Contra Costa County, CA History Transcribed by Sally Kaleta This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://calarchives4u.com/ These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter. All persons donating to this site retain the rights to their own work. SOURCE: The History of Contra Costa County, California Edited by: Frederick J. Hulaniski Publisher: Elms Pub. Co., Berkley, CA 1917 CHAPTER XXIV FRATERNAL SOCIETIES Masonic MARTINEZ LODGE NO. 41, F. & A. M., was granted dispensation for a lodge July 26, 1852. It was continued upon application on August 3, 1853, and a chartered ordered to be issued on May 3, 1854. Its first returns appear in the proceedings of the Great Lodge of California in May 1854, with the following officers and members: Officers - Robert N. Wood, W. M.; J. Mitchell, S. W.; H. Mills, J. W.; D. Small, treasurer; J. S. Days, secretary; J. Tucker, S. D.; E. T. Weld, J. D.; S. Russell, tyler. Master Masons - S. G. Briggs, A. Hooper, J. T. Trippen, J. S. Walls. No. 41 has been honored by having two of its members elected to office in the Grand Lodge. In 1854 Robert N. Wood was elected and installed Junior Grand Warden, and William S. Wells was elected and installed Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of California. The oldest member on the roll is Barry Baldwin Osborn, raised July 21, 1866. Martinez Lodge owns its hall, built in 1859 by subscription from its members. The hall was remodeled and refurnished in 1908. In the early '60's the lower hall was used as a school-room. There are ten Past Masters on the roll of members: Ed McLeod, William S. Wells, Henry V. Alvarado, Reuben L. Ulsh, Alvin B. Wilson, William A. Hale, Otto K. Smith, Brooke L. Moore, Ernest H. Shibley, Fred J. Stewart. The present officers are William R. Sharkey, W. M.; Thomas B. Swift, S. W.; Conrad O. Nelson, J. W.; William A. Hale, treasurer; Orville E. Hayward, secretary (13th year); Evan Glandon Davies, chaplain; Rex E. Boyer, S. D.; Absalom F. Bray, J. D.; Fred J. Stewart, Marshal; Ernest O. Talbott and Earl B. Fitzpatrick, stewards; George H. Lyford, tyler. Number of members on the roll, 88. Carquinez Lodge No. 337 and Mount Diablo Lodge No. 448 were organized by members from Martinez Lodge. Alamo Lodge No. 122, F. & A. M., was granted a charter by the Grand Lodge at the city of Sacramento on the 13th of May A. L. 5858 (1858), to assemble and work as a regular lodge of Free and Accepted Masons at the town of Alamo, Contra Costa County, California. On the 4th of January A. L. 5873, permission was granted by the Grand Lodge to remove from Alamo to the town of Walnut Creek, in the same county, which is the place of meeting at the present time. On the 13th of May, A. L. 5908, Alamo Lodge celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. The brethren and their invited brethren of different lodges of the county gathered at a fine banquet and speeches were made by Past Grand Master W. S. Wells, District Inspector Louis N. Buttner, Brother Fred V. Wood, and others present. While Alamo lodge has past a half-century mark, it has made steady and regular growth, although its membership at present is not remarkably large. It has experienced a condition of harmony within its jurisdiction as well as with its sister jurisdictions, and also stands high as a good worker. With the able assistance of Alamona Chapter No. 214, O. E. S., the Masonic Hall Association has been organized, stock has been sold, and plans are now under way to build a temple costing in the neighborhood of $6,000 or $7,000. This temple will not only be an honor to our fraternity but to the public as well. Antioch Lodge No. 175, F. & A. M., was granted dispensation June 15, 1865, and was constituted October 12th of the same