Masonry came to Colorado with the pioneers and it may be said that the history of the early days of Colorado is a history of the achievements of the Masons of that time. Their firm belief in the tenets of the Fraternity-Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth-and their constant practice of the four cardinal virtues- Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice---caused them to work in harmony and to take a prominent part in all movements tending to promote the welfare of the community.
The first recorded informal meeting of Masons in this region was held on November 3, 1858, and is described in a letter dated March 21, 1896, written by J. D. Ramage, the first junior Deacon of Auraria Lodge, U. D .2 This and subsequent meetings were dramatized by members of Denver Lodge No. 5 on November 1, 1958, in the presentation of a play entitled "This, Our Heritage. 5
On August 15, 1859, an application was made to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Kansas for a dispensation to organize Auraria Lodge, U. D., but through a series of most unfortunate events, caused by Indian depredations, swollen streams and the many other difficulties attendant upon travel, the dispensation did not arrive until October 1, 1859, when Right Worshipful Brother D. P. Wallingford, Past Deputy Grand Master of Missouri, in whose care the dispensation was committed, arrived to install the officers and set them to work.
The first regular meeting of Masons in Colorado was then held on October 1, 1859, when a group met in the hall of Auraria Lodge, later known as 1361 11th Street, Denver .4
The minutes of Auraria Lodge contain many interesting items. On October 15, 1859, $110 was subscribed "for the good of Masonry." On October 26, the lodge was "opened in due and ancient form ... to perform the funeral ceremonies of Bro. Geo. Ewing, deceased. On November 26, there was read a "Petition of J. E. Hardy and others of Golden City, K. T., praying a recommendation of this Lodge to the M. W. Grand Lodge of Kansas for a dispensation authorizing and empowering them to work." On December 3, the petition of A. N. J. Crook for the degrees of Masonry was received. Bro. Crook was initiated on December 10, 1859, the first Masonic initiate in the region. He died 50 years later, on December 2, 1909.
The minutes further show that the first Masonic trial by Auraria Lodge was held on February 11, 1860.
Golden City, Gold Hill and Parkville Lodges formed the Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Colorado in 1861, and on October 24, 1861, Denver City Lodge, U. D., received a dispensation from this Grand Lodge.
The existence of this dispensation was but of short duration, for on December 11, 1861, the Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Colorado granted a charter to the lodge under the name and style of Denver Lodge No. 5, by which name it has continued to exist up to the present. The charter was written upon paper.5 On March 25, 1863, that charter was withdrawn and a new one, prepared upon parchment, was issued in its place. This charter issued in March, 1863, is the one now displayed in the lodge room.
The first Worshipful Master of Denver Lodge No. 5 under its present name was P. S. Pfouts. Bro. Pfouts at the time of his election was the installed Master of, St. Joseph, Missouri, Lodge No. 78. It appears that he was very well versed in Masonry, and consequently the members of Denver Lodge No. 5 requested the Grand Master to grant a dispensation to ballot for Bro. Pfouts to become a member of the lodge. The dispensation was granted and Bro. Pfouts was elected to membership. The election of officers for the ensuing year then proceeded with the following results:
- Paris S. Pfouts, Worshipful Master
- Charles H. Blake, Senior Warden
- John H. Gerrish, junior Warden
- Fred Z. Salomon, Treasurer
- George W. Kassler, Secretary A
- Andrew Sagendorf, Senior Deacon
- E. S. Wilhite, junior Deacon
- E. Winslow Cobb, Senior Steward
- Chas. L. Bartlett, junior Steward
- William Porter, Tiler
The various meeting places of Denver Lodge No. 5 during the early years of its existence were the Russell and Sagendorf log cabins in 1858-59; the next was over the store of Bro. Abraham Jacobs, on Perry (now 11th Street, near Holladay (now Market); from there-the lodge moved in 1862 to the upper floor of the building on 15th Street next to the corner of Holladay, over A. M. Clark & Co.'s bank; the next move was made in the fall of 1865 to the Hoyt building, on Blake Street between 15th and 16th Streets; then in February, 1868, to the Tappan Block, on the corner of Holladay and 15th Streets; in 1873 to the Fink Block, directly opposite the Tappan Block on 15th Street; in July, 1883, to the rear portion of the then City Hall on the 14th Street side; and on June 24, 1890, to our present building at the corner of 16th and Welton Streets.6
