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The history of Nevada mining begins with the invasion of territory by a
band of Mormons sent out by Brigham Young in early months of the year 1850 to
effect a settlement in the country adjacent to the Truckee river and on the
Trail which wound its tortuous course across the rugged slopes of the Sierra
mountains in California.
After days of harassing experiences and heartbreaking adventures they
penetrated the Valley of the Truckee, and made camp, the location afterwards
becoming known as Ragtown. From this base they gradually extended their
operations, some penetrating the adjacent hills and mountains in search of gold,
others selecting promising locations along the grass-covered banks of the river
where they eventually developed valuable agricultural tracts.
Those who ventured into the mountains soon decided that the rocky slopes
were barren of mineral values and turned their attention to the mountain streams
in the hope that they might be successfully panned for gold. After days of
discouraging search they reached a spot near which the present town of Dayton is
located, and entered the mouth of what they named "Gold Canyon" where the first
recorded discovery of gold in Nevada was made. The amount of gold panned was
negligible, but with dogged persistency characteristic of their sect, they
continued to pan only miserly returns, for months unmindful of the fabulous
wealth which lay just ahead of them, beneath the windswept slopes of Sun Peak
mountain, which, within the next decade was to astound the mining world with its
richness, and from whose subterranean depths would issue a flow of wealth,
compared to which the yield from the fabled mines of Solomon, King of Israel,
would be a mere pittance.
The years passed by; occasionally the monotony of their existence was
relieved by the arrival of other caravans, pushing westward. The little band of
placer miners in Gold Canyon had been augmented by other arrivals and quite a
settlement had now been established at that point. But by far, most of the
travelers trekking along the trail, wended their way up the steep canyon,
sometimes stopping for the night at the foot of Sun Peak mountain at the spot
where later huge mining enterprises were to be established, and where a sizeable
city should be founded and where in a day in June, 1859, Peter O'Reilly and
Patrick McLaughlin cleaned their first rocker of rich ore, which topped the
deposits of the fabulous Ophir mine; and where, on the same day, Henry Paige
Comstock came riding by, and, sensing the value of the discovery, fraudulently
claimed all rights to the ground by reason of previous purchase, and made his
claim good. He later formed a company to work the claims, including Peter
O'Reilly, Patrick McLaughlin, Emanuel Penrod, Kentuck Osborne and James Finney,
or Old Virginia, and gave to this and surrounding district, the name "The
Comstock Lode," a name to be conjured with in mining history, embracing a
district which would become the arena of gigantic civic and industrial
activities; the spot from which would develop fierce personal and commercial
strife, involving millions in capital, creating Napoleons of finance and
developing mental and physical giants among whom loom the names of Wm. A.
Stewart, afterwards to become U. S. Senator, Philip Deidesheimer, who developed
a method of timbering which came into universal use in western mines and made
possible the working of soft ground in high stopes. Adolph Sutro was also a
developed product of the Comstock whose bulldog persistency completed the Sutro
tunnel in spite of financial and political antagonism, which project not only
drained the mines of the district, but also became a means for their
ventilation, and, upon one occasion, an agent through which food and supplies
were conveyed to the starving inhabitants of Virginia City who were snowbound
and buried in gigantic drifts and cut off from communication with the outside
world.
To this district also came Wm. Sharon, W. C. Ralston, D. O. Mills and
Alvinza Hayward, to become prominently allied with the commercial, industrial
and financial activities of the camp.
The Comstock was also responsible for the development of Jno. P. Jones,
shrewd politician and financier, who was later elected U. S. Senator from
Nevada.
The list is long, and wealth, fame and honor came to many who cast their
lot and fortune here. Later came John W. Mackay, James Graham Fair, Wm. S.
O'Brien, and James C. Flood, destined to rule the Comstock and become its
Bonanza Kings; to coax fabulous riches from its depths, and establish immense
fortunes, portions of which, as in the case of the Mackay riches, would be set
aside for the purpose of contributing to the education of the youth of our state
with the endowment of the Mackay School of Mines at the Nevada State University.
The wealth of the other bonanza kings found outlet in commercial enterprises,
giving employment to thousands, and contributing to the convenience of
professional and industrial pursuits.
The romantic and glamorous story of the Comstock is replete with
experiences, adventures and situations sufficient in themselves to induce
thrills in the most sedate, arouse the interest and attention of the most
taciturn and phlegmatic, and quicken the pulses of those who are susceptible to
excitement.