year. Officers: Francis Williams, W. M.; Emory T. Mills, S. W.; John C. O'Brien, J. W.; John E. Wright, treasurer; James J. McNulty, secretary. Charter members: Francis Williams, Seth W. Bradford, John C. O'Brien, James J. McNulty, Thomas Cryan, John P. Walton, Stephen Jessup, Daniel H. Cleaves, Jackson W. Ong, Norman Adams, Richard Charnock, John E. Wright, Mark Kline, Emory T. Mills, Raswell B. Hard. On the evening of December 20, 1898, the following brethren residing in or near the town of Crockett, Contra Costa County, met and prepared a petition for a dispensation to form a lodge under the name of Carquinez Lodge: Edmund Freund, John Sinnot Rowan, Theodore Despard Moiles, Edward Curran, Alvin Augustine Paul, Daniel McTaggart, William Simpson Garwood. Herbert George Powers, Arthur Wellesley Beam. The following Brethren also signed the petition: Phillip Richard Moignard, Paul Beda, Erastus Perkins Lasell, Thomas Allen Harris, Charles Louis Hedemark, Henry Louis Webber, Homer A. Billings. The dispensation was granted April 26, 1899, by Grand Master Frank Marion Angellotti, and the first meeting was held April 29, 1899, with the following officers: H. G. Powers, W. M.; J. S. Rowan, S. W.; E. Freund, J. W.; T. D. Moiles, treasurer; P. R. Moignard, secretary; W. S. Garwood, S. D.; A. A. Paul, J. D.; Homer A. Billings, marshal; G. M. Hodgkins and S. T. Johnson, stewards; James Thompson, tyler. H. G. Powers, the first master, was appointed secretary of the lodge February 2, 1901, and was continued in that office until his death, which occurred January 4, 1915. A notable occasion in the history of Carquinoz Lodge was the past master's night, June 20, 1914, when every past master of the lodge was present and occupied the stations and places in the order of their seniority and conferred the third degree of Masonry upon Brother James Rollett. The following past masters were present and took part in the conferring of the degree: H. G. Powers, 1900; Ed Freund, 1901; W. S. Garwood, 1902; A. W. Beam, 1903-1905; Geo. Jones, 1906; J. L. Gabbs, 1907; A. A. Paul, 1908; J. H. Dorman, 1909; J. E. Hughes, 1910-1914; W. M. Laidlaw, 1911; C. P. Thomas, 1912; T. M. Bolton, 1913. The following is an excerpt from the minutes of this meeting: "The occasion was a memorable one, as every one of the past masters of the lodge was present, also every officer. It is doubtful if at the expiration of another fifteen years the secretary at the time will be able to make a like statement." This remark of Brother Powers seems almost prophetic, as it was only a few short months until he himself passed to the Great Beyond, making it impossible ever again to hold such a reunion. The following are the officers for the current year (1917) : Peter Miller, Jr., W. M.; Francis Paschal Doughty, S. W.; Joseph Junior Burdon, J. W.; George Jones, treasurer; Jacob Eratt Hughes, secretary; George Herbert Whiteman, chaplain; Roy Austin Nelson, S. D.; William Marten Adams, J. D.; Chandlar Holten Smith, marshal; Yargen Nelson and Clair B. Payson, stewards; James King, tyler. Brentwood Lodge No. 345, F. & A. M., was organized in February, 1902, and received its charter from the Grand Lodge on October 15, 1902. There were thirteen charter members, and the lodge now has a membership of eighty-six. The present officers for the Masonic year are P. F. Bucholtz, W. M.; J. F. Bruns, S. W.; Alexander Burness, J. W.; H. Bruns, treasurer; Bruce Grove, secretary; O. C. Prewett, marshal; Robert Wallace, Jr., chaplain; R. H. Wallace, S. D.; H. Logan, J. D.; Alan Monroe and Thomas Steward, stewards; J. Kindergen, tyler. A new hall will be built in the near future. Hardly had the little village which was in so short a time to develop into the city of Richmond gotten under way when