missouri freemason magazine - v55n04 - 2010 fall

The Missouri

FREEMASON

Official Publication of the Grand Lodge of Missouri A.F. & A.M.

Volume 55 No. 4 Fall 2010

86 Fall 2010 the MissOuri FreeMAsON

Committee on Masonic PublicationsLarry C. Reynolds Grand MasterDavid L. Ramsey, Junior Grand WardenRonald D. Miller, Grand SecretaryZelwin B. Eaton, Past EditorE. Otha Wingo, Assistant EditorSteven L. Harrison, Editor, ChairmanEditorSteven L. Harrison P.O. Box 1120 • Kearney, MO 64060-1120816-558-0436 / Call for [email protected]

The Missouri Freemason (USPS 573-920) is the official publication of the Grand Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri, and is published four times yearly. Articles to be considered for publication should be e-mailed to [email protected], not later than the first day of

the month preceding publication in February, May, August, and November.

Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policy of the Grand Lodge A.F.&A.M. of Missouri. The Editor reserves the right to accept, reject, subedit and rearrange material submitted for publication. Pictures submitted for publication will not be returned. The Missouri Freemason does not accept forms or clippings for publication. Please do not submit materials in PDF format.oFFice oF PublicaTionS: Grand Lodge of Missouri, 6033 Masonic Drive, Suite B, Columbia, MO 65202-6535. Printed by Tribune Publishing Co., Columbia, Missouri. Periodicals Postage paid at Columbia, Missouri.PoSTMaSTer: Please send address Forms 3579 to Grand Secretary, 6033 Masonic Drive, Suite b, columbia, Mo 65202-6535.SubScriPTionS: The Missouri Freemason is mailed to every member of this Masonic Jurisdiction

without charge. Domestic subscriptions elsewhere are $12.00 annually.PerMiSSion To rePrinT: All recognized Masonic publications have permission to reprint original articles from The Missouri Freemason with credit to the author and the publication.chanGe oF aDDreSS (important): Whenever a member changes his mailing address without notifying his Lodge Secretary and a mailing of the Freemason magazine occurs, the Post Office charges the Grand Lodge 75¢ per undeliverable Freemason.PleaSe, contact your Lodge Secretary with your address change so that the Grand Lodge can then be notified. GranD loDGe oF MiSSouri

GranD loDGe oF MiSSouriinTerneT aDDreSSeS

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The Grand Lodge web pagewww.momason.orgPhone: 573-474-8561

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My Brethren, this will be my final message to the Freemason, as Grand Master. My, how time has flown. But, even the good things must end. I cannot adequately explain the pride and pleasure I have felt, being able to represent this great State. In February, I was in Washington DC, for the Grand Master’s Conference of North America to represent Missouri, and in late June, I visited the Grand Lodge of Montana for its Annual Communication. The Junior Past Grand Master, Tom Lund, and newly installed Grand Master, John Mangen, treated Bettie and me like royalty. As most of you probably know, Missouri Charted the Grand Lodge of Montana, and I am proud to say that our KIDS are doing great. Now, some of the Ritual may have changed, swimming the rivers, but it is very close to ours. The Grand Lodge of Montana sends its regards and best wishes. The Grand Master’s report will detail my travels, but a couple of things stand out in my mind. The first visit I made was the first week I was home from installation, and that was to Carl Junction. RWB Bill Beatty (Grand Tiler) and I made a surprise visit and really enjoyed ourselves. Another was to Summit Lodge in Lee’s Summit, to present two 50-year Jewels. The extraordinary thing about the presentation was that one of the Brethren was “pinned” by his MOTHER. That was wonderful.

To my entire Grand Line, thank you for sharing your busy lives with me. You have honored me by being in my line.

To my Advancing Line, don’t forget the lessons we have learned, sometimes at a cost to ourselves, and transmit them to the Junior Officers as they are appointed to the line.

I can never repay the time and effort expended in my behalf by our Grand Secretary Ron Miller, whose counsel and friendship I value more than words can say.

The people on the staff of the Grand Lodge were and are so wonderful. They never complained while keeping the old Country Boy in the straight and narrow. Thank you.

Keith Neese, and your staff, what a pleasure and honor working with you through the years.

But most of all I wish to say thank you to the love of my life, my wife Bettie Jean, who has supported me throughout my entire trip in Masonry. Her love and sacrifice has allowed me to serve the Gentle Craft that I love.

And thank you my Brethren, for allowing me to serve as your Grand Master.

Now, as mentioned by a Past Grand Master, from the Brethren I came, to the Brethren I will return. May God Bless each and every one of you.

Larry C. ReynoldsGrand Master, 2009-2010

THE MISSOURI FREEMASON Fall 2010 87

THE MISSOURI FREEMASONVOL. 55 NO. 4 Official Publication of the Grand Lodge of Missouri FALL 2010

Published and copyrighted under the direction of the Committee on Masonic Publications

©

CONTENTSWe've pretty much all had the experience in one way or another, "Brother

[Insert your name here], you will approach the East!" At that moment, several things run through your mind, ranging from the semi-intelligent, "What did I do now," to a moronic, "Huh?" And on occasion, a helpful brother has to poke you to wake you up with, "They want you in the East."

Well, it happened to me. Only this time I was visiting a strange (well, not so strange, but I'll get to that) Lodge, hundreds of miles from home, and my reaction was more like, "What do they want with me? I'm just along for the ride." Sitting there in my fog of confusion, the events leading to this bewilder-ing summons ran through my mind.

This Indiana Lodge, Noblesville #57, located a few miles north of India-napolis, has been a part of my family since the nineteenth century. My great-grandfather, John Harrison, and my father, Robert Harrison, were members there (I have evidence my grandfather was also a Mason, but no records to back it up, so I sometimes think of myself as a 3½ generation Mason). As a kid I attended functions there and the building has always been a familiar place to me.

Fast forward to 1996. I was a part of the "lost generation" which I prefer to think of as the "busy generation." Whatever the case, even though I had been a DeMolay and loved it, I had not joined the Masons. Too busy … too important … too stupi … uh … you get the idea.

My dad received his 50-year award that year, and asked me to attend the ceremony to present it to him. From the minute I walked in the door that eve-ning, I was at home. The Lodge members were warm and friendly, everything was familiar including (since I had been a DeMolay) the setup of the Lodge. It felt so natural and comfortable to be there. And as I stood there with the incredible honor of presenting that pin to my dad I promised myself, "I will join this fraternity."

And I did.And then, in 2010, in the room where, in a very real sense, my Masonic

journey started, I heard the Master boom, "Brother Harrison, you will ap-proach the East!"

Upon my arrival at the East, the Master removed his hat, picked up his gavel and handed me the symbols of his authority, asking me to occupy the chair while he attended to the evening's new initiates. Wearing Dad's Masonic ring and the apron he was raised in (found several months after he passed away), I spent several precious minutes I will never forget, in the East in Dad's Lodge.

As we wrapped up the evening's activities, one of the brothers of Nobles-ville #57 stood and said, "Brother Harrison, somewhere tonight, your dad is smiling."

You bet he was.

From The Editor’s Keyboard

Steve Harrison, Editor

88 Most Worshipful Brother Gus O. Nations, Jr.

89 Masonic Education 89 Monroe Lodge Hosts Series

of Pre-Easter Breakfasts 90 MoCHIP IDs

100,000th Child 91 MoCHIP Receives a Day

of Recognition 91 Christopher Hodapp

Luncheon Scheduled 92 Strike Till Each Armed

Foe Expires 95 The Masonic College of

Missouri, 1844-1859 97 The Missing Stone 97 Branson Masonic Lodge's

Third Annual Bowling Marathon

97 Purple Heart Project Serves Wounded Vets

98 Missouri DeMolay 99 Missouri Rainbow100 Grand Lodge of Missouri101 Masonic Home of Missouri103 Work Of Our Craft107 Masonic Service Awards

ON THE COVER: New Master Masons stand with members of the Grand Line, dignitaries and the installing team after a Chance to Advance ceremony led by Most Worshipful Brother Larry Reyn-olds. The Grand Master's C2A Class took place on Saturday May 22 in front of a full house at the Masonic Complex in Columbia. A dinner and meeting of the Missouri Lodge of Research fol-lowed the ceremony.

88 Fall 2010 THE MISSOURI FREEMASON

“We face again the endless challenge to change. If we are timid about turning, then my judgment is that we will almost imperceptibly disappear, but if we dare do what we must, then as Mr. Churchill said - if the Fraternity lives for another thousand years, men will marvel at this moment and say of us always, this was their finest hour.”

Those stirring words were among the themes emphasized by the late Past Grand Master during his year as head of Missouri’s then ninety-thousand plus Freemasons, Change to serve the pres-ent age without sacrificing the enduring principles of the Fraternity.

Most Worshipful Brother Gus O. Nations, Jr., who passed away May 27, 2010, was a third generation Mason in his family and the father of two later Missouri Grand Masters, MWB Jeffrey O. Nations (1997-1998) and MWB John M. Nations (2005-2006). His other sons, Thomas H. Nations, and Gus O. Nations III are both Past Masters of the former Purity Lodge No. 658. All four of his sons served as Master of the Lodge in which he was raised. This Masonic heritage and career is probably unique in Masonic history in the United States. Moreover MWB Gus Nations’ Masonic life, professional achievements, and public leadership were in keeping with the best of Masonic traditions.

His Masonic career spanned fifty-eight years, beginning that journey in the former Purity Lodge #658 (later merged with Webster Groves Lodge #84). In 1960, he served as Worshipful Master as his father had before him. He became District Deputy Grand Master of the former District #57-B, and in 1971 was appointed to the Grand Lodge advanc-ing line by M. W. Bro. Thomas J. Davis. As Deputy Grand Master in 1978, he was President of the Masonic Home Board, becoming Grand Master the following year. He was a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, having been Master of Kadosh. He also held memberships in the Chapter, Council and Commandery of the York Rite, and was a member of Moolah Temple Shrine. He also received the Honorary Le-gion of Honor from the Order of DeMolay.

MWB Gus Nations was born September 16, 1927, in St. Louis County. He was the son of a lawyer and law enforce-ment officer of the US Justice Department and the grandson of a judge who was a one-time candidate for President of the United States. Due to the untimely death of his father, Gus had to become “man of the house” in his mid-teens, working several jobs while pursuing his education through the Web-ster Groves public schools, served in the Army, received bachelor and law degrees from Washington University. He

joined a well known St. Louis law firm but later established his own. He was licensed to practice before state, appel-late, and federal courts as well as the US Supreme Court.

At the age of 30 Gus became a coun-cilman in Webster Groves, two years later becoming Mayor of that influen-tial St. Louis suburb. During his six year mayoralty the city experienced growth in additional parks, recreational facilities, and urban renewal. Also dur-ing this time he served as president of the St. Louis County Municipal League. When he left office in 1966, members of his party tried unsuccessfully to get him to run for St. Louis County Execu-

tive, congress, and other offices.This was not the end of his public career or community

service, however. For Several years in the 1960s he served as St. Louis County chairman for the March of Dimes cam-paign. In 1971 he was appointed to the St. Louis County Board of Police Commissioners and two years later began a five year term as chairman, helping guide that law enforce-ment agency through troubled labor disputes. Gus was also founder and President of the Regional Justice Information Center of the St. Louis Metropolitan area. His biography is found in a number of regional and national “who’s who” publications. He retired in 2002.

MWB Nations was a member of numerous other organi-zations. He taught Sunday School for several years and met his wife, the former Virginia Meroney, in his Home church, Webster Groves Christian; and they were married in 1955. Gus and “Ginny” became the parents of four sons and three daughters. Ginny died in 2005. Their family has also been blessed with sixteen grandchildren.

Whether in his professional, civic or fraternal leadership roles, Gus Nations was noted for his incisive analysis of problems, his willingness to seek innovative solutions and his eloquent speech. As Past Grand Master J. C. Montgom-ery noted in his personal remarks at the funeral service held at Webster Groves Christian Church, “His (Gus’s) words could make you sit up and take notice; more, his words would make you stand up and take action.”

