A total of 2126 of these medals have been presented.

REGIONAL GROUPS

Study of Masonry beyond the ritual, Masonic fellowship, and cooperative solving of mutual problems have been the objectives of several voluntary groups in the last half-century since travel has become easier.

The San Luis Valley Masonic Association held annual gatherings before and after the turn of the century. It was composed of seven Lodges: Saguache No. 32, Alamosa No. 44, Monte Vista No. 73, Creede No. 94, Vulcan No. 103 of Hooper, Del Norte No. 105, and Center No. 128. They maintained a park where members had summer homes and recreational facilities. George E. Simonton, Grand Master in 1913, reported that over 400 Masons and families were in attendance when he visited there.

A Northeastern Colorado Masonic association was organized shortly after the influx of new members following World War 1. Eight Lodges comprised the group.

The Denver Association of Masonic Officers was started by M. W. Bro. Albert G. McGaffey and still functions actively.

Lodges on the Moffat Railroad formed the Northwestern Educational Masonic Association in 1940. The Research Lodge of Colorado received Grand Lodge Approval in 1952. It has 260 members in this and other states, including several Masonic organizations.

The Southern Colorado Masonic Symposium, sponsored by Silver State Lodge No. 95 in Pueblo each spring, is an outgrowth of a Masonic Lodge celebration started in 1952. A program of original Masonic papers by outstanding Masonic scholars of the state is preceded by degree exemplification involving representatives of not less than 15 and as many as 35 lodges of southeastern Colorado.

ON THE HIGHEST MASONIC HILL

Corinthian, No. 42 of Kokomo not only can boast of being the highest Lodge in the United States, elevation 10,618 feet, but also of having had a Master with one of the longest services on record.

Benjamin F. Rich refused to let the Lodge die though the area was depopulated and the membership dropped to as low as twelve. W. Bro. Rich enlisted the cooperation of the Grand Lodge so that an annual meeting could be held to maintain the charter. When he was presented with a 5O-year pin and Colorado Certificate in 1942, Grand Secretary Patton noted that W. Bro. Rich had been Master for 24 of the 50 years.

Charles L. Young, Grand Lecturer, was impressed with the surroundings and effort. In 1936 he said: "The hall was lighted by old oil lamps, the Temple was built of logs, the furniture was several generations old, and without any stretch of the imagination, we were taken back to the early days in this jurisdiction.

"We speak off-hand of the antiquity of our Craft but to have these facts brought home, it is necessary to attend a meeting of this type. Statistics are dry reading, historical dates are easily forgotten, but a contact with the past through personal touch stays long in the memory. We sincerely hope that the little Lodge at Kokomo, headed by its beloved Master, W. Bro. Ben F. Rich, may continue to keep the torch lighted on the highest hill that we in the lowest valleys may take heart."

Charles L. Young

Again in 1955 he commented: "This Lodge has only one resident member. It owns its own Masonic Temple which has been reconstructed inside by their own manual labor. The officers have to drive many miles in order to get together and learn their work. They know and perform their work exceedingly well. When I made an official visit to this Lodge there were 24 members of the Lodge present who had driven from as far as Salida on the west to Olney Springs on the east and they had 22 visitors who likewise had driven many, many miles. This year they raised five of their own candidates."

SUNDAY COMMUNICATIONS FORBIDDEN
At the third Annual Communication, Sunday Lodge meetings were forbidden except for funerals.

NO NOMINATIONS FOR OFFICE
In 1867 the Grand Lodge declared it to be in variance with the spirit of Masonry to make nominations for office in either Grand or Constituent Lodge and the practice was prohibited.

WEARING JEWELS AT GRAND LODGE
Masters and Wardens representing constituent Lodges were instructed to wear their jewels of office in all future attendance at Grand Lodge at the 1868 session.

GRAND REPRESENTATIVES
The system of Grand Representatives was adopted at the Ninth Annual Communication in 1869. We now exchange Representatives with one hundred nineteen Grand Jurisdictions.

GRAND OFFICERS' JEWELS
At the ninth annual communication in 1869 a committee was appointed to procure a set of jewels for the Grand Lodge to cost not more than $300.

PERMANENT MEETING PLACE
Denver was selected as the permanent meeting place of the Grand Lodge at the Eleventh Annual Communication.