the dozen or so Masons among the first settlers began to have meetings and to talk of organizing a lodge. There were many discouraging features. There were no streets - only cow-trails, which became impassable in the rainy weather. Those living at a distance had to travel by horse and buggy. It was hard to secure a building that would pass the requirements of a meeting-place. But what was lacking in other things was made up in enthusiasm, and the first meeting of McKinley Lodge No. 347, was held on August 18, 1902, at what was then known as Richard's Hall. Brother Harry Ells was selected to be master of the new lodge, and much credit for the success of the organization is due to his untiring efforts, which have not in the slightest degree lessened to the present time. The brethren of Durant Lodge No. 268, of Berkeley, gave much assistance in instructing the officers, and finally recommended the newly organized body to the Grand Lodge. The petition to the Grand Lodge was signed by sixteen master masons, and they were granted a dispensation by Grand Master William S. Wells on April 5, 1902, and on November 8, 1902, the lodge was constituted by the Grand Lodge under Grand Master Orrin Staples Henderson, who has always manifested an interest in the lodge, as evidenced by occasional visits. The growth of the lodge has been healthy and steady. In 1912 the population of Richmond had increased so rapidly that it was felt that there was room for a second lodge, and, upon recommendation of the lodge, the grand master constituted Alpha Lodge No. 431, which, like its parent, is enjoying a healthy growth, and the two lodges are now carrying on the work of Masonry side by side in peace and harmony. The following is a list of those who have served the lodge as master: Harry L. Ellis, 1902-1904; Doctor H. M. Barney, 1905; Doctor J. McMorrison, 1906; Palen Church, 1907; W. H. Johnston, 1908; A. H. Campbell, 1909; Frank M. Palmer, 1910; J. H. Runirell, 1911; W. B. Richmond, 1912; W. E. Rose, 1913; C. J. Peterson, 1914; E. L. Jones, 1915. The officers of the lodge for the current year (1917) are: H. E. Jacobs, W. M.; M. H. Carey, S. W.; C. H. Foote, J. W.; W. S. McRacken, treasurer; W. T. Helms, secretary; R. C. Fernold, S. D.; F. G. Blackhart, J. D.; T. H. Summers and W. M. Parks, stewards; F. L. Jones, chaplain; C. J. Peterson, marshal; R. L. Adams, tyler. The membership roll is now nearing the two hundred mark. Pinole Lodge No. 353 held its preliminary meeting November 11, 1902, at which John Bermingham was elected chairman, and the charter was granted by Grand Master Orin S. Henderson on February 17, 1903, when J. C. F. Hall was elected master, A. Greenfield, senior warden. The lodge was organized with eighteen members, since which time it has added ninety-eight, and has lost five by death and twenty-three by dimit and other causes, having at present eighty-eight members. Our finances are in good shape, the lodge is prosperous, and there will be added many good members during the next few months. A. Greenfield is filling the station of master for the second term, he having been the second master. S. V. Sharp, a young man and an active and zealous member, is senior warden, and A. D. Hinton, a hard-working and energetic brother, is junior warden. The last two are residents of Rodeo, whence the lodge has obtained some of its best members. For many years the Masons of Pittsburg, California, plied back and forth faithfully attending their lodge at Antioch, a diastance of seven miles, and this at a time when roads were not State highways and automobiles were unknown. Oftentimes it was noticeable that the majority at lodge were the Pittsburg members, notwithstanding the difficulties in getting there. When the town began to grow and