CHRONICLES OF
ST JOSEPH LODGE NO.78
1846 - 1946
100 YEARS OF SERVICE TO FAMILY, COMMUNITY, AND FREEMASONRY


This article is the second in a series on the history of St. Joseph Lodge No78.  To read the first article go to:
St. Joseph Lodge No.78 Chartered Oct. 14th 1846
This is Copywrited  material.  No reproduction is authorized without the written permission of RWB Wesley F Revels.

The news article published in the St. Joseph News Press and Gazette, September 6th 1910 announcing the Ground Breaking Ceremony at the current site at 605 Robidoux Streets, St. Joseph, Missouri. 

The following paragraphs are from, "Centennial Celebration 1846 - 1946", written and published in 1945 upon the first 100 years of the Lodge.

"It is coincident that the history of St. Joseph Lodge No.78 A.F. & A.M., and of the City of St. Joseph, Missouri began at practically the same time.  Many of the members who ruled and governed in the Lodge also ruled and governed the affairs of the city.  St. Joseph Lodge had its beginning under dispensation in 1845, and the first municipal Government of the city was formed in 1843.

Both have passed the ravages of more than 5 wars and both have contributed men to both.  To each - and in the Civil War to both the Blue and the Gray.  Together they passed through good times and bad, through sunshine and rain, through prosperity and depression.

For the above reasons the most important events of both the Lodge and the city are recorded here, as one has a strong bearing upon the other.

Unfortunately there are no records of St. Joseph Lodge No78, for the first ten years of its existence.  This is regrettable, for no doubt they would have revealed many things that we would like to know, but it is feared they are forever lost.

Many notations are made, not for their historical value, but for the quaint manner of expression.

The records of the Lodge show that unselfish service has been rendered throughout the century.

The reason for this history is not only to record events of the Lodge, but also that the living today may not forget, but will know, understand and appreciate the service of those who lighted the Light of Intelligence, which upholds the principles of free speech, free education, liberty and equality to all; the Light that has existed for One Hundred years, and still burns brightly in the Lodge.

Those who first lighted the Light have passed into the Great Beyond, but their good work lives after them.

May the principles and teachings of Freemasonry live forever, and may we have a grateful memory for those who have made possible this Centennial Celebration".

Fraternally Yours,
CLAUDE MADISON,

The New Lodge Cornerstone, set in place on

October 22nd, A.D. 1910

DEDICATION

This Cornerstone is dedicated to every member, living or dead,

who has contributed to the success of

St. Joseph Lodge No.78, A.F. & A.M.

St. Joseph Masonic Temple as it looked in 1910.

Although no record has been found as to where WB Sinclair K Miller received his Masonic degrees records show that he signed a petition for a dispensation for DeWitt Lodge in St. Joseph, Missouri in 1845 and was named Worshipful Master under the dispensation.  At the session of the Grand Lodge in 1846 a charter was granted, dated October 14 and the name of the Lodge changed from DeWitt Lodge to St. Joseph Lodge No78.  WB Miller was also named Worshipful MAster under the charter and served as Master in 1846-48-49-50.  On May 5th 1845 WB Sinclair K Miller was elected on the first Board of Trusties for the City of St. Joseph and was a member of the St. Joseph City Council in 1851.  In 1850 he was elected State Representative of the District that included St. Joseph, Missouri at the time.  He became superintendent of the Marysville, KS Palmetto & Roseport R.R. in 1860. The Palmetto & Roseport Railroad was an early extension of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad across the Missouri River to Marysville, Kansas.  The act incorporating the Marysville or Palmetto & Roseport Railroad named 13 directors, fixed the capital stock at $5,000,000. and granted the company a franchise to build a railroad from Marysville to Roseport, KS "so as to connect with the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad.