PROFICIENCY ON THIRD DEGREE
Webster D. Anthony, then R.W.D.G.M., at the Grand Session of 1872, offered the following, which was adopted: "Resolved, That it is earnestly recommended by this Grand Lodge that all Masters of Lodges in this jurisdiction, require every Master Mason raised in his Lodge, to stand an examination in open Lodge within three months from the date of his taking the degree; said examination to be upon the proficiency of said member."

GRAND COMMUNICATION OUTSIDE COLORADO
On January 22nd, 1873 M. W. Bro. Webster D. Anthony, at the invitation of Cheyenne Lodge No. 16 of Cheyenne (then a member of the Grand Jurisdiction of Colorado) convened the Colorado Grand Lodge in the Wyoming capital city and dedicated its new Masonic hall.

PUBLIC PROCESSIONS
The Centennial of the United States saw Union Lodge No. 7 and Central Lodge No. 6 appearing in open lodge in public procession on July 4th, 1876 in the cities of Denver and Central, under special dispensations from M. W. Bro. Oren H. Henry. While adverse to public appearance, he issued his dispensation on account of the peculiar dignity of the Centennial celebration and did not wish his act to be construed into a precedent for ordinary occasions. Eight years Jater, M. W. Bro. James H. Peabody forbade two lodges to appear in public procession on the occasion of General Grant's funeral.

GERMAN LANGUAGE LODGE
In 1881, Grand Master Greenleaf issued a dispensation to Schiller Lodge U. D. to work in the German language, the ritual to be a literal translation as far as possible.

Chartered as No. 41, Schiller was asked in 1914 to confer the Master Mason degree for Grand Lodge and did so in "an earnest and dignified manner." World War I brought an end to the use of the foreign language.

GRAND MASTER EXPENSES
In 1888, after Grand Master George K. Kimball, Union Lodge No. 7, told the Grand Lodge "Until some arrangements are made whereby a Grand Master's expenses are paid, none but those possessed of ample means can satisfactorily fill the Grand East", the Brethren voted to allow actual traveling expenses.

GRAND MASTER'S JEWEL
An appropriate jewel for the Grand Master "to cost not less than $100" was authorized by Grand Lodge action in 1891. It was to "be of gold and properly engraved."

GRAND LODGE APRONS
Jewels for Past Grand Masters were adopted by the Grand Lodge in 1893, with the emblems within the wreath taken from those in use by the Mother Grand Lodge, the Grand Lodge, F. and A. M. of England. When Past Grand Master Aprons were approved in 1926, bearing in mind that the key-note of Colorado regalia is simplicity, the Custodians of the Work recommended Past Grand Masters' Aprons "in keeping with those now worn by the Grand Officers, that is of plain, white lambskin, without binding, and that the jewel embroidered upon the flap be that described by the Grand Lodge of England for Past Grand Masters, that is the compasses extended to 45 degrees with the segment of a circle at the points, and that the emblem be surrounded by the wreath now used on the jewels of the Grand Lodge officers of this jurisdiction."

LIFE MEMBERSHIP
Life Membership in Colorado Lodges was prohibited by a by-law adopted by the Grand Lodge in 1894.

APRONS
Uniformity in the way the Masonic Apron should be worn in this jurisdiction was achieved after a report of Grand Lecturer Cromwell Tucker in 1894. The apron should be worn over and tied around the coat.

INDEBTEDNESS
In 1895, Grand Master William L. Bush recommended that Lodges be prohibited from contracting an indebtedness above a certain amount per capita. The current limitation is $10 per member.

FUNDS RESTRICTED
In 1899, Lodges which had voted funds to sponsor hose races on Fourth of July, were informed that sports or a celebration have nothing in common with the objects of Masonry and that all Lodge funds are sacred for Masonic purposes.

PUBLIC INSTALLATIONS
Whether or not to grant special dispensations for public installation of officers plagued the grand officers just before the turn of the century. Grand Master James H. Peabody refused eight requests in 1884, but M. W. Bro. Bridwell allowed six open installations in 1889. M. W. Bro. Foster granted another six dispensations the following year "and excuses his conduct on the ground that it had been customary with his predecessors." M. W. Bro. Wright followed along with six dispensations in 1892 and M. W. Bro. Sanford with three in 1893. When Grand Master Burnanel in 1899 allowed Rob Morris No. 92 to install publicly, Deputy Grand Master Joseph W. Milsom wanted to be relieved of responsibility prior to becoming Grand Master and brought the matter to the floor of the Grand Lodge for action. The jurisprudence committee reported that public installations were "not desirable and not beneficial to the order" and Grand Masters were "requested" not to issue the prerequisite dispensations. None have been issued since.

