Index

Pg. 1 - Location
Pg. 2 - The Different Masonic Lodge Rooms
Pg. 3 - Brief Mention of Some Notable Brethren of this Lodge Who Have Passed to Their Reward
Pg. 5 - The Early History of the Lodge
Pg. 6 - A Leaf From the Past
Pg. 9 - Petition for New Lodge 104
Pg. 11 - The Lodge Complimented
Pg. 17 - Recommendation
Pg. 27 - Members of Corsicana Lodge No 104
Pg. 28 - Members of Corsicana Lodge No. 174
Pg. 37 - Worshipful Master of Corsicana Lodge No. 104, A. F. & A. M., and Corsicana Lodge No. 174, A. F. & A. M., with the years in which they served
Pg. 39 - Other Masonic Bodies in Navarro County
Pg. 40 - Certificate Men
Pg. 40 to 41 - Report of Printing Committee

Pg. 1 - Location

This Lodge is situated in the City of Corsicana, in Navarro County, Texas.   Corsicana is the county seat of Navarro County, and is situated on the 32nd parallel of latitude. The county takes its name from Antonio Navarro, a member of an early Legislature of Texas at the time of the organization of the county in 1844.  Antonio Navarro was a native of the Island of Corsica, and the city of the county was named in honor of his birthplace.

It is now a city of some 15,000 population, with three trunk lines of railroad passing through it, one branch railroad, and one interurban road, which gives access to North Texas.  Its civic progress is attested by 25 miles of paved streets and 100 miles of paved sidewalks.  Its industries are numerous and substantial.  Among the principal industries is that of the production and refining of petroleum oil.   Corsicana is called the Oil City, and here was discovered and opened the first oil field west of the Mississippi River.  Although this is the oldest oil field in the South, the production is still holding its own, and has been for the past twenty years.   The production of this field at present averages 40,000 barrels per month of high grade oil, and has induced the building of a million-dollar refinery here.  One of the largest cotton mills in the South is located here, and some thirty other manufacturing plants comprising nearly all kinds of manufactures.

Corsicana is a city of churches; all the denominations are represented, and all own handsome and commodious church buildings, which, with an $85,000 Y.M.C.A. building, evidences the moral and religious atmosphere of the city.

The educational facilities of Corsicana are unsurpassed.  A fine Carnegie Library, together with an up-to-date and efficient system of public free schools, of which our citizens are justly proud, the High School being affiliated with the State University.   The social life of Corsicana is highly developed.  Numerous clubs and societies, social and literary, afford ample means for the cultivation of the refinements of life.  The citizenship to a very degree is refined, cultivated and hospitable.

Corsicana Lodge No. 174, A. F. & A. M., with a present membership of 387, is the only Masonic Lodge in the city.  All the other fraternal orders are represented, and are flourishing.

The State Orphans' Home and the Odd Fellows Orphan's Home are both situated in the edge of the city.

Pg. 2 - The Different Masonic Lodge Rooms

The first Masonic Lodge ever held in Corsicana held its communications in a log building which stood about the middle of the block between Thirteenth and Fourteenth Streets on the north side of Second Avenue, and from this place it was moved to the second story of a wooden building called "The Academy," situated in the middle of the block between Second and Third Avenues, which stood just behind the present residence of Bro. J. M. Blanding, and the Lodge was called together by the ringing of the old-fashioned triangle.  Here Lodge No. 104 and its successor, Lodge No. 174, remained until the lodge room was moved to the second floor of the S. A. Pace building, at the corner of Beaton Street and Sixth Avenue.  This move was made in 1875, at which time the Lodge acquired the title to the second floor of the Pace building.  In 1886, the Lodge sold its holdings in the Pace building, and erected a two-story brick building on the east side of Beaton Street, between Sixth and Seventh  Avenues, where it remained domiciled in the second story of this building until the building was sold by the Lodge to Mr. W. H. Barth in 1898.  The Lodge then purchased the site of the present Masonic temple and began the erection of a four-story brick building thereon.  Until the completion of this building, the Lodge rented and occupied the second floor of a business house on the north side of Collin Street between Beaton and Eleventh Streets.  The present Lodge quarters, which occupy the third and fourth floors of the Masonic Temple, situated one door east of the corner of Eleventh street and Fifth Avenue on the north side of Fifth Avenue, are in facilities and equipment equal to any in the State.  This Lodge room contains a unique feature for conferring the Fellow Craft degree, being an actual winding stairway, consisting of three, five and seven steps, properly lettered, ascending back of the Senior Warden's station.  This arrangement is said to be the only one in the South.  The building is worth the sum of $30,000.00, and is fully paid for, and the Lodge has a good cash balance in the Treasury, which with Liberty Bonds amounts to about $6,000.00.  The Royal Arch Chapter No. 41, and Bertrand du Guesclin Commandery No. 14, K. T., by written agreement of the Blue Lodge, in consideration of funds furnished by these bodies for the building of the Temple, have perpetual quarters in the building, rent free.  The title to the property is vested in Corsicana Lodge No. 174, A. F. & A. M.  That the Masonic bodies have this valuable and commodious building is due in large measure to the foresight, energy and financial skill and ability of the Building Committee which had charge of the location and construction of this building, which committee was composed of Brothers Chas. H. Allyn, A. Harris, S. W. Johnson, W. A. Polk, F. C. Hand, and Jno. H. Rice.

Pg. 3 - Brief Mention of Some Notable Brethren of this Lodge Who Have Passed to Their Reward

In addition to several distinguished men and Masons who have been mentioned in the early history of the Lodge, under a head of "A Leaf From The Past," among others, there may be called to mind Brother Samuel Harris Kerr, who moved to Corsicana from Tennessee in the early fifties, and from the very first was prominently identified with this Lodge during his long life.  Bro. S. H. Kerr was County Clerk of this (Navarro) county for eighteen successive years and was honored and loved by a very large circle of friends, both in and out of the Lodge.  He was Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1874 and 1875, and was a very zealous and bright Mason, illustrating in his daily lift the principles and tenets of Freemasonry as fully as it is possible for human nature to do.  He was a sincere Christian gentleman of the sweetest spirit and manners, and his blameless and pure life abides with the Lodge and community as a benison.