the number of Masons increased, there began to rank in the breast of one of the members who had served the offices and for two years as master of Antioch Lodge No. 175, a cherished hope that a lodge might be instituted in his home town, Pittsburg. When at last it was brought before the other members at the home of A. V. McFaul on November 25, 1911, a great deal of enthusiasm was manifested and by January 20, 1912, the arrangements of details incident to the organization of Pittsburg Lodge No. 429 were completed. Twenty-two Master Masons, mostly dimitting from Antioch Lodge No. 175, comprised the new lodge, whose first meeting under dispensation was held February 20, 1912. The officers chosen were: Archie Valentine McFaul, W. M.; Ernest Herman Ward, S. W.; Harry W. Reinhart, J. W.; Bernard P. Lanteri, treasurer; Warren George Hubbard Croxon, secretary; Albert Hendricks Jongeneel, chaplain; James Shirley Hornsby, S. D.; John Lowes, J. D.; William James Buchanan, marshal; Weaver McPherson Bailey and David Israel, stewards; George Minaker, tyler. Charter was granted October 10, 1912, and on November 9, 1912, the lodge was instituted and officers installed. Grand Master W. P. Filmer officiated and Grand Secretary John Whicher, Grand Junior Deacon Fred B. Ward, with L. N. Buttner, Inspector of the Twenty-eighth Masonic District, attended the ceremonies. At the present time the membership has increased to double the original number, and on February 26, 1916, this event was celebrated by entertaining some of the neighbor lodges in an elaborate manner. In 1912 a number of Masons, seeing the needs of an additional lodge at Richmond, on account of the rapid growth and the large territory that Richmond covers, petitioned the Grand Lodge for a special dispensation to form a new lodge. Under date of June 4, 1912, the lodge was organized with twenty-five charter members, under a special dispensation, dated May 24, 1912, issued by Past Grand Master Alonzo J. Monroe. The lodge under this special dispensation conferred the several degrees on a number of candidates, and received a number of brothers by affiliation. October 10, 1912, a charter was issued by Grand Master Alonzo J. Monroe, and on November 12, 1912, the lodge was constituted by Grand Master William P. Filmer and other officers of the Grand Lodge. The first officers of the lodge were: Hershey Annin Stiver, W. M.; James Edward Maxfield, S. W.; Thomas Thayer, J. W.; Leonard Little, treasurer; Albert Hamilton Poage, secretary; Edward Howe Harlow, chaplain; Luke Joseph Glavinovich, S. D.; Richard Edmond Slattery, J. D.; Ross Lewis Calfee, marshal; Clyde Everett Hopping and Walter Alexander Maier, stewards; Max Michaels, tyler. Since 1912-1913, Thomas Thayer and Luke Joseph Glavinovich have served as master. Richard Edmond Slattery is at present master. The lodge has had a steady growth, and has a membership of over two hundred. The history of Mount Diablo Lodge No. 448 is short on account of its recent founding, but if a detailed account of its early days was to be given it would show an unlimited amount of enthusiasm on the part of the handful of faithful members of the craft who felt that it was their duty and pleasure to promote the interests of the order in this part of Contra Costa County. The Grand Lodge of California granted a dispensation to the Masons in this locality on May 21, 1916, authorizing them to form, open, and conduct a Masonic lodge according to the ancient custom of the order. The first meeting was held May 30, 1915. The lodge continued to work under this dispensation until October 17th of the same year, when the grand lodge granted this present charter. On that date the lodge was constituted and its officers installed by the grand lodge in the Masonic