The 17th century scientist Isaac Newton wrote a col-league that he “stood on the shoulders of giants.” We as Freemasons can be grateful that our labors and lives can build upon the example and leadership of men like our Past Grand Master Gus O. Nations. (Sources: Grand Lodge pro-ceedings; Greg Jonsson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, May 30, 2010; M. W. Bro. John M. Nations)

Most Worshipful Brother Gus O. Nations, Jr.Grand Master, 1979-1980


There are as many types of education as there are things to do. Basically, we need to learn to do everything. In the begin-ning we cannot feed ourselves, clean ourselves, or make any decision about how we want to do things because we cannot yet even think. We have no vocabulary, no experience, and no ability to reason. Over the next few years we will solve this problem by utilizing teachers to show us the ways and means to do everything we need to do. We will be at their mercy be-cause we will not have anything to compare our educational experience with and will have no real idea if what we are be-ing taught is correct. Sometimes it will be wrong because the teacher is wrong and sometimes it will be wrong because the best knowledge of the time is wrong. It will hit us at some instant in time that everything we know is second hand and that we have been accepting it on trust. It may be a very rude awakening.

As we sit alone, awaiting the instructions of the Stewards, we may find ourselves in almost exactly the same situation. Our only advantage at this time is the education and expe-rience we have gained so far in our life. We are still totally unaware of what will happen next and are not really sure if we are making a correct decision. We only have the trust we put into the people who have made this journey possible. We have taken their word for truth. As we are led forward and told to knock three times, our world is once again totally blank and we are going on faith.

After initiation into the Entered Apprentice Degree we are always very happy because it is over and we have come through it unscathed. If, at that moment, we are asked to recite everything we have been taught so far, we would have a dif-ficult time telling much of what has happened because it was all new, very different, and coming swiftly to all our senses. We know that we know something but we really don’t know exactly what. Now is the time that the Masonic Educational Programs must kick in and begin filling the huge gaps that exist in all initiates minds. Left alone the new member will

acquire what knowledge is available wherever it may be found and there is no guarantee of the correctness of the informa-tion. Programs must already be in place that will lead the new member on the correct path or he will flounder.

This is the exact point where we as Freemasons will either make it or break it with the new member. We will create a dy-namic, energetic member who will fill a needed space in our Lodge or we will create the seldom seen member that does not help in any way. It is our choice which one we will chose to act out. We all need more light and that never changes. The new member exists in so much darkness that, without help, he will seek other light. He is in an untenable and very uncomfortable position. We must relieve this stress in a preplanned method that will give the new member security and comfort while an-swering all his questions and the questions that he cannot even know exist.

The most effective way to begin this educational program is by providing the new member with a mentor. This is a high-ly motivated Freemason who is able to explain the Masonic experience and provide guidance through the many paths. A lasting relationship will most probably be created and the new member never needs to feel alone or on the outside of things.

An educational team needs to be in existence in every Lodge to determine the educational process that the Lodge feels is required for every individual and to assist each one to become the very best Master Mason possible. Team members must train the mentors to be effective teachers. This is one of several things that every Lodge can do to make itself more dy-namic and sustain proper growth. It is the way we can insure that we take good men and make them better!

Brother Land is a newly raised Master Mason (Nov '09) of Jefferson Lodge #43 in Jefferson City, Missouri. He recently joined the York Rite as well. While new to Freemasonry he is 65 years old and is investing his retirement years seeking light.

Masonic EducationBy Sam L. Land, Jefferson Lodge #43

Monroe Lodge Hosts Series of Pre-Easter BreakfastsMonroe Lodge #64 held its 13th annual Pre-Easter Prayer

Breakfast March 29 through April 2 at the Christian church in Monroe City. Each morning a different speaker related a journey of faith in God and daily living. Groups from the five area churches provided inspirational music. Speakers varied in background experiences and gave proof that God was in their hearts.

Monday started with a working mom, Tracy Porter, say-ing God needs to be visited every day. Tuesday, seventh grade student Caleb Fuller recited a poem his grandfather wrote "Life and the Third Strike." Wednesday District Dep-uty Grand Master Tim Dunbar visited with us about grow-ing up the wrong way and how difficult it is to get back to faith. Thursday Joe Mcneill, a young man with Parkinson's disease gave a heartwarming talk about life from childhood to factory work. Friday, a Missouri University sophomore

student told of the difficulties being a Christian on a college campus.

In all over 500 Monroe City residents were able to hear how God works in different ways, and enjoy a good break-fast.


Meet 13 year old Kaylee, MoCHIP's 100,000 child to be ID'd. It happened in Independence, Missouri during a sched-uled MoCHIP event hosted by East Gate Masonic Lodge #630. Quite apropos ac-tually, as MoCHIP — the Missouri Child Identification and Protection Program — helps children declare their inde-pendence by safeguarding them against predators and making them aware of necessary safety precautions.

Kaylee came to the Independence Center Mall with her mother, Jennifer never expecting the fuss that was about to be made over her. We will not provide Kaylee's last name or provide any details about her to ensure her safety, however we can say she is a bubbly teen, with a younger brother and an equally enthusi-astic mom. Though extraordinary to each other and their friends and family, they are quite the ordinary family living the suburban dream — and cognizant of the cruel fact that they need to take measures to keep their children safe in order to keep that dream alive.

No parents want to believe the unimaginable could hap-pen to them, though nearly 2,000 children are reported miss-ing or abducted in the United States each day. MoCHIP has been tested seven times in Missouri that we know of, with every one of those children returned home safely to their families. The peace of mind MoCHIP provides to Missouri families is invaluable. It's important to note here that girls and boys ages 11-21 are statistically most susceptible to be-come missing, and though we cannot release details on the recoveries, each of the seven children were between the ages of 11 and 21.

So Kaylee is not only a poster child for MoCHIP's premiere milestone, but also a clear message to teen's everywhere that getting ID'd is not just for small children.

This milestone was achieved in less than 5 years due to the thousands of dedicated volunteers that give up their weekends to keep Missouri's kids safe. This is especially true of our Regional Coordinators and team members who are conducting the FREE Child ID events every Saturday at lo-cations throughout the state. MoCHIP has come so far from where it began. Sponsored solely by the Freemasons of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, MoCHIP began with a handful of dedicated Masonic individuals, some pretty large-scale plans and a few borrowed computers. Four years and 9 months later, not even those idealistic Mason's could imag-ine the immediate volunteer and financial support that has propelled the MoCHIP program so far so fast, safeguarding a staggering 100,000 children in less than five years.

Today, MoCHIP consists of 7 regions throughout Mis-

souri, 92 regional coordinators and team members, 84 com-puters, 14 fingerprint scanners, and has held a whopping 622 events with the support of more than 11,000 volunteers. Ad-ditionally, MoCHIP's comprehensive program has become the prototype for all Masonic child ID programs interna-tionally, and a recognized partner of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

The program consists of five major components — digital photographs, digital fingerprints, vital child information and emergency contacts, a dental bite impression, and two lami-nated ID cards. The photographs, fingerprints and child data are burned onto a mini-CD that is compatible with the Amber Alert system already in place. The dental impression provides a virtual diagram of the child's biting surface which, like fin-gerprints, is unique to each individual and further supplies enough saliva to provide a DNA sample that can also be used as scent source for trained canine search teams. Combined, this five-part process provides a dramatic, time-sensitive re-covery tool for authorities.

Once the child is processed through the program, which generally takes only 15 minutes, the parent is armed with a single pre-printed envelope that instructs authorities in the event of an emergency, something a parent in crisis would undoubtedly have trouble with, and a proactive measure to combat the time sensitivity involved in recovery. Within a matter of minutes the MoCHIP CD can be loaded into a computer directly from a police officer's automobile and en-tered into the Amber Alert system.

On the day of the MoCHIP event, parents are urged to gather pertinent information about such as, doctor, dentist, and emer-gency contact and phone numbers, allergies, medications, and parent work, cell, and assorted phone numbers. Information Collection Forms and Permission Slips can be downloaded

MoCHIP IDs 100,000th ChildReaches major milestone in less than five years

Program leaders Nick Cichielo, Richard Smith, Gail Turner, Dave Haywood, Grand Master Larry Reynolds, Ron Jones , Brent Stewart and Kaylee's mother Jennifer salute Kaylee as MoCHIP's 100,000th child identifi ed.


Governor Jay Nixon signed a proclamation deem-ing June 23 as MoCHIP Child ID Awareness and Protection Day in the state of Missouri. Yes, you read that right — MoCHIP has its very own day of observance!

It all began during an or-dinary conversation between MoCHIP State Coordina-tor, Nick Cichielo and State Representative, Bob Nance, a member of Richmond #57 and Excelsior Springs #441 Lodge and a great supporter of MoCHIP, and within a few weeks wheels had been set in motion and MoCHIP received the recognition it deserves for the hard work and dedication of Masonic entities and volun-teers throughout the state.

A delegation arrived at the State Capitol the morning of the official signing. In attendance were MoCHIP State Coor-dinator, Nick Cichielo; Masonic Children’s Foundation Board members and Grand Line representatives, Brent Stewart and Richard Smith; State Representative, Bob Nance; Masonic Home Public Relations Director, Sara Snodderley and MoCHIP supporters Ron White (Richmond Lodge #57) and Bob Bates (Clay Lodge #207). The proclamation reads as follows:

WHEREAS, nearly 2,000 children are reported missing or abducted in the United States each day, MoCHIP, the Missouri Masonic Child Identification and Protection Pro-gram, is designed to give Missouri families a measure of protection against the ever increasing problem of missing and abducted children; and

WHEREAS, MoCHIP is a recognized partner of the Na-tional Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC); and

WHEREAS, on May 22, 2010, MoCHIP reached an unprecedented milestone, in-dentifying its 100,000th child in less than 5 years of exis-tence; and

WHEREAS, the Missouri Masonic Children's Founda-tion, a not-for-profit chari-table organization, is work-ing with Masonic Lodges throughout the state to pro-vide free, consistent and com-prehensive MoCHIP events as

part of their ongoing commitment to Missouri's children and families.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon, GOV-ERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, do hereby pro-claim June 23, 2010 to be

MoCHIP CHILD ID AWARENESS AND PROTECTION DAY in Missouri.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Mis-souri, in the City of Jefferson, this 23rd day of June, 2010.

Congratulations to everyone involved in making MoCHIP what it is today — the most comprehensive and success-ful child ID program available anywhere — and now a day of state observance.

Incidentally, MoCHIP Day is the same day as both Nick and Lori Cichielo’s birthday — appropriate don’t you think?

MoCHIP Receives a Day of Recognition

Nick Cichielo , MoCHIP Sta te Coordinator and Grand Trea-surer of the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

A delegation of Masons met a t the s tate capitol as the Go vernor declared June 23 as MoCHIP Child ID Awareness and Pr otection Day in the state of Missouri. Shown left to right: Richard Smith, Nich-olas Cichielo, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, Bob Nance, and Brent Stewart.

Beacon Lodge #3 in Hazelwood, Missouri will host a luncheon and talk by WB Christopher Hodapp on Saturday, September 18. Brother Hodapp is the author of the critically acclaimed Freemasons for Dummies as well as other books on Freemasonry. The luncheon begins at 12 noon, and

the cost is $10. Hazelwood Lodge is located at 7251 N. Handley Road, Hazelwood, Missouri 63042. For additional information, contact Worshipful Master Curtis Perkins at [email protected].

from the mochip.org Web site and filled out ahead of time. Height charts and scales are available at the event to facilitate the most current details regarding the child. As would be ex-pected, security and privacy are of utmost importance. All in-formation and specimens are collected on site, processed and provided to the parent or legal guardian in a yellow envelope. At the end of each event, databases are erased using state-of-the-art software. The only item retained by the Masonic Chil-dren's Foundation is the signed permission slip.

