Washington County, Indiana - Chapter 12: Lanizations, Clui1s and Societies, 1916

Masons And Masonry

Masonry in Washington county is as old as the town of Salem, for while the first cal>ins were being built a move was started to organize a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. John DePauw and INIarston G. Clarke were the prime movers. A petition was signed by all who were Masons in the county, asking the grand lodge of Kentucky to grant them a dispensation, empowering them to organize. This authority was given them in the fall of 1815 and the lodge was named Melchizedek Lodge No. 37. The organization was perfected in a half-story room in General Clarke's log hotel on south Main street and the lodge continued to meet here from time to time until Rodman built a three-story business house on lot i, on the south side of the public square.

Marston G. Clarke was the first master of the lodge. He also represented the lodge at Corydon in September, 181 7, when the first steps were taken to organize a grand lodge in Indiana. He also represented the Salem lodge at Madison, January 12, 1818, when the grand lodge was organized, at which' time the name of the lodge was changed to Salem Lodge No. 21, number and name it still retains - now almost for a century. When the Rodman building was torn down, about 1830, the lodge was removed to the old Lutheran church, which had a kind of second story. The next move was to a low third-story room that stood on lot 16. on the south side of the pul)lic s(|uare. When Lyon's three-story block on the west side of the square was completed, about i860, a room was fitted up expressly for a Masonic hall and the lodge occupied the same until the block was burned, .August i, 1864. All the furniture, regalia and lodge records were destroyed in this fire.

.\t the time of the fire two lodges occupied the rooms, a second lodge ha\ ing been organized about the time the Lyon's block was completed, called Newland Lodge No. 286. This lodge flourished for several years, but was consoHdaled wUh Salen. Lodge No. .>i. March 6. 1884, after an existence of nearly twenty-five years. Louis N. Sm.th was tir^t master after the two lodges were consolidated.

After the burning cf the Lyon's hlock, lodge rooms were next fitted up on the third fioor of a brick budding owned by Paynter Brothers, on the Jest side of lot i, on the south side of the public The next move was to the third story of a bra-k block on the corner ot lot i. where the blue lodge, chapter and counc.l have elegant quarter, provuled -.h ban hall and waiting rooms, the location bemg exactlv the same as that first occupied by the lodge one hundred years ago.

A Masonic lodge was organ,ze.l at Campbellsburg, under dispensation, on Mav -Q, 1861. with George W. Bartlett, worshipful master; C. Prow senior warden; John C. Voyles. jtmior warden; D. Badger, --^-^^ ^^^^ Wesner. treasurer; W. B. Teague, semor deacon; 1°'- ^^^\;f >-- J""'; deacon; H. C. Malott and E. B. Driscoll, stewards; and \Mlliam Colher tvler The lodge was named Rob Morris Lodge No. 28.. m honor of Rob Morris, of Versailles, Kentucky, who was a frequent visitor f. the lodge named for him. The lodge now has a membership of about eighty.

Canton Lodge, Free and Accepted Ma.ons, was organized m 1873, with W R. McKnight, T. B. Hobbs, Carey Morris, Peter Morris Wdhs T tlock D C. AuTs, Tames fi-aulckoner, George M. Morns and \\ arren Wdson'as charter members. At one time the lodge ha.l thirtv-hve mem- Te's but the fire of 1875 destroyed their propertv and in 1884 the charter

Salem lodge No. 67, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organ- 1 on neV 1849 bv special officers from New Albany. The meetings ;: e^^ld ^t^'ve;irs in the building where B. M. Li-g^e & Son's barer'ore is now located. The order afterwards bought the property a ^ c^ of East Market street and the public Tbev remodeled the l)uildino- and built a two-story brick addition, the second floor of which was used for the lodge room. In 1896 the three-story building which now adorns the east side of the square was erected. The memjjership at that time was one hundred and thirty, and it has grown rapidly since to a present membership of three hundred and fifty.

Besides the above, which is known as the subordinate lodge, Odd Fellowship has two other branches here, the encampment and the Rebekah lodges. Salem Encampment No. 52 was instituted on July 17, 1856, under a charter granted on May 22 of the .same 3'ear. W. C. DePauw was the first chief patriarch. The present membership is eighty-five. Salem Rebekah Lodge No. 188 was organized in the seventies, and is in a prosperous condition, having a membership of about one hundred and fifty.