Temple in Oakland, Benjamin F. Bledsoe, Grand Master. L. L. Martin was the first master; Michaelis Neusteadter the senior warden and Charles W. Thissell, junior warden. Twenty-three members signed the by-laws. At the present writing the membership has reached forty, and, with the increasing enthusiasm on the part of all, the future of Mount Diablo Lodge No. 448, F & A. M., will be at least an honor and pleasure to all members of the craft in Concord and the adjoining towns. Dispensation to organize Antioch Chapter No. 65, R. A. M., was granted June 3, 1884; charter was issued April 29, 1885; and the chapter was constituted May 13, 1885. Officers: C. H. Frink, high priest; D. D. Wells, king; J. C. O'Brien, scribe; D. G. Darby, treasurer; W. H. Dobyns, secretary; James Carter, captaiin of host; G. C. Wright, principal sojourner; S. H. McKellips, royal arch captain; Geo. Holliday, master of third vail; J. P. Abbott, master of second vail; N. W. Smith, master of first vail; and George A. Minaker, guard. Ariel Chapter No. 42, Order of the Eastern Star, was instituted in Antioch on March 30, 1830, with the following as charter members and officers: George Rice, worthy patron; Elizabeth Williams, worthy matron; Alice Rouse, associate matron; Clarence Frink, secretary; Mary Frink, treasurer; A. R. Jessup, conductress; Bertha Jacobs, associate conductress; Annie McKellips, Adah; Kate Forman, Ruth; Mary E. Smith, Esther; Nellie G. Abbott, Martha; Alice Harkinson, Electa. Beginning with meager numbers, the chapter has grown into one of the leading institutions of the city, and now has a membership of more than 140. Its roster contains the names of many of the leading people of Antioch, and the social functions for which the chapter stands sponsor are among the principal events in the community. Crockett Chapter No. 184, O. E. S., was organized September 7, 1900. The officers at that time were: Emily Olletha Walker, worthy matron; Edmund Freund, worthy patron; Libbie Emma Reid, associate matron; Charles Phillip Thomas, secretary; Edmund Robert Reid, treasurer; Emma Mary Hedemark, conductress; Nancy Calwell Moiles, associate conductress; Henrietta Maria Enos, Adah; Kate Emily Edwards, Ruth; Minnie Perrin Freund, Esther; Harriett Delila Weyman, Martha; Marie Schneider, Electa; Marie Thompson, warder; James Thompson, sentinel. Present officers: Maud Alice Gay, worthy matron; Jacob Erratt Hughes, worthy patron; Amelia Kleinkopf, associate matron; Helena C. Paul, secretary; Annie Edwards, treasurer; Grayce Anna Laidlaw, conductress; Annie J. Edwards, associate conductress; Enid Elizabeth Staples, Adah; Elizabeth Colinina Helen Burdon, Ruth; Louise Antonia Adams, Esther; Margaret Hughes, Martha; Daisy Stemmle, Electa; Sarah Davies Jones, Warden; John Henry Dorman, sentinel; George Jones, chaplain; Louise Smith, marshal; Lurah Lennon Madden, organist; District Deputy Grand Matron of the Twenty-fifth District, Ethel I. Sweetser. Membership at the present time, 83. Pinole Chapter No. 220, O. E. S., was instituted on February 23, 1904, by Grand Patron McNoble, assisted by Grand Secretary Kate J. Willats. Miss Susie Willats was also present and assisted. Following is a list of the fifteen charter members: Abraham Greenfield, Belle Greenfield, Jennie Peterson, Bertha Evans, Ellen E. Barrett, Emma Holliday, C. H. Holliday, Lillie E. Lehmkuhl, Chas. F. Lemkuhl, Mary Enloe, Joseph V. Enloe, Lottie Pfeiffer, George W. Pfeiffer, Emily McKenzie (affiliation), William McKenzie (affiliation). Officers at the time: Lillie E. Lehmkuhl, worthy matron; William McKenzie, worthy patron; Jennie Paterson, associate matron; Joseph V. Enloe, secretary; Abraham Greenfield, treasurer; Emily McKenzie, conductress; Bertha Evans, associate conductress; Belle