CLASS SIZE LIMITED
That no lodge shall confer degrees upon more than five candidates in anyone day was a decision of the Grand Lodge in 1902. (Previously as high as twelve candidates had been members of a class.)

GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS
In 1877 and 1878 it was ordered by the M. W. Grand Master that "these proceedings be read in each Lodge immediately after receipt of same". As the twentieth century dawned there was great opposition to the rule that Grand Lodge Proceedings should be read in full at each constituent Lodge. To bring the matter to a head, one Lodge invited the Grand Officers to attend a regular communication. When reading of the proceedings was announced, all the local members, except the officers, evidently in accordance with a preconceived plan having the Master's approval, obtained his consent to their leaving the room.

This resulted in Grand Master Benjamin L. James, a member of Union Lodge No.7, recommending in 1905 that as but a few of the Lodges were complying (or reporting compliance) with the regulation, the rule be changed to provide every officer should read the Constitution and By-Laws within two months after election.

RECORDS
Cataloging all members and their Masonic history was started in 1914. Now the files in the Grand Lodge office morgue consist of about 130,000 cards in two groups, present and former members.

DEGREE DRESS RESTRICTED
An edict in 1917 by M. W. Bro. Guy V. Sternberg, Mesa Lodge No. 55, advised it was not proper to confer degrees by Brethren wearing costume or dress peculiar to any society or vocation.

RECEPTION OF MASONIC DIGNITARIES
Legislation in 1929 provided that all presiding officers of the Grand Jurisdiction recognized as Masonic, shall be received with the same ceremony and honors accorded visiting Grand Masters.

CENTRAL CITY PAINTNGS
That the colorings of the paintings on the walls of Central Lodge No. 6 at Central City might not be lost in case of fire or other destruction, the Grand Lodge in 1930 appropriated $200 for coloring of the photographs taken of these symbols of Masonry. These reproductions are now preserved in the Grand Lodge museum.

GRAND LODGE MEETING PLACE
In 1938, the Grand Lodge began meeting in Colorado Consistory, having out grown quarters in the Temple at Sixteenth and Welton.

HOLDS SUMMER MEETINGS
Estes Park Lodge No. 183, constituted in 1959, is located adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park which attracts millions of visitors every year. The Lodge holds regular communications throughout the summer so Brethren from other states and countries may see Colorado Masonry in action. Its vacation is observed in the winter.

LARGE FUNERALS
The largest funeral in the first forty years of Colorado Masonry was for Uncle Tom Linton, Grand Tiler of the four Grand Bodies of the State and most of the Denver Lodges from 1873 to 1900. Brethren came from all over the state. Over 1000 were in attendance. In 1921 over 1500 paid their respects at the last rites for Charles H. Jacobson. He had been Secretary of the Grand Lodge and the Grand Chapter and Recorder of the Grand Commandery from 1904 until 1921; Recorder of the Grand Council from 1906 until 1921; Secretary of the Colorado Consistory No.1 bodies for 17 years; and was Intendant General of the Red Cross of Constantine for Colorado.

DIED IN OFFICE
Two Grand Masters entered the Celestial Lodge above while presiding over the Colorado Grand Lodge. They were Horace H. Mitchell in 1930 and John R. Swinton in 1948.

NOTE WORTHY DISPENSATIONS
Grand Master Harry L. Baum of Emulation No. 154 issued three unusual dispensations for the annual visit to the cradle of Colorado Masonry in Gilpin County. Under the dispensation Blackhawk No. 11, Nevadaville No. 4 and Central No. 6 met in joint communication in the hall of each lodge. They conferred a portion of the first degree in each hall, stopping between work for a brief stop at the monument on the site of the first Masonic temple in the state.

DELAY IN COMMUNICATIONS
Pioneer Masons had difficulty obtaining proceedings of other jurisdictions caused, Grand Secretary Whittemore surmised in 1866, by "our correspondents not being aware of the law requiring letter postage on all printed matter, west of Kansas." The mail was held at St. Joseph, Mo., and St.Louis, Mo., until proper postage was received.

In 1868, Grand Secretary Parmalee rejoiced: "The Act of Congress repealing the obnoxious law went into effect October 1, inst., and herafter we may reasonably expect to receive the proceedings of our Sister Grand Lodges as well as many of the proceedings of former years now wanting to complete our files."