.\zur .Lodge No. 250, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized at Campbellsburg on January 25, 1866, with the following charter members and officers: T. F. Shanks, noble grand; J. S. Shanks, vice-grand; W. H. Shanks, secretary: Zack Pollard, treasurer: William Davis and George Bigsley.

The following is a list of past nolile grands, beginning with the first: Robert Denney, James Stephens, Corkins Brown, C. Prow, A. Overman, William Pollard, John Wilkins. CTCorge \V. Bartlett, Joseph Lee, John Huffman, Joshua Da\is. Samuel Martin, R. C. Martin, C. G. Robinson, Benton Driscoll, John H. Denney, and the present incumbent, Harry Wesner. The present membership of the lodge is ninety-five.

Azur Encampment No. 280, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Campbellsliurg, has a membership of forty-five. Silver Star Lodge No. 562, Daughters of Rebekah, has a membership of fifty.

Knights Of Pythias

Salem Lodge No. q6. Knights of Pythias, was organized on, August. 9^ 1881, with fifteen charter members. Of the organized charter mernbers onlv three are now living, H. H. Routh, Benjamin Boling and William M. Linscott. Salem lodge ranks among the best in Indiana and at present has

The officers for the ensuing year are: Orville Williams, chancellor commander; AJenze Denny. ])relate; Archie Ccnvherd. master at arms; George Xuckles, outer guard; Harvey W'arriner, vice-chancellor; R. R. Tash, master of work; Tom Oliver, inner guard; C. H. Jackson, Lewis Dennis and John \\'. Spaulding, trustees; Carson I'eden and Claude Simpson, representatives; I'harles H. Jack'^on. special dei>uty. The oldest member is William M. Linscott, who came from Rescue Lodge Xn. 26, Old N'ernon, Jennings county, Indiana.

Tokai)e Tribe Xu. 116, Improved Order of Red Men, at Salem, was -organized on Tuesflay night, Pebruary 12, 1891, with twent_\'-seven charter members. District Deputy Tolbert X. Sudbury and the degree team of Bloomington, Indiana, had charge of the work. The first officers of the tribe were: W. J. Prow, prophet; W. S. Alnumd. sachem; H. M. Henderson, senior sagamore; R. B. Mitchell, junior sagamore; C. E. I\Iorris, chief records; James B. Berke}", keeper of wampum; John B. Clarke, Thomas M. Loudon and Louis P. Benua. trustees.

Regular meetings are held each Tuesday night and the tribe has gradu- .ally increased in membership, the July report showing three hundred and five in good standing. Besides re!ie\'ing the widows and orphans of the tribe much charfty work has been done, and the new two-story brick building, valued at thirteen thousand dollars, is almost paid for. The present officers are : Ernest Xuckles. ])rophet ; Archie L. Cowherd, sachem ; Oscar Machtoff, senior sagamore ; Will S. McLemore. junior .sagamore; Robert W. Myers, chief of records; Ered X. Clarke, collector of wampum: George W. Xuckles, kee])er of wampum: W. Oliver Marks, Jolin W. Spaulding and James W. Griffin, trustees.

White Rose Council Xo. 207, Degree of Pocahontas, at Salem, was on Tuesday, June 15, iqcq, with seventy-two charter members, Jessie Cornell, great [xicahontas. presiding; the degree team of Mitchell.

Indiana, doing the work. The following officers were then installed : Bertha L. Moon, prophetess; Sylvia Hedrick, pocahontas; Martha Hedrick, wenona; John S. Gorman, powetan; Mary S. Green, keeper of records; Agnes Purlee, keeper of wampum; Lula J. Barnett, first scout; Lora M, Trueblood, second scout; Daisy McLemore. first runner; Ethel Roseberry, second runner ; Grace Fancher, first councillor ; Mary A. Knapp, second councillor; George V. Brown, first warrior; Harry Emery, second warrior; Xoljle I^"ultz, third warrior; Hiram McLemore, fourth warrior.

The Council has had a steady growth and the present membership is one hundred and fift\-. They meet regularly each week in the Improved Order of Red Men's hall. The present officers are as follow ; Emma McPheeters, prophetess; Ethel Gordon, pocahontas; Elva Spaulding, wenona; Hershel Fisher, jxiwetan; Hazel Hedrick, keeper of records; Sylvia Hedrick, keeper of wampum; Dolle Berkey, special deputy; Emma C. Spaulding and Mattie Griffin, representatives to great council; John W. Spaulding, degree captain.

