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DIVISION VII.

THIRD MERIDIAN.

History of the Pacific Coast and Rocky Mountains to Mexico: The Grand Lodges of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico; Freemasonry in the Hawaiian Islands, Alaska, Mexico, and Central America.

BY EDWIN A. SHERMAN, 33°,

Vice-President of the Pacific Division of the National Convention of Masonic Veteran Associations of the United States; Secretary of the Masonic Veteran Association of the Pacific Coast, etc., etc., etc.1

INTRODUCTION.

THE territory embraced in the Grand Third Meridian, or the Grand Division of the Pacific, was a half a century ago comparatively a terra incognita, the greater portion of which was marked on the maps as "Regions Unexplored."

Along the frontier line of civilization, and advancing with it as it advanced, was Freemasonry, erecting its altars here and there as the desire of social intercourse marked its way. The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1807 and 1809 chartered two lodges in Missouri, as did the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, which chartered others, and these uniting and agreeing in convention on April 23, 1821, formed the Grand Lodge of Missouri. On November 20, 1840, the Grand Lodge of Missouri chartered a lodge in Burlington, Iowa, and within four years this lodge was one of those which formed the Grand Lodge of Iowa. From the Grand Lodges of Tennessee, Louisiana, and Alabama the Grand Lodge of Arkansas was formed.

The war between the United States and Mexico in 1846, 1847, and 1848,in which the writer participated, resulted in the cession, by treaty, of what is now known as California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, equal in extent to the whole of the United States east of the Missis

1 Assisted by C. E. Gillett. The histories of the several Grand Lodges, written by them, are designated by the initials, at the end of each: "E. A. S.," and "C. E. G.'

sippi River, excepting the State of Wisconsin. Before the United States army had a chance to withdraw or even the treaty was drawn, the Grand Lodge of Missouri granted a charter to Multnomah Lodge, at Oregon City, Oregon, in what is known as the Willamette Valley, which was the first lodge of Masons on the Pacific Coast.

The discovery of gold in California, on January 19, 1848, created an unparalleled excitement throughout the world, and thousands upon thousands of all conditions of men rushed to San Francisco and other noted places. Among this host were, no doubt, many Masons, who sought the privileges and pleasures of fraternal intercourse. May 10, 1848, the Grand Lodge of Missouri chartered Western Star, No. 98, at Benton City, near the head-waters of the Sacramento River. November 9, 1848, the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia chartered California Lodge, No. 13, but the lodge was not ready for work until a year later. January 31, 1849, the Grand Lodge of Connecticut chartered Connecticut Lodge, No. 76, at Sacramento City, which was not organized for work until January 8, 1850.

Subsequent to the organization of the Grand Lodge of California it was discovered that a lodge had been working at Nevada City, under the name of Lafayette Lodge, chartered by the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin, but it had lost its charter and property by the burning of its hall. A new charter was granted to it under the name of Nevada Lodge, No. 13, by the Grand Lodge of California, May 7, 1851.

It was also discovered afterward that a dispensation had been granted by the Grand Lodge of Illinois, in March, 1849, for a lodge, as prescribed by the Constitutions of Masonry, in any State or Territory where no Grand Lodge existed. In the spring of 1850 it commenced its labors at Marysville under said dispensation, and the lodge continued work until after the organization. of the Grand Lodge of California, when, on November 27, 1850, it received its charter as Marysville, No. 9.

The Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey had granted a dispensation for New Jersey Lodge, which also found a lodgement at Sacramento City, and was opened December 4, 1849.

A dispensation had been issued in 1849 by the Grand Master of the spurious and clandestine Grand Lodge of Louisiana, to "Davy Crockett Lodge," which had found a lodgement at San Francisco, but which, on discovery of its illegality, was promptly ignored by genuine brethren and soon ceased to have an existence.