While volumes have been written recording the history of this unusual
district, penned by such notables as Dan DeQuille, Charles Howard Shinn, Mark
Twain, Rollen M. Daggett and Bret Harte, contemporaneous with the growth and
development of the Comstock lode, or compiled by authors who in after years
devoted months and years to the collection of data for their manuscripts, yet
the story of the Comstock has never been completely told, for there is left to
the imagination, the real picture of hardship incident to the first months of
promotion, the subsequent subjection of the elements, heat and cold, as during
the first summer and hard winter when they threatened to depopulate the
district, and almost succeeded; but when these forces were overcome, and the
breast of Sun Peak yielded up its treasure, there remains to be sensed the
thrill of amassing and helping to amass wealth; the departure from the old mode
of living - and the resorting to metropolitan and cosmopolitan airs. And, when
the final touches had been given to the structural units which made the
composite city, the canyon streets sounded to the din of commercial activity,
the gulches echoed to the confusion incident to the mining of fabulously rich
ore, and an era of prodigality was ushered in unparalleled in the history of any
mining camp, and the world looked on in amazement - these are some of the things
to be conjured with as we recall the story of the Comstock, for they give us a
new slant on those times and people who promoted and developed what was
preeminently the greatest mining district the world has ever known.
And so, as the mining history of Nevada was born in territory adjacent to
the wind swept slopes of Sun Peak Mountain, and was developed in the fabulously
rich bonanza mines of the Comstock, resulting in the founding of new mining
camps in the adjoining district, so in like manner Masonry was cradled in the
same district and found sanctuary in Gold Hill, Silver City, Dayton and Virginia
City. Keeping pace with the development of the metal industry of the district
and eventually becoming a factor which aided in shaping the destiny of
individuals, Masonry exerted its moral and refining influences on municipal,
county and state affairs long before Nevada was admitted to statehood.
Although the first unit of Masonry in the Territory of Nevada was not
established in Virginia City, yet it is historically true that the first Masonic
gathering in the state was held in that thriving camp in June, 1860, and was
called to observe Masonic funeral rites over the body of Capt. Edw. F. Storey,
killed in an engagement with hostile Indians, near Pyramid Lake, to which
reference has been previously made. Many notables were present at this meeting,
prominent among whom was Wm. Henry Howard, Past Grand Secretary of the Grand
Lodge of Louisiana, and a Past Grand Master from California, who was selected to
preside over the meeting, and who is said to have pronounced the funeral
oration. An old time resident of Virginia City, who later became a member of
Virginia City Lodge No. 162, was authority, before his death, for the statement
that following the funeral services, Masonic matters were discussed by the
brethren which contemplated the establishment of a lodge in Virginia City and
the acquiring of suitable quarters in which to house the lodge.
Although this after-meeting stimulated interest in Masonry in the district,
it was nevertheless productive of no immediate results. In the meantime the
brethren in Carson City had become active, resulting in the organization of
Carson lodge No. 154 under California jurisdiction, and having the honor of
being the first unit of Masonry to be established on Nevada soil.
However, interest in Masonry in Virginia City had not languished. The
organization of the lodge in Carson City served as a stimulus to further
activity and not only aroused the resident Masons of Virginia City to action,
but was the instrument whereby sojourning Masons living in Gold Hill and Silver
City felt the urge to organize in their respective communities to spread Masonic
light. The movement in Silver City was started in the early months of 1863,
meetings of sojourning brethren being called, to formulate plans for the purpose
of organizing and to arrange for suitable quarters in which to perform their
Masonic work. The brethren at Gold Hill were led in their undertaking by Bro.
Charles E. Ollney and Duane L. Bliss, while Silver City Masons accepted the
leadership of Brother J. C. Currie, and in Virginia City Brother William H.
Howard, a Past Grand Master from California, but at that time a resident of the
premier mining camp in Nevada, was responsible for the inauguration of the
movement to found a Masonic unit in that place. However sincere and anxious the
brethren in this district may have been to spread Masonic light, a dissenting
factor gradually intruded upon their plans, a factor born of sectional animosity
induced by the Civil War then in progress between the North and the South, and
represented in this section of Nevada by scores of sympathizers who had come
from both sides of the Mason and Dixon line, to cast their lot and find pastime
in this unique mining center.
From various publications dealing with the history of the Comstock lode, it
appears that there was unusual bitterness manifested among the adherents of both
the Northern and Southern factions in Virginia City at that time. The Union
sympathizers maintained no established headquarters in the town, the whole
community being their field of operations, and their following was represented
by the majority of the citizens of Virginia City, among whom were found many
Masons.