Greenfield, Adah; Emma Holliday, Ruth; May Enloe, Esther; Ellen Barrett, Martha; Lottie Pfeiffer, Electa; Charles F. Lehmkuhl, warder; George W. Pfeiffer, sentinel. Present officers (1916): Mary C. Woy, worthy matron; Henry McCullough, worthy patron; Isabell Fraser, associate matron; Ella Gerrish, secretary; George Pfeiffer, treasurer; Goldie Sill, conductress; Nellie Graham, associate conductress; Minnie Higuera, Adah; Lillie Lehmkuhl, Ruth; Grace Piquett, Esther; Emily McKenzie, Martha; Lucia Robison, Electa; Lillie Catlett, chaplain; Lottie Pfeiffer, marshal; Clara Hughes, organist; William McKenzie, warder; Stephen Johnston, sentinel. Total membership, 47. Finance account, good. Masonic support, good. Harmony and sociability prevail. Almona Chapter No. 214, O. E. S., was organized at Walnut Creek, September 5, 1903, with the following officers: Edith Clark, worthy matron; William Meese, worthy patron; Xarrissa Hill, associate matron; Lena C. Anderson, secretary; Mary Walker, treasurer; Ethel Flournoy, conductress; Ruby Harlan, associate conductress; Lizzie Lawrence, Adah; Mary Burpee, Ruth; Laura Hood, Esther; Lucy Hull, Electa; Lillian Close, chaplain; Nellie Fulton, organizer; Elizabeth Ramage, warder; James M. Stow, sentinel. The officers at present are as follows: May Elizabeth Stuchs, Lafayette, worthy matron; Harry Thurman Silver, Walnut Creek, worthy patron; Lizzie Adelaide Duncan, Walnut Creek, associate matron; May Spencer, Walnut Creek, secretary; Mary Burpee, Walnut Creek, treasurer; Eva Berry Leech, Walnut Creek, conductress; Adele Hook, Hookston, associate conductress; Maude Jones Silver, Walnut Creek, Adah; Ruby Burpee Harlan, Walnut Creek, Ruth; Irene Bodva, Danville, Esther; Cora Billings Weister, Danville, Martha; Josephine Hook, Hookston, Electa; Lillian Grass, Danville, chaplain; Leona B. Abiott, Danville, marshal; Ida Hall, Alamo, organist; Louise Hook, Hookston, warder; Louis Irwin Stuchs, Lafayette, sentinel. The chapter lost by death, April 13, Belle Fiddis Brooks, associate conductress, and June 16, 1916, Anna Journal, conductress, so have had to substitute those two offices. Present membership, 117. Have $950 worth of stock in Masonic Hall Association. The Masonic Temple is in course of construction. Los Ceritos Chapter No. 234, O. E. S., was organized at Martinez July 22, 1905, with the following officers: Margaret V. Borland, worthy matron; William A. Hale, worthy patron; Mary E. Hayword, associate matron; Vesta E. Wilson, secretary; George A. Wiley, treasurer; Rebecca Pasch, conductress; Jennie I. Hale, associate conductress; Grace Beulah C. Hodapp, Martha; Ednette M. Ingraham, Electa; Margaret Crilley, warder; R. H. Latimer, sentinel. Present officers: Geneva H. Gleese, worthy matron; Joseph A. Royster, worthy patron; Rachel H. Elliott, associate matron; Mary E. Hayward, secretary; Don O. Brillhart, treasurer; Clara W. Van Prooyen, conductress; Margaret L. Peck, associate conductress; Nannie E. Sharkey, Adah; Jennie A. Brillhart, Ruth; Olive W. Reed, Esther; Viola R. Coleman, Martha; Alta B. Hoadley, Electa; Sarah J. Davies, chaplain; Vesta E. Wilson, organist; Agnes S. Royster, warder; Orville E. Hayward, sentinel. Emma L. McClellan, marshal, died September 1, 1916. Present membership, 81. Acantha Chapter No. 249, O. E. S., was organized at Richmond, September 7, 1906. Instituted by Grand Patron Florin Jones, assisted by Grand Treasurer Helen M. Seaman, acting as grand marshal, and Grand Secretary Kate J. Willats. The following were the officers for the first year: Margaret J. Schoen, worthy matron; Frederick M. Neville, worthy patron; Winifred Stockwell, associate matron; Anna Neville, conductress; Lola Jean McWay, associate conductress; Palmerton C. Campbell, secretary; Nathan