Bro. Eldred J. Simkins came to Corsicana from Florida in 1870 and at once affiliated with this Lodge.  He was Worshipful Master in 1885 and 1886, and was a regular attendant as long as he lived.  Soon after he came to Texas he was elected District Attorney of the Thirteenth Judicial District.  At that time affairs were in a formative state, and there was much lawlessness.  Brother Simkins made an enviable reputation as a vigorous and fearless prosecuting officer and contributed very largely to the establishment of law and order in this and the surrounding counties.  He was elected to the bench of the Court of Criminal Appeals, where he greatly distinguished himself, as he was an able and profound lawyer.  He was probably one of the best educated men in the State, and an original thinker.  He was a recognized power in the Grand Lodge of Texas.

No history of this lodge would be complete without mention of Bro. Chas. H. Allyn, who at the time of his death was spoken of as "the first citizen of Corsicana."   He never held office in the Lodge, but for three terms was Eminent Commander of Bertrand du Guesclin Commandery No. 14, K. T.  For many years he was a prominent grocery merchant of Corsicana, and to write the history of Corsicana is but to write the history of the life and services of Bro. Chas. H. Allyn.  He was identified with the Lodge from 1873 until his death, and the Lodge relied on him as its financial and business adviser.  Born in the State of New York, he came to Corsicana in 1873 from New Orleans, La. A polished gentleman and broad-minded business man, with a heart overflowing with the milk of human kindness, he was prominently identified and led in every civic improvement, and in movement for the material and moral uplift of his adopted city and county.

Bro. William A. Polk came to Navarro County from Tennessee.  He was of the same family as President Jas. K. Polk, and was a typical old-fashioned Southern gentleman.   He was first a member of  the old Dresden Lodge demised, and affiliated with this Lodge when he moved from his country place into the city.  Brother Polk was elected Worshipful Master of this Lodge four times, in 1890, 1891, 1892, and 1896.   His son, Edwin M. Polk, filled the same office in 1916.

Bro. Joshua L. Halbert was one of the early members of this Lodge, and the high esteem in which he was held by the Craft is shown by the fact that he held the office of Worshipful Master six times, in 1858, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865.  It will be noted that this time embraced the period of the war between the States, and during that conflict Captain Halbert was a gallant Confederate soldier in the field.  He was a prominent lawyer at the early Corsicana bar, a man of sterling character whose memory lingers fragrant to this day in this community, for all that was high-minded and good.

Pg. 5 - The Early History of the Lodge

It is somewhat difficult to give a particular history of the early days of the lodge, owing to the lack of consecutive early records, some of which are missing.  The writer is convinced that he can not do better than to adopt the report made to this Lodge in June, 1915, by our lamented Bro. R. S. Neblett, deceased.  Brother Neblett made an exhaustive research of our own records, and in addition spent several days in going over and copying the records of Lodges No. 104 and 174, in the office of the Grand Secretary at Waco.  The results of his investigation were embodied in his report, above mentioned, under the title of "A Leaf from the Past."  The writer recently spent several days in the office of the Grand Secretary and verified all the records quoted by Brother Neblet in "A Leaf From the Past"

Pg. 6 - A Leaf From the Past

Believing that the Lodge will be interested not only in the early history of this Lodge, but in early Masonry in Navarro County, I have looked into the records of the Grand Lodge and find many interesting facts.  I have also reached the conclusion, in fact I know, that one of our important records is missing.  I have seen the record which contains a great portion of the minutes of Lodge No. 104, when it was working under dispensation before it was chartered.  I have also seen the recorded minutes of Corsicana Lodge under dispensation, and the early records after it was chartered.  I trust that each member of the Lodge will feel it his duty to make search for the lost record.

On January 29, 1852, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas met in Austin.  On the 21st of January, 1852, Brother E. L. Tarrant, then Deputy District Grand Master of the Fourth Masonic District, embracing the territory of Navarro County, in his report made the following statement:

"I have granted dispensation for a new lodge at the town of Corsicana in Navarro County, and owing to the great distance which that portion of the county was from a Lodge, and that there were but few Masons there, I was forced to grant a number of dispensations for the conferring of the several degrees, the fees for which were left with the Secretary, and owing to the sickness of its Master, returns of said Lodge have not been returned to the Grand Lodge.  I therefore recommend that their dispensation be continued for another year.

On the 29th day of December, 1851, James M. Riggs, Secretary Pro Tem, certified to the returns from Corsicana Lodge under dispensation as follows:

Copies of Records respecting Corsicana Lodge No. 174, A. F. & A. M., under dispensation before Lodge 104, and after Lodge 104.

"I, James M. Riggs, Secretary Pro Tem of the Corsicana Lodge U. D., organized the 28th day of May, A. D. 1851, A. L. 5851, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a correct and true return of the matters and things therein set forth.

Given under my hand and seal (using private seal, there being no Lodge seal) at Corsicana, Navarro County, Texas, the 29th day of December A. D. 1851.

JAMES M. RIGGS
Sec'y. Pro Tem

The officers reported were as follows:

G. L. Martin, W. M.
W. M. Love, S. W.
B. D. Gerrold, J. W.
Jacob Eliot, Treasurer
Ethan Melton, Secretary
N. M. Burford, S. D.
J. H. Reagan, J. D.