Tribe Of Ben-Hur

Salem Court Xo. 207, Tribe of Ben-Hur, was instituted in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows hall, by Supreme Deputy Chief D. A. Peregrine, of Greencastle, August 31, 1900, with twenty-one charter members. -At one time this court had one hundred and ten beneficial members, but owing to a change in rates the membership now is seventy-five. Seven members have been lost b}- death, the first 1>eing Charles A. Allen, and the last AVilliam F. Banks, then residing at Oakland, California.

Both men and women are accepted to membership and the present officers are as follows : Past chief, Thomas W. Whitson ; chief, Fred N. Clarke: judge, Harry C. Barnett; scribe, J. A. Adams; teacher, Nannie M. Tegarden; keeper of tribute, John W. Spaulding; captain, C. C. Davis; guide. John O. Reister; keeper of inner gate, Leslie L. Adams; keeper of outer gate. W. A. Medlock. The court meets the first and third Wednesday rights of each month at the Red Men's hall.

Modern Woodmen Of America

Stnack, with seventeen charter members. Salem Camp Xo. 8402 was organized a few years later and for several years two active camps were maintained, but by mutual agreement the camps consolidated under the name of Union Camp No. 41 8g which at this time has one hundred and eighty meml^ers. carrying $256,000 insurance. Seventeen members are deceased and the societ>- has paid their families benefits amounting to $3 1 .000.

The Gr-Xngk

On the evening of December 4, 1867. the Xational Grange, a farmers' organization, was duly constituted at Washington, D. C. Just at this time the tillers of the soil seemed to demand something of the kind, feeling that a closer intimacy in neighborhood, state and nation, together with a better knowledge and understanding of agricultural affairs would lead to a betterment of conditions in home and governmental affairs.

From the very start the order grew rapidh' in all parts oi the country, and the tidal wave reached Washington county in 1873, and in less than a year's time nearly every family engaged in farming were members of the order. It was at its zenith of popularity in the fall of 1874. At this time there were over twenty Granges organized, with officers as f(5llow :

A county council .was organized on March 21, 1874, with E. W. Shanks, president; Dr. Charles Rathbun, vice-president; M. M. C. Hobbs, secretary and purchasing agent, and W. Roberts, treasurer.

One of the largest outpourings of the people ever witnessed in the county was the Grange picnic held at Hobbs' grove, two miles east of Salem on the Canton road, August 6, 1874. The grove contained thirty acres and by noon, when delegations and processions from all parts of the county had filed in, there was some twelve thousand people on the grounds.

Various appropriate mottoes were displayed by the various granges as they passed in procession, and prominent speakers addressed the multitudes from two stands. Brass bands, martial bands and glee clubs vied with each other to render music and enthusiasm for the occasion. The speakers were : Norman J. Colman, of St. Louis; E. A. .Allman and James Buchanan, of iTidianapolis ; J. 0. Newsom, of Bartholomew county, and William Sanders, of Orange county.

The speakers urged the farmers to organize and continue their efforts to place themselves upon an equality with the rest of the industrial world. They were reminded ot the fact that they fed the nation and should l3e recognized as prominent factor in the administration of affairs by those who administered the affairs of state and nation.

The Grange Enters Politics

All were so enthused by the success of the meeting that it was decided that a county ticket should oe nominated, which was accordingly done on September 7. Nathan B. Wright was named for clerk ; E. H. Peugh, auditor: A. J. Parker, treasurer; Charles McFall, recorder; Archibald Baxter, sheriff; Samuel Lusk, surveyor, and E. W\ Shanks, representative. Horace Hefifren was chosen county chairman, and conducted the campaign. A hotly contested campaign followed, but the county went Democratic by majorities ranging from one to six hundred.

The Grange as an order was kept up for a few years. A Grange store was established but gradually it died out and inside of four years the order was defunct in Washington county. It was scarcely heard ot again, although it flourished in other parts of the country, until 1897, when the Salem Grange was organized, with W. W. Stevens, master, and !\Irs. Asa Elliott, secretary. This Grange lasted but three years.

