Page 289 - Cornelius Hedges Story

For This And Succeeding Generations Gardiner 276

Bannack camp was held the first gathering of Masons in Montana at
Brother Bell’s funeral.
In our first return made after the Grand Lodge of Montana was
organized, Helena Lodge had 32 members with six entered
apprentices. Montana Lodge had 16 members and four entered
Apprentices, while Virginia City Lodge returned 49 members, three
Fellow Crafts and seven entered apprentices. Ninety-seven members
in the three Lodges. There had been changes in the officers of the
Virginia City Lodges at the first election under charter. In No. 1
Brother John J. Hull had become W. M., W. F. Sanders, S. W., and
Louis Trapp, J. W. In No. 2 Brother Leander W. Frary had become
W. M., Luther C. Lee, S. W., and Hugh Duncan, J. W.
I had now been W. M. of Helena Lodge, first by appointment in the
dispensation, next by appointment in the charter from Colorado, and
then by Lodge election all within four months. Work was waiting
when the charter arrived, and it poured in faster than we could
dispose of it with long sessions and frequent specials. The possession
of charters was the signal for work in another direction.
We were urged by letters from the Virginia City brethren to fix the
earliest possible date to meet them and organize a Grand Lodge.
January 24, 1866, was agreed upon and with my wardens we went
through deep snows and cold weather in an open sleigh, 125 miles
in 24 hours. We were warmly received and the best of everything
provided for our comfort and entertainment. It proved that there
was a warm contest between the two Worshipful Masters of the
Lodges in Virginia City for the Grand Mastership. There were only
nine constituent members, three from each Lodge. If my wardens
acted with me, we could have elected either, but I did not want the
position myself and did not try to influence my wardens, and they
were won over to support Bro. Hull. I preferred Bro. Frary because
I knew that it was through his efforts and influence that we got our
charter so early and easily. Another and still stronger reason was that
I did not like the business in which Bro. Hull was engaged running
a club house. To me Masonry was a serious matter and its chief
representative should be an example for good men to follow. There
was some delay over the right to admit three or four Past Masters of
other jurisdictions who had become members of the Virginia City
Lodges. But without a constitution defining membership in Grand
Lodges it could not be an open question. We subsequently made
these Past Masters honorary members with the right to speak, but
not to vote.