Members reported as follows:
Past Master, G. L. Martin
C. M. Winkler, Wm. J. Ladd, Wm. F. Henderson, Wm. L. Browing, Wm. H. Morrell, Lucien L. Bartlett, Jno. M. Morrell, James M. Riggs, Jno. C. Bartlett, Alexander Beaton, Thos L. Burkhead, David R. Mitchell, Wm. J. Stokes, Radford Ellis, Wm. P. Wood, Jas. B. Barry, Berry L. Ham, Jas. D. Cyrus, Daniel B. Hartzell, James Maulding, Hampton McKinney, Benjamin W. Taylor.

Fellow Masons:
Jas. L. Carruthers, Adam M. Byers, Fielding L. Smithy, James Moody, William Richie, T. W. Goodwin, William Croft.

Entered Apprentice Masons:
Robert N. White, Nathaniel H. Carroll, James Bryant, John Treadwell, James A. Johnson, Wm. M. McCabe, Cornelius Vernoy, James R. Porter.

It is therefore certain, combining the two statements, report of the Deputy District Grand Master, and the certificate of Brother J. M. Riggs, Secretary Pro Tem, that the first Masonic Lodge that ever met in Corsicana assembled under dispensationship on the 28th day of May, 1851, and the membership is stated above.

It is not without pride that I point to the fact that David R. Mitchell appears, according to the records, to have been a Mason and a member of Corsicana Lodge Lodge No. 104 as early as 1851.  His services to the county and the town of Corsicana are well known.  It was he who deeded 100 acres of land in the location of the county seat for a town site, the courthouse square, as now located, being the center of the land and the adjoining lots being used for county seat purposes.  In recent years, I am glad to say, a modest monument was erected by the City of Corsicana to mark his grave in Oakwood Cemetery.

We all knew and know of many members of Corsicana Lodge who have passed away, and I do not mean to minimize the services of any one of them as Masons and as good citizens to the community in which they lived, by mentioning by name the few mentioned in this report.   I think it would be a beautiful tribute if we should at some suitable time organize a Lodge of Sorrows and give expressions of our appreciation of the many brethren who have fallen beneath the all-devouring scythe of the grim reaper,

"Who with his sickle keen,
Reaps the bearded grain at a breath,
And the flowers that grow between."

I also find from the records of the Grand Lodge a petition for a charter, which petition is without date, and is as follows:

Pg. 9 - Petition for New Lodge, 104

"To the Most Worshipful Grand Master and Wardens of the Grand Lodge of the State of Texas:  The petition of the undersigned members of Corsicana Lodge U. D. would respectfully represent that the Lodge of which they are members held their first communication on the ____ day of May, A. D. 1851, under dispensation granted by Brother Tarrant, D. D., Grand Master of the State, and was then organized by him, and he has since said organization presided at our second communication and superintended the work of said Lodge.

They would further represent that a transcript of the work of said Lodge was being prepared by the Worshipful Master, G. L. Martin, for the inspection of your honorable body, and while engaged upon the same was suddenly stricken down by an attack of dangerous sickness which has confined him to his bed ever since.  He is now, in consequence, utterly unable to complete said transcript, which, together with the incompetency of the other members of said Lodge caused by inexperience, to complete the transcript already commenced by said Worshipful Master, your petitioners find to their regret it cannot be made out and forwarded in time for the inspection of your Honorable body.

Your petitioners will further show that the members of said Lodge have expended a considerable sum of money in the erection of a commodious hall for the use and benefit of the craft, and have in various ways made many sacrifices to advance the prosperity of the institution since becoming members thereof, and to which they are each and all devotedly attached.

Your Petitioners would further show that during the existence of their dispensation they were governed by the by-laws of the Springfield Lodge, and that they held their regular communications on the Saturday before the last Monday in each month.

Your Petitioners would further show that the circumstances of their case, as heretofore set forth, prevent them from ascertaining precisely the number of institutions, passings and raisings since the opening of  the order and the fees due to the Grand Lodge thereon, but they believe that the some of $33.00 as a tender to your Honorable Body will cover the amount so received, subject to a correction hereafter when the exact amount is ascertained.  They also make a tender of the further sum of $25.00, price of a charter, should your Honorable Body see fit to grand one.

At the last regular communication of the Lodge the following named officers were elected for the present year:
G. L. Martin, W. M.
B. D. Gerrold, S. W.
C. M. Winkler, J. W.
Alec Beaton, Secretary
James M. Riggs, Treasurer.

Wherefore your petitioners pray, the peculiar circumstances under which they are placed being considered, that Your Honorable Body would grant a charter to Corsicana Lodge No. ____, with power as usual in such cases to conduct said Lodge, and when the transcript, aforesaid is completed the same will be forwarded to the Grand Secretary, and in duty bound will ever pray.

WM. F. HENDERSON, M.M.
HAMPTON McKINNEY, W.M.
JOHN MORRELL, M.M.
ALEC. BEATON, M.M.
W. H. MORRELL, M.M.
JAS. R. ARMSTRONG, M.M.

On the 4th day of January, 1852, I find the following report from Brother C. A. Evarts, which was adopted by the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Wardens and members of the Grand Lodge of the State of Texas:
"The Committee on Petitions have had the petition of Corsicana Lodge praying for the charter to issue to it under consideration, it appears from the petition of said Lodge that owing to the sudden sickness of the Master of the Lodge, it has failed to send up it returns, but sent up the sum of $25.00 for its charter.  Your committee, in view of all the premises and under the precedent of the Grand Lodge in the case of Ionia Lodge, respectfully recommend charter to issue. 
Respectfully, C.A. EVEARTS."

It is quite evident that the report I have just quoted has reference to the petition asking for charter, which is inserted above. I have been unable to find any record of the Charter of Corsicana Lodge No. 104, but evidently it must have issued in January, 1852, or soon thereafter.