The Secessionists, however, most of whom were of prominent Southern
families, had, by either a tacit understanding or mutual agreement congregated
at the Virginia House, the leading hotel in Virginia City, and there maintained
recognized headquarters. Prominent among those domiciled at that hotel were
Judge Reardon, Frank Herford, Frank Denver, Judge Raeborn, and Charles Fairfax,
the latter a native of the State of Virginia, and the recognized leader of the
Southern sympathizers in Virginia City. Wm. Henry Howard was also a frequent
guest of the Virginia House and, being a native of Tennessee, and for many years
a resident of Louisiana, had imbibed many of the customs and beliefs of the
South, and was an acknowledged supporter of the Confederate cause. His southern
sympathies therefore weaned him from the confidence of those northern
factionists who were members of the Masonic fraternity, and although Bro. Howard
was foremost in the movement to organize a Masonic lodge in Virginia City, and
through his endeavors Virginia lodge No. 162 was finally chartered, yet it has
been assumed by some that his southern sympathies were instrumental in depriving
him of the honor of having the lodge bear his name, although it was originally
intended that this honor should go to him. Whether this is so or not, and there
is no authentic record to sustain such contention, it is nevertheless true, but
likewise inexplicable, that when the Grand Lodge of California issued a charter
to the brethren at Virginia City to organize under dispensation, the wishes of
the brethren of Virginia City were ignored, and the charter was issued to the
brethren of Virginia Lodge No. 162 instead of Howard Lodge No. 162. The
authority granting permission to organize under dispensation was issued January
15, 1863, under the hand of Grand Master William C. Belcher, and the Grand Lodge
of California on May 24th, 1863, issued to them a charter, with the following
officers and members:
William H. Howard, Worshipful Master; Joseph DeBell,
Senior Warden; James Z. Kelley, Junior Warden; James Bolan, Treasurer; Charles
M. Cornell, Secretary; Hypolite Hugnet, Senior Deacon; Ferdinand Waiter, Junior
Deacon; A. S. Olini, Marshal; T. M. Adams and Columbus Walker, Stewards; and
John Doyle, Tyler, together with the following Master Masons: Joseph Barnett,
Isaac C. Rateman, Harver Beckwith, S. A. Chapin, Orman Crandall, Lewis Goodwin,
I. Heilshorn, Charles Tones, Isaac Kraimer, Charles Lintott, Samuel Lubeck,
Julius Marsh, W. B. May, W. F. Meyers, Reuben J. Mitchell, John A. Paxton, L.
Rawlings, Charles Rawson, Hugh M. Reed, L. Reynolds, F. S. Rising, Richard
Rising, John W. Stattler, Samuel Symons, Levi W. Taylor, and Walter Winn. The
following Entered Apprentices were also named in the charter: E. W. Adams, ,
Rufus E. Arrick, Allen M. Cole, Stephen T. Gage, D. M. Hanson, Charles L. Strong
and J. Warner.
The receipt of the charter by the brethren at Virginia City, brought with
it expressions of disappointment, dissatisfaction, and disapproval of the action
of the Grand Lodge of California in its refusal to honor Brother Howard by
naming the new Masonic unit for him; but he very graciously accepted their
decision and pointed out to the brethren of the lodge, that while their wishes
had not been gratified in the bestowal of a name for the new unit, and he had
not been honored by having the lodge named for him, yet he had after all, been
honored during the period of his incumbency as Grand Master of California, by
having had Howard Lodge No. 96 of Yreka, Calif., bear his name, and too, he felt
that he had been signally honored by being named as the first worshipful master
of Virginia Lodge 162; he asked that the brethren accept the situation with good
grace, and that a true Masonic spirit might prevail.
That Brother Howard had believed that the new lodge would bear his name,
and that he had been informed of the wishes and intentions of the brethren long
before the charter was issued, and received by the brethren is evident, because
upon the occasion of the instituting of the lodge, he presented them a complete
set of officers jewels, which were wrought from native silver taken from the
Comstock lode, and beautifully engraved with the name, "Howard Lodge" on each
jewel. This set is said to have cost Brother Howard the sum of five hundred
dollars.
Brother Howard continued his activities not only in Virginia Lodge, but
throughout the district, attending and working with the various lodges in that
section of Nevada.
To him may be accorded the honor of having been instrumental in effecting
the organization of the Grand Lodge of Nevada which met in Virginia City in
1865. He died in 1866, a few hours before the second annual convention of the
Grand Lodge was convened; his body was borne to the lodge room in which the
convention was to be held, and lay in state while the Grand Body assembled, when
Grand Honors were paid the distinguished brother. The funeral oration was
pronounced by Bro. Jos. DeBell.
Bro. DeBell was assisted in the funeral services by Bro. J. C. Currie, who
from that time on until his death, was prominent in Grand Lodge affairs, and who
became Grand Master of Nevada Masons in 1860, and was re-elected again in 1867.
He was master of his own lodge for ten years, and was mayor of Virginia City at
the time of the great fire in 1875, and became chairman of the restoration
committee appointed to take charge of reconstruction, following the fire. Later
he withdrew from his lodge, and united with Virginia City Lodge.
Urged to intensive action by the accomplishments of the brethren at
Virginia City, sojourning Masons living in Silver City, under guidance of Bro.
J. M. Currie, expressed their desire to organize a lodge, by framing a petition
to the Grand Lodge of California in the early months of 1863, asking authority
to organize under dispensation, permission having previously been asked from
Carson Lodge No. One, to organize in territory controlled by the latter lodge.
Carson Lodge assented, and on March 20, 1863, authority was granted the brethren
at Silver City, to establish a lodge under dispensation, naming J. M. Currie, W.
M.; T. M. Henry, S.W., and W. B. Hickok, J. W. With the institution of the
lodge, and the installing of its officers, the lodge entered upon an intensive
year of service, and added a fine membership to its original roll.