The same clandestine authority had also granted a dispensation to a lodge in blank which was located at last in Benicia, and the name afterward inserted. This lodge was more fortunate than "Crockett Lodge," for its representative concealed its true origin and managed to secure personal recognition, and became the secretary of the convention which framed the constitution of the Grand Lodge of California, April 17 and 18, 1850, at Sacramento. — E. A. S.

CHAPTER V.

GRAND LODGES OF THE PACIFIC COAST AND ROCKY MOUNTAINS, ETC.

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California. In our Introduction, immediately preceding this chapter, we incidentally referred to several lodges constituted by charter or by dispensation, but of two, "Western Star" had a distinct locality designated for it, which did not then exist, — and the lodge had to lay out a town and give it the name mentioned in the charter, that of "Benton City," but it soon after removed to Shasta, where it has ever since remained, for a period of nearly forty-two years, and California Lodge, No. 13, at San Francisco.

Never was there such a sudden confusion of tongues as occurred on the soil of California in the latter part of the year of 1848, and the year of 1849. Freemasonry moved among the sick, attending to their wants, smoothed the pillows of the dying, and tenderly buried the dead, though there were no lodges known to be in existence in California at that time. But Masonic Relief Associations were formed, contributions freely given, hospitals were constructed of tents and such other material as could be procured, but at enormous expense. Cemeteries were hastily located in close proximity to the "Canvas Cities," Masonic funeral ceremonies were performed impromptu, and the acacia was dropped into the grave; the last fraternal honors and tributes were paid to the stranger dead, by brethren unknown to them when living, and this, too, without a Master of a lodge or any duly authorized body of Masonry to perform the ceremonies.

It is said that the first Masonic funeral in California took place in San Francisco, early in 1849, before a lodge was opened in that city, and was held over the remains of a brother found drowned in the Bay of San Francisco. Who he was or whence he came was never known. On the body of the deceased was found a silver mark of a Royal Arch Mason, upon which were engraved the initials of his name. His person was literally pictured with tattooed designs, embracing all the emblems of Freemasonry. The deceased and unknown brother, who had been a living chart of the emblems of Freemasonry, was buried with Masonic honors in what was known as "Yerba Buena Cemetery,” since known as the "Sand Lot," in front of the City Hall.

Early in the fall of 1849 rumors were afloat in San Francisco that sundry persons were in possession of documents purporting to be warrants or dispensations for lodges, but nothing definite could be learned for a time.

Colonel Jonathan Drake Stevenson, who had commanded a regiment of New York volunteers during the war with Mexico, and who arrived in California on the 6th of March, 1847, with his command, had returned from the mines and taken up his residence in San Francisco. Brother Stevenson, being a Mason of the true and tried school, did not propose to have the Order

he so much loved compromised or represented by unworthy characters, so he set about examining the credentials of those who claimed to have authority to open lodges. He soon met with the late distinguished Brother Levi Stowell, whom he found in possession of a genuine authority; and, after consultation with others of like pure motives, he assisted in organizing what is now California Lodge, No. 1, of San Francisco, which held its first meeting, November 9,. 1849.

On the 9th day of November, 1848, a charter was issued by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, to open and hold a lodge at San Francisco, California, to be called "California Lodge, No. 13, F. and A. M." upon its Register. It afterward became No. 1 under the Grand Lodge of California.

The charter of Western Star Lodge, No. 98, was granted by the Grand Lodge of the State of Missouri, May 10, 1848, for a lodge in "Benton City," Upper California. This lodge became No. 2, under the Grand Lodge of California.

The charter of Connecticut Lodge, No. 75, was granted by the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, on January 31, 1849, to open and continue a lodge in the Territory of California.