J. Pritchard, treasurer; Mary E. Campbell, Adah; Kate McVicker, Ruth; Bessie Pritchard, Esther; Julia Odell, Martha; Amy McRacken, Electa; Eleanor Gregory, warder; Samuel Smith, sentinel; Alfeus Odell, chaplain. The present officers are as follows: Caroline Kinney, worthy matron; Clyde C. Olney, worthy patron; Fannie I. Rowland, associate matron; Bernice McCormick, secretary; Marietta Duncan, treasurer; Cora C. Thayer, conductress; Martha A. Chandler, associate conductress; Edna Christie, Adah; Etherl Swearingen, Ruth; Sadie V. Osler, Esther; Della A. Long, Martha; Mary A. McDonough, Electa; John E. Breese, chaplain; Myrtle A. Stiver, marshal; Anna B. Miller, organist; Anna M. Radcliffe, warden; Jesse A. Osler, sentinel. Present membership, 199, with two more elected to affiliate, and two petitions for initiations received September 8, 1916, which was tenth anniversary of the chapter. From July 1, 1915, to July 1, 1916, received thirty-one into membership. The chapter is prosperous in every way, the members taking great interest, as is manifested by the attendance at the meetings. RICHMOND LODGE NO. 1251, B. P. O. E. By Harcourt G. Biggs On May 2, 1911, twenty-nine Elks signed a petition expressing their willingness and desire to organize an Elks Lodge in Richmond, and from that date begins the history of Elkdom in Richmond and Contra Costa County. Then came the meetings, where were discussed many things looking toward the advent of Berkeley Lodge No. 1002, our mother-lodge. A committee was formed, and on the floor of the Berkeley Lodge the request was made, and simultaneously the officers and brothers of that lodge arose and responded as being in favor of instituting such lodge and gave the committee guarantees of their heartiest assistance and support. From the request of Berkeley followed the request to the D. D. G. E. R., F. G. S. Conlon, of San Francisco. With Berkeley Lodge, he was invited to Richmond on Sunday, at which time he was driven through the city to the Standard Oil Company's plant and that of the California Wine Association at Winehaven, to impress upon him the permanency of our institutions and resources. On returning we repaired to Brother Wylie's restaurant where a feed was spread. From there we went into session at Brother Abbott's office, and after laying our propositions before the D. D. G. E. R. he replied that from the spirit and enthusiasm shown he would sanction the project with his indorsement. A dispensation was asked and granted August 1, 1911. Eighteen of the twenty-nine petitioners met in Brother C.J. Rihn's office and selected the officers for the term, as follows: C. L. Abbott, exalted ruler; A. C. Lang, esteemed leading knight; C. J. Rihn, loyal knight; H. G. Biggs, lecturing knight; F. W. Smith, Secretary; F. C. Schram, treasurer; W. V. Keltz, A. H. Burnett, and E. W. O'Brien, trustees; H. E. French, tyler; J. A. Bell, esquire; R. Bankhead, chaplain; D. H. Carpenter, inner guard. After the officers had been selected came the question , whom to invite, and how to care for them. A motion was made and approved to limit the expenditure to $150 and invite the mother-lodge with certain representatives of the neighboring lodges. Soon thereafter we concluded to invite all the Elks about the bay and let the expense take care of itself. On the night of September 19, 1911, twenty-five hundred visitors were in Richmond, and there was an institution unexampled and a spread of viands and vintage fit for the gods. Immediately succeeding meetings gave an impetus toward purchasing suitable property, so that when the time to build should arrive we would at least have our site. The Hall Association was incorporated January 26, 1912. The directors were as follows: C. L. Abbott, president; A. C. Lang, vice-president; W. T. Helms, secretary; E.M. Downer, treasurer; A. H. Burnett, F. C. Schrahm, H. W. Tuller, E. M. Tilden, M. L. Fernandez. The first meeting of directors was on February 3, 1912. Two lots on Tenth and Macdonald Avenue being available, Brother E. M. Tilden, in behalf of the lodge, February 14, 1912, purchased the same at a cost of $12,000. Only a short time elapsed before we decided to sell more stock and issue bonds toward the building of a home. The contract for the basement was let on April 25, 1913. The building, costing $78,000, was accepted January 26, 1914. The furnishings cost $22,000. The present structure with its beauty of architecture and many accommodations is the result. It stands out as the best and most modern building in Richmond, and is acknowledged the greatest private asset of our fast-growing city. It is a home for Elks, come from where they may. All are invited, all are welcome. The Past Exhalted Rulers are: Doctor C. L. Abbott, A. C. Lang, and Harcourt G. Biggs. The present officers are as follows: J. A. Bell, exalted ruler; Howard French, esteemed leading knight; Herman W. Tuller, esteemed loyal knight; Clare Horner, esteemed lecturing knight; J. P. Arnold, secretary; J. O. Ford, treasurer; W. S. Pierce, esquire; Rev. Thomas A. Boyer, chaplain; Joe Dietrich, inner guard; Peter Brown, tyler. Trustees: A. H. Burnett, D. H. Carpenter, and J. A. McVittie. Presley Neville, organist. Charter Members: C. L.Abbott, R. Bankhead, J. A. Bell, H. C. Biggs, A. H. Burnett, D. H. Carpenter, Charles Dalton, B. E. Fariss, H. E. French, J. E. Lowney, W.A. LaSalle, J. R. Froberg, J. J. Grant, W. E. Hanson, N. R. Jackson, W. V. Keltz, C. F. Kings, A. C. Lam=ng, J. W. Melbourne, E. W.O'Brien, John Purnhagen, Chas. J. Rihn, H. L. Rutley, F. C. Schram, O. E. Smedley, Frank W. Smith, J. W. Switzer, E. H. Truax, Oliver Wylie. NATIVE SONS OF THE GOLDEN WEST General Winn Parlor No. 32, Antioch. - Instituted Saturday, July 26, 1884, by Grand President Steinbach, with a membership of 25. C. F. Montgomery, president, and C. M. Belshaw, secretary. Mount Diablo Parlor No. 101, Martinez. - Instituted February 7, 1887, by Grand President Decker, and D. D. G. P., C. M. Belshaw, with a membership of seventeen. T. A. McMahon, president, and F. L.Glass, secretary. Central Parlor No. 140, Walnut Creek. - Instituted June 19, 1889, by Grand President Frank D. Ryan, with a membership of 39. E. B. Anderson, president, and James A. Black, secretary. Dissolved April 25, 1896. Byron Parlor No. 170, Byron.- Instituted February 7, 1891, by Grand President Miller, with a membership of 20. W. H. Johnston, president, and W. H. Lewis, secretary. Sunrise Parlor No. 204, Pinole. - Instituted August 4, 1899, by Grand President Frank Mattison, with a membership of 33. J. W. Wilson, president, and John Wunderlich, secretary. Dissolved April 27, 1906. Carquinez Parlor No. 205, Crockett. - Instituted August 5, 1899, by Grand President Frank Mattison, with a membership of 44. W. H. McDonald, president, and H. T. Smith, secretary. Richmond Parlor No. 217, Richmond. - Instituted January 6, 1903, by Grand President Byington, with a membership of 21. C. F. Grant, president, and J. D. Grant, secretary. Concord Parlor No. 245, Concord. - Instituted November 2, 1908, by Grand Organizer Andrew Mocker, with a membership of 30. A. C. Gehringer, president, and C. Hook, Secretary. Diamond Parlor No. 246, Pittsburg. - Instituted February 4, 1909, by Grand Organizer Mocker, with a membership of 27. W. G. H. Croxon, president, and L. H. Schmalholz, secretary. San Ramon Valley Parlor No. 249, Danville. - Instituted April 10, 1909, by Grand Organizer Mocker, with a membership of 23. C. G. Goold, president, and S. H. Flournoy, secretary.