On May 15, 1865, it was officially chartered, with its first officers
appointed in the dispensation again named to guide its destinies. In addition
thereto, August Koneman was named Treasurer, Henry Warnold, Secretary; James
Cowden S. D.; Moses T. Burke, J. D.; Henry Lux, Tyler. In its first report to
the Grand Lodge of California eleven members were reported in good
standing.
With the organization of the Grand Lodge of Nevada, it was chartered as
Amity Lodge No. 4 upon Nevada Roster, with the following officers in charge:
Richard T. Mullard, W. M.; James M. Kennedy, S. W., and W. J. Burke, J. W.
Brother Mullard was the last master under California jurisdiction; he
became Deputy Grand Master of Nevada Masons in 1868.
With the arousing of Masonic interest in both Silver City, and Virginia
City, Masons in Gold Hill in the meantime had become aroused to the desirability
of forming a Masonic unit in their own locality, and on the 11th of April, 1863,
Wm. G. Alban, R. R. Barnes, Levi W. Lee, M. Frankenheimer, Lewis B. Frankel,
Sigmund Ettinger, A. C. Hollingshead, Hugh McLeod, Henry Donnelly, N. A. H.
Ball, Robert Webber, Charles E. Olney, Duane Bliss, Samuel Robinson, and H. H.
Veasy framed a petition to the Grand Lodge of California asking permission to
establish a lodge at Gold Hill. On the 20th of June, 1863, the document for
which they petitioned was issued, and on July 1lth the dispensation was
delivered, and W. G. Alban was installed Worshipful Master; E. R. Barnes, Senior
Warden; L. W. Lee, Junior Warden; S. H. Robinson, Treasurer; S. Ettinger,
Secretary; L. B. Frankel, Senior Deacon; A. C. Hollingshead, Junior Deacon; H.
McLeod and M. Frankenheimer, Stewards; H. N. Veasy, Tyler. On the 13th day of
October, 1864, the Grand Lodge of California issued a charter to Silver Star
Lodge No. 165, with Chas. E. Olney, W. M.; L. W. Lee, S. W., Duane Bliss, J. W.;
S. H. Robinson, Treasurer; S. E. Ettinger, Secretary; L. B. Frankel, Senior
Deacon; Sol Neal, Junior Deacon; M. Frankenheimer and Hugh McLeod, Stewards; J.
Lockwood, (not a member) Tyler.
There was wild activity on the slopes of Sun Peak Mountain, and in the
gulches and canyons which radiated from its wind swept sides. Claims were
located in all directions, by a motley aggregation of prospectors, most of them
inexperienced miners; they had no knowledge of geology, and cursing, threw away
the heavy blue black deposit which clogged their rockers and exhausted their
quicksilver, but which was the real secret of the Comstock Lode, the source of
the wealth which made the district famous.
To this environment the gold-mad throng continued to stampede, hailing from
every section of the land. With them swept into this maelstrom of Humanity, came
many Masons, who in the order of things, were eventually enrolled with the
membership of Silver City, Gold Hill, and Virginia City lodges. It is said that
at the peak of its membership, Amity Lodge had an enrollment of 194 members, but
its existence and progress was always more or less hampered by the proximity of
the lodges at Gold Hill and Virginia City.
However, the brethren were constant and energetic, which is attested by
their effort and determination to carry on with an ever increasing membership,
the growth of the lodge being steady, and lodge activities never waning. With a
corps of competent officers elected annually to guide its destinies, it has
continued to remain as one of the prominent and dominant units of Masonry in the
state. Although it suffered a loss of membership with the decline of the metal
industry on the Comstock, it has maintained its one time prestige, and is today
a forceful factor in Masonic circles.
In the meanwhile, a fourth group of brethren in Virginia City, had felt a
Masonic urge, and were ambitious to establish another unit of Masonry in the
camp. Headed by Brother W. A. Van Bokkelen, in the late weeks of 1863 a meeting
was called to outline plans to organize a new lodge in territory dominated by
the brethren of Virginia City, No. 162, Silver Star No. 165 at Gold Hill, and
Amity No. 163 at Silver City, many brethren of which are said to have been
present at the meeting at the request of Brother Van Bokkelen, and to have
voiced their approval of a fourth lodge being established in territory adjacent
to their charters. With their approval obtained, and the assurance of fraternal
support, the new group was impelled to make application to the Grand Lodge of
California to organize under dispensation. Accompanying their application, was a
personal letter from Bro. Van Bokkelen directed to the Most Worshipful William
C. Belcher, Grand Master of California Masons, requesting that the new lodge be
designated by the name "Escurial" and stating that the name had been suggested
to him when reading in Prescott's History of Spain a description of Escurial
Palace. This name was deemed singularly appropriate for the new lodge, since the
Spanish palace had been; built high in the mountains (Pyrenees) and was located
in the vicinity of many mines, and that the name, and its appropriate
application to the new lodge had found instant and popular favor with the
brethren.
The delay incident to action by the Grand Lodge of California upon this
application, was negligible, for, on January 22, 1864, official approval was
given, and a dispensation was issued to the petitioning brethren, authorizing
them to organize Escurial Lodge under dispensation.
