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.