Pg. 11 - The Lodge Complimented

On the 17th of January, 1853, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas met at the Masonic Lodge of Milam Lodge No. 3 in the City of Nacogdoches.  The proceedings of which, to which I have access, do not disclose who represented Corsicana Lodge 104 in that grand body, if any one; but on the 18th of January, 1853, the Committee on Returns of Chartered Lodges reported that they examined the returns of Corsicana Lodge No. 104, together with other Lodges, and made the following complimentary statement with reference to Corsicana Lodge:

"The returns of Corsicana Lodge are made out with most extraordinary neatness and accuracy and reflect great credit on so young a Lodge and its Secretary."

At the same communication of the Grand Lodge the by-laws of the Corsicana Lodge were passed on and approved, except that two words were stricken out.  The word "work" was eliminated from the preamble, and in Article 7, Sec. 4, the word "honorable" was stricken out.  This last word was used with reference to some title of distinction, whereas, Masonry teaches, we are upon the level, and the word brother should be used as the appropriate Masonic term.  However, notwithstanding the favorable condition under which the Lodge was organized and the neatness and accuracy of its work, it seems it was lacking in that cement of brotherly love and affection which unites us into one sacred band or society of friends and brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, but that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who can best work and best agree.

On the 16th day of January, 1854, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge met at the Masonic hall of Euclid Lodge No. 45, in the town of Rusk, Cherokee County.  Brother Francis L. Barziza was then Deputy District Grand Master of the 13th Masonic District embracing the territory of Navarro County.  On the 19th of January, in making his report, he had this to say respecting Corsicana Lodge No. 104.

"There was much difficulty among the brethren of Corsicana Lodge, which injured the fraternity in that section and came very near disorganizing the same; and I have no doubt if any attempt had been made to investigate the conduct of the brethren of said Lodge it would have led to the most serious consequences.  But I am happy to say by mild and pacific course the unfortunate difficulties have been reconciled, and the Lodge up to the 27th of December last was working in peace and harmony.

A difficulty has occurred between two of the brethren since that time which will be adjusted by prompt action of the Lodge.  Charges will be preferred against the brethren and they will doubtless be punished, as they should be, for any violation of their duty as Masons."

On the 15th of January, 1855, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge met in the City  of San Antonio in Alamo Lodge No. 44.  Brother F. L. Barziza again represented the 13th Masonic District, embracing the territory of Navarro County.  On that day his report was read, and it, together with a communication from Corsicana Lodge presented to the Grand Lodge, was referred to a special committee for consideration.  In the report Brother Barziza said respecting Corsicana Lodge, that he had suspended on the ________ day of December, 1854, Corsicana Lodge No. 104 for causes set forth in the charges annexed to his report.

I have been unable to find in the archives of the Grand Lodge the charges referred to in the report of the Deputy District Grand Master, but the report states that, in addition to the causes set forth for suspension, there was intense, bitter and malignant feeling existing between Masons residing in the jurisdiction of the Lodge and there was scarcely any hope of reconciliation.  He further stated that after deliberate investigation of the difficulties he had dismissed the Lodge, and further stated that coercive means could not be resorted to by these brethren who were disposed to walk up to their duty as Masons and prefer charges and punish the offenders without rendering their personal safety by so doing dangerous.  He further reported that sanctified spirits, urbanity, pretended courtesy and Masonic faith floated over the Lodge, but no sooner is the communication closed than the same spirit mediates and puts in motion malignant plans to promote personal aggrandizement and cherish party resentments and animosities.  No Lodge of Masons can exist with such materials.

The committee to whom the report of Brother Barziza and the petition from Corsicana Lodge was referred, reported in substance, that the action of Brother Barziza in suspending the Lodge and withdrawing its charter was in excess of the authority of the Deputy District Grand Master.  But the committee further reported that the conduct of the Lodge was such that the Grand Lodge should arrest the charter, and accordingly the following resolution was adopted:

"That the Grand Lodge of Texas now in session, arrest the charter of Corsicana Lodge No. 104, said Lodge having been derelict in its duty in failing to prefer charges against some of its members for gross un-Masonic conduct."

"That all Masons heretofore residing within the jurisdiction of Corsicana Lodge No. 104 are under the jurisdiction of the nearest working Lodge to where they may respectively reside, and that express power and authority are hereby delegated to such Lodges to prefer charges against any person formerly a member of Corsicana Lodge No. 104, and try the same, if necessary, for any un-Masonic conduct that they or any of them may have heretofore been guilty of, and for which they have not already been tried."

Illustrating and showing how the spirit of Masonry prevailed at that time, the records of the Grand Lodge disclose that Brothers W. A. Oakes and W. F. Henderson from Corsicana Lodge No. 104, were in attendance on the Grand Lodge in San Antonio; and they further disclosed that Brother W. A. Oakes was Grand Standard Bearer in that Grand Annual Communication.  The Grand Lodge passed a resolution authorizing the expenses of Brothers Oakes and Henderson, members of old Corsicana Lodge No. 104, to be paid out of the funds and property of said Lodge.  It is evident that these brethren were surrounded with difficulties in attending that Grand Lodge Annual Communication.   Private conveyances or stage coach were the only means offered for reaching San Antonio, which was at a distance of some three hundred miles from Corsicana, requiring six or eight days to make the trip to that city, and the same length of time to return.   This evidences the fact that Masonry must have been held in high esteem among the Masonic fraternity in Corsicana.

Thus it is shown that Corsicana Lodge No. 104 was organized and set to work under dispensation on the 28th of May, 1851; that its charter was arrested in December, 1854, and that in January, 1855, the action of the Deputy District Grand Master was declared illegal, but that the causes existed that authorized the arrest of its charter, and accordingly the charter was withdrawn, and Corsicana Lodge No. 104 passed out of existence.

The following extract taken from the Minutes of the Grand Lodge sows the officers and members of Corsicana Lodge 104 when it demised.