At the 15th annual communication of the Grand Lodge of California, on
October 13, 1864, Grand Master Wm. C. Belcher authorized that a charter be
issued to the following officers and members of Escurial Lodge, U. D.: Geo. W.
Hopkins, Worshipful Master; Wm. A. Van Bokkelen, Senior Warden; Columbus Walker,
Junior Warden; Roderick C. Chappel, Treasurer; Erasmus W. Haines, Secretary;
Charles V. Anthony, Chaplain; Ellis C. Morton, Senior Deacon; Basil V. Barry,
Junior Deacon; John O'Brian, Marshal; Leonard W. Ferris, and Daniel N. Powers,
Stewards; Julius Lockwood (of Virginia City Lodge No. 162) Tyler.
Master
Masons as follows: Robert Baxter, George W. Birdsell, John C. Bloomer, Chas. B.
Brooks, Ovid Chauvel, Clark Churchill, Charles M� Cornell, Josiah Earl, Robert
Eichler, Edwin T. Estes, John Fleming, Benj. L. Higbee, Wm. H. Jenkins, Geo. D.
Keeny, Alex E. Kennedy, Stephen D. Merchant, Frank A. Parks, Thomas Parker, John
V. B. Perry. Thos. H. Pinkerton, David C. Ross, Geo. E. Scammon, Philip Stoner,
James Wheeler. Entered Apprentice, John Faull.
Brother Geo. W. Hopkins became Grand Master of Nevada Masons in 1868 and
1869; Bro. Wm. A. Van Bokkelen served as Grand Master of Nevada in 1872, and as
Grand Secretary F. & A. M. of Nevada Masons from 1867 to 1870
inclusive.
In the meanwhile, it had become necessary to acquire suitable quarters in
which to house the new lodge, and arrangements were made with Virginia City
lodge No. 162 whereby Escurial Lodge was to occupy the same quarters, share the
necessary running expenses, and enjoy all the privileges that Virginia City
lodge enjoyed, and eventually to reimburse Virginia City lodge for one half of
all expenses incurred in promoting and acquiring the building. This arrangement
proved mutually agreeable, and for years the two 1odges dwelt together in
fraternal peace and harmony. When the lodges in Nevada resolved to divorce
themselves from the California jurisdiction and establish a Grand Lodge of
Nevada Masons, was at the joint invitation of Virginia and Escurial lodges that
the eight lodges then operating on Nevada soil met in Virginia City January 15,
1865, and organized the Grand Lodge of Nevada at which Grand Session Virginia
lodges became Virginia No. 3, Escurial became No. 7, and Silver Star No.
5.
It has been said that the prosperity and promotion of Virginia City might
readily be reflected in the growth of Masonry on the Comstock, for by the end of
1869, Virginia Lodge had 142 members enrolled. Escurial followed with 138 and
Silver Star at Gold Hill 123. By the spring of 1875 Virginia boasted of 185,
Escurial showed 153 and Silver City 188, and their finances were in a
flourishing condition. Then followed a period of disastrous fires, which almost
completely wrecked both Virginia and Escurial lodges. On May 19, 1875, a large
section of the business district of the city was wiped out, and the building
occupied by the Masonic brethren was leveled. Permission was obtained to occupy
the Odd Fellows' Hall, and plans started to raise money to erect a new temple.
Work was begun and the Grand Lodge invited to lay the corner stone on October
12, but on September 3 another fire swept over the town destroying the Odd
Fellows' Hall, and all the books, records and regalia saved from the fire of May
19 of both Virginia and Escurial lodges were a total loss. However, the brethren
were not discouraged, and work was rushed on the new Temple in process of
erection in another part of the city. On October 12, the special Communication
of the Grand Lodge was held according to previous plans, the ceremonies being
attended by the combined membership of the four lodges in the district, besides
many visiting brethren from other sections of the state. The impressiveness of
the occasion was heightened by the attendance of De Witt Commandery, Knights
Templar, which participated in the ceremonies in full uniform.
It must be remembered that after the fire of May 19, all the records and
papers of the Grand Lodge which were saved from the flames, and they were
pitifully few, were stored in a brick building owned by Past Grand Master J. C.
Currie. Fortunately, this building was not in the line of fire of September 3,
and after the ceremonies attendant upon the laying of the corner stone of the
new temple on October 12, it was decided as soon as the building was completed,
to remove the remaining records of the Grand Lodge to the completed structure,
and also to make it permanent headquarters for De Witt Commandery, Knights
Templar, and a storage place for their magnificent uniforms, said to have cost
between $200 and $300 apiece. These plans, however, failed to mature, for on
October 26, barely two weeks from the date of laying the corner stone of the new
temple, a fire, known to posterity as the Great Fire of 1875, ravished the city,
entailing a loss of approximately $11,000,000 and the framework and foundation
of the new temple were destroyed. In this fire the Currie building, containing
what was left of the Grand Lodge records, was also consumed with its entire
contents. Not a shred nor a leaf of the records of the Grand Lodge remained.