As reported in an earlier article, in 1845 several members withdrew from Sparta Lodge No46, and with others formed DeWitt Lodge U.D. at St. Joseph.  With the petition for dispensation approved through the Grand Lodge of Missouri, this was the first year St. Joseph had a municipal Government, and Joseph Robidoux was the first President of the Board of Trustees.  The first newspaper "The Weekly Gazette" was issued April 25th,; subscriptions $2.00 per annum if paid in advance. $3.00 if paid at the end of the year.  The first Fourth of July celebration was held.  Some of the prevailing prices were: corn 10c per bu., coffee 9c per lb., bacon and ham 7c per lb., butter 7c., molasses 40c per gal., eggs 6c per doz.  The first three-story brick building was build, the Edgar House, on the northwest corner of Main and Francis streets.  Br Samuel C Hall was the first Justice of the Peace.

St. Joseph Lodge No78, Chartered October 14th 1846

Submitted By RWB Wesley F Revels

The First Masonic Lodge in Buchanan County U.S.A.

The Constitution of the United States was only 54 years of age when the petition for a Dispensation to create the first Masonic Lodge in Buchanan County was applied through Liberty Lodge No.31, Missouri, issued May 11th 1841 by RWB. Joseph Foster, Deputy Grand Master, Secretary ProTem, Grand Lodge of Missouri U.S.A., named Katzell Lodge to be located in the village of Sparta.

Eli Hubbel was elected by the Brethren to be the first Worshipful Master, John Browning, Senior Warden; R. Duncan, Treasurer; Frederick Waymore, Secretary; and J. Selsil, Tiler. James Highly was also a charter member. Eli Hubbel was originally a member of Wisdom Lodge located in Massachusetts, John Browning from Liberty Lodge No.31 Missouri, Simeon Kemper from Montgomery Lodge No.23 Kentucky, Frederick Waymore from Lipton Lodge No.33 Indiana. Also chartered with this first Dispensation were John Edgar from Libery Lodge No.31, Cornelius Gilliam from the Lodge at Jefferson City, Missouri and S.K. Waymore from Lipton Lodge No.33 in Indiana. Katzell Lodge, met in regular stated communications until a Charter was issued and its name changed to Sparta Lodge No.46 at the next Grand Lodge proceedings October 8th 1842.

Survey of the Missouri Territory 1827

Fifteen years earlier in 1827, there was a Trading Post along the Missouri River at the mouth of Blacksnake Creek, owned and operated by Joseph Robidoux, who traded with the Native Americans in the region including the Pottawatomie, Musquakee, Kickapoo, Iowa and Otto. Robidoux made an arrangement with the American Fur Company a few years before to operate a business called Blacksnake Hills, and for many years Robidoux was the only evidence of European settlement as far North as Council Bluffs, Iowa and South to Independence, Missouri. With a large log house surrounded by a stockade built by Robidoux himself he conducted his business. 
There were no cameras with which to record a picture of the Blacksnake Hills Trading Post but the journal of Richard Hayes McDonald from Kentucky wrote a description at the time. The journal is now kept in the Library of Commonwealth of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia: "From his cousin's home, Richard went to where the city of St. Joseph is now located, and where the only occupant and owner of a business house was a Frenchman named Robidoux who had lived there a number of years as an Indian Trader, and who was at that time still engaged in the occupation. He was moving around dressed in an old, red flannel shirt, his trousers strapped around his waist, on his head a slouched hat, and so tanned and weather-beaten that is was difficult to tell whether he was a white man, a mulatto, or an Indian. his establishment consisted of three log-cabins, one or more of which were filled with furs of otter, beaver, buffalo, deer, bear, and other skins; in the other buildings were stored provisions, trinkets and supplies for the Indians, the latter chiefly in whiskey, tobacco, and liquors. The old man seemed to be a very energetic and enterprising shrewd business manager. He was familiar with several dialects of Indian language, and was highly respected by all the natives who dealt with him...' 'From this Trading Outpost grew the city of St. Joseph, in many respects, perhaps, the most promising city west of St. Louis and East of the Rocky Mountains.