Corsicana Lodge No. 104 was chartered in 1852.  The Lodge forfeited its charter in 1855.  The last return of that Lodge showed the following officers and members:

Officers:
G. L. Williams, W. M.
Clinton M. Winkler, S. W.
James M. Riggs, J. W.
W. F. Henderson, Treasurer
W. L. Browning, Secretary
James Maulding, S. D.
J. G. Cox, J. D.
Joseph C. Bartlett, S. S.
William Hamilton, J. S.
James B. Barry, Tyler

Members:
G. L. Martin, Ethan Melton, John H. Reagan, Alexander Beaton, Lucian L. Bartlett, W. J. Stokes, Berry L. Ham, Radford Ellis, Hampton McKinney, B. D. Gerrold, William Croft, B. J. Fortson, W. L. Bundy, Robert R. Jackson, James L. Carruthers, M. Allan, N. N. Burford, Jacob Elliot, W. H. Morrell, John M. Morrell, David R. Mitchell, W. P. Wood, Jas. D. Cyrus, Daniel B. Hartzell, W. M. Love, James Hamilton, Malcolm Johnson, Joseph White, F. L. Smithy, William Richie, Henry B. Kathe, N. H. Carroll.

It will be observed that this is the first instance in which the powers of the Deputy District Grand Master were defined.  This appears in the records of the Grand Lodge respecting Corsicana Lodge No. 104.  It will also be observed from the report of the committee and the proceedings of the Grand Lodge that members of Corsicana Lodge No. 104 were placed under the jurisdiction of the nearest Lodge.  Accordingly we find Brother Roger Q. Mills affiliated with Quitman Lodge No. 122 at Chatfield Point, and that Brother C. M. Winkler also affiliated with that Lodge, and these brethren afterwards visited Corsicana Lodge, reorganized under dispensation after the forfeiture of its charter.   This is also noted in the minutes of the Grand Lodge of Texas.

In April, 1855, Brother W. E. Oakes wrote the following letter or communication to Brother E. B. Nichols, Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas:

"Dear General:
You received petition from nine brethren for a dispensation to open a Lodge of Master Masons at this place.  I take great pleasure in assuring you that these brethren are good Masons and entirely free of prejudice on account of our former difficulties at this Lodge.  I also have full faith in their ability to govern a Lodge here in the right way.
I hope you will also grant them the privilege of holding their Lodge in our former Lodge room.
I hope to have the pleasure of meeting you in Galveston next winter.  Yours fraternally,
W. E. OAKES.,
Corsicana April 10th, 1855 "

Accompanying this letter was a petition from nine Brother Masons, all of whom had been members of Corsicana Lodge No. 104, which petition is as follows:
To the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Texas:  
We, the undersigned, being regular Master Masons, formerly members of the Lodge mentioned against our names, and at this time not members of any Lodge, pray for dispensation empowering us to meet as a regular Lodge at Corsicana, to be called Corsicana Lodge, and there discharge the duties of Masonry in a constitutional manner according to the powers of the Order and the rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge.  And we have nominated and do recommend Brother Bethel D. Gerrold to be First Master; Brother Samuel H. Kerr to be First Senior warden, and Brother Alexander Beaton to be First Junior Warden of said Lodge.

The prayer of this petition being granted, we promise strict conformity to the ancient landmarks of the Order and the rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge.
(Signed)
B. D. Gerrold, Corsicana Lodge No. 104.
Samuel H. Kerr, Corsicana Lodge No. 104
Alexander Beaton, Corsicana Lodge No. 104
James M. Riggs, Corsicana Lodge No. 104
J. L. Loughridge, Corsicana Lodge No. 104
A. M. Byers, Corsicana Lodge No. 104
H. McKinney, Corsicana Lodge No. 104
F. L. Smithey, Corsicana Lodge No. 104
Dan Donaldson, Corsicana Lodge No. 104

Pg. 17 - Recommendation

At a meeting of Quitman Lodge, No 122, held at old Chatfield Point on the 7th day of April 1855, A. L. 5855, on motion made and seconded, resolved that the above petition be recommended to the favorable consideration of the Most Worshipful Grand Master.
B. J. FORTSON, W. M.
GEORGE M. HOGAN

This petition for dispensation was granted on the 22nd day of April, 1855, and the following is a copy of such dispensation:
"In the Name and by the Authority of the Grand Lodge of Texas:

WHEREAS, a petition has been presented to me by some of the brethren, to-wit: Brothers B. D. Gerrold, Samuel H. Kerr, Alexander Beaton, James M. Riggs, J. L. Loughridge, W. N. Byers, H. McKinney, F. L. Smithey and Dan Donaldson, residing at Corsicana in the County of Navarro, State of Texas, praying to be congregated into a regular Lodge and promising to write in their pages the ancient usages and landmarks of the Order and the laws of the Grand Lodge; and,

WHEREAS, such petitioners have been recommended to me as Master Masons in good standing by the Master, Wardens and brethren of Quitman Lodge under our jurisdiction, therefore, I, E.B. Nichols, Grand Master of the M. W. Grand Lodge of Texas, reposing full confidence in the recommendation aforesaid, and in the Masonic integrity of all of the petitioners, do by virtue of the authority in me vested, hereby grant this dispensation empowering and authorizing our trusted and well beloved brethren, aforesaid, to form and open a Lodge after the manner of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons therein admitting many of our Masons according to the ancient custom, not otherwise,to be named Corsicana Lodge.  This dispensation to continue in full force until the next Annual Communication of our Grand Lodge, aforesaid, unless sooner revoked by constitutional authority.