Wor. Bio. George B. Clark, past historian of the Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Colorado, in compiling a history of Union Lodge No. 7 has this to say about the year of 1863: "This combination of adverse circumstances in 1863, the dry winds and fire in the spring, the drought and loss of supplies in the summer, the severe winter opening early in the fall, and the near collapse of the mining industry- all these in addition to the rapidly growing tension over the political and war situation, produced a state of mind wherein each man was suspicious of his neighbor. Collisions were frequent. Even in Masonry, brother was arrayed against brother so sharply and so decidedly on the war question that it was feared the lodge in Denver might be disrupted. It was not alone the division on the issues of the war, because it is well known that Masonry functioned beautifully back and forth across the battle lines. William McKinley, a Major in the Federal Army and later President of the United States, received the degrees of Masonry in a Virginia lodge, officered by soldiers of the Confederate Army. Even in Denver the lodge could have survived had this been the only issue. But the cause was deeper. The discouragements produced by the disasters of 1863 so accentuated private opinion as to render any compromise almost impossible.
"The Grand Lodge of Colorado convened in Denver, November 2, 1863, and the prevailing unrest was the major topic. The question was one that could not, with Masonic propriety, be discussed either in lodge or in Grand Lodge. The brethren present were decidedly on one side or the other. The feeling was intense but a solution must be found if Colorado Masonry was to survive. A solution was found. Out of the conference came the decision to organize a new lodge in Denver and thus permit the two sides to separate and each function through a lodge of congenial members. A large majority of Denver Lodge No. 5, including many of its officers, believed the cause of the Southern Confederacy to be a just one. Opposed was the Administration party represented by the Governor and his Secretary and the Army group. Consequently the decision reached was to leave Denver Lodge No. 5, with its organization intact, and to organize the Union sympathizers into a new lodge. Thus Union Lodge was born. Both sides supported the action for they recognized the fact that Denver Lodge could not stand as it was and they were perfectly ready to have a new lodge set up along the suggested line."
Union Lodge No. 7 was chartered on November 3, 1863, a little more than two weeks prior to President Lincoln's address at the dedication of the Gettysburg cemetery. It should be noted, that contrary to popular belief, no members of Denver Lodge No. 5 became charter members of 'Union Lodge No. 7.
On January 7, 1865, the Masonic Hall Association was formed, consisting of Denver Lodge No. 5, Union Lodge No. 7, and Denver Royal Arch Chapter, U. D., as members. Denver Lodge No. 5 subscribed $4,000 to the stock of the Association. Later, in 1881, The Masonic Temple Association of Denver, present owner of the building at 16th and Welton, was incorporated.7
A Masonic burying ground was purchased July 21, 1866, in the west part of the city, and was called the "Acacia Cemetery." A committee was appointed to promote the best interests of the Fraternity relative to this cemetery and likewise to superintend the sale of lots to Masonic members. The Masonic funerals were always well attended and on each occasion the lodge went from the lodge room to the deceased brother's residence. The procession was led by a band, known as the "Denver City Band." The Worshipful Master made some appropriate remarks relative to the deceased brother's life, and they then proceeded to the cemetery, where the Masonic burial service was given. On returning to the lodge room, a committee was appointed to prepare a resolution of condolence, a copy of which was sent to the family of the deceased. Many of these resolutions are to be found in the minutes and they furnish an interesting glimpse of a bygone age. In those days the lodge was required to open and close in the lodge room. In 1950 the Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Colorado permitted lodges to open and close wherever the ceremonies were to be given.
