Red+Letter+Day+for+Masons+Is+Brought+to+End,+The+Rock+Island+Argus+(October+18,+1912)

// The following article appeared in __The Rock Island Argus__ on Friday, October 18, 1912, the day after the laying of the corner stone of the Rock Island Masonic Center and the celebration marking that event. The article mentions the building’s primary fundraising lodges, Trio Lodge and Rock Island Lodges, who paid for every aspect of the $700,000 building outright with money donated by their members. Trio Lodge was founded in 1848, and was the first Masonic Lodge in Rock Island. Upon its founding, Trio Lodge began meeting every first Thursday after the full moon, and so the laying of the cornerstone for their Temple and the festivities surrounding it were held on such a Thursday. The building was sold by the Masons in 2008 and is now called Skellington Manor. At the time of the sale, Trio Lodge was still meeting there every first Thursday after the full moon. // **Red Letter Day for Masons is Brought to End ** **Informal Reception for Visiting Brethren Follows Laying of Corner Stone ** **Big Crowd is Present ** **Exercises at Building Site in Afternoon Are Impressive – H.D. Mack Speaks. ** An informal reception and entertainment held last evening by Trio and Rock Island lodges, at Masonry, inasmuch as it witnessed the laying of the corner stone of the splendid new Masonic temple.

It was first planned to tender a reception to the grand officers in the evening, but this was called off, as some of the officers were obliged to leave early on account of making train connections to their respective cities.

A luncheon was held from 5:30 o’clock to 7:30, after hich the program commenced. The Sionilli quartet opened the entertainment with a vocal selection, after which District Deputy Grand Master M. T. Booth of Atkinson and District Deputy Grand Master F. H. Bradley of Wyanette were introduced. Both responded with appropriate remarks. The Masonic quartet appeared next, rendering a vocal number, followed by a reading by Emil Hass of Davaenport. The Sionilli quartet responded again at this juncture, after which an interesting stereopticon lecture was given by Louis Stein on “A Trip Through Europe.” The Sionilli quartet again favored with a vocal selection, which was followed by Horace Huron, who caused a number of laughs by his humorous readings.  R. S. Ralston of Rock Island lodge No. 658, Masons, delivered an impromptu talk pertaining to the Masonic order, after which the meeting was closed ith the selection, “Old Hundred,” by all present. Carlton G. Taylor presided. **CORNER STONE IS LAID. ** A thousand Masons and their friends attended the corner stone laying of the new Masonic home yesterday afternoon at Eighteenth street and Fifth avenue. The day was a red-letter one in every respect for the local Masons. A parade, in which there were over 500 Masons, was held at 2:30 o’clock. The corner stone ceremonies followed. H.D. Mack, president of the Masonic Temple association, opened the program with the following address: **PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. ** At the site of the temple, after a band selection, H.D. Mack, president of the Masonic Temple association, delivered the following address: “Worshipful Grand Master, Members of Grand Lodge, Brothers and sisters: We are met here this beautiful day to lay the corner stone of a temple, sacred to the rites of the greatest fraternal order that the world has ever known; wherever the steps of man have wandered, and civilization has builded for herself a home, there have the temples of our craft sprung up, and the practice of the virtues of its teachings become manifest.

“It is with a special and sincere pride that we, in behalf of the craft in theses solemn rites; proud that we are about to realize the hopes and aspirations that we have so long entertained to see the erection of such a structure as this; proud, also, that we are able to give to our city this building of beauty and service; and we are doubly rejoiced that e can erect, as a visible evidence to the world at large, this monument of our dear and beloved order, which will ever testify of the loyalty and devotion of its members. **PLEASED TO WORK. ** “The Masonic Temple association, and all the committees charged with any part of this work, have earnestly tried of all times for harmony of effort and for the highest degree of accomplishment; whether the final result of our efforts be successful we will leave you to judge. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">“The work was very pleasant for us, as it lay very near our hearts, and we sincerely trust that the results may be equally satisfactory to the membership. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">“To you, honored master, whose advice, encouragement and assistance helped so largely to make easy the way; and to all who have in any degree or manner contributed ot the successful consummation of our undertaking, we render most sincere and heartfelt thanks; and so e also thank and rever the memory of those brothers who have passed into the great beyond, and who aided so valiantly in all our past efforts in this direction, and who doubtless rejoice with us today at this consummation of our many hopes. **<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">MONUMENT TO VIRTUES. ** <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">“Most worshipful grand master, Masonry in this vicinity erects this temple as an evidence of its on virtues, and fidelity, and as the house of refuge for the weary pilgrims from every land. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">“When we who meet here today shall have passed before the Grand Master of the universe, and the walls of this temple shall tremble beneath the weight of years; when even the carving on this corner stone shall have been effaced by time’s irreverent and relentless hands; yet, even then, shall the cardinal virtues of our order, ‘temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice,’ arise from its ruins, and like the ‘green bay tree,’ flourish and live on in the hearts and lives of all true men and Masons.” **<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">ORDER FOUNDATION OF PRINCIPLES **

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Mr. Whelan was accorded generous applause at the conclusion of his address. Most Worshipful Grand Master D. D. Darrah of Bloomington preceded Mer. Whelan with a brief address pertaining to the Masonic order. **<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">PRESENTED WITH TROWEL. ** <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Mr. Darrah was presented with a handsome silver trowel by H. D. Mack, on behalf of the local Masons, at the conclusion of his talk. The recipient expressed his thanks in a well worded response. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The laying of the corner stone took place after the ode by the Davenport Masonic quartet. The stone was slowly lowered to its final resting place while the quartet rendered a hymn. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Following the laying of the stone, and ode, “Old Hundred,” as rendered by the local Masons, after which the Masonic quartet again sang. The program closed with a selection by the band, and benediction. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Return to Freemasonry in the QC