Damascus #199

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A History of Damascus Lodge No. 199, Granite Falls

Free and Accepted Masons of Washington

A petition for a new Lodge bearing 16 signatures was sponsored by Arlington Lodge No. 129 with Worshipful Brother A.H. Moll as Master and Albert E. Underwood as Secretary.  This petition was dated September 11, 1912.  Dispensation was granted by Most Worshipful Brother Frank M. McCandless, Grand Master, on January 9, 1913.

            The first meeting under dispensation was held on January 14, 1913, with 13 Charter members.  G. Wilton Forrest was elected the first Worshipful Master of Damascus Lodge No. 199.  The first candidate to receive the degrees was Harry G. Broadbent on February 11, 1913.  He was later elected to the position of Worshipful Master.

            The petition for charter was dated June 2, 1913, and was granted by Most Worshipful Brother Frank M. McCandless, Grand Master.  On July 8, 1913, the Lodge was instituted by the Grand Lodge and the meting was held in the cement block near the south end of Granite Ave. in the I.O.O.F. Hall preceded by a dinner.  The officers then installed were:

 

 

            The bylaws having been approved by the Grand Master, the following resolutions were passed:  Second and Fourth Tuesdays of each month designated as meeting nights.  Membership fees fixed at $50.00--Annual dues $4.00.

            The first funeral service was conducted on Sunday, September 14, 1913 for Brother J. P. Gray.  The first courtesy degree was conferred on December 2, 1913.  The first recorded meeting with the Order of the Eastern Star was on January 13, 1914.

            These early officers were most consistent in attendance as indeed has been the case of all masters during the life of this Lodge.  Most of them lived outside the town limits and traveled from 5 to 20 miles to fulfill their obligations, and during the 50 years, only one meeting was omitted because of lack of officers to open, and all meetings have been closed, peace and harmony prevailing.

            To chronicle all the good deeds of every past master would be an impossible task, but it is to be noted that the election of Brother John H. Curtis to membership by dimit on March 27, 1917, was most fortunate as he has been elected Worshipful Master on three occasions, served as Treasurer uncounted years, was a Custodian of the Work at a time when only a few were so named, and no name appears so frequently in the records as his.  Three other names most prominently mentioned in the records are those of Worshipful Brother C.R. Bockmier, Worshipful Brother C.T. Webb, and Worshipful Brother E.R. Rogers.  This is not intended to minimize the labors of all other Past Masters.  The Lodge has been honored by the appointment of Worshipful Brother C.T. Webb as Grand Standard Bearer in 1953, and Worshipful Brother Elmer R. Rogers as Grand Bible Bearer in 1961.

            Grand Lodge officers have been gracious and frequent in their visitations.  We note especially the interest of Past Grand Master Gustav Schultz in our Lodge which has been fully reciprocated.  Only one untoward incident has been noted during that time when a careless brother wore Gus's hat away and Gus went home bare headed.  Later an appropriation was made of $10.00 to reimburse him but the original hat was produced and the incident closed.  Peace and harmony prevailing.

Meeting Places:

            After the I.O.O.F. Hall it was voted on August 20, 1919 to move to Woodmen's Hall, now the Legion Hall.  The next move was to the Chappell building and the adjoining G.A.R. building, a lease of which was acquired on October 20, 1920.  Later these buildings became untenable and on January 25, 1929 a committee as appointed to see about a new location which was solved when Brother Curtis agreed to remodel the second story of the Creamery building which has been our home ever since.  On March 26, 1935, the Secretary was instructed to write the Grand Master for dispensation to move to the new Hall and dispensation was granted by Most Worshipful Brother Loomis Baldry and date for dedication was fixed as May 28, 1935 when the Grand Lodge convened for the purpose, with the following officers:

 

It was a most auspicious occasion with an overflow attendance of Masons from all over the county.  Past Grand Master T.E. Skaggs gave a short talk on the early history of Granite Falls and Brother Curtis a history of the Hall.  The meeting was closed by the Most Worshipful Grand Master in ample form--special mention should be made of the work by Worshipful Brother K.T. Hanson for building the officer's stands and dining room furniture and Brother Frank McDonald who made many fine pieces of Lodge furniture for ourselves and the Eastern Star.

            In later years the Hall has been improved by the labor of the brethren and it would be hard to single out any particular one for mention.  Suffice it to say that the membership has done its duty and each member can feel that virtue brings its own reward.

            Music for the dedication ceremony was furnished by an orchestra composed of members of the three Everett Lodges.

            Meeting nights first named as second and first Tuesdays to open at 8:00PM.  On August 20, 1919, meeting nights were changed to second and fourth Mondays.  Later changed to second and fourth Tuesdays.

            On December 11, 1954, a change of meeting nights to 7:30PM was proposed and adopted on January 25, 1955.

Masonic Park:

            On June 29, 1926, a donation of 25¢ per member from all County Masons was proposed for improvement of the Masonic Park donated by Worshipful Brother Jacob Anthes.  Little interest was shown to this project by County Lodges and for many years progress was slow.  In the past few years improvement was actively pushed by Worshipful Brother William Lemay, with new roads, river control, dining hall, etc., with members from all over the County assisting.  Brother Roy Chew from our own Lodge deserves special mention and Very Worshipful Pearl Brewer as an outside member.  The Rainbow Girls from Everett are improving a spot for themselves.

            To detail the acts of each meeting is impossible.  They consist of invitations, passing and raising, visitations to and from our Lodge.  However, a few "firsts" may be noted.

            On January 22, 1918, it was voted that no member in the military service should be dropped for non-payment of dues.  On June 3, 1919, Everett Lodge No. 137 was present and conferred the Second Degree.

            On April 21, 1920, Worshipful Brother R.E. Orne as Custodian of the Work, was present for instruction.

