Page 286 - Cornelius Hedges Story

273 The Cornelius Hedges Story

When I left Alder Gulch I fully expected to return and work the
claim in Highland District, which I had bought the fall before and
only partly worked before winter set in and all claims were laid over
till the spring following.

At Helena the winter was very mild and work was in full progress
in all the gulches and house building was going on at a wonderful
rate. Here I found many friends with whom I had crossed the plains
the year before. Being the only lawyer in camp and acquainted with
the civil officers, just appointed, I was soon engaged in business
that paid better than mining and was much easier, though I had done
fairly well at that. I had left my family in the states and had no
idea of staying more than two years in the mines or of engaging in
other business than mining. I had but one law book, and that was
for some time the only one in camp. It was a brief and unintentional
monopoly that I enjoyed.

Though the winter had been exceptionally mild, the spring was
stormy. The matter of providing shelter had been much neglected,
and those who had any at all were lucky. Brother Peacock, lately
come from Virginia City, had just started in the livery business
when prostrated by mountain fever. The Masons who knew of it
did everything possible for his care and comfort, little at the best,
and he soon died. It was at his funeral that the Masons of Helena
were first brought together. In spite of the most disagreeable weather
of the season, in sleet and mud there assembled a larger concourse
of Masons than any one supposed to be in camp. Brother Mark A.
Moore, W. M., of Idaho Lodge, Nevada City, conducted the services
as best he could. As this was the first death we had to select a
burying place, and we chose the spot where the Central and High
School buildings now stand. The Masons having been once brought
together continued to meet informally and in increasing numbers.

The purpose of organizing a Lodge in Helena was zealously urged
by our brethren in Virginia City in order that with the two in that
place, we might be in condition to organize a Grand Lodge. I was
well posted in the lectures and ritual of Masonry in Independence,
Iowa, before leaving Iowa, and there were other Masons in the
train with whom we spent many an hour while traveling, rehearsing
the ritual, so that when we unfolded our stock of information it
proved that mine was most complete. And the further fact that I
seemed most permanently located settled the matter, and against
my inclination, the brethren insisted that I should be Worshipful
Master. It was a short matter to get a petition signed, and with the