I hereby appoint Brother Bethel D. Gerrold to be First Master, Brother Samuel H. Kerr to be first Senior Warden and Brother Alexander Beaton to be first Junior Warden of said Lodge, and it shall be their duty and they are hereby required to return this dispensation with correct manuscript of all proceedings had under authority of the same, together with attested copy of by-laws adopted, to our Grand Lodge, aforesaid, at the expiration of the time herein specified, for examination and for such further action in the premises as shall then be deemed wise and proper.

Given under my seal and authority of the Grand Lodge at Galveston, this the 21st A. D. 1855k, A. L. 5855.
E. B. NICHOLS,
Grand Master"

I believe there is now now living a single member to whom this dispensation was granted in 1855..

In 1855, Brother D. M. Pendergast was the Deputy District Grand Master for the Thirteenth Masonic District, embracing the territory of Navarro County.  On the 21st of January, 1856, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas met in Masonic Harmony Lodge No. 6, in the city of Galveston, and on that date Brother Pendergast made his report, and among other matters spoke of Corsicana Lodge as follows:

That a dispensation was granted for a new Lodge at Corsicana soon after the adjournment of the last Grand Lodge, and the propriety of setting the Lodge to work was referred to him; that at first he felt not inclined to set the Lodge at work, but after making general inquiry he reached the conclusion that those to whom the dispensation was granted were not responsible for the trouble in the old Lodge and that he believed them to be "good men and true," and that they would steer clear of the rock on which the old Lodge had split, and consented to set them to work; that he took into consideration the distance that Corsicana was from any other Lodge and that unless they were set to work many good Masons would be deprived of the benefits of Masonry; that the duty of setting the Lodge to work was performed by Brother F. L. Barziza.  He reported that the Lodge was doing well and that the Master was in attendance on the Grand Lodge.

The following is a copy of the minutes for the Grand Lodge showing when the Corsicana Lodge was set to work, the officers of the Lodge, etx.

Copy of the Minutes of Corsicana Lodge, U. D. for Inspection of the Grand Lodge.

Corsicana, Texas, June 1st, 1855.

Corsicana Lodge A. F. & A. M. U. D.

In accordance with the dispensation granted by E. B. Nichols, Grand Master of the W. M.Grand Lodge, of Texas, authorizing Brother B. D. Gerrold, Sam H. Kerr, Alexander Beaton, James M. Riggs, A. N. Byers, H. McKinney, F. L. Smithy, Dan Donaldson, residing at Corsicana to form and open a Lodge after the manner of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Brother D. M. Prendergast, District Deputy G. M., proceeded to call the brethren together for the purpose of opening and forming a Lodge, Brother W. F. Henderson being in attendance as a visiting brother.

After an impressive charge by  Brother Barziza, the following named brethren were appointed to fill the offices below specified until the next annual communication of the Grand Lodge, the first three having received their appointment from Brother C. B. Nichols:

B. D. Gerrold, W. M.
Sam H. Kerr, S. W.
Alexander Beaton, J. W.
Dan Donaldson, Secretary
H. McKinney, Treasurer
J. M. Riggs, S. D.
A. N. Byers, J. D.
F. L. Smithey, Tyler

The by-laws of Quitman Lodge No. 122 were then adopted for the government of this Lodge until the meeting of the Grand Lodge.  It was then resolved that the stated meetings of the Lodge.  It was then resolved that the stated meetings of the Lodge be held on the Saturday night preceding the full moon in each month.
The lodge was then closed in due form.
DAN DONALDSON, Secretary.

It thus appears that this Lodge was organized under dispensation on the 1st day of June, 1855.

On January 1856, the Grand Lodge met in Galveston, and as near as I can ascertain from the records, about the 21st day of January, 1856, the Committee on Lodges Under Dispensation recommended that the charter issue to Corsicana Lodge, and thereafter on the _____ day of January, 1856, the charter issued.

It would be of interest, I believe, to familiarize this Lodge not only with the work as Masons of our brethren who have long since been numbered among the dead, and to note the high position which many of them attained in business affairs, government stations and the private walks of life.  It has furnished many men who have attained high positions in the State.  It will be seen that Brother John Reagan was Junior Deacon of Corsicana Lodge under dispensation, which afterwards became Lodge No. 104, in 1851.   At that time, I think he was residing at what is now the town of Trinidad in Henderson County, and with others was attempting to establish a city which was supposed to be at the head of navigation of Trinity River.  His career is known to us all.   He was not only a member of Congress before the war, but was a member of the Secession Convention in 1861, Postmaster General under Confederate Government , and when he died about ten years ago was the last surviving member of the Confederate cabinet.   He was after the war a member of the United States Senate and afterwards Railroad Commissioner

Texas furnished ninety-seven colonels in the Confederate war; two of these were from Navarro County and from Corsicana Lodge, Brother C. M. Winkler and Brother Roger Q. Mills.   Brother Winkler afterwards became a member of the Criminal Court of Appeals and died in 1882 while on the bench.  He attained to the position of Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas.  Brother John B. Jones became Adjutant General of Texas, and likewise attained to the position of Grand Master of the State of Texas, and also reached the position of Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Texas.  Brother James Garitty also reached the high position of right Eminent Grand Commander of the Right Eminent Grand Commandery of Texas.  The career of Brother Q. Mills is known to us all.

It will be observed also that our ancient brethren did not hesitate to occupy whatever positions might be assigned them in Masonic work, it being noted that Brother Reagan was Junior Warden in 1854, and Brother Roger Q. Mills was Tyler of Corsicana Lodge No. 174, in 1860.  It is also to be noted that in 1857 Brother Roger Q. Mills contributed an opinion for the Committee on Grievances and Appeal in the Grand Lodge in which he pointed out and advocated the true method of taking appeals from subordinate Lodges to the Grand Lodge, and his suggestions became the law of the Grand Lodge and are in force today.

