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The Montana Freemason is an official publication of
the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons
of Montana and is provided by the Montana Masonic
Foundation, Inc. Unless otherwise noted, articles in this
publication express only the private opinion or assertion of
the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the official position
of the Grand Lodge. The jurisdiction speaks only through
the Grand Master and the Executive Board when attested to
as official, in writing, by the Grand Secretary.

The Editorial staff invites contributions in the form
of informative articles, reports, news and other timely
information (of about 350 to 1000 words in length) that
broadly relate to general Masonry. Submissions must be
typed or preferably provided in MS Word format, and all
photographs or images sent as a .JPG file. Only original or
digital photographs or graphics that support the submission
are accepted.

All material is copyrighted and is the property of the
Grand Lodge of Montana and the authors.

Subscription - the Montana Freemason Magazine is provided
to all members of the Grand Lodge A.F.&A.M. of Montana.

© 2012 Montana Masonic Foundation, Inc. All rights About the Cover
reserved. This material may not be reproduced, displayed, The painting on the cover “First recorded
modified or distributed without the express prior written
permission of the copyright holder. meeting of Masons in Montana, Mullan Pass) was
done by Brother Irvin Shope as the artist concept
When reprinted, articles should note:“Reprinted for the 1937 competition of the painting that would
with permission of The Montana Freemason Magazine. ultimately be commissioned for the Grand Lodge
building in Helena, it was one of six submitted. The
contest was awarded to O. C. Seltzer. This painting
was given to Governor Roy E. Ayers (Captain Scott
No. 98) and hung in his office while he was Governor
of Montana. The painting was later given to Don R.
Ayers of Lewistown, who in turn presented it the
Masonic Lodge in Lewistown in 1984.

Please direct all articles and correspondence to : Irvin “Shorty” Shope was a traditional western
Reid Gardiner, Editor painter, illustrator, and muralist. He was born in
The Montana Freemason Magazine Boulder, Montana on May 11, 1900, as a teenager
PO Box 1158 and worked on his family’s ranch. He attended Reed
Helena, MT 59624-1158 College in Oregon and graduated with a degree in
(406) 442-7774 fine art from the University of Montana. He was
Articles submitted should be typed, double spaced heavily influenced by Edgar S. Paxson. Shope was a
and spell checked. Articles are subject to editing and charter member of the Cowboy Artists of America.
Peer Review. No compensation is permitted for any He died on November 22, 1977 at age seventy-
article or photographs, or other materials submitted for seven; one of the last Western artists able to trace
publication. All photographs must be identified as to his artistic lineage directly to one of the two men
who took the photo and the names of the individuals who inspired the formation of the CAA – Charlie
who may appear in the photo. E-mail all photos and Russell. Shope was a member of Morning Star
articles to the address above. Lodge No. 5 and was raised to the sublime degree
of a Master Mason on February 20. 1960.
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Photo of the painting was taken by W. Bro. Earl
Bricker of Friendship Lodge No. 37.