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Four Firsts for a Modest Hero

We have selected “Four Firsts for a Modest Hero” as a series feature for the next several issues of
the Montana Freemason. This autobiography was written in 1868 and published and copyright held
by the Grand Lodge AF&AM of Montana in 1968, it was edited by Harold Axford. Before we proceed
with this story and because many of our readers probably are not familiar with Paris Pfouts we provide
the following overview of his life much of which will be given in greater detail as the article is read.

Paris Swazy Pfouts was born January 9th, 1829, at Mount Eaton, Wayne County, Ohio (Pfouts
wrote that he was born in the southwestern corner of Stark County, Ohio. A distance of about 18
miles separates Sugarcreek where the George Pfouts had a Grist Mill and Mount Eaton where they
later moved) and raised in that state until 1843. He moved with his parents and family to the city of
Oregon, Holt County Missouri, where he nished his education, worked in a county store and as a
farmer. In 1845 he returned to Ohio and learned the printing trade from a friend of the family and
worked on the Ohio Statesman newspaper.

Paris Pfouts returned to Missouri in 1848 and the following year went to California arriving at
Placerville on September 20th and worked in the mines, river freighting, running pack trains until he
was again broke. He next moved to the Trinity River area near Shasta; he ranched there until Indian
troubles in 1851-1852, he su ered an arrow wound. During this time, he acquired a taste for whiskey, Paris Swazy Pfouts
which soon caused problems for him and learned some control over it. In 1853 he returned to Missouri and became part owner and
publisher of the St. Joseph Gazette through 1857. The paper remained in the control of Pfouts and Cundi until June 1861, at which
time it had become rmly established and was in a prosperous condition. Towards the close of the year 1861, its publication ceased
on account of the opposition it met with on the part of the Federal authorities, because of its political sentiments. He also married
Harriet Cundi , the sister of his business partner. At their wedding Pfouts presented his wife a wedding band made from gold he had
mined in California, this ring was passed down to his youngest son, George. In 1860, Pfouts was a Lieutenant of a Missouri artillery
unit and aided in moving three pieces of artillery to General Sterling Price. Pfouts became a Mason in Missouri in 1854 in St. Joseph
Lodge No. 78, he became Junior Warden in 1856 the next year Senior Warden and 1859 Master of the Lodge, he was reelected the
Master in 1860. In 1856 he received the Chapter degrees and Knighthood in 1860.

In July 1861 he moved to Denver, Colorado where he entered the merchandise business and became very successful. In 1861, in
Denver, Brother Pfouts attended the rst meeting of Denver City Lodge U.D. and was asked to preside because the Master had left
for the War. In autumn of 1861, the Grand Lodge of Colorado was organized, Paris S. Pfouts was elected R.W. Senior Grand Warden.
On December 11, 1861, Denver City Lodge received its Charter as Denver Lodge No. 5, Bro. Pfouts was elected it’s Master. In 1862 in
Denver he had helped organize a Royal Arch Chapter. He dimitted St. Joseph Lodge in 1862 and a liated with Denver Lodge No. 5.

In September of 1863, Pfouts moved to Virginia City, Montana Territory along with goods to sell that lled ve wagons. In 1865,
he returned to the States and went to New York City and Washington DC, hoping to generate interest in the mines in Montana.
He returned to Montana and continued with his businesses. He helped form Virginia City Lodge No. 43 (chartered out of Kansas)
he became the rst Master of Virginia City Lodge No. 1, the rst Mayor of Virginia City and the rst President of the Vigilantes of
Montana. He also became Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge of Montana in 1866, also in 1866, he helped secure a Warrant for the
rst Commandery in Montana. Pfouts, a loyal Mason, built a second oor on his store and gave it to the Virginia City Lodge for a
meeting room (still used by Virginia City Lodge No. 1.)

In 1867 he left the Montana Territory for good and moved to St. Louis and engaged in other business. Including a venture as James
A. Jackson, James McQ. Douglas and Paris S. Pfouts, a rm selling wholesale groceries and liquors in Saint Louis in the 1860s. In
1870 they added “The Celebrated Home Stomach Bitters” which they sold in 1875.
In 1877, Pfouts moved to Texas and embarked in a lumber mill at Gladewater. In 1877, Pfouts a liated with Tannehill Lodge 52, in
Dallas. On June 12, 1878, Pfouts acquired half interest in the Dallas Herald and became its Editor and general manager and publisher.
He continued with the Herald through December 3, 1885. In the 1880 census, Paris S. Pfouts is listed as a 50-year-old editor of the
Dallas Herald. The company was also listed as “Pfouts, Elliott & Hall” (Paris S. Pfouts, John F. Elliott, William L. Hall) Publishers
Dallas Herald, Printers and Book Binders. Pfouts was also a member of the Texas Press Association. In 1891 he a liated with Dallas
Lodge 760. He also served as Eminent Commander of Commandery No. 6. in Dallas.

Paris Swazy Pfouts, died 4 August 1910 (aged 81) the burial was at the Oakland Cemetery, Dallas, Texas (Section 3, Lot 3). His
funeral was attended by hundreds of citizens. The funeral rites were celebrated at his home 340 North Haskell Avenue. The service
was conducted by Sam P. Cochran, Right Eminent Commander of the State of Texas with Rev. A. L. Andrews acting as Prelate. He was
survived by two sons, George Pfouts of Dallas and James Pfouts of Chicago and one daughter Annie Pfouts-Mumford of Dallas. His wife
Harriet had died a few months prior with her funeral conducted by Paris Pfouts; he was buried by her side.

Montana Freemason Page 30 July 2019 Volume 95 No. 5