Please visit our website (www.mochip.org) for more in-formation, to find an event in your area, or to schedule an event. We are also a featured cause on Facebook, and you can find us on Twitter too!

For more information on becoming a corporate partner or to make a donation, please contact MCF Coordinator, Nich-olas R. Cichielo (636-530-6069, email [email protected]) or visit the calendar on our website www.mochip.org to locate future events in your area.

Christopher Hodapp Luncheon Scheduled


Strike Till Each Armed Foe ExpiresSterling "Old Pap" Price, "The Washington of the West"

By Steve Harrison, PMConflicted about the Union, uncertain about fighting to

defend slavery and ambivalent about Jefferson Davis and his handling of the Civil War, Sterling "Old Pap" Price was unwavering in his certainty about one thing: his loyalty to the state of Missouri.

Born September 20, 1809, in Farmville, Virginia, Ster-ling Price was descended from Welsh immigrants who were among the first to settle the Jamestown colony. He studied law at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, graduating in 1827, and subsequently passed the Virginia bar.

At the age of 22, he moved to Fayette, Missouri, and a year later to Keytesville, where he estab-lished an estate, Val Verde, which would serve as his home for most of his life.i He engaged in a num-ber of activities to support himself including running his farm as well as opening a general store. In addi-tion, he joined the Chariton County militia, where he became a colo-nel.

In 1833, he married Martha Head, a prominent woman from the area. Together they had seven children, with five surviving to adulthood: Edwin Williamson, Herber, Celsus, Martha Sterling, and Quintus.

More or less known as a coun-try squire, Price was popular with his neighbors, who elected him to the Missouri state legislature in 1836. He served a single term and then ran for the legislature again in 1840. Not only did he win the elec-tion, but also became speaker of the house. He went on to become a Democratic US congressman in 1845, but resigned seventeen months later to participate in the Mexican-American war.

Brother Sterling Price became a Freemason in 1845, just prior to his election to congress. He petitioned Warren Lodge #74 in February of that year and was initiated, passed and raised shortly thereafter. The Grand Lodge of Missouri had only granted dispensation to Warren Lodge a month before and Price was among 22 candidates in its initial class, all of whom received the Entered Apprentice degree on February 25 - 26.ii A fire subsequently destroyed the Lodge's records and along with them, most records of price's Masonic activi-ties there. Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia in 1846, record Price as being a visitor.iii

During his hiatus from the Missouri house of represen-

tatives, Price participated in Missouri's infamous Mormon war. While he believed many of the accusations against the Mormons were untrue,iv he sided with the state, supported the Mormon's expulsion and personally took charge of bringing many of their leaders to Independence for trial.

Colonel Price assembled the Second Regiment, Missouri Mounted Volunteer Cavalry, and through the efforts of Mis-souri Senator Thomas Hart Benton, was appointed its com-mander. He led the Second Regiment during the Mexican war under the command of General Stephen W. Kearny.

Price was known for be-ing stubborn and vain about his military skills.v

As a result, he and Kearny did not see eye-to-eye on many issues. When Kearny suggested Price develop his regi-ment into an infantry, Price ignored him and maintained his unit as a cavalry. At the same time, Price's men began to resent his command appointment, which many thought was a po-litical one, and he had a few discipline prob-lems. Nevertheless, he overcame most of these issues. He also had mili-tary successes, the most notable of which was the suppression of an up-rising in Taos, and was subsequently appointed Brigadier General.

In an attempt to main-tain order in Taos after

defeating the rebels, Price established a military government and a reign of terror some have compared to the bloodbath of the French Revolution. As a part of it, he had one Mexican rebel hung each day for fifteen days straight.vi His actions in Taos were generally seen as ruthless, but proved to be very effective in stabilizing New Mexico for the remainder of the war.

In early 1848, Price heard rumors that Mexican troops were assembling for a new attack in Chihuahua and El Paso. Ignoring orders from Washington, the bullheaded Price, now commanding the Third Missouri and First Illinois Volun-teer regiments, marched his men southward to confront the Mexicans. The rumors proved untrue. There, under flag of truce, the Mexicans assured Price the two countries had al-

General Sterling Price


ready signed a peace treaty. Price refused to believe this and proceeded to attack and destroy the towns. While only four Americans were killed, nearly 200 Mexicans lost their lives, many after even Price himself had accepted the Mexican's surrender.vii

Although Price had disobeyed orders and attacked the Chihuahua area after the war ended,viii he was never disci-plined for his action. To the contrary, his effort was seen as a military victory and he was heralded for his role. Upon his return to Missouri people perceived him as a hero and sub-sequently elected him Governor in 1852.

The four years Price spent as Governor were unremark-able. He took office January 3, 1853 and served only one term. According to the National Governor's Association his accomplishments included establishing Washington Uni-versity, restructuring the state's school system, initiating the Missouri State Teachers' Association and creating a state geological survey.ix

Just prior to Price's election, his former ally and the man responsible for him getting his military commissions, Sena-tor Thomas Hart Benton, took a strong pro-Union, anti-slav-ery and anti-secession stand. In a state considering seces-sion, Benton's stand was so unpopular it lost him the senate seat he had held for thirty years.x In order to get elected as Governor, Price abandoned his former friend and refused to support him. When, in 1857, the Missouri Legislature con-sidered Price for the US Senate, the issue of his treatment of Benton was one of the factors causing his nomination to go nowhere.

As Price's gubernatorial term ended, the issues which eventually would lead to the Civil War were becoming in-tense. Missouri was feverishly involved in considering se-cession and its leaders selected Price as president of the con-vention charged with making that decision. Under Price's leadership, the convention elected not to secede, but also made it clear the federal government should keep its nose out of Missouri's business.

As the Civil War approached, Price had to come to grips with his own stance on slavery. In the end, he came to the conclusion that slavery was a vile institution, a fact which, however, did not keep him from owning slaves. While tak-ing a public stance against slavery he asserted the issue of states' rights was far more important and staunchly opposed any federal intervention in the affairs of Missouri. For that reason he was a strong supporter of the south in the Civil War.

In spite of his pro-states' rights stance, Price was op-posed to secession until Union troops moved into Missouri and took control of the state's militia headquarters known as Camp Jackson (located in an area of present-day St. Louis bordered by Laclede Avenue on the north, Olive Street on the south, Grand Avenue on the east and Garrison on the west). After the seizure, Union leaders met with Price and Missouri Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson to attempt at a peaceful settlement, but Union Captain Nathaniel Lyon lost his temper, stormed out of the meeting and the Civil War in Missouri was on.

After Lyon's tantrum, Governor Jackson and Price left

town, literally burning bridges behind them to slow the Union troops. Although Missouri had not seceded from the Union, Jackson formed a government in exile in Marshal, Texas, hence giving Missouri a star on both the Union and confederate flags. Jackson named Price to head the state's militia.

This time around, Price was more popular with his troops, who came to affectionately call him "Old Pap." Partially be-cause of Price's leadership and partially because of its large size, Price's militia began to enjoy some military successes. Almost immediately, Captain Lyon, who had stormed out of the meeting with Price and Governor Jackson, began pursu-ing Price's rebel forces. The 12,000 Missouri troops, how-ever, outnumbered Lyon's forces by a factor of two to one.

Lyon caught up with Price on August 10, 1861 at Wilson's Creek, near Springfield. He knew Price's troops outnum-bered his, but felt he had the factor of surprise on his side. He was wrong. Not only did Price's Mis-souri militia soundly defeat the Union forces there, but they also killed Lyon in the process.

Buoyed by the vic-tory, Price moved his troops north to Lexington where the federal troops had tak-en up headquarters in the Masonic College. Price attacked. Although his troops again overwhelmingly outnumbered the federal army, the Union put up a surprisingly fierce fight. Hemp was one of the major agricultural products in Lexington. At the end of the second day of the battle, Price's men found dozens of large hemp bales stored in the area and

Price's troops surround the Masonic College at the battle of Lexing-ton. Drawing by Lovina Scott Ebbe fi rst appeared in "Did You Know - Vignettes in Masonry, Missouri Lodge of Research, 1965.

Federal troops r eturning fi re dur ing the battle of Lex ington, fi red a can-nonball which lodged in a column in the courthouse and remains there today.


in the final Confederate push forward, used them as cover as they rolled them in toward the Union forces. This tactic proved effective as none of the Union artillery could pen-etrate the hemp. Completely overwhelmed, the federal army surrendered and given the unique way in which the Confed-erates had advanced, the battle of Lexington is also known as "The Battle of the Hemp Bales."xi (Somewhat ironically, Lt. Colonel Benjamin W. Grover, former Grand Master of Free-masons in the state of Mis-souri, was mortally wounded fighting for the North and de-fending the Masonic College, his own Masonic institution.)xii

Price now had two vic-tories under his belt, but the odds were catching up with him. Pursued by the military machine of General John C. Fremont, Price made an im-passioned plea to the citizens of Missouri for more men and support:

"Fellow citizens: In the month of June last I was called to the command of a handful of Missourians, who nobly gave up home and com-fort to espouse, in that gloomy hour, the cause of your blood country, struggling with the most causeless and cruel despotism known among civilized men. When peace and protection could no longer be enjoyed but at the Price of honor and liberty, your Chief Magistrate called for fifty thousand men to drive the ruthless invader "from a soil made fruitful by your labors and consecrated by your homes." to that call less than five thousand responded; out of a male population exceeding two hundred thousand men, one in forty only stepped forward to defend with their persons and their lives, the cause of constitutional liberty and human rights!

… Where are those fifty thousand men? Are Missourians no longer true to themselves? Are they a timid, time-serving, craven race, fit only for subjection to a despot? Awake, my countrymen, to a sense of what constitutes the dignity and greatness of a people!

"Strike, till each armed foe expires,Strike for your altars and your fires,For the green graves of your sires,

God and your native land."xiii

… Do I hear your shouts! Is that your war-cry which echoes through the land! Are you coming! Fifty thousand men! Missouri shall move to victory with the tread of a gi-ant! Come on my brave boys, fifty thousand heroic, gallant, unconquerable Southern men! We await your coming."xiv

Price's impassioned plea went largely unheeded. Union

forces continued to chase his troops, eventually pushing him into Arkansas. There he joined the forces of Generals Earl Van Dorn and Benjamin McCulloch. Price feuded constant-ly with McCulloch and the Confederacy placed Van Dorn in charge in order to quell the disagreements between the other two generals. Union troops caught up with the confed-erate forces at Pea Ridge in northwest Arkansas. Although the Confederate troops slightly outnumbered the Union

soldiers they lost the battle, which secured Missouri for the Union.

The quarrelsome Price did not limit his disagreements to mere generals. During the Mexican War Jefferson Da-vis, who some fifteen years later would become the Presi-dent of the Confederacy, re-quested to switch commands with Price so Davis would not have to serve under his father-in-law, Zachary Tay-lor, whom he despised. Price refused. Davis then proceed-ed to simmer as he watched Price receive promotions which Davis perceived to be more for political reasons than meritorious service.

When Price came under Davis' command in late 1861,

the President immediately transferred him to Tennessee, thus writing off Missouri as a lost cause. Price fumed and person-ally went to Richmond in an attempt to persuade Davis to allow him to return to Missouri.

Price arrived in Richmond credited with the significant victories at Wilson's Creek and Lexington, and was hailed as a hero. The Virginia state legislature honored him with a public banquet, Confederate Vice President Alexander Ste-phens suggested making him Commander of the Confeder-ate Armies and there was even quiet talk that he would be the next President.xv The next day, the local paper ran a story on his arrival and christened him "The Washington of the West."xvi

The glory was short-lived. Price met with Davis to re-quest a command in Missouri. When Davis categorically refused, Price offered his resignation, "If you will not let me serve you, I will nevertheless serve my country.xvii You cannot prevent me from doing that. I will … go back to Mis-souri and raise another army there without your assistance and fight again under the flag of Missouri." Davis refused Price's resignation and appointed Theophilus Holmes to command the troops west of the Mississippi. To add salt to the wound, Davis put Price under Holmes' command. To borrow from an old phrase, "Hell hath no fury like the Presi-dent scorned."