In addition to the troubles through which this Lodge passed in its early life, it had other troubles.  At a later date I find in the records of the Grand Lodge a letter from John B. Jones, who was then Deputy District Grand Master for the district embracing Navarro County, under date July 30, 1865, directed to R. W. G. H. Bringhurst, Secretary Grand Lodge, Houston:
Corsicana, Texas, July 30, 1865.
R. W. G. H. Bringhurst,
Secretary Grand Lodge, Houston.

Dear Sir and Brother:
Enclosed please find return of Corsicana Lodge 174 for the years 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864.   Also note of Brother Riggs for $53.80, amount of dues that is due the Grand Lodge for these years, including 50 cents back dues.
I authorized said Lodge to resume work.
Fraternally yours,
JOHN B. JONES,
D. D. Grand Master Thirteenth Masonic District.

It is evident from the above letter that the work and meetings of the Lodge had not been kept up nor proper reports made to the Grand Lodge, I also find in looking among the records of the Grand Lodge that several of the brethren who were in the Confederate Service were paying their dues in Confederate States money.  Later the minutes of the Lodge disclose that the Lodge was in trouble again.  From page 22 and 23 of the Proceedings of the Forty-eighth Annual Communication of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas, December 11, 1883, I quote the following from the report of Worshipful Grand Master Charles Stewart:
"On February 11, 1883, on the streets of Corsicana, Texas, two Master Masons - one a member of Corsicana Lodge, the other demitted from said Lodge - engaged in a personal difficulty and fight, cutting at and striking each other until separated by parties standing near.  After R. W. Brother Allen had several times called the attention of the proper officers of said Lodge to the fact that the negligence of the Lodge to arraign the brethren who had been guilty of so gross an offense against Masonry, and to investigate the case and properly discipline the offenders, would cause the arrest of the charter, charges were finally preferred at the stated Communication on Saturday, May 18, 1883, and Saturday, June 9th, was appointed to investigate and dispose of said case.   When the time (June 9) arrived there was no meeting of the Lodge, and hence no investigation was then had.  At the next stated Communication of the Lodge, R. W. Brother Allen was present and finding that the Lodge was about to close without mentioning the case at all, he called the Worshipful Master's attention to the fact that the case had been passed by without notice, and the W. M. then appointed Saturday, the 7th day of July to dispose of it, and when that time arrived there was again no meeting of the Lodge.   At the next stated meeting of the Lodge, which occurred August 18, no disposition was made of the case and the Lodge closed without appointing a time to investigate it.

From this statement it appears that the fight occurred on the 11th of February A. D., 1883, and no notice was taken by the Lodge until the 10th day of May thereafter, a period of more than three months, and it would seem that no notice would have been taken of it at all but for the threat of the suspension of the charter of said Lodge made to its officers by the R. W. District Deputy Grand Master.

It also appears that two distinct periods, to-wit, June 9, and the 7th of July, were appointed for investigation of the case and that at both appointed days there was no meeting of the Lodge, and that finally on the 18th of August the Lodge closed without action in regard to the case, and without fixing any time for its investigation and disposition.

More than three months elapsed before charges were preferred, and more than six months had passed without effort on the part of the Lodge to bring the accused to trial.   Upon learning these facts I wrote to the D. D. G. M. asking if there was any good cause for this delay on the part of the Lodge, and I was informed that there was none, and that no proper excuse could be made for the conduct of the Lodge.

The facts as stated forced the conclusion on my mind that there was an entire absence of desire on the part of Corsicana Lodge No. 174 to enforce discipline and to maintain the character and usefulness of Masonry, and thus believing, I on the 15th day of September, 1883, directed the R. W. John A. Allen, D. D. G. M. of the Eighteenth District, to arrest the charter of said Corsicana Lodge No. 174, which order was duly executed by him on the 22nd day of September, 1883"

The report of the Grand Master was referred to the usual committee and that committee reported the following resolution, which was adopted:

"To the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas:
Your Committee on Petitions beg leave to report that we have had referred to us the petition of the officers and fifty-six members of Corsicana Lodge No. 174, for the restoration of their charter.  The charter of the Lodge was arrested by our M. W. G. M., Brother Chas. Stewart, for want of diligence in enforcing discipline.  Your committee has fully considered the facts as reported by our M. W. Grand Master in his annual address and also the petition from the members of Corsicana Lodge.  The Grand Master based his action upon the information furnished by R. W. Brother J. A. Allen, D. D. Grand Master of the Eighteenth District, and upon his statement arrested the charter of the Lodge.  The petitioners, on the other hand, state that their delay in enforcing discipline was owing to a chain of unfortunate events and circumstances, over which they had no control, and are evidently suffering from what they regard as a too severe discipline.

After a careful examination of the facts, your committee believe that the Lodge has been severely punished, and that her petition for restoration should be granted.   Your committee recommend the adoption of the following resolution:
Resolved: That the charter of Corsicana lodge No. 174 be restored.  Fraternally submitted, J. N. P. CRAMER, For Committee."

In the proceedings of the Grand Lodge held at Houston in 1884 I find the following:

"R. W. John A. Allen, in compliance with his instructions, arrested the charter of Corsicana Lodge No. 174 because it had not maintained the character and usefulness of Masonry through a neglect in enforcing discipline.
Page 109 of last year's proceedings show that the Grand Lode ordered the charter to be restored.  R. W. Bro. Allen addressed me on December 25: " I returned home a few days since to find my house, office, furniture, books, papers, clothing, in fact, all my possession, consumed by fire, the work of an incendiary, and with them the charter of our Lodge, which in obedience of Grand Master Stewart, I held in my possession subject to the order of the Grand Lodge.  Under such circumstance we can, of course, have no meeting without a permit from you.  As no one was to blame for its loss but the scoundrel who fired the house, I trust you will not hesitate to issue us the necessary dispensation."