However, the jewels presented to Virginia lodge by Past Grand Master W. H.
Howard when that lodge was instituted, were found among the cooling embers when
the conflagration had subsided. These jewels are now in possession of Carson
Valley lodge.
The embers of this destructive blaze were scarcely cool before the Masons
of Virginia City were again planning to erect a new temple. Though discouraged,
and their lodge finances exhausted, their spirits were not broken and their
indomitable pride would not permit the acceptance of fraternal or financial aid
from other Masonic lodges either within or without the state. Very shortly their
enterprise and determination was visibly manifested in the framework promoted
through their own finances, of a new temple which this time became a reality and
was ready for occupancy the following June when the Annual Communication of the
Grand Lodge was to be held, but which owing to lack of reports from local lodges
of the state and from the Grand Bodies of other jurisdictions, originals of
which had been consumed in the fire of October 26, the Grand Lodge session was
called off, and the Grand Lodge of Nevada did not convene until November,
1876.
The story of Masonry in Virginia City would be incomplete without reference
to the meeting held on Mt. Davidson Sept. 8, 1875, following a fire which
destroyed the I. O. O. F. building in which the Masonic brethren had been
meeting since the fire of May 19, 1875, when the Masonic building was burned to
the ground; there was no available hall in town after the fire of Sept. 8th, and
since it was desired to hold a meeting to devise plans to carry on the work of
erecting a new temple, it was suggested to Grand Master Robert W. Bollen that a
meeting be held near the top of Mt. Davidson.
Brother Albert Hires, worshipful master of Virginia Lodge No. 3, when
informed of the suggestion, asked: "What shall be done to transact the business
of the lodge and provide for the destitute, if that meeting is held at the top
of the mountain ?" He was told, "Call the lodge together on the mountain,
waiving all signs and ceremonies." He accordingly issued a call to the brethren
to foregather near the top of Mt. Davidson, at the foot of the granite peak
which surmounts the summit.
The area selected was a natural amphitheatre surrounded by high crags. In
preparing the plot for the meeting, rough boulders had been selected as stations
for the Worshipful Master and Wardens, and the enclosure was lined with rough
rocks which served as seats for the brethren.
An altar was built of native rock in the center of the improvised lodge
room, before which the brethren might approach the East. From a flag pole
erected in years gone by, the white flag of Masonry emblazoned with the square
and compass and letter G, floated in the breeze. Grand Master Robert W. Bollen
was invited to preside over the meeting. Prayer was offered by Rev. I. D.
Hammond, a member of the Craft, and Masonic odes were rendered by the local
quartette, consisting of Bros. E. I. Passmore, Geo N. Eels, O. L. Foster, and
Geo. W. Dorwin. A line of sentinels, distinguished by white bands worn around
their arms were stationed around the mountain to prevent intrusion of the
curious.
Grand Master Bollen delivered an inspiring address welcoming the local and
visiting brethren, stating the object of the meeting, and outlining a campaign
which would advance the moral, spiritual and educational uplift of the district
and state. Ways and means were discussed to finance and for finishing the new
Temple in process of building, and arrangements made for the laying of the
corner stone Oct. 12th. Following the Grand Master, Brother Chas. DeLong, Robert
H. Taylor, Rollen M. Daggett, and Past Grand Masters John C. Currie and George
Hopkins delivered interesting talks, and a number of selections were rendered by
the lodge quartette. The meeting was closed and the brethren began the long trek
down the steep mountain side.
Historical accounts of the meeting written by brethren who attended, state
that 342 members and visitors were present representing every Masonic
jurisdiction in America. The meeting was given wide publicity not only in
Masonic publications, but accounts of the gathering were printed in many of the
leading newspapers of the nation.
It has been maintained that the meeting on Mt. Davidson was the only one of
its kind held in America up to that time. While there had been Masonic
gatherings in the open, notably one held by the brethren near the settlement of
Ragtown, Nevada, and another said to have been promoted by Eureka lodge No. 16,
these were more of a recreational nature, promoted more for their novelty,
rather than for any actual necessity, and were attended exclusively by local
members.
"Mt. Davidson will be known among the craft as 'The Mountain of the Lord'
and the grandest altar of Freemasonry built by the Supreme Architect. Its solid
base girded with bands of gold and silver, and sparkling with gems of crystal
quartz; its altar cloth in winter the purest snowy mantle spread on it by heaven
itself, while the blazing sun, the silver moon, and the glittering stars, shall
be its greater and lesser lights, to shine upon it as long as the earth shall be
used as a Trestle Board by the Craft." (From "50 Years of Masonry in
California." Edwin A. Sherman, 33 Degree.)
By 1880 Virginia City had seen its best days. The story of the Comstock had
been largely written, and evil days drew nigh. Ore production was on the wane,
and the glory of the bonanza days had passed. The prestige the district had once
commanded was gone. The glamour and romance, the prodigality and lavishness of
the "sixties," when silver was King, had disappeared; they existed in memory
only, and the exodus began. From a thriving inland city which flaunted its
metropolitan and cosmopolitan airs, whose population at the peak of its
prosperity numbered far into the thousands, it had dwindled until but a few
hundred remained.