St. Joseph Lodge No.78
Chartered October 14th 1846
In 1842 Robidoux contracted two surveyors to create plats for a town he had proposed to build next to his Outpost in the area previously named Saint Michael's Meadow by the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804. Meriwether Louis, in his journal on July 7th 1804, wrote that where they camped along the Missouri River that day reminded him of the woodland prairies of his home in Virginia. Brother Frederick W. Smith and Simeon Kemper, both members of Sparta Lodge No.46 surveyed plats for the new town. Smith named is plat Saint Joseph after Robidoux's Patron Saint and Simeon Kemper named his plat Robidoux. Frederick Smith's plat was selected and was recorded at St. Louis, Missouri in July 1843. The population at the time was about 200.

Artist's conception of St. Joseph in 1858 looking Northwest toward Wyeth Hill, The Missouri River and the future site of the Court House built in 1871.

By 1845 St. Joseph was called "Queen of the Riverboat Towns" North of St. Louis for its beautiful bluffs and prairies and also because it was a main starting point for those heading West to California and Oregon. Situated on the East bank of the Missouri River, about 35 miles North from Fort Leavenworth, St. Joseph had grown to a population over 600.

Detail of a Period Poster "Bird's Eye View" Saint Joseph 1868.

St. Joseph had become the "Bright Light" of civilization in the new world and within the plat for his new town, Robidoux himself donated land for Masonic use. A Dispensation was created in the name of DeWitt, for a new Lodge to be located at St. Joseph petitioned through the recommendation of Savannah Lodge No.71 located to the North in Andrew County that is still active today and in 1846 the County Seat was moved from Sparta to St. Joseph. DeWitt Lodge met in regular stated communications for the remaining year until the Charter was granted as a Masonic Lodge under the name of St. Joseph Lodge No.78 at the annual Grand Lodge Communication on October 14th 1846. Sinclair K. Miller was the first Worshipful Master; Simeon Kemper, Senior Warden; and James Highly first Junior Warden. Within the first year Samuel E. Love would be the Lodge's first Secretary. Although Joseph Robidoux was not known to be a Freemason, one of his 6 sons Felix, was a charter member of St. Joseph's first Masonic Lodge.  On May 5th 1845 WB Sinclair K Miller was elected on the first Board of Trusties for the City of St. Joseph and was a member of the St. Joseph City Council in 1851.  In 1850 he was elected State Representative of the District that included St. Joseph, Missouri at the time.  He became superintendent of the Marysville, KS Palmetto & Roseport R.R. in 1860. The Palmetto & Roseport Railroad was an early extension of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad across the Missouri River to Marysville, Kansas..

William R. Penick, Worshipful Master of St. Joseph Lodge No.78 in 1858, was the 21st Grand Master of Missouri in 1861. 1861 is also known as the year of the "Rebellion", and the beginning of the Civil War. From the first Post Office, the Pony Express carried President Lincoln's Inaugural Address west to Sacramento, CA. and Confederate and Union men, some of whom were Masonic Brethren, battled in the streets of St. Joseph and citizens watched as the American Flag was torn from the Post Office flag pole by an angry mob. R.W.B. Penick entered the Union Army in 1862 as a Colonel in the 2nd Regiment, Missouri Militia and wrote his address to the Annual Grand Lodge Communication from the field.

Such is the beginnings of Freemasonry and its travel to the town of St. Joseph, Missouri in the United States of America.

ChAPTER 2: Chronicles Of St. Joseph Lodge No.78, Past Masters Serving In The American Civil War

________________________________________________________________

Submitted by the Secretary, RWB Wesley F Revels

ST JOSEPH LODGE NO.78
NEWSLETTER, FALL 2011

Elected and Appointed Officers Installed for 2011-2012

Tuesday September 15th 2011, the 166th year of its charter,

the elected and appointed officers were installed

at St. Joseph Lodge No78.

Pictured above in the first row beginning at left are:

Tiler, WB Timothy J Conard;

Junior Steward, WB John C Keys and Lodge Education Officer, RWB Dennis A Bonjour.

Middle row from left Senior Deacon, Br David J Hawkinson;

Senior Warden, Br LeRoy H Maxwell III and Senior Steward,

WB Arthur F Haynes.

Beginning top row from left Junior Warden, Br Nighram M Johnson;

Treasurer, WB Carl C Jennings and Marshall, Br D Brian Carroll.