In 1890, and for two or three years afterward, the Farmers' ?\Iutual Benefit Association succeeded in getting a strong organization and large membership throughout the county and established a store in Salem. It also was doomed to be short lived and a number of individuals exchanged their money for \-aluable experience - an article that is worth a great deal sometimes, when it does not cost too much and the investor remembers the lesson learned.

It was unfortunate for this farming community that the Grange was allowed to die out. As a national organization it has done much for the farmer and the country, particularly in moulding public opinion and shaping legislation. They were first to advocate the election of United States senators by popular vote; labored long and assiduously for the . I^blishment of the parcels post, rural free delivery, economy in public afifairs, the curbing of railroad monopolies and trusts, and a higher education for the boys and girls on the farm. They accomplished their ends rather slowly because they were in advance of the times and public sentiment. But they were conscientious in all things, and their independence and perseverance have won national recognition, having been called into the nation's councils time and again to assist in unravelling some of the knotty problems that confronted the leaders of the country.

It was their undoing here in Washington county to allow themselves to become involved in local politics, forgetting the grand precepts of the order to engage in the hazardous game of politics.

On September i, 1897, Thomas Williams, Col. S. D. Sayles, George Paynter and Robert Morris, suggested an organization to hold an old settler's meeting each year. At a called meeting Foster Trueblood, Erasmus Shanks, Rev. M. M. C. Hobbs and Thornton Callaway joined them in a committee and the first annual meeting was held on October 22, 1897. For eleven years these meetings were held annually, being addressed at dififerent times by such prominent men as Professor Campbell, Professor Bloss, Professor Jo.seph Moore, Rev. F. T. Moore, Hon. Cyrus Davis and others.

On November 25, 1905, a constitution was adopted and the commissioners granted the use of rooms in the court house for the society. Meetings were then held each month for a short time, but the older members having gradually dropped out by death, the meetings were finally discontinued for several years. On April 17. 1914, the three .surviving members of the old organization committee, Lewis N. Smith, Augustus S. Garriott, and E. Hicks Trueblood, called a meeting for the purpose of reorganization. This was done by the selection of others to take the places on the committee of those deceased, and W. B. Lindley was chosen president; E. Hicks Trueblood, treasurer; and F. J- Heacock, secretary. A number of new members have now become active in the work, and plans are under considera-

Ci Ubs In Salem And Vicinity

Salem enjoys the reputation of being one of the most celebrated club towns of its size in the state. Among the first to be organized was the Salem Farmer's Club. This is a unique and progressive organization of farmers with a meml>ership of twenty-four acti\e workers - the heads of twelve different families. It was organized bv Mr. and Mrs. W". W. Stevens in Novemh)er, 1892. The object of this club is the study of the science and the practical results of intelligent farming and to teach the host and hostess along the fine arts of attractive menu and entertainment. The meetings are held once a month, each time at the home of one of the members, thus each family pro\ides one dinner a year and enjoys the hospitality of the others eleven times during the year. The programs provide for both forenoon and afternoon exercises. This club \\as the only one of its kind in the state when started, ])ut since its organization and successful operation many others have been organized along similar lines.

The first meeting and organization of this clul) was held at the home of E. M. C. Hobljs, with the folli iwing ennillnient : W. W. .Ste\ens and wife, E. M. C. Hobbs and wife. Asa I^Iintt and wife, W. B. Lindlev and wife, C. N. Lindley and wife. L. G. Davis and wife, E. H. A\'right and wife, L. N. Smith and wife, Enoch Parr and wife, C. J. Newby and wife, T. M. Louden and wife and I'Tances XixdTi and "wife. Those who have taken the places of members who have retired from the club are F. J. Heacock and wife, J. W- May and wife, J. P. Grimes and wife. F. J. Schocke and wife, R. R. Xewlon and wife. H. C. Dawalt and wife. Otto Zink and wife, J. T- ^Mitchell and wife and W. X. Short and wife.

Members (if this club ha\e stood at the head of state agricultural and horticultural societies and several of them ha\"e been prominent farmer'sinstitute workers.

The Highland Farmer's Club wa^ organized in February, 1015, at the home of Rev. .\. T,. Carney. Tt is compo^^ed of twelve families, all meml>ers of the family are included as associate members and take part in the exercises and discussions, but only the heads of families are voting members.

The usual program consists of nuisic, devotional exercises, reading and the discussion of some farm topic, and also some home topic of special interest to the women.