On June 25, 1870, the lodge met in special communication and went from the hall to the depot grounds to assist the Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Colorado in laying the cornerstone of the Union Depot. After the ceremonies, the lodge repaired to the Fair Grounds for a picnic. These grounds were located on the east side of the city between 37th and 40th Streets, Marion to High Streets. The grounds were surrounded by a high wall, and many elaborate festivities were held there on numerous occasions.
Cornerstone laying was a popular rite for the Fraternity in those years. Denver Lodge No. 5 participated in the cornerstone laying of the University of Colorado on September 20, 1875, and assisted at similar functions in later years.
On February 18, 1871, in Los Angeles, Henry Allen, the first Worshipful Master of Auraria Lodge, died. He was buried by Los Angeles Lodge No. 42 on February 19. On June 1, 1935, William W. Cooper, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Colorado spoke to Denver Lodge No. 5 on the subject of "Henry Allen," giving many interesting details of the life of that Masonic pioneer.
In June, 1873, an excursion was held in Clear Creek Canon, which netted the lodge a return of $350. The money was turned over to C. B. Kountze to be loaned out for the best interest obtainable. No doubt the Denver Lodge No. 5 A. F. & A. M. Relief Association grew from such "little acorns."8
In 1874 the various Masonic organizations purchased a new burial ground, located on the east side of the city, in the vicinity of the present Cheesman Park. This purchase was not approved by a number of the brethren because of its undesirable location, being nothing more than a mere dumping ground.
In 1880, Lawrence N. Greenleaf, a member of No. 5, was elected Grand Master of Masons of Colorado.9 This signal honor was 'awarded to Frank Church in 1882, to Andrew Sagendorf in 1883, to Cromwell Tucker in 1897 and to Frank Bishop in 1919.
In 1884, when No. 5 was 25 years old, a life membership could be obtained by the payment of $75. Many members availed themselves of this opportunity.
The Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Colorado laid the cornerstone of our present Masonic Temple in April, 1889. A notable incident in connection with the location of the present Temple is that Bro. Abraham Jacobs, who fitted up for us the first permanent lodge room in his building on Ferry Street (later known as 1361 11th Street) in 1859, vacated his home in 1889, which he and his family
had occupied for 15 years, and watched it torn down to make place for our new home, which we have occupied ever since.
On June 24, 1890, a meeting was called and about 1,000 Masons assembled and marched from the then City Hall (at 14th and Larimer Streets) to take formal possession of the new Masonic Temple. Denver Lodge No. 5 held its first regular meeting in the new Temple on June 30, 1890.
The Temple was remodeled in the early 1920's and again extensively beginning in 1948 and being completed in 1950. As a result of this last change, the lodge still meets in the same room but on the 6th floor instead of the 5th floor as before. Gone is the ancient hydraulic elevator and gone, too, the call of the elevator pilot: "5 on Five!"
At the time of the 50th anniversary in 1909, the lodge had more than 800 members. M. W. Bro. George W. Musser, Grand Master of Masons of Colorado, speaking on that night, said in part: "I wonder how many of us will be here fifty years from now to celebrate the centennial of No. 5? . . . I hope that fifty years from tonight, when Denver Lodge No. 5 is celebrating its centennial, that your minds will come back to us here and that this magnificent scene will be presented to you, and that you will think of, us and the times here in Denver in 1909, as these old Brethren think of the times here in Denver in 1859." M. W. Bro. Musser was referring to Bro. Abraham Jacobs' and M. W. Bro. Andrew Sagendorf, both of whom were present on October 1, 1859, and October 1, 1909.
Although the lodge had been in existence during the Civil War and the Spanish-American War, it was not until World War I that such a state of affairs was mentioned in the minutes. During World War I the records show that letters from members in the armed forces were read in lodge and a Soldiers and Sailors Committee was formed. Again in World War II, such a committee greatly expanded the services previously rendered. A program entitled "A Salute to our Service Men" was held in lodge on May 15, 1948.
The minutes disclose that no meeting was held on December 6, 1919, due to a coal shortage which closed the Temple. Many of the present members can remember December, 1946, when because of a coal strike no regular meeting of the lodge was held on December 7, since the Temple was closed at 5 P.M. that day to conserve coal. On the following Tuesday, December 10, there was held a joint installation of the officers of Denver Lodge No. 5, Union Lodge No. 7, Temple Lodge No. 84, Oriental Lodge No. 87, Rob Morris Lodge No. 92 and Albert Pike Lodge No. 117.