Not pictured due to conflicts in scheduling are the installed

Worshipful Master, WB Marion H Boydston;
Junior Deacon, Br Ryan S Gerster;
Chaplain, RWB Larry R Crawford;
Secretary, RWB Wesley F Revels.

The Following Annual Report Was Submitted To The Grand Lodge Of Missouri

Total Number of Members: 223

Total Number Exempt 50 Year Members: 39

New 50 year members this past year

RWB William J Bowser

Br Dean F Proffit

WB Donald E Cox

Br Robert E Bushman

Total Number Exempt Endowed Members: 31

Total Raised To The Sublime Degree Of Master Mason: 8

From Sept-2011 To Jan-2012

Br David W Standiford

Br John A Fulkerson

Br David J Hawkinson

Br Ryan S Gerster

Br Christopher J Olinger

Br Michael T Olinger

Br Todd A Sprague

Br Frank A Leone

Affiliate As Multiple Members:

Rev WB John E Johnson Sr

Transfer From Other Lodges:

Br Wayne R Welch

______________________________________________

WALKING THE MOSAIC FLOOR OF LIFE

Our Beloved Brethren Deceased:

Romans 6:3-7   "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Christ were baptized into his death?  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 
For he that is dead is freed from sin."


From Jul 2010 - Jan 2012

WB James L Rockwell Jr, 7-10-2010

Br Kenneth H Hawk, 11-4-2010

WB Jerry L Burris Jr, 1-9-2011

WB James B Clark,2-20-2011

RWB Carroll E Henson,4-11-2011

Br Edward G Hautzenroeder,4-20-2011

Rev WB John E Johnson Sr, 7-20-2011

Br Gerry L Cortner, 10-16-2011

WB A.C. McCool, 10-23-2011

Br James M Hower Sr, 11-1-2011

OUR MOSAIC WORK: "A Candid Disquisition", of the Principles and Practices of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons. From Past Master, Wellis Calcott's "Masonic Manual, New York 1855", Argument VI. p.47-50, "Of The Masonic Work As A Symbol And The Virtues Of Faith, Hope Charity, Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, Justice, Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth Of The Masonic Institutions".

As the steps of man are attached by various and uncertain incidences of life, as our days are chequered with a strange contrariety of events, and our passage through this existence, though sometimes blessed with prosperous circumstances, yet often beset by a multitude of evils, hence is the Lodge furnished with MOSAIC WORK, to remind us of the precariousness of our state on earth. Today our feet tread in prosperity, yet tomorrow we totter on the uneven paths of weakness, temptation and adversity. Whilst this emblem is before us, represented by the 3rd Degree Tracing Board above, we are instructed to boast of nothing, to have compassion, and give aid to those who are in adversity, to walk uprightly and with humility; for such is our existence that there is no station in which pride can be stably founded.

All men are similar by nature, yet some are born to more elevated stations than others, but when in the grave all are upon a level - death destroying all distinctions.
Whilst we tread on the MOSAIC WORK, let our ideas return to the original which it copies and let every Freemason act as the dictates of reason prompt him; to live in Brotherly Love with all mankind especially a brother Freemason; Faith as a foundation of justice being the chief support of society for we live and walk by faith; Hope and Charity for Hope is the Anchor of the soul; And charity - oh, how lovely is it's theme! Charity is the brightest gem that can adorn our Masonic profession; it is the best test and the surest proof of altruism. Benevolence, attended by heaven-born Charity, is the honor to the nation from whence it springs, it is nourished and cherished reminding humanity of the common bond by which we share our existance. Happy is the man who has sowed in his heart the seeds of benevolence, the produce thereof is love of peace; he envieth not his neighbor; he listeneth not to a tale when reported by slander; revenge or malice has no place in his heart; he forgives the injuries of men, and endeavors to blot them from his recollection. Let us therefore, as Freemasons, remember that professing our faith in GOD, we listen to GOD who craveth our assistance, and from want never withhold a liberal hand; so shall a heartfelt satisfaction reward our labor, and the produce of liberality most assuredly follow after.

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