Page 28 - August 2018

Montana Masonic Books

F. Lee Graves, PM, Secretary (16), Past Grand Historian
From reading the last few issues of the Montana Agent story at Bannack and Virginia City as well as how
Freemason, I have noticed several articles on various men our Montana Work (ritual) was formed and evolved.
who are important to Montana Masonry. Basically, they
are the main ones who have honed Masonry to what it is FOUR FIRST FOR A MODEST HERO- This hard to
today. I would like to note a few publications that would be get book is an autobiography of Vigilante President and
good references for those of us who are interested in these Master Mason, Paris S. Pfouts. It was written in 1868 and
important players as well as the history of the Masonic fi rst published by the Grand Lodge of Montana in 1968.
movement in the Big Sky Country. There are other books His accomplishments include fi rst Worshipful Master of
as well, but these books appear to be the most used. Virginia City Lodge No. 1 and fi rst mayor of Virginia City
as well. Four Firsts is a beautiful account of Paris Pfouts and
EARLY MONTANA MASONS- By Lew L. Callaway. First gives a great insight into the life of this most unassuming,
published in 1951, this 44-page treatise appears to be one humble and great Mason of Montana.
of the fi rst attempts at acquainting Masons here in Montana
with some of their Masonic fathers. Lew Callaway came Also recommended are:
to Virginia City with his parents at the age of three and
ultimately in 1923 became Chief Justice of the Montana FROM THE QUARRIES OF LAST CHANCE GULCH,
Supreme Court. M.W. Brother Callaway was elected Grand William C. Campbell, 1951, Privately Published, The
Master of Montana in 1904. His insight into Montana Montana Record Publishing Company, Helena Montana.
history as well as history of Montana Masonry gives him Volume I contains a 25-year period 1864 -1889 of News-
a good basis from which to share his perspective of early History of Helena and it's Masonic Lodges. The information
day Montana. Two other books that M.W. Brother Lew was compiled from the fi les of the Helena Newspapers: The
Callaway authored were Montana’s Righteous Hangmen Helena Herald, The Helena Independent Record, and the
and Montana Frontier Lawyer- A Memoir. They are both Montana Radiator.
good reads and give an early insight into Montana’s early
history, both territorial as well as statehood. FROM THE QUARRIES OF LAST CHANCE GULCH
VOLUME II, William C. Campbell, 1964, Bell-Arm
QUERIES FROM THE QUARRIES- Prepared by Alvin T. Corporation, Helena, Montana. Volume I contains an 11-
Westdal in 1959 and issued by the Committee of Masonic year period 1890 -1900 of News-History of Helena, and it's
Education and Research, Grand Lodge of Montana. This Masonic Lodges. The information was compiled from the
booklet is a good resource to be used for Lodge education fi les of the Helena Newspapers: The Helena Herald, The
and is a limited source of good information for any interested Helena Independent Record, and the Montana Radiator.
Mason. I say limited because it has 123 questions answered
in 22 pages, but is still worth the time to check out. Perhaps the next question is now where to fi nd these
books. You might check your lodge library or archives as
ATTEMPTS TO START MASONIC LODGES IN a starter, or ask your Lodge secretary. Secondly, ask our
MONTANA- By William Ray Kohls. First published Grand Secretary of he has any ideas. I am sure they are
in 1964 this book is one of the fi rst attempts to give a seldom for sale, but maybe an old bookstore or eBay may
chronological history of lodges in Montana as they were help you locate a copy. The fi nal idea would be to check
chartered. The information lists a brief history of the lodge out your library and see if the Interlibrary Loan system can
as well as their fi rst offi cers and members. Br. Kohls also locate a copy. This is a free service, and it is incredible what
lists the First Grand Historian’s Address by N. P. Langford books they can fi nd upon request.
delivered October 8, 1867, the First Attempt to start
a Masonic Lodge in Montana in 1863 as well as a 1927
address by Grand Historian Rae J. Lemert.

THE HANDS OF THE WORKMEN- Compiled by Past
Grand Historian (1966), Robert E. Miller, this book is
well researched and has much useful information for
those interested in Montana Masonry. One of the exciting
stories in this book includes the laying of the cornerstone
in the arch of the entrance of Yellowstone National Park at
Gardiner in 1936. President of the United States, Theodore
Roosevelt, member of Matincock Lodge No. 806 of New
York was asked to preside over the Masonic ceremony.
This book also has much other historical information
involving Montana Masonry to include the Vigilante/Road
Page 28 Montana Freemason August 2018