The prosperity and progress of Masonry in the Comstock was naturally
reflected in the discovery and development of the bonanza mines of the district.
With but a few score enrolled on the membership rosters of the three lodges in
the district when the Grand lodge was organized January 15, 1865, the craft
expanded and grew until twenty years later when ore production began its
decline, there were approximately 500 members enrolled in Virginia City. But the
end was inevitable, and, as the fortunes of the district and city declined, so,
likewise did Masonry suffer and so too, did its once proud membership disperse.
Many of the brethren returning to the place from which they came, demitting to
the lodges where first they found Masonic light.
Many, of course, remained loyal to the lodge of their adoption in Virginia
City and continued their membership for perhaps years, before affiliating
elsewhere. Many crossed into California and eventually demitted to lodges in the
Golden State, while some remained loyal to the district and to their lodges. To
them remains the credit and honor of keeping the Masonic fires burning. Though
the brethren remained steadfast and loyal, they could not always continue to
stem the tide of discouragement caused by the gradual loss of membership and
eventual depletion of their treasuries. Virginia lodge No. 3, the first lodge to
be organized on the Comstock, continued until May 14, 1915, when in despair it
surrendered its charter.
Silver Star Lodge No. 5 of Gold Hill fought a losing battle until 1919,
when it too succumbed to the inevitable, and consolidated with Escurial No.
7.
Valley No. 9 of Dayton, the first lodge in the state to be granted a
charter by the Grand Lodge of Nevada (October 12, 1865) maintained its existence
until 1926, when it to realized the impossibility of regaining its prestige and
one time numerical strength and merged with Amity No. 4.
Second Mountain Top Meeting
An anniversary of the meeting held on Mt. Davidson September 8, 1875, and
sponsored by the Grand Lodge of Nevada, though under the auspices of Virginia
Lodge No. 3 and Escurial Lodge No. 7, was called for September 11, 1932. It was
a replica, so far as possible, of the meeting held on the same spot 57 years
before, honoring the pioneers of Nevada Masonry, perpetuating their memory and
commemorating the unique meeting of more than a half century gone by.
It was the second meeting held on this Masonically revered spot, and like
the meeting held in 1875, was attended by more than 300 members of the order.
Nineteen Masonic jurisdictions of the United States were represented, 17
California cities alone sending delegations. Among the distinguished guests
present was ex-governor of Nevada, R. K. Colcord, the oldest living Mason in
Nevada, who was then 94 years old. Attending was W. R. VanBokkelen of Oakland,
California, son of Past Grand Master W. A. Van Bokkelen, who served as Grand
Master in 1872, and who was a distinguished guest at the meeting of September 8,
1875. An host of dignitaries representing high officials of the state, besides
many of the living Past Grand Masters of Nevada were present. An interesting
exhibit was the original jewels of Virginia lodge No. 3, made of Ophir bullion
and presented to that lodge by Past Grand Master W. H. Howard of the California
jurisdiction, at the institution of Virginia lodge in 1863, which are now in
possession of Carson Valley lodge No. 33 of Gardnerville, Nevada. Included in
the exhibit was a photograph of Jno. C. Currie, Past Grand Master of Nevada
Masons, who was responsible for the organization of Amity Lodge No. 4 of Silver
City. There was also a photograph of the stone altar used by Virginia lodge No.
3 at the first meeting on the mountain September 8, 1875.
The only known surviving member of the craft who attended the meeting in
1875 was William Sutherland, 84 years of age, who was prevented from attending
by reason of infirmities due to his advanced years. Bro. Sutherland, a printer
by profession, was a member the "Territorial Enterprise" staff, a leading
publication of Virginia City at the time of the meeting of 1875, and set up a
five-column story of the event. So great was the demand for copies, that the
type was removed from the forms, and the account printed on paper sheets,
handkerchiefs and strips of satin. His past and present activities in Masonry
were given due mention at this second meeting and the session paused in its
deliberations to send him greetings.
Grand Master Robert H. Parker officiated at the gathering and in a stirring
address reviewed the activities and accomplishments of the pioneer Masons of
Nevada, extolled their virtues and lauded their stability, integrity and
courage.
A portion of the program was given over to the recognition Washington
bicentennial observance, Judge Edw. A. Ducker, Past Grand Master of Nevada
Masons, and a member of Nevada State Supreme Court, spoke on "Washington, the
Man," while former District Judge George A. Ballard, a Past Master of Escurial
lodge No. 7 spoke on "Washington, the Mason."
During the meeting the Scottish Rite Male Quartette, composed of J. L.
Mathews, C. D. Jameson, August Frohlich, Charles Carter, and Tate Williams,
rendered several beautiful selections.
The serving of refreshments at the close of the meeting brought to a
conclusion one of the most outstanding assemblages in the history of the
state.
