REPORT

Of the Committees from the Several Lodges, relative to the Introduction of Masonry into Nebraska,

In compliance with a Resolution passed at the Session of the Grand Lodge of Nebraska, held at Nebraska City, June 2d, 1858.

Reports made at the 1860 Annual Communication.

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REPORT OF NEBRASKA LODGE, NO. 1, AT BELLEVUE

To the M.W. Grand Lodge of Nebraska:

The undersigned, having been appointed by the Grand Lodge of Nebraska at its last regular communication, held June, A.D. 1858, at Nebraska City, for the purpose of collecting the early history of Nebraska Lodge, No. 1, do respectfully submit the following report:

As early as the spring of the year 1854, several members of this Ancient Craft began to settle in and about the point now known as the City of Bellevue. Among these were Brothers A. R. Gillmore, L. B. Kinney, L. L.

Bowen, P. J. McMahan, George Hepner, A. W. Holister, and A. Lockwood. After deliberating upon the subject of looking well to the West, they resolved to petition the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the state of Illinois for a dispensation authorizing them to commence work in due Masonic form. The petition being duly recommended was signed by following Brothers: L. B.

Kinney, A. R. Gillmore, P. J. McMahan, George Hepner, A. W. Holister, A. H.

Burtch, and A. Lockwood. The dispensation was granted by the Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, in the fall of A.D. 1854, and was procured by Bros. A. R. Gillmore, at Chicago. This was the first dispensation for the territory of Nebraska.

The first regular communication, held under this dispensation, was on the evening of April 3d, 1855, in the second story of the old Trading Post, then owned by Bro. Peter A. Sarpy. In the adjoining room resided a family of the natives of the soil – the Omahas – who, in connection with many others of that tribe, exhibited quite a curiosity to know what their pale-faced brothers were doing. Hence, in order to elude observation, and preserve the secrets of our Order, large Mackinaw blankets were hung around the room, until the desired end was accomplished. The Lodge was then opened in the Master’s degree, and was the first regularly opened Lodge of Master Masons in the territory. The following officers, having been appointed by the Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, presided: L. B. Kinney, W.M.; L. L. Bowen, S.W.; A. Lockwood, J.W.; A. W. Holister, Sec; and W.

Barnum, Treas.

A committee was appointed to prepare By-Laws for the government of the Lodge, consisting of Brethren A. W. Holister, L. L. Bowen, and A. H. Burtch.

At this meeting a petition was received from Isiah H. Bennet, signed by Brothers Burtch, Lockwood, and Barnum, praying to be initiated a member of our ancient Fraternity. This petition was acted upon, in due form, and the Lodge, after some other business, adjourned until May 29, 1855.

At the appointed time the Lodge again met at the same place. The committee on the petition of Isiah H. Bennet, reported the following:

“Your committee, having investigated the character of the applicant, consider him in every respect worthy of becoming a member of our Fraternity; but it becomes the painful duty of your committee to report that the worthy petitioner has been called by an all-wise providence to the Supreme Grand Lodge of the universe.”

In October of the same year, 1855, a charter was obtained from the Grand Lodge of Illinois, which met that year at Springfield. This charter was obtained by Bro. L. B. Kinney, W.M., who visited said Grand Lodge for that purpose. The following officers were named in said charter: L. B. Kinney, W.M.; L. L. Bowen, S.W.; and Geo. Hepner, J.W. This Lodge was instituted and the officers installed, August 22, 1857, by Bro. R. C. Jordan, of Omaha, he having been appointed proxy by the G.M. of the Grand Lodge of Illinois for that purpose.

On the 23d of September, 1857, a charter was granted this Lodge, by the Grand Lodge of the territory of Nebraska, and the following officers named in the same: L. B. Kinney, W.M.; L. L. Bowen, S.W.; and John A. Nye, J.W.

This charter was signed by Robert C. Jordan, M.W. Grand Master, Leavitt L.

Bowen, R.W. Deputy Grand Master, David Lindley, R.W.S. Grand Warden, and L.

B. Kinney, R.W.J. Grand Warden. Attested by George Armstrong, R.W. Grand Secretary.

Since the organization of this Lodge, two Brothers have been called away from the labors of earth. They were interred with the honors of our Order.

The first was Bro. Rice, and the second was Bro. Thomas Nye. Both of them were highly esteemed citizens, and faithful in all their duties as Masons.

The statistics of our Lodge are as follows: There were five charter members. Admitted by certificate, five; entered, fourteen; passed, ten; raised, eight; demitted, two.

Firmly believing in the immutable principles of Masonry, and striving practically to exemplify them, we hope to lay broad and deep the foundations of a structure that shall rise to call us blessed after we are raised to the higher and purer climes of immortality.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

C. D. Keller
Com. of Neb. Lodge, No. 1

Attested to as an authentic typed copy of a proceeding record of the Grand Lodge of Nebraska, and is hereby respectfully submitted by:

Russ Reno, PM
Grand Junior Deacon
Grand Lodge of Nebraska