            On July 27, 1920, Everett Lodge No. 137 was present to confer the Third Degree.  We responded on August 20, 1920 by a visitation there to confer a Third Degree.

            On April 26, 1926, a Life Membership was conferred on Brother Frank Chappell.

            On December 11, 1928, Past Grand Master Charles D. Atkins, as Grand Lecturer, was present for instruction, and many an old timer remembers his castigation's which were good for our work if not for our ego.  His labors for many years were for the improvement of the work in all Lodges.

            During this year, the jurisdictional lines between Everett and Granite Falls were revised.

            During the year 1931, we had many interesting addresses as part of the Masonic Research and Education program.  Later on we note that the Lodge enjoyed addresses by Worshipful Brother John Sorgenfrei and Worshipful Brother Hugh Miller.

            On November 28, 1933, a communication from Most Worshipful Brother John I. Preissner was received regarding serving of 3.2% beer, declaring it to be un-Masonic, and an offense to the Order.

            On September 10, 1935, notice was received of the suspension of Masonry in Germany.

            In 1936, the standard work was printed in code and promulgated by the Grand Lodge.  Each Lodge was furnished four copies for Master and Wardens use, each officer to sign for his copy and it was not to be loaned to any other brother without his signature, which had to be placed on file.  First copies went to Worshipful Master John H. Curtis, Senior Warden Frank Belongia and Junior Warden F.W. Engstrom.  1940 was a busy year for work and many degrees were conferred.  This record was duplicated for the next five years.

            On October 28, 1941, memorials to Worshipful Brother George Wilson Forrest, our first Master and to Worshipful Brother Harry Clinton, who served 11 years as Secretary, were read.

            On May 13, 1947, it was proposed that steps should be taken toward getting a site on which to build a new hall.  Worshipful Brothers Lytton Carpenter made a standing offer of a free site.  This matter was never pressed and in the years following our present hall has been renovated and rebuilt into adequate quarters by the efforts of the Craft.

            On February 10, 1948, a loan of the second degree pillars was accepted from Arlington Lodge and we were obligated only to guarantee against their loss.

            On March 22, 1949, Worshipful Brother William L. Hall, our second master, was present.  He later made application for dual membership with Westlock Lodge in Alberta, Canada.  His son, William B. Hall, visited our lodge on March 28, 1950.

            On April 11, 1950, Brother William L. Davidson, a member of Alpha Lodge, was made an honorary member of Damascus Lodge in appreciation of his services in acquiring a new heater plant for our hall.  At this time, a vote of thanks was given to him.

            On January 4, 1952, a meting to commemorate the initiation of our Most Worshipful George Washington was held; this being the Centennial of the occasion, our speaker was Most Worshipful Brother Matthew W. Hill.

            In 1952, annual dues were raised to $7.50.

            On April 27, 1954 an interesting meeting was held for instructions by Daniel T. Simmons, Assistant Grand Secretary, with 11 visiting secretaries present.  Brother Simmons address covered the operation of the Grand Secretary's office, and the Masonic Home in Zenith.  14 different Lodges were represented at this meeting.

            On December 14, 1954, it was recommended that the Bylaws be changed to open Lodge at 7:30PM and the change was adopted on January 25, 1955.  In 1955, the brethren performed Yeomen service in finishing the walls of the Lodge room with Celotex.  Brother Everett Hogland donated a carpet.  The brethren performed a brotherly service by painting the home of Brother John Hendrickson.

            On February 12, 1957, Lodge voted to purchase Past Masters Jewels and they were presented at the next meeting honoring all Past Masters.

            Worshipful Brother O.A. Matter and Worshipful Brother Lytton Carpenter were thanked for donation of a desk and apron rack.  A highlight of this year occurred April 12 when we hosted the district meeting honoring our Most Worshipful Brother Herbert A. Davis, Grand Master, Worshipful Brother Carl Martin was master at the time.

            Worshipful Brother Fred Gemmer just back from overseas duties with the Seabees, was welcomed.  He gave an interesting report on Masonry in the South Pacific and later presented the lodge his membership card in the Guam Square and Compass Club.

            May 13, 1958, was a very memorable night with Grand Lodge officers past and present in attendance.  This night also honored all past Masters of whom 21 responded with two others who had affiliated.  At this time a 50-year pin was presented to Worshipful Brother John H. Curtis by Most Worshipful Walter T. Higgins, Grand Master.

            On June 14, 1960, Brother Ted Walford of Camano Lodge, was present and related his experience visiting Masonic Lodges in foreign countries.

            On December 27, 1960, Worshipful Brother Jack Webb was elected treasurer upon resignation of Worshipful Brother John H. Curtis.  Worshipful Brother Carl Adams made an official visit and a timely address.

            On March 28, 1961 it was voted to purchase 24 Past Patrons Aprons.

            On April 6, 1961, 15 Brothers from Seattle Lodge 164 visited us and brought three candidates whom they passed to the Second Degree.  Their work was much enjoyed.

            On November 14, 1961, a tribute was paid to Worshipful Brother Elmer R. Rogers and many Grand Lodge officers were present with Most Worshipful Brother Gustav Schultz, Past Grand Master, as principal speaker.  Worshipful Brother Rogers responded as usual in a feeling and appropriate manner.

            On January 9, 1963, a Life Membership was voted for Worshipful Brother John H. Curtis.

            The records show 191 signatures to the bylaws.  177 petitions for degrees, and 56 applications for affiliation.  One honorary membership has been granted and two dual members added.  31 dimits have been granted.  18 applications have been rejected.  50 deaths have been recorded, of those, 18 have occurred in the past 10 years.  60 have been dropped for non-payment of dues, but 30 have restored.

            At the last Annual Report, 98 members were recorded.

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