R. W. R. M. Love, D. D. G. M., after a visit to Corsicana, indorsed the petition of the Worshipful Master favorably and returned it to me.  I at once issued a dispensation to Corsicana Lodge No. 174, to resume labor and sent it to the D. D. G. M. R. W.   Brother R. M. Love on the 21st of January.  On the 1st of February he set the Lodge to work, and reports:
"The meeting was pleasant, and I hope one of profit to the Lodge, all of them that were present expressing their gratitude for the promptness with which they obtained authority to continued work, and from the expressions given by the members, to work for the peace and harmony of their Lodge, we have good ground to look for them to move off in good order."

At the same session of the Grand Lodge the committee above referred to reported as follows:
"The petition of twenty-three Master Masons of Corsicana Lodge No. 174 represents that the charter of their Lodge was arrested and taken from them by Brother J. A. Allen, then District Deputy Grand Master, in September, 1883, and was ordered restored to them by the Grand Lodge at the last Annual Communication, but that Brother Allen has failed to comply with the resolution adopted by the Grand Lodge and has never returned the charter.   The brethren, failing to get their charter, asked for and obtained a dispensation from the Grand Master, under which the Lodge is acting at this time.  It will be remembered that a resolution was adopted at the last Grand Communication restoring the charter of Corsicana Lodge, but it seems that the act of restoration has failed, and we recommend the adoption of the following resolution:
Resolved:  That a duplicate charter be granted Corsicana Lodge No. 174 free of Charge."

The minutes of the Lodge on the 16th of February, 1884, disclose that Brother E. E. Dunn was refunded the sum of $62.00, Grand Lodge dues which had been advanced by him.

Below is given the name of every man who was ever a member of Corsicana Lodge No. 104, and of Corsicana Lodge No. 174.

Pg. 27 - Members of Corsicana Lodge No 104

Pg. 28 - Members of Corsicana Lodge No 174 [note: book has another short list after the first]

Pg. 37 - Worshipful Master of Corsicana Lodge No. 104, A. F. & A. M., and Corsicana Lodge No. 174, A. F. & A. M., with the years in which they served

Pg. 39 - Other Masonic Bodies in Navarro County

In addition to this Lodge, there are the following other Masonic bodies in Corsicana and Navarro County, viz.;

Bertrand du Guesclin Commandery No. 14, K. T., stationed at Corsicana; chartered Feb 15, 1877, with a membership of 192.

Corsicana Chapter No. 41, Royal Arch Masons; chartered June 25, 1855, with a membership of 239.

Relief Lodge No 236, A. F. & A. M.; chartered June 16, 1859; located at Kerens, with a membership of 93.

Dawson Lodge No. 155; chartered Jan 18, 1855; located at Dawson, with a membership of 122.

Rice Lodge No 577, A. F. & A. M.; chartered Dec. 14, 1883, located at Rice, with a membership of 86.

Blooming Grove Lodge No. 497; chartered Dec. 14, 1878; located at Blooming Grove, with a membership of 100.

Halbert Lodge No 641, A. F. & A. M.; chartered Dec. 16, 1886; located at Frost, with a membership of 116.

Richland Lodge No. 809; chartered Dec 10, 1897; located at Richland, with a membership of 65.

Winkler Lodge No. 826; chartered Dec 6, 1898; located at Winkler, with a membership of 54.

Barry Lodge No 839, A. F. & A. M.; chartered Dec. 16, 1900; located at Barry, with a membership of 68.

Eureka Lodge No. 1060; chartered Dec. 5, 1912; located at Eureka, with a membership of 60.

All of the above named Lodges are in the One Hundred and Tenth Masonic District.

Blooming Grove Chapter No. 235, R. A. M., located at Blooming Grove.

Pg. 40 - Certificate Men

Since 1904 the following named members of this Lodge have been granted certificates of proficiency, authorizing them to teach the work, viz.:

Pg. 40 to 41 - Report of Printing Committee

After the Lodge had accepted this history, it ordered the Printing Committee to prepare a brief sketch of Bro. J. H. rice and make it a part of the history.  Of course, Bro. Rice has mentioned a number of prominent members of the Lodge, but all of them are deceased; the Lodge doesn't regard Bro. Rice as a "dead one" by any means, but it wants him mentioned.  Possibly the brethren think somebody may be called to account for the history, and they want his guilt thoroughly established.

Bro. John Holt Rice was born in Virginia.   His father and both grandfathers were Presbyterian preachers, and he has not departed from their faith.  After taking a classical education, he studied law, moved to Texas and has been an honored member of the Corsicana bar for two-score years, ten years of which he served as County Judge, several years as a member of the School Board, and he has always worked for the educational moral and spiritual betterment of the city and county.   His reputation as a land title expert is such that many people of this county will not be perfectly satisfied with their home in Heaven unless Judge Rice passes on the title in advance.

Masonically, he is considered Corsicana's most faithful member.  Two weeks after he entered his thirty-third year, he was initiated, receiving the symbolic degrees in 1885 on Aug, 15, October 20 and November 25.  He was Junior Warden in 1886, Master in '87 and '88, a member of Grievances and Appeal Committee No. 3 in '87, its chairman in '91; on Committee No. 1 in '88 and '96; was chairman of Committee No. 2 on Petitions in '97, and District Deputy Grand Master in 1891 and '92.  He also served the Lodge as Treasurer in '94, '95 and '96, and as Secretary in '97 and '98.

He was exalted to the Royal Arch degrees on Feb. 26, 1892, and soon afterward received the Orders of Knighthood, passing all the chairs in due time and being the first Thrice Illustrious Master in 1907 when the Council was made a separate body.  Valuable in all the bodies, the Commandery could not have survived without him; for years, he has been considered its most learned, most active, most zealous and most valuable member.
SAM J. HELM,
For the Committee

1909 Corsicana Lodge Receipt

From the Collection of Edward L. Williams

June 24, 1909 Lodge Receipt of John H. Rice