In connection with the history of the organization and first meeting of this lodge, the following incidents are necessary to be related:

About the last of August, or first of September, in 1849, Dr. R. H. McDonald, now President of the Pacific Bank of San Francisco, opened an office in a canvas-covered shanty on K Street, near Sixth-street, in the immediate vicinity of the Horse Market Exchange, at Sacramento. A friend of his from the State of Illinois, a rattling sort of a fellow, who had a good heart within him, came to Brother McDonald, and said:

"Doctor, I am going to the mines. When I was coming across the Plains and along the Humboldt Valley [now in the State of Nevada], I saw piled up in the sand by the side of the road a lot of books; and on a card fastened to a stick, this notice, 'Help yourself.' There were a great many fine books in the heap, and among them this large, red morocco-covered Bible, with gilt edges. As I could not pack more than one book along with me, I took this Bible and brought it through; as I am going to the mines and cannot take it with me, and as you are sort of religious, I'll give it to you."

So Brother McDonald took it. A day or two afterward, in the early part of September, 1849, several written notices were found posted up on trees near the horse market, calling a meeting of all Master Masons in good standing, to meet in the upper part of a building on the north side of K Street, about a hundred feet westerly of Sixth-street. The little garret was packed with brethren, who were nearly all strangers to one another. The meeting was called to order by Brother John A. Tutt. Some brother made a motion that Dr. R. H. McDonald take the chair, which was carried. To the surprise of Brother McDonald,- for he did not know a soul present, as he approached the box which was used as a chair, another individual stepped forward also to

take it. Then there occurred an amusing scene, as two tall men, six-footers, stood looking each other in the face. "Are you Dr. R. H. McDonald? and have you any monopoly of the name of McDonald?" said he of the Pacific Bank. "I am Dr. R. H. McDaniel, but generally known as Dr. R. H. McDonald, by mistake of calling my name," said the latter. Mutual explanations followed, when Brother R. H. McDonald gave way to Brother R. H. McDaniel, the man really nominated, who at once took the chair, and the meeting was duly organized. When it became necessary to ascertain who were Masons, it was discovered that there was no Bible present, and nothing could be done without one. Dr. R. H. McDonald then said, "Please wait a few moments, and I will get one." He then went out and brought in this pioneer Bible, that had been thrown away on the Humboldt desert. The meeting then organized a Masonic association for the relief of the sick and distressed brethren who were constantly arriving from across the Plains. Soon after, it was discovered that a charter for a Masonic lodge was in existence in the hands of a brother, issued to "Connecticut Lodge, No. 75." The brethren composing the association then dissolved that body, and on January 8, 1850, organized under the charter of Connecticut Lodge, No. 75, and Brother R. H. McDonald presented that lodge with the pioneer Bible before mentioned.

The lodge secured the grant of the "Red House," on the south-east corner of J and Fifth streets, in which to hold its meetings, which was then the best building for that purpose in Sacramento. Scarcely, however, had the lodge moved into its quarters, when the proprietor rented the stories below for other purposes not satisfactory to the lodge. So "Connecticut Lodge, No. 75," gathered up its altar, Bible, furniture, and jewels, and removed farther down J Street, between Front and Second streets, on the north side of the street, where the old Masonic hall, known as the "English Block," was afterward erected; and there the lodge met, until the convention was called to organize the Grand Lodge of California, in April following. "Connecticut Lodge, No. 75," surrendered its charter to the Grand Lodge of California when constituted, and received a new charter under the name of "Tehama Lodge, No. 3." The Bible which Brother McDonald presented to that lodge was the one used when the Grand Lodge of California was organized, April 19, 1850.

The Deputy Grand Master of New Jersey, on March 1, 1849, issued a dispensation to open a lodge in the Territory of California, etc. It seemed to have been a sort of a roving commission, with the power of the Worshipful Master, or the brethren, to appoint his successors until the next regular communication of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. The lodge seemed to exist continuously, and assumed the functions and privileges of an independent chartered lodge. It seems to have been recognized by both Connecticut Lodge, No. 75, at Sacramento, and by "Western Star, No. 98," in the preliminary action taken early in March, 1850, to have delegates appointed or elected

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