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The Lion's Paw Ring
The Lion's Paw Ring
Reid Gardiner, Editor
Reid Gardiner, Editor
Samuel Word was originally from Kentucky y In reading through past proceedings of the
and had moved to Missouri, in 1853 he had Grand Lodge, we are able to understand better G
become a member of the bar in Missouri. In the signifi cance and importance felt by retiring
May of 1863 and joined a wagon train for Grand Masters as they presented the Lion's
Virginia City in the Montana Territory, and Paw Ring to their successor.
became one of the fi rst attorneys to practice
law there. Like many of those who came west In 1889, Past Grand Master Arthur C. Logan
at that time he was civic minded and sought t presented the Signet Ring to M. W. Brother p
to build a better life and a safe community, he John Anderson this way:
was a Trustee for the fi rst School District and helped “Following the instructions from my predecessor
in the organizing of the Episcopal Church in Virginia PGM Hathaway, who directed me to guard it well and
City, and was a member of the Virginia City Militia transmit it to my successor. You are doubtless familiar
Company. He served several terms with the Territorial with its history and signifi cance. It is a ring of pure
Legislature and was elected Speaker of the House in gold, an emblem of trust, upon which is engraved
the 11th Session. Samuel Word was Senior Deacon a lion’s paw, typical of strength, a fi tting symbol of
of Montana Lodge U.D., in January of 1866 and was the noble order that has honored you by calling you
present at the organization of the Grand Lodge. Of the to preside over it. The ring has, in all ages, has been
members present at the formation of the Grand Lodge, regarded as symbolizing the lasting nature and stability
he was one of the fi ve who later would become Grand of compacts entered upon.”
Master. Word was elected as Worshipful Master of
Montana No. 2 in1879 and also became Junior Grand In 1902, Retiring Grand Master Slack approached
Warden; he later served as Senior Grand Warden and the new Grand Master H. S. Hepner and presented
as Deputy Grand Master but did not become Grand the Lion's Paw Ring this way:
Master until 1886. In the 1880s he moved his family “The happy inspiration that induced Past Grand
to Helena and entered into a law partnership with Master Word on the expiration of his term of offi ce, as
Robert B. Smith (Brother Smith served as Governor the M.W. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, to present
of Montana 1886-1901.) It was Samuel Word, who to his successor in offi ce, a signet ring as an offi cial seal
as retiring Grand Master in 1887, presented to his to affi x to documents issued by them, not requiring the
successor a Signet Ring made from gold which he had attest of the Grand Secretary, was not all sentiment I
taken from Alder Gulch (Alder Gulch is where gold am sure. To be entrusted with this symbolic emblem,
was discovered on May 26, 1863). having engraved upon it the Lion’s Paw, should be a
constant reminder to its wearer of the never-ending
In 1887, retiring Grand Master, M. W. Samuel Word duties devolving upon him, in the execution of which
presented to his successor a Signet Ring – designed he must rely on the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, for
for the use of the Grand Master in authenticating guidance and direction. To be chosen Guardian of
his correspondence – with the admonition that it this Signet Ring, worn in succession by prior Grand
should be presented in turn to his successors forever. Masters is an honor to be revered, and an incentive
“Retiring Grand Master Word, presented the newly to preserve it untarnished. Take it my Brother, and
installed Grand Master, James W. Hathaway, with a when the time shall come for you to present it to your
signet ring of solid gold, deeply engraved with the successor, may it be the happy refl ection, and self-
signifi cant emblem of a Lion’s Paw, to be used as consciousness that you have performed your duties as
the Grand Master’s private seal during his term in Grand Master faithfully and true.”
offi ce, and sacredly transmitted to his successor and
so on in endless succession while time and Masonry Then in 1904, M. W. P. G. M. Hepner presented the
endures. The hope was expressed that in its course Grand Masters ring to Lew Callaway, saying:
of transmission to future generations it would never "Seventeen years ago one of your illustrious
fall to the possession of anyone who would not add predecessors created a marked epoch in the history
dignity and worth to its intrinsic value until it became of our Grand Lodge. Glittering grains were taken
the precious nucleus of a halo and constellation of from Montana’s bosom and converted into a Masonic
hallowed associations and memories.” emblem. He bequeathed it to his successor, not for its

Page 20 Montana Freemason January 2019