A marked increase in the number of members of No. 5 occurred after the end of World War I. The minutes show that on June 17, 1920, 86 were examined on the lecture of the Master Mason degree, 63 were examined on September 3, 1921, and 65 were examined on September 2, 1922.
If early wars had not been mentioned in the minutes of the lodge, neither had the panics and "hard times" of the early years. In the 1930's, however, several references to unemployment are to be found in the records, thus making the "Great Depression" a matter of record for future generations.
As a part of the 75th anniversary celebration, four men, known as the "75th Anniversary Class," were raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on September 29, 1934.
In commenting on the changes in the 75 years from the founding of the lodge, M. W. Bro. Haslett P. Burke, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Colorado, in an address delivered at the 1934 anniversary said, in part: "So vast are the changes wrought by three-quarters of a century the atmosphere of that distant day is almost beyond our imagination. It was a crude age. Steam had scarcely touched their lives. Electricity was still black magic. Schools and churches and lecture halls withheld their blessings. Airplane and radio were undreamed of ... Income and processing taxes and the New Deal did not disturb their peaceful dreams."
A newer concept of Masonic charity was introduced to the lodge on February 7, 1948, when the formation of a blood bank was suggested. This idea of "giving one's self" has been a part of the lodge since that time.
On April 20, 1935, the lodge had 50-year membership pins for 22 members, 11 of whom were present on that night. Twenty years later, on February 19, 1955, three members of the lodge received 50-year membership pins, and on the same night 102 members received pins showing each had been a Mason for more than 25 and less than 50 years. These 25-yeRr pins were presented by Denver Lodge No. 5 for the first time in Colorado Masonic history.
In looking back on 100 years of lodge history, one is impressed with the great change in everyday living. The 1909 scene is, as a matter of personal knowledge, unknown to most of the present members of the lodge and even 1934 seems a long time ago. Truly the changes of the last 25 years make those of the 75 prior years pale in comparison: the vast economic revolution, a widespread World War II, the fading of England and France, with the emergence of Russia as a world power, the probing of the secrets of space these are far-reaching changes which must profoundly affect the affairs of mankind for many years to come.
Today's world will seem old-fashioned and strange 50 and 100 years from now, but some old ties will remain-those of Masonry. The Mason of 1959 feels one with the Mason of 1859, when members met in a rude log cabin on the frontier, never entirely safe from Indian attacks, and feels a kinship to the Mason of 1759, when William Preston was about to become a Mason and one of Masonry's out- standing writers. Today's Mason is also linked to the Mason of 1659, some 13 years after Elias Ashmole had noted in his diary that he was "made a Free Mason at Warrington in Lancashire."
"The lapse of time, the ruthless hand of ignorance, and the devastation of war, have laid waste and destroyed many valuable monuments of antiquity on which the utmost exertions of human genius have been employed. Even the Temple of Solomon, so spacious and magnificent, and constructed by so many celebrated artists, escaped not the unsparing ravages of barbarous force. Freemasonry, not- withstanding, has still survived . . ."
The end of the first century of Colorado Masonry has indeed brought many changes. The members of the Fraternity may well look forward to the bi-centennial with calm confidence.
Notes:
This article was originally published in the Denver Lodge #5 100th anniversary. These notes refer to the appendix of that volume.
1 Compiled from the writings of:
George J. Besser, P.M.-1884, 1887; Charles A. Stokes;--P.M.-1906; David Mitchell, P. M.- 1912; Clyde M. Rost, P. M-1918; Llewelyn Jones, P. M-1922.
2 Appendix, page 74.
3 Appendix, page 76.
4 Appendix, page 78.
5 Appendix, page 82.
6Appendix, page 83.
7 Appendix, page 85.
8Appendix, page 87.
9Appendix, page 88. |