Personnel
Wm. W. Stewart, for many years United States Senator from Nevada. Nathaniel
Ball, engaged in banking business at Gold Hill, and prominent in Masonry. Wm. B.
Hickok, a mill owner and active in Masonic circles. C. N. Noteware, Grand
Secretary of Grand Lodge, and first Secretary of State of Nevada. Wm. H. Howard,
a Past Grand Master from California, and a citizen by adoption and choice of
Virginia City. Samuel A. Chapin, prominent attorney in Virginia City. Charles W.
Tozer of Gold Hill, Francis W. Kennedy of Silver City, an active member of the
legal fraternity. Henry C. Blasdel, first governor of Nevada, and an active
Mason. H. O. Holmes, John Skae, John W. Mackay, one of the bonanza kings, and a
one time member of Escurial Lodge No. 7. These were some of the prominent men
and Masons whose lives were closely linked with the destinies of the Comstock,
and whose social, civic and fraternal activities wrote into the record of that
unusual district, pages of dramatic and intensive history and assisted in
weaving around the Comstock the romance and glamour that has always centered
around its development and existence.
Perhaps one of the best known and most beloved Masons in Virginia City was
J. W. Locklin, known to both young and old of the one time premier mining camp,
as "Cap" Locklin, which title he gained through his selection as captain of
local militia Battery H of Virginia City, in the boom days of the Comstock. He
was a member of Escurial lodge No. 7, which he joined in the early days of that
organization. He at once became active in its affairs, and for his zeal and
enthusiasm in Masonry was advanced through every chair in the lodge. He was a
tireless worker, not only in the lodge of his adoption, but was also a frequent
attendant at the meetings of other Masonic lodges in his district. Unless
sickness or pressing business prevented, he was always in attendance at Grand
Lodge sessions, where his advice and counsel could be depended upon. Bro.
Locklin remained an active member of Escurial Lodge No. 7 until his death which
occurred in San Francisco, California, January 11, 1938. At the time of his
passing he was 84 years of age.
Noteworthy among Masonic bodies operating in Virginia City, was Pythagoras
Lodge of Perfection No. 1, A. & A. S. R., instituted on September 21, 1867.
Seven years later, a short time before the Supreme session of 1874, Silver Lodge
was established. Capitular Masonry was also launched in Virginia City in
September 1867. All these bodies prospered, and during the affluent days of the
Comstock, were active and dominant factors in Masonic activities.
Mention must likewise be made of the organization and perpetuation of De
Witt Clinton Commandery, Knights Templar, one of the two mounted commanderies
then in existence in America. Their beautiful uniforms and trappings were most
attractive, and the troop, mounted on black horses, were an inspiring and
spectacular sight when upon Masonic occasions they appeared in public.
Miraculously, during the great fire of 1875 in Virginia City, the uniforms and
trappings of this Commandery escaped destruction. With the erection of the
Masonic Temple in Reno, the Commandery was transferred to new quarters, and at
present is a prosperous and thriving unit of the York Rite of America.
Mention has been made in this article of the organization of the Grand
Lodge of Nevada in Virginia City, January 15, 1865. With but few exceptions this
famous camp continued to be the meeting place of the annual Grand Lodge
communications up until the building and dedication of the fine Masonic Temple
in Reno in 1914 More than one third of the annual communications held by the
Grand Lodge to 1938, were held in Virginia City. During the days of affluence in
this remarkable district, the meeting of the Grand Lodge, F. & A. M., was an
event visioned with delightful anticipation by Masonic delegations who were
selected to attend. It was also an occasion heralded with delight by the
residents of the city who vied with one another to make the gathering of "the
Masons" delightful and interesting.
Many years have passed since the Masons of Virginia City were hosts at a
Grand Lodge session, and with the years, have come great changes to what was
once the greatest mining camp upon the western continent. The canyon streets
which once re-echoed to the sound of industry and the voice of merriment, which
once took on metropolitan and cosmopolitan airs, which saw the production of
untold millions in wealth, which gave birth to civic, social, fraternal and
military units, which became the pride and admiration of the district - these
old avenues are still marked by the same devious course they took in the days
when silver was King, and the Comstock was a synonym for wealth, compared to
which the riches of Croesus were as a penny. But, gone are the days of romance
and glamour which surrounded the busy marts and treasure shafts of the old
bonanza mines, gone are the days when speculation was rife and fortunes changed
hands every day. Gone too, are the remarkable men who brought fame and honor to
this district, who built and established societies and organizations which were
noteworthy because of the foundations upon which they were erected. And of
these, those dedicated to the practice of fellowship were by no means the least,
and among which Masonry looms grand and inspiring. The many hundred Masons who
found sanctuary in the lodges in Virginia City district left their imprint upon
the lives, destinies, and character of the residents of the old mining camp. The
recollection of their virtues, their goodness and their integrity, shall linger
to exert its influence long after the old town has crumbled to decay and the
excitement and glamour of its halcyon days are but fanciful memories.
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