Price eventually got his way. Holmes fell ill and Price gained command of his troops. Then, in 1864, Price decided

Rare Na tional Archives photo of fi ve Confedera te generals in Mexico after the Civil War. Sho wn left to r ight, sea ted: Cadm us M. Wilcox, Ster ling Pr ice, Thomas C. Hindman; s tanding: John B. Magruder, William P. Hardeman.


to attempt an invasion to gain back Missouri for the South. His immediate objective was to take St. Louis and then move on to Jefferson City, the capital. Instead however, he divert-ed to Pilot Knob to take on a garrison of Union troops sta-tioned there. While Price's army prevailed, the battle was so bloody and cost him so many men, it eliminated any chances it would be able to move on to take St. Louis. Price marched north, but lost control of his men, who pillaged and looted towns and lynched Union troops along the way.

Recovering from illnesses that had plagued him along the way, Price regained control of his men and made a last ditch effort to win Missouri on the west side of the state. In October, 1864, Price and his men took Independence and followed the Union troops they had defeated on to Westport. There, Price's hopes of taking back his beloved Missouri for the South ended when the Union Army routed his men and chased them into Texas.

For General Sterling Price, the Civil War was over. Not only had the Union soundly defeated him but he also faced court martial charges. The charges stemmed mainly from the fact he was sucked into the battle of Pilot Knob, which ef-fectively ended his hopes of taking Missouri. Fortunately for Price, the Confederacy was busy with other things and the court martial never materialized.

In an almost desperate last ditch effort to preserve his way

of life, Price led his remaining followers into Mexico in an attempt, under the protection of Mexican Emperor Maximil-ian, to rebuild the southern lifestyle. This effort also failed when the United States government withdrew its support of Maximilian. (The 1969 movie, The Undefeated, is a fiction-al account loosely based on Price's efforts in Mexico. Rock Hudson portrays a Price-like character in a role that does not let facts get in the way of the plot).xviii

Out of options, in early 1867 Price returned home to St. Louis where, still seen as a hero, townspeople purchased a home for him. Price's health had begun to decline while he was still in Mexico, where he contracted typhoid fever. He never recovered, and died in his home on September 29, 1867.

Although mainly remembered for his role as a Civil War general, Brother Sterling Price was in many respects more successful as a politician. Clearly, the battle of Lexington was the bright spot in his military career along with some of the success he had in the Mexican war. Evidenced by his nickname he was admired by his troops, but not always able to control them. He was no abolitionist, but had reservations about slavery and was not fully supportive of the South's policies in the Civil War. However he felt toward the South, however, one thing is certain: he was steadfast in his loyalty to Missouri. Footnotes pg. 96

Lexington was unques-tionably the highlight of General Sterling Price's military career. During that battle he attacked and defeated a group of fed-eral troops using as its headquarters the Masonic College building located there.

The Grand Lodge of Missouri established the Masonic College in the state of Missouri in 1844. Originally located in Phila-delphia, Missouri, the insti-tution outgrew its original facilities and with substantial financial incentive from Lexington, the Grand Lodge moved the college there in 1847.

The college was the first of about 31 similar institu-tions which the Masons started in the US during the mid to late nineteenth century. It provided higher education to students from its inception until 1859.

Among its Alumni, the college boasted Missouri Con-gressman Thomas P. Akers, Lexington Judge John E. Bur-den, US Senator from New Mexico Thomas B. Catron, US Senator from West Virginia Stephen B. Elkins, Kansas

City businessman Robert Keith, Missouri Governor John S. Marmaduke, Lex-ington industrialist James C. McGrew and Lexington judge John E. Ryland.

At various times after the college closed it served as a classroom for other institutions. The college closed for two years during the Civil War, after which the Grand Lodge of Mis-souri deeded the property to the State of Missouri,

which used it for a military academy. The state handed

the property back to the Masons in 1871. Almost immedi-ately, the Grand Lodge transferred ownership to the Meth-odist Episcopal Church, for use as Central Female College and later, Lexington College for Women.

The building burned in 1932. Two years later the Grand Lodge of Missouri built a replica of the original building on the site and gave it to the city of Lexington "for the perpetual enjoyment of the public."

The replica building still stands, surrounded by a gar-den walkway and four brick columns marking the corners of the original structure.

The Masonic College of Missouri, 1844-1859

A replica of the or iginal Masonic College b uilding, which served as Union headquar ters dur ing the ba ttle of Lex ington, sits on the original site in Lexington, Missouri.


Continued from back pageThose who sign a petition as a

sponsor should also take the respon-sibility for the candidate’s progress. If the candidate has one signer who knows him and is looking for another, the next signer should take it on him-self to familiarize himself with the petitioner before signing the petition. The primary responsibility is with the sponsors and the investigators should follow up at least by supporting the candidate’s degree work, for they will now be recognized by the candidate as familiar faces as he progresses in his degrees.

Every Lodge has a Tiler at the West Gate to assure the Lodge that only those “duly qualifi ed” with “per-mission from the WM” can enter. This is verifi ed by the JD and eventually by giving of the password by everyone present. This precaution keeps “cow-ans and eavesdroppers” from enter-ing the Lodge, thereby disturbing the peace and harmony of the lodge. If we are thus diligent about checking the qualifi cations of members, how much more diligently we should check the qualifi cations of prospective members. Accepting a petition that is not inves-tigated thoroughly allows unknown and untried strangers to become per-manent members of the Fraternity. Don’t leave the West Gate open!

WB Byron Hams (Missouri Lodge of Research Newsletter 5/22/10) gives a revealing observation: “Now that we have more members than Masons, we fi nd that the members are starting to run the Order. Now that the members have the majority vote, we fi nd that the members are changing the rules of the Order to make more of a Social Club and less of a Masonic Fraternity. Now that the Masons have lost control

of the Masonic Order, they are crying, ‘Who Left the West Gate Unguarded?’ Well, we left the gate unguarded, and now we are seeing the cost of doing that and fi nd that closing the gate now is not an option.”

“We must teach the meaning of Freemasonry to our current member-ship and then we are able to recognize the type of Freemason that we want within the portals of our Lodges” (MW Michael D. Murray, PGM-TX).

Ray V. Denslow, in Missouri Grand Lodge Bulletin 1:4 (11/1924), called the Investigating Committee the “First Bulwark of Freemasonry” and gave detailed instructions for its duties. It is impossible to be too care-ful and painstaking in the investiga-tion of a petitioner for the degrees of Freemasonry. Nothing is more dan-gerous, nor is there more potential for serious damage to the good name and reputation of our Order and to our Lodges, than a slipshod investigation of those who seek admission into our Order.

The petitioner deserves to have his investigation treated seriously. The Lodge deserves — and requires — a serious investigation of a prospec-tive member of the Lodge. It is disre-spectful to Freemasons everywhere to accept a new petition without a proper investigation. “The applicant should be given the understanding that his character is subjected to the closest scrutiny, and that friendship, personal consideration, or favouritism, must not control or bias Masonic action. He should be informed that he must pass the scrutiny of the investigation and the ordeal of the ballot, as all have done who have gone this way before him. If there be a doubt in regard to his fi tness to become a Mason, let the

Lodge have the benefi t of the doubt. Remember that the dignity, honour, and reputation of the institution are in your hands” (RWB Jerry W. Kopp, Grand Sec’y GL of Alberta).

“There are men who easily qualify as morally, mentally, and physically sound individuals, but for other rea-sons are not appropriate candidates for Masonry. This includes men who either lack the support of their wives and family in this endeavor, who belong to church denominations hos-tile to Masonry, or who are unwilling to commit the time needed to com-prehend the lessons of Masonry and embrace our philosophy. We all know men in this category — good men. Not only do we do a great disservice to our Lodges by admitting these men, but we also do a disservice to those men. Therefore, a proper investigation com-mittee looks out for the best interest of the fraternity and the potential candidate. … The new member is an investment in which the Lodge puts a lot of time and effort into their devel-opment. So, if it is clear early on that the candidate will not be a committed member, does your Lodge want to make this investment?” (GL of South Dakota).

“The Masonic Investigating Committee has one duty to per-form and that is to fi nd whether the candidate is worthy and well-qualifi ed to become a member of the oldest and largest fraternity in the world, that of Freemasonry” (WB Richard H. Jones).

“In a sense, we don’t make Free-masons — we fi nd men who are already living like Freemasons and induct them into the Fraternity” (RWB Otis Long). Brethren, Guard Well the West Gate!

i Muench, James F., Missouri's most famous generals, Missouri Heritage Readers / University of Missouri Press, May 1, 2006

ii Missouri Lodge of Research, Lodges of Northeast Missouri, Volume XXXXIX, 2001, pp. 118-119

iii Denslow, William R., 10,000 Famous Freemasons, Macoy Publishing & Masonic Supply Co., Inc., Richmond, Virginia © 1957

iv Many of the "charges" against the Mormons were not specific. In 1831, Joseph Smith declared the county was the "Biblical Garden of Eden" and said the Mormons should establish the city of Zion in that locale. Most of the Mormons were not slaveholders, many were abolitionists and held there was a divine destiny for Native Americans. In other words, they held different views from those of others in the local population, which proved to threaten the locals, who eventually expelled the Mormons. In 1834, the Mormons attempted to return in an effort known as Zion's Camp, which was a failure.

v Muench, James F., Missouri's most famous generalsvi Meunch.vii Meunch.viii The peace treaty was signed February 2, 1848 and Price began the attack on March 16,

1848ix http://www.nga.org — Governor Sterling Price

x Old Bullion: Missouri's First Senator - A Profile In Courage by Harrison, Steven L., PM, Missouri Freemason Magazine, Winter, 2007, Grand Lodge of Missouri, p.16

xi At the time, growing marijuana and, along with it, hemp, was not illegal in Missouri. Used in this creative way at Lexington, one could make the observation that the Confederate troops in pursuit of a victory, "rolled their own."

xii Cook, Wes, Editor, Did You Know? Vignettes in Masonry from "The Royal Arch Mason" Magazine / Transactions of the Missouri Lodge of Research Volume No. 22, 1965 pp. 189 - 192. The picture of the Masonic College appearing here is from the same source.

xiii From the poem Marco Bozzaris by Fitz Greene Halleck (1790-1867). Bozzaris (also Markos Botsaris, 1788 – 1823) was a hero of the Greek war of independence.

xiv Call To Arms, From the Missouri Army Argus-Extra (December 1861), Gen. Sterling Price's Proclamation To the people of Central and North Missouri.

xv Castel, Albert, General Sterling Price and the Civil War in the West, Louisiana State University Press, 1968, 1996 p. 87

xvi Meunch.xvii Castel, p. 88xviii The Undefeated, 1969, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. Also, in the 1969 film

True Grit, Rooster Cogburn (John Wayne) had a cat named General Sterling Price.


The Missing StoneBrethren! Have you seen anything of our Grand Master's

stone?Not since …During his first term as President of the United States, Ma-

sonic Brother and former Grand Master of Missouri Harry Tru-man noticed the White House was in dire need of repair. Real-izing the work needed was extensive, he and his family moved from what Truman cal led "The Great White Jail" over to the Blair House, which now serves as the residence of the Vice President. Once the President and his family left, the White House was nearly gutted, with only the outside shell remaining.

During a tour of the facility while it was under construction, Truman noticed several stones with Masonic markings engraved on them. He saved the stones, found to be made by Scottish stonemasons who built the White House. In 1952, upon leaving the Presidency, Truman gave several Masonic organizations, including each Grand Lodge in the US, one of the stones.

In a recent article appearing in several Ma-sonic publications, Brother Mark A. Tabbert, Director of Collections of the George Wash-ington Masonic Memorial, outlines a more de-

tailed history of the stones and announces several of them have been brought back together for display at the Memorial. This exhibit marks the Memorial Association's 100th anniversary, and runs through May, 2011.

Regrettably, the stone from the Grand Lodge of Missouri will not be there.