IMPRESSIVE ATTENDANCE
When the cornerstone of Flagler High School was laid in 1915, Kit Carson Lodge No. 127 had a membership of 52, one-third of whom lived in other parts of the country. Yet there were 76 Masons present, some coming 75 miles and more.

PAPER APRONS
Because attendance at many functions exceeded the supply of aprons and difficulty often arose to clothe the brethren in suitable Masonic fashion, the Grand Lodge in 1949 made arrangements to provide paper aprons for use on extraordinary occasions. The cost of these was approximately the cost of one laundering of cloth aprons.

INSTALLED ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE TIMES AS TILER!
Luther Van Buskirk has one of the finest service records of the first century of Colorado Masonry. As guardian of the door for five lodges, he has been installed as tiler a total of 151 times. He was Grand Tiler in 1955 under M. W. Bro. Charles A. Mantz. Brother "Van", one of the state's foremost students of symbolism and history, is also noted for his comprehensive Masonic stamp collection.

"YOUR MASONIC HERITAGE" DISTRIBUTED
An educational project during the 1930's was the furnishing of Clark's "Your Masonic Heritage" to all newly-raised brethren that they might easily absorb more of the character of the Masonic institution.

GOLDEN CITY LODGE NO.1, A.F. & A.M.
GOLDEN, COLORADO

Late in the year 1858, George A. Jackson with Tom Golden established winter quarters at the base of the mountains near Clear Creek. During the following winter more prospectors moved into this location and thus started the settlement which developed into the Town of Golden. In this group of men there were some Master Masons and quite naturally these became closely associated. They had a feeling of mutual faith, very necessary in the community in which they were situated.

They became leaders in organizing the City of Golden and in the early fall of 1859, some twenty-three of the brethren made an application for a dispensation to form a lodge and presented it to Auraria Lodge D.D. for recommendation, which was given and forwarded to the Grand Lodge of Kansas Territory in Leavenworth for consideration.

The Grand Master of Masons in Kansas Territory issued a dispensation to Golden City Lodge U.D. in January, 1860, and Auraria Lodge U.D. was invited to institute and install the officers on Feb. 18, 1860, wirh Brother John Hughes officiating at the installation. On that date the Lodge was instituted and the officers installed as follows: Isaac E. Hardy, Worshipful Master; Eli Carter, Senior Warden; James A. Dawson, Junior Warden; Thomas H. Simmons, Secretary; John M. Ferrell, Treasurer; and Isham Hardy, Tiler.

The first candidate, Samuel F. Shaffer was duly elected, initiated, passed and raised and the Grand Master of Kansas Territory issued a Charter to Golden City Lodge No. 34, Kansas Territory, on Oct. 17, 1860. This document reached Golden City in due time and on Jan. 8, 1861, the officers elected and appointed were installed by Right Worshipful Brother L. L. Bowen, Past Deputy Grand Master of Nebraska.

A State organization meeting was held in Masonic Hall, Aug. 7, 1860, with W. M. Hardy acting as Chairman and W. L. Rothrock, Lodge Secretary, acting as Secretary. With few exceptions those attending the meeting were members of the Lodge and were largely responsible for the action taken by Congress in Feb., 1861, when that body set aside the western portion of Kansas Territory and designated it as Colorado Territory.

It is reported that Golden City Lodge first met in a log cabin on Ford Street, which was later destroyed by fire. Later a few meetings were held in the old Overland Hotel on Washington Ave. A building was erected by W. A. H. Loveland who owned the lower floor and the Lodge owned the second floor. After several years the Lodge sold their interest in the building to Loveland but leased the hall for a meeting place. The next meeting place was a much larger hall over the Linder Building and finally in the I.O.O.F. hall over the Kelly Building on the West side of Washington Street, directly across the street from the original Loveland Hall.

Golden City Lodge moved into its new Masonic Temple located at 400 10th Street in 1951. This is a beautiful building which is not only a credit to the Masonic Fraternity, but a valuable asset to the community as well.

No story of Golden Lodge would be complete without mention of the Chivington chair which is owned by the Golden Lodge No.1, and in which Major Chivington sat when presiding over the lodge.

SUMMIT LODGE NO.2, A.F. & A.M.
PARKVILLE, COLORADO

Summit Lodge No.2 was one of the lodges which formed the Grand Lodge of Colorado. It had been chartered originally by the Grand Lodge of Nebraska June 5th, 1861 as No.8 in that jurisdiction.