The active members at present are: Mr. and Mrs. Carl Watts; Mr. and Mrs. Oris Williams; Sylvanus and Anna Knight; Mr. and Mrs. Clen Bottorff; Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Bowers; Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Payne; Mr. and Mrs. Francis Godfrey; Mr. and Mrs. Clint Spencer; Rev. and Mrs. A. L. Larney; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Baynes ; Mr. and Mrs. Olan Williams; Mr. and Mrs. William Cauble. The officers are: President, Carl Watts; secretary, Mrs. I'Ved B.'ixnes; chajilain, Clarence Bowers.

Progressive Farmer'S Club

The IVogressixe Farmers' Club, of O.xonia, was organized in October, igoS, and meets with one of the members one night each month. The usual program includes readings, papers and discussions of farm and household topics. There are twenty-four acti\e memlters, consistmg of the heads of twelve families, as follow: Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Baynes, Mr. and Mrs. John Atkins, Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Barrett, Mr. and Mrs. William Bundy, Mr. and Mrs. John E. Cauble, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Brooks, Mr. and Mrs. Newlon Emery, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Dennis, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Howard, Mr. and Mrs. Grant Cauble, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Baynes, Mr. and Mrs. James Fultz. The officers are : President, James Ftiltz ; vice-president, Lewis Baynes; secretary, Mrs. John Atkins; treasurer, Mrs. Hiram Barrett ; chaplain. William Bundy.

Fortnightly Club

Organized fifteen years ago, the l'"ortnightly Club meets twice each month, as its name indicates. Its purpose is, "The improvement of the social and intellectual condition of its members." Membership is limited to thirty-six and the exercises consist of current events, select reading, assigned subjects and general discussion. The present officers are: President, Orra Hopper; vice-president, Clem O. Thompson; secretary, Mrs. Asa Elliott; treasurer, Mrs. W. W. Hottel.

The Woman's Club meets on alternate Tuesdays, at three o'clock in the afternoon. It was organized in 1891. The work consists of music, read- ings and discussions of general cultural interest, with social features and welfare work for die community. The officers are : Mrs. F. F. Cauble, president; Mrs. W. H. Rudder, vice-president; ?^lrs. George Smith, secretary; Mrs. F. S. HoustOi treasurer.

Culture Club

The officers of the Culture Club are as follow : President, ]\Iinnie Munkelt ; vice-president, Harriet Zink ; secretary, Fthel Justi ; treasurer, Blanche Smith. Meetings are held monthly at the homes of the various members, with a general theme of study for the \'ear's work, and a special phase of this theme for each meeting.

Columbian Club

A meeting of the Columbian Club is held each month, with one of the members as hostess. The year's program takes up items of current interest, with one member as leader at each meeting. An annual picnic is held at some time during the j-ear. The officers for the present year are: Miss Bradie Shrum, president; Mrs. Charles McClintock, vice-president; Miss Louise Telle, secretary; and Mrs. Otis Shields, treasurer.

Shakespeare Club

Meetings of the Shakespeare Club are held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at the homes of the various members. W'hile the study and discussion of Shakespeare and his works form an important item in the work, other authors and other themes are also taken up, and the year's program includes many subjects of interest. Tlie officers are: President, Mrs. Minnie Naugle ; vice-president, Mrs. Jerry Jamison; secretary, Mrs. W. W. Hottel; treasurer, ]\Irs. Leroy Hobbs.

Organized in 1896. the Fadies" Piano Club meets each three weeks with some member as hostess. A'ocal and instrumental selections are given at each meeting, with discussions of current events and music, a particular theme being the basis of the year's work. The officers are: Miss Fthel Shultz, president; Mrs. Harvey Morris, vice-president; Airs. R. R. Tash, secretary; and Mrs. Forest C. Tavlor, treasurer.

Junior Piano Club

The ufficers of the Junior Piano Ckib are: President, Ruby Graves; vice-president, Mary Thompson: secretary. Helen Shanks; treasurer, Lena Graves. -Meetings are held each month and the topics of interest are discussed with readings and ^'ocal and instrumental selections.

The Penelope Club

The PeneIoi)e Club is a club organized among the teachers of Salem, and while its main purpose has been one of fellowship and social pleasure, it has done much to foster a spirit of co-operation and mutual helpfulness among the teachers, and has resulted in better work and greater interest in the public schools.