Ron Miller, Grand Secretary, explains the reason for its ab-sence, "Upon becoming Grand Secretary I was aware of the ex-istence of the stone President Truman had given us. Not finding

it in the office, I asked questions of those who might know its location. I learned it had disap-peared from the Grand Lodge office a number of years ago."

RWB Miller believes the stone may yet be found, "It has great history and would be a very nice addition to our museum."

Accordingly, RWB Ron is asking the help of anyone who might know of the stone's lo-cation. He says he's offering a great reward to anyone who finds it: the knowledge that you have helped save an important part of our Fra-ternity's history.

It's a good bet the finder might also be treat-ed to "Lunch with the Grand Secretary," a great prize in and of itself.

DeMolay Inter national w as one of the gr oups r eceiving a s tone from President Truman. Today, this stone sits on display in DeMolay headquarters in Kansas City. The Missouri stone would look similar to this one.

Branson Masonic Lodge's Third Annual Bowling Mara-thon was Saturday May 8 at Dogwood Lanes on East Highway 76. There were 12 teams and 8 corporate sponsors that sup-ported the Marathon and the Branson Masonic Lodge would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all the sponsors for sup-porting the Lodge and the proj-ects it has during the year in the community. The Top 10 Rock & Roll Revue stars Marvin Short and Darrell Croy were there to show their support by bowling a couple of frames to get the Marathon started before return-ing to the Branson Mall theater for their show later that eve-ning. The following were team and corporate sponsors: Bran-son First Stop, Forever Grand

Vacations, Nantucket Branson, Glen Cameron Bed and Break-fast, Smith Plumbing, Branson Mall, Empire Electric, National Imzye, Golden Corral, White River Electric, Greg Haston, All About Phones, State Farm Insurance Agency, Ozark Mountain Pawn, Explosive Contractors, Economy Printing, First Com-

munity Bank of the Ozarks, Portraits by Bahler, Titanic and Silver Dollar City. Bran-son Masonic Lodge really ap-preciates the support of all its sponsors and other businesses throughout the community. The Forever Grand Vacations team had high three game se-ries for the night and was pre-sented four Silver Dollar City tickets by Worshipful Master Dallas Smith.

Purple Heart Project Serves Wounded Vets

Fellowship Lodge and Worshipful Mas ter David Ink e-laar were pleased to pr esent very special afghans to two of our w ounded-in-action v eterans r ecently. The Purple Heart Project is a group of ladies from all across the country that knits special afghans for veterans who have sustained injuries in combat and were awarded a purple heart for their bravery. Ray H. Moody and Billy J. Coleman were two such comba t veterans and Fel-lowship Lodge was very pleased to make the presen-tation of a knitted afghan to each them. Pictured are (right to left) WB Ray H. Moody (Tyler), Billy J. Coleman (Senior Deacon), and WM David Inkelaar.


My brothers,I am very excited once again to have the opportunity to

write to you all as a representative of an organization that is close to my heart, as well as the doorway to my entry into the greater world of Freemasonry.

I have recently returned from the DeMolay International Congress Session in Dallas, Texas where I served as a del-egate representing Missouri. I am happy to report that the session was extremely successful and Missouri DeMolay has had a very productive year.

Missouri’s Executive Officer Dad Bob Cockerham com-pleted his term as Grand Master of DeMolay, and a success-ful term it was for both DeMolay as a whole as well as the jurisdiction of Missouri. Once again, for the 7th year in a row, Missouri DeMolay is number 1 in the world in mem-bership. Missouri is the only jurisdiction in DeMolay with more than 1000 members. We are home to the top first-line petition signer in the world, Brother Chris Pearson, as well as the top chapter in terms of most new members, Indepen-dence Chapter. Both were given awards for their accom-plishments, while Missouri DeMolay as a whole received numerous awards for its membership endeavors, including the Frank S. Land Membership Growth Award, the Gorman A. McBride Membership Award, and the Louis G. Lower Outstanding Membership Award.

After serving as a Deputy Member of DeMolay’s Inter-national Supreme Council, Dad Tom Thomason was made

an Active Member of the council. Dad Jeff Kitsmiller, Jr. was made a Deputy Member, and Dad Ron Hartoebben was made an Honorary Member. On top of all of this, Dad Bret Akers was honored with the DeMolay International Grand Cross.

These tremendous successes would not have been pos-sible if not for the outstanding Masonic support Missouri DeMolay receives. If I learned anything at the session in talking to the delegates representing the various jurisdictions of DeMolay, it is that there is a direct correlation between their success and the support they receive from the Masons of their state. I would personally like to thank you on behalf of Missouri DeMolay for making all of these amazing things possible.

If you would like to know more about DeMolay’s accom-plishments over the last year, visit demolayland.org. There you can view various articles, photos and videos compiled over the last year. The final report of Missouri’s own Junior Past Grand Master is available to view as well.

Thank you once again, and I look forward to the next op-portunity I have to speak to you.

Sincerely and Fraternally,Mike JonesState Master CouncilorJurisdiction of MissouriOrder of DeMolay


After the rain, look for a Rainbow! And doesn't rain seem to be some-thing Missouri has had a lot of lately? How many Rainbows did you see af-terward?

Missouri Rainbow Girls have re-cently returned from another amazing Grand Assembly — we are pumped and ready for a new Grand year!

Hello! My name is Elizabeth Jester and, on June 28, I became Missouri's newest Grand Wor-thy Advisor. You've been hearing from Kristyn Sample for

the past year — she and State Dean Daisy Batt had a very profitable term with thousands of pounds of food be-ing turned in to the local food banks near our Assemblies. Our Grand As-sembly Cavalcade of Flags had a 50's theme — were you there? Did you see those poodle skirts swing? And the "stacks of wax" display by the Grand Representatives was impressive — where does all that creativity come from? Our darling little Pledges (ages 6-11) gave an impressive Pledge Cer-emony presentation. We had prizes for best ritualistic skill according to age, greatest increase in member-ship, scholarships (and more scholar-ships!), ad sales successes, a Satur-day night bazaar... all kinds of awards and donations by our Masonic bod-ies. Just SO MUCH happens at Grand Assembly... it takes awhile afterward to remember and categorize it!! Of course, the most important parts for many are the forever friends you get to reconnect with and the FUN!!

Before I go any further, please let me tell you a little about me: I am a Past Worthy Advisor from North Kan-

sas City Assembly. I will be a Junior at Mizzou this fall and I am pursu-ing a degree in Nursing. I guess you could say I am extremely passionate about the third-world, ministry, and counseling. A part of my heart truly belongs in Honduras, where I have had the privilege to visit on several short-term mission trips. I would re-ally LOVE to eventually be there long-term.

My Rainbow Grand year is dedi-cated to "Leave a Legacy" and I am using royal purple, lavender and sil-ver as my colors. The Grand East at my installation featured various pic-ture frames (there are so many great ones) and, yes, Winnie the Pooh. I love the fact that Pooh is so pro-phetic... "a little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the dif-ference." Don't you agree?

Hannah Glass, from Columbia, will be serving as the State Dean of our Grand Cross of Color (which is like Rainbow's Hon-or Society). Hannah's year is dedicated to "Be a Champion" and she is using the primary colors of red, blue and yellow. Hannah's lifetime has been connected with horses and so it is ap-propriate that a horse is her symbol.

Hannah and I have chosen to support the Ronald McDonald Houses throughout Missouri this year for our State Service Project. These Hous-es are located in Co-lumbia, Kansas City,

St. Louis, Springfield and Joplin. Maybe Assemblies and Preceptories will decide to collect can tabs, board games, children's books, buy items off their wish lists or go serve dinners — I know the Houses will appreciate everything we have to give.

Please take time to explore our websites: www.gorainbow.org (from our Supreme headquarters) and www.moiorg.org (Missouri Rain-bow's site). Many attend, not only our Grand Assembly at the end of June, but also our Supreme Assembly convention in Omaha, Nebraska the first week of August. We're excited!! I've been chosen to serve as the Act-ing Supreme Service which is quite an honor — I can hardly wait!! We KNOW that "Rainbow Gets Girls Ready for Life" and we'd love to tell you more... please come see us at an Assembly near you, soon! (Because, as Pooh will tell you: "You can't al-

Happy Summer to all Missouri Masons!

Lisa Jones , Past Worthy Advisor, ser ved as Ins talling Offi cer as Liber ty Assembly #31 held its ins tallation of offi cers on Sunday, July 12. Offi cers for the ensuing ter m are Michelle Boyer, Worthy Advisor; Amanda Ogan, Worthy Associate Ad-visor; Melissa Jenkins, Charity; Jennifer Thies, Hope; Shannon O'Grady, Faith; Arika Tomblinson, Chaplain; Sara Ogan, Drill Leader; Rachel Fos ter, Patriotism; Tabitha Tetens, Confi den-tial Observer, Toni Swafford, Outer Obser ver; Mrs. Gail Elliott, Mother Advisor. The Assembly's theme f or the upcoming term is "So Random" and its ser vice projects are Neurofi bro-matosis, the Cancer Fund and the Alzheimer's Association.

Continued on next page …


✮ MISSOURI FREEMASON DEADLINES ✮Winter, 2010 October 1, 2010Spring, 2011 January 3, 2011

Summer, 2011 April 1, 2011Fall, 2011 July 1, 2011

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August 10, 2010

On behalf of M.W.B. Larry C. Reynolds, Grand Mas-ter of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, AF&AM, 2009-2010, I would like to extend to you an invitation to attend the 189th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, AF&AM. The session is to be held at the Holiday Inn Executive Center, 2200 I-70 Drive SW, Columbia, Missouri, on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, September 26th, 27th and 28th, 2010.

Should you choose to attend the Monday Night Banquet, you may purchase your tickets during the Grand Lodge Ses-sion, beginning Sunday, September 26th at noon. Ticket pric-es for this years’ meal have been set at a reasonable $29.00 per person for a meal highlighted by smoked brisket of beef. Doors open at 6:30 PM for this event.

On Tuesday morning, Master Masons and their Ladies are invited to attend the Missouri Lodge of Research Breakfast and Truman Lecture Series, featuring Guest Speaker and Past Prestonian Lecturer Trevor Stewart of Scotland. Cost for the Breakfast and Lecture is $20.00 per person. Time is 7:00 AM.

All tickets, as well as Lodge supplies, may be purchased during the session from the Grand Lodge Office Staff tables located in Windsor I & II at the hotel. Please note this lo-cation, as the Grand Lodge tables will not be set in the hotel lobby this year. Ladies of the membership are also welcome to participate in the Ladies Events during the session.

Be sure to look for the new Annual Communication Infor-mation Booth, located in the Lobby during the Grand Lodge Session. Members and their Ladies will find useful informa-tion on meeting and meal locations and times, as well as a map of the hotel for your convenience.

Above all, please remember that this is YOUR Grand Lodge, and you are not only welcome, but encouraged to at-tend the Annual Communication.

Fraternally,

Ronald D. Miller, Grand SecretaryGrand Lodge of Missouri, A.F. & A.M

ways sit in your corner of the forest and wait for people to come to you … you have to go to them sometimes.") We'd love for you to bring your daughters, your granddaughters, your nieces, your neighbors and their young ladies to an event to learn more. Please don't delay! We have much to share!

I am SO looking forward to seeing many of you on my travels and would love for you to mention that you've read this article. I plan to attend Masonic Youth Day in August and will then begin my District visits. Please come see my

Rainbow Sisters and me on September 18 in Springfield, September 26/27 at Grand Lodge, October 10/11 at Grand Chapter, October 16 in St. Joseph and October 30 in Mexi-co. (The addresses of the Assemblies are on our website.)

It promises to be an exciting RAINBOW YEAR. Won't you join us? Please?

