Delaware County, Indiana - Muncie Lodge, No. 483, 1881

DISPENSATION ISSUED - WoORK UNDER DISPENSATION--CHARTER GRANTED - REPORT OF COMMITTEE THEREON - INCREASE OF MEMBERSHIP - TAKES STOCK IN MASONIC HALL, MUNCIE - PURCHASES AND FITS UP A New HALt - Orricers UNDER DISPENSATION AND CHARTER - SUBSEQUENT PROCEEDINGS - PRESENT OFFICERS AND MEMBERSHIP.

iam Hollingshead, January 23, 1873 - and a total icons of 57; an inerease om eleven over the last year. During the years 1874 and 1875, there was-a total increase of eight; four each year, while in 1876, there was a decrease of one in the aggregate membership. At the close of the year 1880, the number reported to the Grand Lodge was sixty-seven.

In April, 1879, Muncie Lodge purchased Odd Fellows Hall, East Main street, and, after refitting and thoroughly overhauling it, moved in and took possession and have since occupied the premises as owners. The hall is sufficiently large for the use of the order, and well adapted, in furniture and fixtures, to the purpose for which i: has been especially set apart.

The following persons have served as Worshipful Masters of Muncie Lodge, from the date of its institution, November 10, 1870, to the pres ent time:. Asa H. Hodson, from 1870 to December, 1873; Webster S. Richey, from January, 1874, to December, 1874; Asa H. Hodson, from January, 1875, to December, 1875; and William H. Wood, from January, 1876, to the present time.- At the stated meeting in December, 1880, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year and installed December 18, 1880: William H. Wood, W. M.; Charles M. Kimbrough, S. W.; John R. McMahan, J. W.; Joseph Hummel, Treasurer; J. Wall Perkins, Secretary; Julius C. Wood, 8S. D.; George Cum- the increasing wants of the order in Muncie. On application, therefore, to W. M. Grand Master Martin H. Rice, a dispensation was granted the applicants and such others as might affiliate with them for that purpose, to work as a lodge, bearing date November 10, 1870, under which, on the same day, Muncie Lodge, U. D., was organized and pro-

Robert C. Bell, J. W. On the evening of the institution of this lodge an election was held for subordinate officers, with the following result: Hugh Hughes, Treasurer; William L. Little, Secretary; Web. S. Richey, 5S. D.; George W. Van Metre, J. D.; Jacob W. Heath, Tiler. For the

At the session of the Grand Lodge, in May following, the records, etc., were sent up for inspection and consideration. These having been referred to the committee on charters and dispensations in that body, at the proper time the following report was made and concurred in: made up, in proper form, and in a book of- superior quality. The bylaws are In harmony with the rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge. The committee, therefore, recommended that a charter be granted the brethren of Muncie, in Delaware County, to organize a lodge, to be called Muncie Lodge, No. 483, and that Brothers Asa H. Hodson, be

At that time Muncie Lodge reported a membership of six. A charter was accordingly issued May 23, 1871, to Muncie Lodge, No. 433. The report submitted at the session of 1872, of the grand body, make the following more satisfactory showing: initiations, 22; passed, 20; raised, 15; affiliated, 27; death, 1 - John E. Erwin, October 14, 1871. Total membership, 46; representing a fair proportion of the best Masonic element of the community. The report for the next year was quite satisfactory also; 6 initiated, 6 passed, 10 raised, 2 affiliated, 1 death - Will-