| Transcribed by Norma Knotts Shaffer from microfilms of the Calhoun
Chronicle dated 9/17/1917 and 9/21/1921.
9/17/1917 - The following is a list of the articles deposited in the
Corner Stone of the Masonic Temple at this place on the date that it
was dedicated, Dec. 24, 1887. Mrs. Judson Barr of the West Side has
our thanks for the copy of the Calhoun Chronicle which contains this
list.
Holy Bible by A.J. Barr; By-laws of Eureka Lodge No. 40; photograph of
Hagan Barr; photograph of J.M. Hamilton, photograph of A.J. Barr, gem
of J.M. Hamilton and Hagan Barr, group of F.E. Ferrell, Jerome
Hardman, Dr. L.J. Stump, R.F. Hickman, R.M. Marshall, A.J. Barr, A.H.
Sturm, Wm. M. Bennett, J.M. Hamilton, Hagan Barr an L.H. Trippett, by
A.J. Barr; a copy of the Sunbeam, the first paper published in Calhoun
county, dated December 7, 1880; also a copy of the Calhoun Chronicle,
by R.M. Marshall; gem of R.M. Marshall by same; Holy Bible by G.S.
Smith; a copy of the Maryland Journal, now the Baltimore American,
printed August 20, 1773, by T.R. Stump; photograph and dictionary by
Dr. L.J. Stump; gem of R.A. Ferrell by same; a copy of the Free
Mason's Monitor by John C. Stump; coins were placed therein by S.M.
McCoy, W.L. Stevenson, R.F. Hickman, J.W. Pell, Rusus Knotts, E.A.
Bennett, J.T. Waldo, and J.H. Johnson, Jr.; copy of Fairmont West
Virginia by G.S. Smith; photo of G.S. Smith by same; copy of the State
Journal, by S.M. McCoy; the first jewels used by Eureka Lodge No.
40.
9/21/1921 - The corner stone for the new Masonic Temple which is being
erected at the corner of Main and Court streets, was laid with
appropriate ceremonies Monday afternoon of last week, September 19th,
by the Grand Lodge of Masons of West Virginia. Quite a number of
Masons from various section of the country and many others were
present and witnessed the impressive ceremony.
The cornerstone of the first Masonic building, which was destroyed by
fire in June 1919, was laid December 24th, 1887. Several Masons who
participated in that event were present for Monday's event. Among
those noted were J.P. Knight, G.S. Smith, S.H. Wilson, M.W. Hoskins,
and possibly others.
The personnel of the Grand Lodge was as follows:
Robert L. Hamilton as Grand Master, W. Van Park as Deputy Grand
Master, L. Scott Peninger as Grand Senior Warden, E. Lory Hays as
Junior Grand Warden, Bailey G. Stump as Grand Treasurer, Fred Hickel
as Grand Secretary, Roy Righter as Grand Senior Deacon, Thomas Johnson
as Grand Junior Deacon, C. Foster Johnson and Elmer Cain Grand
Stewards, L. John Fogle as Grand Pursuivant, John M. Hamilton as Grand
Marshall, Rev. J. Smith Dye as Grand Chaplain, Charles C. Starcher
Principal Archivist, Hagan T. Francis Master of Oldest Lodge, Bud
Johnson as Grand Tiler.
The corner stone, a huge block of native stone, was laid in the
northeast corner of the building. In a receptacle in the stone were
deposited relics and mementoes bearing testimony to the age in the
building was erected. A list of the articles so deposited and the
names of the depositors follows:
All of the articles taken from the corner stone of the old building;
copy of the Calhoun Chronicle, dated January 3rd, 1888, containing
account of corner stone laying on December 24, 1887 and address of
John M. Hamilton on that occasion; copy of Calhoun Chronicle, dated
January 10th, 1888, containing list of articles deposited in
receptacle at above corner stone laying., these copies of the
Chronicle were reserved by Mrs. A.J. Barr at the request of the late
John M. Hamilton, for the purpose of placing in the corner stone of
any Masonic edifice that might be built in the future; Holy Bible by
A. Judson Barr (son of A.J. Barr who deposited Holy Bible in
cornerstone of first building); square by Hagan T. Francis, Worshipful
Master of Eureka Lodge No. 40; five cent piece dated 1915 by Arastus
R. Stump; twenty five cent piece dated 1907 by L. John Fogle; ten
centimes piece by Rev. J. Smith; penny by Bud Johnson; photographs of
A.H. and Drusilla Stump by Miss Nettie Stump; photograph of the
Steamer Edith H. by James B. Huffman; eight cent French coin by James
T. Waldo; silver dollar by Jerome Francis; silver dollar by C. Foster
Johnson; Indian arrowhead by Johnson Bennett; ten cent piece dated
1912 by Alfred L. Betts; penny dated 1851 by Roche C. Hall; ten
pfennig coin dated 1893 by Jacob Bennett; penny 1919 by Erra Stump;
ten pfennig coin 1889 by A.J. Rine; five cent piece 1914 by Bailey G.
Stump; ten cent piece 1904 by Louise Rine; ten cent piece 1917 by
Leona Rine; ten cent piece 1916 by Okey Martyn; twenty five cent piece
1910 by Wiley Ferguson; three cent piece 1856 by E.R. Busch; ten cent
piece 1905 by R.A. Ferrell; old penny by Bud Johnson; copy of
Industrial Edition of Huntington Herald-Dispatch by Alfred J.
Pickering.
|