Start now … and: Live a Legacy!Elizabeth JesterGrand Worthy Advisor 2010-2011State of MissouriInternational Order of Rainbow for Girls

Continued from previous page


These additional factors play a key role in adequately pro-tecting you and your heirs.1. Review ownership and beneficiary designations. You can unwittingly limit your power to distribute certain types of property through your will. In the case of a married cou-ple that owns all property in joint tenancy, the will of the first spouse to die may lose its effectiveness.2. State your health care wishes through a living will.This simple document outlines your preferences about life-saving medical treatments in certain circumstances such as if you are terminally ill. Combine this with a durable power of attorney for health care to appoint someone to make your medical decisions if you cannot make them your-self.3. Keep your financial affairs private. Unlike a will, a re-vocable living trust is not available under public records, and all assets in the trust are handled with the same privacy. Your personal family business is not exposed.4. Include a trust in your estate plan. If you have substan-

tial financial assets, consider creating a credit shelter trust in your plans. The potential benefits include estate tax-saving opportunities that can help ensure that your heirs will not have to liquidate those assets to pay estate taxes.1

5. Finally, allow yourself peace of mind. Seeking profes-sional advice and looking at all your options can lead to a tax-wise estate plan that meets the needs of your heirs and your favorite charitable organizations, such as Masonic Home of Missouri, giving you the comfort of knowing that your assets will benefit those you leave behind. Have questions? We can help. Please call us at 800-434-9804.1Currently federal estate taxes are repealed for all deaths that occur in the calendar year 2010. In 2011, estate taxes are scheduled to be reinstated for estates worth more than $1 million at rates up to 55 percent. Congress, however, is likely to address reinstating estate taxes before 2011. What the final legislation will look like and when it might become effective is unknown at this point.

Five Moves That Can Improve Your Estate Plan

Square & Compass CourtyardThe Square and Compass Courtyard is a unique area located at the Masonic Complex in Columbia, where you, your Lodge or Eastern Star Chapter can show Masonic support by having a name engraved in one of the paver stones. The opportunity is open to any persons wishing to show their dedication to preserving Masonic history.

When you make a donation to the Masonic Home, your personalized stone will be cut from high quality granite and laser cut for long-lasting and cleaner engraving. If you wish to have a stone engraved for your Lodge, Chapter, in honor or in memory of a loved one, or for yourself, please contact Lori Benson, Public and Donor Relations, at 1-800-434-9804 with any questions. We hope you will make a lasting impression.

Please see next page for order form ...


Make Your Impression Today!

STONE SIZES & COSTS❑ Stone Size Stone Cost❑ 12" X 12" $ 300❑ 18" X 18" $ 550❑ 24" X 24" $ 800❑ 4" Bench $1,500❑ 6" Bench $2,500

UPGRADESIf you already have an original stone in the courtyard in either a 12" X 12", or 18" X 18" and wish to upgrade, you only pay the difference.

♦Please note: when you place an order if there is a lot of artwork (other than O.E.S. or Masonic symbol) or excessive words, you may be charged more for the stone than what is listed.

Please mail to:Masonic Home of Missouri, 5033 Masonic Dr., Suite A, Columbia, MO 65202

Name of Purchaser: _____________________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip: _________________________________________________________________________

Size of Recognition Stone/Bench: __________________________________________________________

Inscription Line 1: _____________________________________________________________________

Line 2: _______________________________________________________________________________

Line 3: _______________________________________________________________________________

Line 4: _______________________________________________________________________________

Line 5: _______________________________________________________________________________

Amount Enclosed: $ _____________________________________________________________________

If you wish to pay by credit card: Please charge my: ❑ VISA ❑ MasterCard ❑ Discover

Card Number & Expiration Date: __________________________________________________________

Signature for cards only: _________________________________________________________________

Make checks payable to Masonic Home of Missouri

✁


William F. Brinkmann, Jr., a Washington High School graduate, received a $500 scholar -ship check from Hope Lodge #251 AF&AM following a dinner a t P arkview Hall Sa tur-day, July 10. Shown, from left, are Worship-ful Master Roger D. Fleer, William, his mother Karen, and WB Harold Lindauer, Treasurer.

Cooper Lodge #36 w elcomes it’s youngest member and futur e Shr iner, Daniel Car y. Brother Daniel r eceived his fi rst degree on June 22 a t the regular Lodge meeting. Pic-tured L to R: Uncle John Car y, Great Uncle Roy Car y, Daniel Car y and Daniel’ s father Chris Cary.

Worshipful Master Derek Laubinger, present-ed Brother William R. DeWeese a Masonic Bible and a Cer tifi cate of Degr ees upon Brother DeWeese being raised to the sub-lime degree of Mas ter Mason on June 17, 2010 at Union Lodge #593. Also pictured is Senior Warden-elect, Warren Dixon.

•Since 2006 California Lodge #183 AF&AM has sponsored the Califor-nia, Missour i, 4th of July P arade. This year there were 39 entr ies and the parade was a tremendous success. Events like this are great opportunities for Lodges to contribute to their communities with little expense or effort.

•Monroe Lodge #64 and Holy Rosary Knights of Columbus braved the cool temperature and 20 to 35 mile an hour winds to cook 225 chic ken halves and 225 por k s teaks for a fund raising e vent for the Monr oe City food bank. This is the second y ear for the two organizations to have this event. Both sides had a really great time doing a good thing for the com-munity. Proceeds from the event will net the Food Bank $1,000.

•On Friday, January 22, 2010, Osage Lodge #303 AF&AM presented R-5 superintendent Dr. David Stephens and R-5 Health Ser vices a check from Osage Lodge for $700. In addition, the Lodge presented a check from the Masonic Home of Missouri's Creating a Partnership program for $683. The funds will go toward school supplies that students are unable to purchase themselves. The Masons have donated over $5,000 to this program during the past 3 years.

•On Sa turday, May 8, 2010, member s of Sampson Lodge #298 con-ducted an outdoor Third Degree on the secluded pr operty of Worshipful Master David L. Vaughn near Theodosia, Missouri. The Candidate, Brother Terry Wray Bowling, was obligated by Past Master Jeff Richey and Raised by Right Worshipful Br other Ro yce Wheeler, DDGM 42nd Dis trict. R WB Wheeler also presented the lectures and the Mas ter Mason Charge. The special event also ser ved to celebra te the bir thday of one of Missour i’s most famous sons, Harry S. Truman, 33rd President of the United Sta tes of America, and 97th Most Worshipful Grand Master of Missouri Masons. The outdoor ceremony was attended by Master Masons from various Ozark County Lodges, as well as visiting Brethren from North Central Arkansas.

• Fellowship Lodge recently held its Annual Lodge Picnic at RWB Jim Hardy's residence. Attendees were treated to home cook ed burgers, hot dogs , and bra ts, along with all the other fi xin's and were able to swim in the pool and cool of f if the y felt the need. Even air-conditioned spaces were available for those who couldn't handle the heat. Our Lodge's widows and member's children also attended. Overall, everyone had a great time and we can't wait to do it again next year!

•Branson Masonic Lodge #587 working in conjunction with Sk-aggs Outpatient Center and Hometown Radio KRZK 106.3 held its

fi fth annual Missouri Child Identifi cation Program (MoCHIP) at the Skaggs Health Fair on February 27. During that time 51 volunteers processed 143 childr en. Branson Masonic Lodge #587 w ould like to thank Skaggs Outpa tient Center , Hometo wn Radio , and the Branson P olice Depar tment f or their suppor t in making this pr o-gram another success.

• In the spirit of "Brothers helping Others," Spirit of St. Louis Lodge #27 recently awarded its 2010 ann ual academic scholar ships to two Maplewood-Richmond Heights High School students. On May 6, 2010 Right Worshipful Brother Floyd Ward and Worshipful Brother Emmett F. Holdman attended the Academic Awards Program and were proud to present the Lodge's annual scholarships to Alexan-der Boever and Michael Mansfi eld.

• On Thursday, April 22, WM Josh Medlin of F armington Lodge #132 welcomed 30 pas t masters to celebra te Past Master's night. After a delicious meal w as served, a Third Degree was conferred utilizing Past Masters in every position.

• Swope Park Lodge #617 held its fi rst annual Valentine's Day Sweetheart's Luncheon with a pproximately eighty in a ttendance. Chef Charley Farris and his assistants RWB Larry Cameron, WB Ken Best Sr . and WB Bob Har man pr epared the meal. Assisting with serving, busing tables and cleanup afterward were the outs tand-ing gals and guys of Job's Daughter's Bethel #1 and the William F. Kuhn DeMolay Chapter. The event was our fi rst family function this year in w hich the Lodge Br others cooked and ser ved the Ladies . Our Eastern Star Cha pter, Swope Park #520, was well represented with several members and their spouses, as well as a considerable number of Br ethren fr om neighbor ing Lodges . The Ladies w ere each presented a Red Rose by the Brethren afterward.

• On May 31, 2010, VFW P ost #4345 and Calif ornia Masonic Lodge #183 once ag ain held a joint Memor ial Day Cer emony. This year’s observance was held in the Calif ornia Masonic Cem-etery at the grave site of Br other Wesley Schneider who served in World War II and w as a member of Calif ornia Lodge. Joining the VFW Post and the Lodge were members of Prince of Peace Com-mandery #29 from Jefferson City, Missouri. The speakers were Past Master Brad McCord of California Lodge and Miss Allye Simmons of Jamestown, Missouri, who read her scholar ship winning essay, What Young People Can Do to Support Veterans.

The Lodges & Craft News & Notes


RWB Larr y Moss , Secr etary of the Squar e & Compass Association, pr esented Alpha Lodge #659 the plaque f or bes t overall a t-tendance a t the 2010 DDGM-DDGL Lodge of Ins truction. Worshipful Br other Bob Van-Vacter accepted the aw ard on behalf of Alpha Lodge a t its s tated comm unication on April 10, 2010. The Lodge of Ins truction consists of fi ve sessions. This was the twenty third consecutiv e y ear tha t Alpha Lodge won the plaque.

Branson Masonic Lodge held it's ann ual Missouri Masonic Home pr esentation on April 21, 2010. Shannon Finley explained the various programs offered to Master Masons and their families, as well as the community, though the Masonic Home programs. These programs opened a lot people's e yes as to how the Masonic or der takes care of its members as well as people in need within the community.

Kirksville Lodge #105 raised Brother Harvey B. Young, Jr. at its May 4, 2010 meeting. Brother Young, 90, has the dis tinction of being the oldest brother to be raised in the Lodge. Another dis tinction of brother Young's is he is pictured with 3 Right Worshipful Brothers and one Mos t Worshipful Brother having a total of 197 y ears of Masonic membership. Pictured (left to r ight): RWB Robert Barrett, Past DDGM; RWB David Powell, DDGL District 3; Brother Young; RWB Dale West, Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Missouri; MWB Dale Motter, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

The 3 5 7 Chapter of the Widows Sons Masonic Motorcycle Associ-ation received its charter on May 23, 2010. Pictured are members of the Knights Templar Chapter and the 3 5 7 Cha pter. The "Fir st Five" of the new 3 5 7 Cha pter are Frank Davis, Manfred Schlenk-rich, Steve Hackett, Arvil Minor, and Jeff Gage (not pictur ed). The meeting was held at Lowlife Choppers and Hotrods, a new shop owned by Brothers John Ralston and Chad Howerton. For more in-formation on the Widows Sons, go to www.widowssons.com/mo.

Crescent Hill Lodge #368 ins talled its offi cers for 2010 at an open meeting on Thursday, June 24. Installing offi cers were DDGM Larry White, Master; John Ropke, Marshall; Merl Corum, Senior Deacon; Lew Kiston, Chaplain. Pictured left to right (front row) Melvin Smith, Treasurer; Edward Jackson, Senior Warden; Ray Campbell, Wor-shipful Master; Arthur Zelmer, Junior Warden; W. K. Jenkins, Chap-lin; William Hopke, Junior Deacon; (back Row) Tom Holmes, Tyler; Larry White, Secretary; Mike Pr ice, Senior Ste ward; Jeremy Nash, Senior Deacon.

