Page 293 - Cornelius Hedges Story

For This And Succeeding Generations Gardiner 280

No. 11 was Flint Creek, at Philipsburg, one hundred and fifty-
five miles west of Deer Lodge City. It still lives, but has shared
the fluctuating fortunes of all mining camps. The mines about
Philipsburg are quartz, silver bearing, and about ten years ago
were fabulously rich. The place is now the county seat of Granite
County, and has a future. Red Mountain Lodge, No. 12, was located
in Highland Gulch, another mining camp of large expectations that
soon faded. Bros. E. S. Stackpole and John Anderson, very active
while this Lodge existed, were both subsequently elected Grand
Master. By the addition of these Lodges the membership in the
Jurisdiction increased to 370.
At this Communication, Bro. Langford delivered a very interesting
address as Grand Historian, relating to the early introduction of
Masonry into Montana. At the election, Bro. Leander W. Frary, still
living at Pasadena, California, was chosen Grand Master, Bros.
John Potter, Deputy Grand Master, J. R. Weston, Senior Grand
George Austin of Gallatin Lodge, No. 6, Junior Grand Warden,
Sol. Star, Grand Treasurer, and W. F. Sanders, Grand Secretary.
The Craft at Virginia City had erected a very substantial and creditable
stone building in the second story of which was their lodge- room,
where the new officers were installed. Following installation,
Bro. and Governor Green Clay Smith gave an entertaining and
instructive address. With resolutions of thanks to the retiring Grand
Master a committee was appointed to procure and present him a
suitable “honorarium” at the expense of Grand Lodge, but as there
was nothing in the treasury but certificates of indebtedness, private
subscription was resorted to. This custom continued for several
years thereafter. Bro. Sanders presented a more extended report on
Correspondence, covering fourteen Jurisdictions and extending the
reputation of Montana in this department. Grand Lodge closed to
meet in the same place a year later, and the constitution and by-
laws, with amendments, were again published. The printing of
the Proceedings was done in Montana and compared so poorly
with previous issues that it was not repeated for several years.
The Fourth Annual Communication was held in Virginia City,
October 5, 1868, and held only three days, Bro. L. W. Frary
presiding. All of the twelve Lodges had made returns and paid
dues and were represented. Only one new Lodge had been
organized under dispensation, at Missoula, in the western part of
the Territory, at the junction of Bitter Root and Hellgate rivers.