It furnished five of the first Grand Officers when the Grand Lodge of Colorado was organized August 2nd, 1861. These were S. M. Robbins, Deputy Grand Master; James Ewing, Senior Grand Warden; C. A. Whittemore, Grand Secretary; Joshua Miller, Senior Grand Deacon; and D. T. Robley, Grand Tiler.

The Lodge met at Seven and a Half O'clock Saturday nights after each full moon. The 14 by 16-ft. Temple was a story and a half high, five rounds of logs being laid above the second floor before the roof was built.

Summit County then consisted of about the northwest quarter of our present State. The earliest minute book of the Summit County Commissioners gives details of an agreement to rent the Masonic Hall. They were to pay $1.00 per day for their meetings, $1.00 per day for county court, and $1.50 for district court.

Summit, No.2 was a busy Lodge during its early days. It had 17 initiations the first year and 13 initiations the second. The third year nine members had moved outside the Territory and twelve had dimitted. Others left for the winter. The Charter was left with the Grand Secretary for two years as they hoped for a new influx of miners but was finallv surrendered in 1865.

There is a monument at Parkville to which the Grand Lodge makes a pilgrimage every summer.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN LODGE A.F. & A.M. NO.3,
GOLD HILL, COLORADO

Rocky Mountain Lodge No.3 at Gold Hill, a few miles from Boulder, received its dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Nebraska May 21st, 1861 and its charter June 5th, 1861.

It was one of the lodges which formed the Grand Lodge of Colorado on August 2nd, 1861. One of its members, John M. Chivington, became first Grand Master of Masons of Colorado.

Other original Grand Lodge officers from this lodge included J. M. Hart, Junior Grand Warden; C. F. Holly, Grand Orator; C. W. Smith, Junior Grand Deacon; E. S. Glotfelder, Grand Steward.

The shallow deposits on Gold Hill were soon exhausted so the lodge was very short-lived.

The Grand Lodge of Colorado through the efforts of M. W. Bro. William R. Arthur, Past Grand Master, obtained title to the mining claim upon which the original lodge home was erected. A monument was erected in 1957 and in 1961 Grand Lodge started what is expected to be a series of annual visitations to this shrine.

NEVADA LODGE NO.4, A.F. & A.M.
NEVADAVILLE, COLORADO

Nevada Lodge U. D. was instituted on December 22, 1860 by the Grand Lodge of Kansas and was also chartered by same. At the Decembcr 1861 Grand Lodge of Colorado Communication a Colorado Charter was given in place of the Kansas Charter. The following served as Officers under dispensation; Worshipful. Master Andrew Mason; Senior Warden Ira H. Morton; Junior Warden James Dyke; Secretary Asa L. Miller; Treasurer John M. Van Deren; Senior Deacon William L. Sawtell; Junior Deacon Joel Newton; Tyler John Oster, Jr. A Special communication was held on the 12th day of January, 1861. Regular communications were on the 2nd and 4th Saturday nights from the 20th of September to the 20th of March at 7:00 P.M. from the 20th of March to the 20th of September at 7:30 o'clock P.M.

The Colorado Grand Lodge granted Nevada Lodge its charter on November 16, 1861. Worshipful Brother J. H. Gest, Deputy Grand Master by authority of the Grand Lodge of Kansas installed thc following officers, Brothers Andrew Mason, Worshipful Master; A. J. Van Deren, proxy for Brother J. H. Morton; S. W. Chase, Junior Warden; J. M. Van Deren, Treasurer; A. L. Miller, Secretary; J. L. Prichard as proxy for W. L. Sawtell, Senior Deacon; J. c. Russel as proxy for W. T. Potter, Junior Deacon. On April 11, 1863 a petition was received from Empire City to form a new lodge called St. Johns Lodge with names of Andrew Mason, Worshipful Master; A. R. Ellis, Senior Warden; and L. Sawtell, Junior Warden. The petition was unanimously granted. The original fee for Petitioners was Thirty-five dollars, $15.00 for Entered Apprentice, $10.00 for Fellow Craft and $10.00 for Master Mason. Two years later they were raised $5.00 on each degree.

Membership at institution 22
Membership 1960 118

DENVER LODGE NO.5, A.F. & A.M.
DENVER, COLORADO

The first recorded informal meeting of Masons in what is now Colorado was held on November 3, 1858 and was attended by 7 men. This group included Henry Allen, Charles Blake and Andrew Sagendorf, who became Masters of Auraria Lodge U. D., J. D. Ramage, the first Junior Deacon of that lodge, and W. M. Slaughter, Dr. Levi Russell and Geor