Members of Windsor Lodge r ecently pr esented a chec k in the amount of $510, representing proceeds from a pancak e break-fast, to benefi t the Masonic Home. In addition to the contributions to the penny-a-day program over the last several years the Lodge has contributed a total of $5,175 for the benefi t of the Kansas City facility. Shown (left to right) Steve Sadler, Senior Warden; Wes Wiley, Secretary; Larry Storer, Worshipful Master; Kathryn Johnson, Kan-sas City Assisted Living F acility Administrator; Ed Vought, Senior Steward and Brother Mike Underwood.

Brotherhood Lodge #269 of St. Joseph r e-cently completed a "Creating A Partnership" Program with No yes Elementar y School of St. Joseph and The Masonic Home of Mis-souri. Pictured are Worshipful Master Vincent Daunay, No yes Pr incipal Lace y Adams, Noyes F amily In volvement Coor dinator Jennifer Culv er and Dennis Vogel, Br oth-erhood Lodge Secr etary, passing chec ks from Brotherhood Lodge and The Masonic Home of Missouri to Noyes School.


Brother John "Zac" Maudlin w as initiated an Enter ed Apprentice on August 4, 2009, Passed on August 18, 2009, and Raised a Mas-ter Mason on September 8, 2009 in Hamilton Lodge #224. Assist-ing with the degr ees w ere MWB Roc ky Weaver and member s of the Grand Lodge Line, Alpha Lodge #659, Nor th Kansas City , Compass Lodge #120, Parkville, Rising Sun Lodge #13, Kansas City North and Pla tte City Lodge #504, Parkville. Pictured on the fr ont row are Brother R. Allen Moss his uncle, RWB Larry Moss, grandfa-ther and MWB Rocky Weaver.

On Saturday, May 29, members of Sampson Lodge #298 teamed up with the Theodosia Chamber of Commerce to welcome sum-mertime activities to the Theodosia area of Bull Shoals Lak e. The "Sizzlin' Summer" e vent included f ood, g ames, pr izes, liv e enter-tainment and lots of fun f or the members of the community and seasonal visitors arriving to enjoy the offerings of Bull Shoals Lake and the Missour i Ozar ks. Sho wn left to r ight ar e Len Modlinski, Gene Mellot, Al Coon, Wes Fraizer and Worshipful Mas ter David Vaughn. Not picture) - Brother Terry Bowling.

Brother Phil Alvarado was raised to the Sublime degr ee of Mas-ter Mason in Swope Park Lodge #617 by RWB Carl Terry, (not pic-tured). The Lodge held the cer emony in a special comm unica-tion on April 14, 2010. Brother Alvarado was obligated by Brother Charles Farris (left), given the Lectur e by RWB Paul Miller, DDGL, (right) and given the Charge by RWB Glen Burris, Region C Grand Lecturer (far right).

Herculaneum Lodge #338 installed new offi cers on March 27, 2010. Pictured left to r ight front row: WB Truman Askins, Senior Steward; Richard Schlereth, Junior Deacon; WB Tom Pruitt, Junior Warden; WB Cecil McLard, Worshipful Master; Robert Hicks, Senior Warden; Back r ow: R WB A. Elmo Blum, Secr etary; WB Rober t Anderson, Treasurer; WB Paul W. Grobe, Junior Steward; WB Jerry C. Garland, Chaplain; WB H. Ray Smith, Tyler; WB Charles E. Sloan, Marshal.

Union Lodge #593 honor s its newest Master Mason, Donald F . Franklin, Jr ., after being raised to the sublime degree of Master Ma-son by presenting him with his personalized Masonic Bible and his Certifi cate of Degrees by WB Rober t Kelly, Secretary, Rolla Lodge. Twenty-three Br others fr om se ven dif ferent Lodges participated in the Ritual Work.

Saturday April 24, 2010 w as a full day of Master Mason degr ee w ork a t Wentzville Lodge #46. Three member s of the Fos ter family were raised, including a f ather and his two sons . Shown (from left to r ight): WB John Foster, PM West Lafayette Lodge #724, Indiana (brother of Kevin); Brian Foster (son of Kevin); Kevin Foster, (father); Chris Foster (son of Kevin).

Brother David R. Chr isman, Acacia Lodge #602 pr esents a Flag to the Grand Lodge on behalf of "the Woodsmen of the World," a fraternal insurance company. Accepting the Flag on June 14, 2010 (Flag Day) at the Masonic Complex in Columbia is Ronald D. Miller , Grand Secr etary of Missour i and George T. Teeter, DDGM of the 10th Masonic District of Missouri.


Shekinah Lodge #256 had its annual installation of offi cers on June 12th, 2010. Shown are (front row): WB Woody Walker, RWB Francis Jett, Marty Wynn, WB Scott Wynn, WB W illiam Nausley, RWB Elmo Blum, RWB Cecil Issac; (bac k row): Ron Wilkins, Joshua Ly, Gabe McClure, WB Todd Litzau, Colby Smith-Hynes, Shaun Reuther, Brian Bradshaw.

Cameron P arker r eceived his Mas ter Mason Degr ee on July 9, 2010 at Buckner Lodge #501. Pictured (left to r ight): 1st row: Don Blakely, Cameron Parker, RWB Stanton Brown, MWB Stanley Thomp-son, Don Frazier; 2nd r ow: Clayton Thompson, RWB Chr is Harrel-son, WB David Brown, RWB Tom Truman; 3rd row: Richard Gibson, RWB Stanton Brown II, RWB John Hess, Guissepi Baldin; 4th row: Jim Thayne, Jason Adams, Jason Truman, RWB Wayne Dugan

Polo Masonic Lodge #232 pr esent-ed two scholarships at the Stet R-XV School graduation on May 14, 2010. The r ecipients w ere Emma Witte-veen who will be attending The Col-lege of the Ozar ks and Ryan Foster who plans to a ttend Nor th Central Missouri College. We wish both of these students success in their future endeavors. Pictured from left to right are: Ste ve Stith (P olo Lodge #232), Emma Witteveen, Ry an Fos ter, and Bill Bisbee (WM, Polo Lodge #232).

Brother Mark Schmidt was obligated by WB Mel Tacke (left) and raised to the sublime degr ee of Mas ter Mason b y Trever Keller (right) a t a special comm unication in Sw ope P ark Lodge #617 on May 1st. Brother Keller presented the newly raised Master Ma-son with his father's Masonic Ring afterward. Swope Park Lodge is grateful to WB Robert Vanacter, Master of Alpha Lodge #659, WB Tom Butts , Mas ter of Albert Pike Lodge #219 and WB John Arter-burn, PM and member of Iv anhoe Lodge #446, for attending the special communication and assisting. RWB Paul Miller, DDGL, gave Brother Schmidt the Lecture and Charge. WB Ken Best, Swope Park Lodge Secretary, fed the participants a biscuits and gravy break-fast before the degree work. We opened in the Second Degree in order that RWB Larry Cameron could conduct Br other Schmidt's profi ciency exam.

Fellowship Lodge #345 r ecently made a v ery lucra tive of fer to the boys of Southwest Missouri Chapter, Order of DeMolay: raise $1,200 in funds for the tr ip to the Sta te Conclave in Jefferson City and the Lodge would match their efforts. Barely two weeks passed and an announcement was made during a regular Lodge meet-ing tha t the bo ys had raised o ver $1,280! The following r egular meeting of the DeMolay on May 2 resulted in Fellowship Lodge's WM, David Ink elaar, pr esenting the Cha pter Mas ter Councilor , Cory Crain, a chec k for $1,200. Congratulations boys! We hope you have a great time at Conclave!


The 50-year jewel and certifi cate was presented to WB Alfred Butt at his home on April 10, 2010. Making the pr esentation was WB Bob VanVacter, Mas ter of Alpha Lodge #659, Nor th Kansas City . WB Butt w as pined b y his wife Sue. WB Butt w as Master of Alpha Lodge in 1967.

On March 9, 2010 Brother Gerald Dryer was presented his 60-year pin and a pron in Rayto wn Lodge #391. The pr esentation w as made b y Worshipful Mas ter Andy Eber t. Se veral Br others w ere there to wish Brother Dryer well.

On March 31, 2010, Brother Howard Miller, a retired Methodist min-ister, received his 50-y ear jewel at Pendleton Lodge #551 in Doe Run. RWB Jack Cade, Worshipful Mas ter and R WB Terry Duckett, DDGM, presented the jewel and certifi cate from the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

On May 25, 2010 Brother David Hendrix received his 50-year jewel and cer tifi cate from the Grand Lodge of Missour i from R WB Bill Humble, DDGM of the 41s t District. RWB Bob Brannum assisted in the presentation.

The Grand Lodge of Tennessee presented Missouri Brother Phillip A. Hamra his 50-year pin and cer tifi cate from the Grand Lodge of Missouri at Berclair Lodge #771 in Mem-phis, Tennessee. Pictured from left to r ight: Brother Hamra, PGM Paul Phillips, PGM Jerry Hanson, PGM Joe Harrison.

Brother Dennis Riche and WM Michael D . Voyles visited Brother Lester Plummer at his home in Knob Lic k and pr esented his 60-year pin on Sunday, June 20, 2010. His wife, son Jim Plummer and Jim’ s wife w ere in attendance. Les ter is not only a sixty-y ear member of St. Francois Lodge #234 b ut he also turned 100 years old this year.

St J ames Masonic Lodge #230 pr esented James Small wood with his 50-y ear pin and cer tifi cate fr om the Grand Lodge of Missouri on June 17, 2010. Dis trict Deputy Grand Mas ter John W. Bayless conducted the ceremony. Brother Smallwood's grand-daughter, Jessica Fraser , presented his pin to him.


On June 22, 2010, WB Charlie Carlstrom re-ceived his 50-year pin and cer tifi cate from the Grand Lodge of Missouri. WB Carlstrom's wife Joan presented the award and DDGM Bill Humble conducted the ceremony.

On May 4, 2010, WB William E. "Bill" Alex-ander r eceived his 50-y ear pin a t Dexter Lodge #532. Br other Alexander's wife Gee Gee pr esented his pin with DDGM Gar y Kitchen conducting the ceremony.

Crescent Hill Masonic Lodge #368 met in special comm unication on Monday June 29, 2010 to pr esent Brother Bruce Buhr and Brother Tracy Rugg pins for 60 years Mason-ic ser vice. DDGM Larr y White conducted the cer emony and se veral f amily mem-bers were on hand to pr esent the pins . The Lodge no w has thr ee 60-y ear member s. Brother Melvin Smith has been a member of Crescent Hill Lodge #368 for nearly 61 years having r eceived the initia tion fee fr om his father for his 21st birthday present. Little did he think a t the time tha t 60 y ears la ter he would s till be enjo ying his gift. Judy White served ice cr eam and delicious cak e she had made for refreshments after the meet-ing.

On Tuesday, May 11, 2010, Osage Lodge #303 in Ne vada, Missour i, pr esented a 60-year Masonic Ser vice Award to Ev erett Adams. Pictur ed Left to Right: Ev erett Ad-ams, WB Ed Demming and R WB Lawrence Cripps.

RWB Bill Humble pr esented John Bar ker his 50-y ear je wel and cer tifi cate fr om the Grand Lodge of Missouri on April 27, 2010.

WB Gerald W. Hatfi eld received his 50-Year Jewel in Chr istian Lodge #392, in an open meeting f ollowing a dinner honor ing the Masons, served by the Order of Eastern Star, Chapter #407, in Oak Gr ove, Missour i. WB Hatfi eld was raised to the sublime degr ee of Mas ter Mason in Lompoc Lodge #262, in Lompoc California, on May 2, 1960, and served tha t Lodge as Worshipful Mas ter in 1966. After r etirement he r elocated bac k to the Oak Gr ove ar ea and transferr ed to Christian Lodge #392 on June 16,1999. The Jewel was presented by MWB Rocky Weav-er and was pined on by his wife Lorraine.

WB H. Ray Smith of Her culaneum Lodge #338, on the left, r eceived his 50-y ear cer-tifi cate and pin and was recognized for his service as a Master Mason on May 6, 2010. District Deputy Grand Mas ter, Francis Jett, presented him with the aw ard in Her cula-neum, Missouri.

On April 6, 2010, Hebr on Lodge #354 pr e-sented a 50-y ear pin to Br other Connie L. Pickering (left). Presenting the Pin w as RWB Kenneth Brundege.

On June 1. 2010, St. Charles Lodge present-ed Bro. James H. (Jim) Lawing with his 50-year jewel and cer tifi cate from the Grand Lodge of Missour i. The pr esentation w as made at a regular communication by RWB Don Bell.


On May 12, 2010, McDonald Lodge #324 of Independence pr e-sented William Harris his 50-year pin. McDonald Lodge Worshipful Master Gregory Dudley made the presentation.

On May 12, 2010, McDonald Lodge #324 of Independence pr e-sented William Vaughan his 50-y ear pin. McDonald Lodge Wor-shipful Master Gregory Dudley made the presentation.

In an open meeting bef ore his Lodge's r egular meeting on April 21, 2010, Brother Mor ey Palmer r eceived his 50 y ear jewel from Most Worshipful Brother Rocky E. Weaver. Attending this ceremony were his children Mark Palmer and Paylor Taylor.

Shelbina Lodge #228 AF&AM presented three of its members with 50-year service pins and certifi cates from the Grand Lodge of Mis-souri on April 21, 2010 pr ior to the r egular meeting. A dinner was held in their honor with a pr esentation ceremony following. The honored members were: John J. Baymiller and Thomas G. Craw-ford of Shelbina and Robert N. Perry of Bethel. Both John and Tom were initiated into Shelbina Lodge in 1960, while Bob was initiated into Bethel Lodge, which later merged with Shelbina. After the cer-emony the r ecipients reminisced about memorable events that have happened in their 50 y ears of membership in the Masonic Fraternity. The offi cers for the ceremony were: Jerry Miles, Master; Mike Dodd, Chaplain; Darrell Wilham, Senior Deacon. There were approximately 30 members and guests present for the occasion. Pictured (front row left to r ight): Darrell Wilham, Bob P erry, John Baymiller, Tom Crawford and Jerr y Miles; (fr ont row left to r ight): Mike Dodd, Glendale Johnson, Donald Sanford, Harley Kropf, Ja-son Cook, Martin Lund and Dean Jensen.

On March 20, 2010, Worshipful Brother Claude Malone had the distinct honor of pr esenting tw o 60-y ear pins to member s of Woodside Lodge #387 in Thomasville, Missour i. Brother Wesley T. Simpson began his Masonic jour ney February 9, 1946, when he was initia ted. He w as passed to F ellowcraft March 16, 1946 and Raised April 13, 1946, all degr ees having been conferr ed in a Lodge #255 loca ted at Alton, Missouri. Brother Simpson received his 50-year pin April 12, 1996. Brother Patrick E. Cotton beg an his Masonic journey July 26, 1947, was passed to Fellowcraft Septem-ber 12, 1949 and raised November 14, 1949, all degrees also hav-ing been conferred in Alton Lodge #255. Brother Cotton received his 50-year pin November 14, 1999. We at Woodside are blessed to have in our midst these fi ne Brethren.

Branson Masonic Lodge #587 had the honor of having Most Wor-shipful Brother Larry C. Reynolds, Grand Mas ter of Masons of the State of Missouri, present 50-year pins to WB Al Jones and Brother Glen Cameron on April 19, 2010. The 50-year pin award is a great honor for a Mas ter Mason to achie ve. WB Al Jones talked about his Masonic trav el in Ger many and England bef ore coming to Branson where he was Worshipful Master in 1994, and ser ved 15 years as Secr etary and 24 y ears as chair man of the Chr istmas Basket Program. Brother Glen Camer on was Marshal at Branson Lodge in 2009


On June 26, 2010, Anderson Lodge #621 held a dinner and a 50-year pin pr esentation. Those receiving pins w ere: Vern C. (Skip) Meek, RWB Donald A. Boyer, Past DDGM 46th Dis trict, and Rober t L. Rose. Also pictured is 50-year Brother Frank Boyer who served as Senior Deacon f or the pr esentation. DDGM Glen Clifton pr esent-ed. In a ttendance, Anderson Lodge #621 w elcomed six 50-y ear Masons, three of whom were the Boyer Brothers.

A cour tesy 50-y ear pin pr esentation w as made at Mt. Zion Lodge #327 at West Plains, Missouri on May 6, 2010. The pr esentation was made to Brother Harold Dingus on be-half of Rockford Lodge #102, at Loves Park, Illinois. Making the pr esentation was Right Worshipful Br other Randy Upton, Grand Lecturer of the 42nd Masonic Dis trict. Mr s. Dingus presented her husband's pin a t the ceremony.

Bill Chronister received his 50-year pin a t Barnesville Lodge #353 in Ellington, MO on May 18, 2010, from RWB Noel Mason with RWB Bernard Morrison looking on. Several of his family members and former s tudents w ere in a ttendance. Br other Chr onister taught school and was a principal at Ellington from 1950 to 1962. He was raised in Barnesville Lodge on May 14, 1960. He and his wife now reside in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

On on May 18, 2010 a t Summit Lodge #263, Grand Mas ter Larry Reynolds pr esented 50-y ear je wels to Br other Jim McAlpin and Brother Tom Perdee. Jim McAlpin had his je wel pinned on b y his mother, Daisy who is 104 years old and Tom Perdee had his jewel pinned on by his daughter, Tanya Williamson. The Grand Mas ter then conferred the fi rst degree on Summit Lodge's newest entered apprentice, Jeramie Nourie.

On April 12, 2010, Alpha Lodge #659 pr esented 50-y ear je wels and certifi cates to WB Virden Daugherty, Wendell Kiser and Floyd Mitchell. The ceremony was performed by RWB Fred Morrow. Pic-tured left to r ight are WB Bob VanVacter, Master of Alpha Lodge, WB Virden Daugher ty, Past Mas ter, Floyd Mitchell and R WB Fred Morrow, Past DDGM.

Members of Cooper Lodge #36 w ere pres-ent at a meeting w hen Brother and Noble Robert Bradshaw was presented with his 50-year pin. The honor was given by Brent Stew-art, Sr. Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge of Missouri. Brother Bob w as also r ecognized for ser ving as tr easurer of the Lodge and Temple Association f or o ver 30 y ears as well as man y other duties . Pictured L to R: Seated Rober t Bradshaw, s tanding: Russell Bradshaw (son), Br ent Bradshaw (son), Bill Burnett (Mas ter), Br ent Ste wart (Sr . Grand Steward), and Billy Sullivan (Secretary).

On September 15, 2009, Hebron Lodge #354 presented a 50-y ear pin to Br other Rober t L. Moser (left). He was escorted to the altar by Brother John Hall (center). Presenting the pin was RWB Donald E. Fairley (right).

the MissOuri FreeMAsON Fall 2010 111

WB David Leirer, Past Master of Abigail-Freedom Lodge and some members of district #37 presented WB Norman Skaggs, Past Master of Abigail-Freedom Lodge with a 60-year pin on May 1, 2010, at his home in Marquand, Missouri.

On Sunday, April 18, 2010 at Jewel Masonic Lodge, Brother Elbert “Bud” Baker received his 50-year pin and certificate from the Grand Lodge of Missouri. Right Worshipful Brother Jack Timmons conducted the ceremony and Mrs. Jo Baker presented the pin.

Samaritan Lodge #424 requested the Grand Lodge of Kentucky perform a courtesy presentation of a 60-year pin to Brother Willard F. Coplin, who resides in Paducah, Kentucky. On April 26, 2010, Pad-ucah Lodge #127 invited Brother Coplin to dinner and presented his pin. Pictured is Brother Coplin (second from left), his friend Dor-othy, DDGM Gerald Thompson and Paducah Lodge Master Ralph Dixon.

On Sunday, April 18, 2010, Jewel Lodge presented Brother Don King his 50 year pin and certificate from the Grand Lodge of Missouri. Right Worshipful Brother Jack Timmons conducted the ceremony.

WB Cecil L. McLard, on the left, received his 50-year certificate and pin and was recognized for his service as a Master Mason. District Deputy Grand Master, Francis Jett, presented him with the award on March 27, 2010 at Herculaneum Lodge #338, Herculaneum, Mis-souri.

Brother Frank N. Wood, Hope Lodge #251 AF&AM, received his 50-year pin and certificate from the Grand Lodge of Missouri fol-lowing a dinner at Parkview Hall in Washington Saturday, July 10. District Deputy Grand Master Frank Wright, 24th District, made the presentation. Shown, from left, are Ruth and Frank Wood and RWB Wright.

The importance of The investigating committeeDr. E. Otha Wingo DDGL 38, FMLR — [email protected]

POSTMASTER: Please send Address Forms 3579 to Grand Secretary,6033 Masonic Drive, Suite B, Columbia, Missouri 65202-6535.

“This Lodge is our HOME. Do not invite into your Lodge anyone that you would not be willing to invite into your HOME. Every time you fail to investigate a candidate thoroughly, you have left the door open and unattended and invited into your HOME a stranger unknown to you.” With such words RWB Otis Long (DDGM 38) at our official visits urged our Lodges to take the duties of the Investigating Committee very seriously.

When we accept a petition for membership, we are not merely inviting the candidate into our home—our Lodge — but we are inviting him into the home/Lodge of every other Freemason in the world. This is a responsibility that we should take very seriously. If we are too busy to investigate a candidate, then we should not accept the responsibility of the Investigating Committee.

I have been observing the way Masters make their appointments. I see Masters glance around the room and name three brethren with little if any thought about their qualifications for that particular candidate or who will be the chairman of the committee. This committee does not have to be announced immediately after receiving the petition—if the Master has not carefully considered who is to serve on that committee.

There are two appropriate ways to decide on these appointments: 1. Knowing in advance that a petition is to be presented, the Master reviews the information on the petition and decides which three brothers will be suitable to serve on the committee. Then, when the petition is received, he can announce the appointments.2. If he has not reviewed the petition and decided on three brothers to appoint, he should officially receive the petition and appoint the committee after the Lodge is closed. The GL By-Laws provide for making these appointments outside of a Lodge meeting and adding them to the minutes at the next meeting. Although any brother appointed by the Master is expected to accept the appointment, any extenuating circumstances could be discussed with the Master and he could choose another brother to serve. For example, if a brother is about to leave on an extended trip, the Master could choose another brother, rather than delay the progress of the investigation.

Here are some statements that should never be heard in a Lodge: “We all know this guy; let’s just all sign it now and get it over with.” • “I talked to him on the phone and he seems OK.” • “We met him for coffee and had a good visit. Seems OK.” • “We asked his wife how she felt about his petition and he hadn’t

told her yet. Said she’d be OK with it.” • “He’s really enthusiastic, so let’s don’t delay this any longer.” • “Oh-oh. We were ‘sposed to talk with him and report tonight. Guess he’s OK if these two brothers recommend him.” • “Oops! That guy we just balloted on has just been arrested for a felony.”

Brethren, let not these words pass your lips or be heard in your Lodge!

I have examined the duties of the Investigating Committee from a dozen or more Grand Lodges and find total agreement on the serious responsibilities of its members. A recent Short Talk Bulletin (#87.11, Nov. 2009), received by every Lodge in the U.S., gives a good perspective of the “Qualifications of Investigators” by Walter Van Wagner. “You are actually considering [the petitioner] for world-wide Masonic membership. This, in turn, will give him the opportunity to visit and associate with Masons everywhere. Each visitation he subsequently may make, in any Lodge in the world, will be as a member and representative of your Lodge. He should, therefore, be the type of man of whom you can be proud and honored to have represent you and your Lodge.”

Continued on page 96

missouri freemason magazine - v55n04 - 2010 fall

Documents

grand lodge of montana

grand secretaryzelwin

grand lodge web pagewww

lodge secretary

installed grand master

state of missouri

junior grand wardenronald

reynolds grand masterdavid