View this email in your browser

December 02, 2022

THE LOUISIANA FREEMASON is the Official Publication of The Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana, F & A.M., digitally published quarterly and in print annually for members of Lodges in Louisiana. The Louisiana Freemason eEdition is published weekly on Fridays. Articles that are published do not necessarily reflect the views of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana. Email/Address Changes should be sent to the Lodge Secretary.

Bunkie Christmas Parade Invites
Masonic Lodges and Shrine Units

The photos above are of the parade train built by WM. D. Haas III Shrine Club in Bunkie, La. MWB WD Haas, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana 1933, is pictured (inset) on the left. Mr. Pat Ryan, Bunkie Rotary Parade Chairman, wants to invite lodges and units to take part in the Christmas parade, in the tradition of local Shrine Units and Masons in years past. Mr. Ryan stated, "It would be a wonderful opportunity to commemorate Shriner’s Bunkie Legacy."

If you have any questions, call Mr. Pat Ryan at 318-792-5585.

Bayou Chicot & The Mystery
of the Arkansas Pillars

by Brother Paul Anderson
Bayou Chicot No. 430

Editor's Note: Brother Anderson did an outstanding job with this submission. Many thanks brother!

The stated meeting at Bayou Chicot Lodge No. 430 on November 14 was a special occasion. A great feast of Jambalaya, Gumbo, Potato Salad, White Beans and Sausage, Sweet Potato Bake and numerous cakes and pies, prepared by the Brothers of the Lodge, along with the robust Fellowship, was enjoyed by all. After opening theLodge, M∴W∴ Jay McCallum, Grand Master and W∴B∴Deas Dempsey, 9th District Grand Lecturer, presented our Chaplain, W∴B∴Conrad Champagne, 9th District Grand Lecturer Emeritus, with the apron that he wore during his many years of service to the Grand Lodge and the 9th District.

The visitors from Gordy Lodge No. 133 laid claim to the 9th District Traveling Gavel currently in our possession. After friendly discussion and “review of the rules” it was determined that the requirements had been met, as five members of the Lodge were present with one being a principal officer. Bayou Chicot secretary, W∴B∴Gay Holston PM, presented the traveling gavel to Gordy’s Junior Warden, B∴Stephen Melder, with the admonition that Bayou Chicot will be traveling to Gordy to reclaiming it after the required time has expired.

M∴W∴Jay McCallum, Grand Master and members of his Official Family were presented and received with Honors. Along with the Grand Master, the other Official Family members present were: W∴B∴Wiley G. “Dickey” Bell, Grand Photographer, W∴B∴F. Deas Dempsey, 9th District Grand Lecturer, W∴B∴Conrad Champagne, 9th District Grand Lecturer Emeritus.

A program “Discovery and Restoration of Our “New Pillars” was then presented by B∴Paul Anderson, SW (middle photo below, in the back). M∴W∴ Jay McCallum and W∴B∴ Joe Giroir then unveiled the “New” pillars (below). The Restoration Crew was also presented (Bottom photo).

A lively question and answer period covering information concerning the construction, location, and description of the pillars on the Porch of King Solomons Temple concluded the educational portion of the meeting. M∴W∴Jay McCallum then took the floor and delivered an update on Grand Lodge events and the charitable programs available. The Lodge was then closed with Peace and Harmony prevailing.

The History of the Pillars

One of our “youngest” Master Masons, Bro. Mark Fontenot, while traveling in southern Arkansas noticed an old building with a sign with a Masonic emblem. Upon further examination of the building, he determined that the pillars were still present. Returning home and after some research, he obtained permission from the Grand Lodge of Arkansas to retrieve the pillars and the sign from the old George Washington Lodge No.231 of Thornton, Arkansas for restoration and use at Bayou Chicot.

A small team was assembled and the items were retrieved from Arkansas. The pillars were taken to Bro. Holston’s, where he put in numerous hours removing the old finish, repairing and filling the wood pillars, and applying the base paints. The pillars and globes are a single piece of solid wood over eight feet in length. The square bases are framed to provide support for the pillars. Bro. Cheramie completed the artistic painting to the globes and bases.

During the restoration, follow-up conversations with M∴W∴B∴Boyd Freeman, Grand Master, Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Arkansas, provided information about George Washington Lodge. The area around Thornton had a population of German heritage with strong ties in lumber and construction. He believes the pillars are more than one hundred years old. The Charter for George Washington Lodge No. 231 was also sent to us..

The charter was issued from The Grand Lodge of Arkansas, Ancient York Masons … according to the Old Constitution, revived by the Prince Edwin at York, the Kingdom of England, in the year of our Lord, 926. And down the first rabbit hole we go, looking for the ancestry of Ancient York Masons.

In his 1909 book, C. L. Mitchell 33˚, M∴W∴G∴M∴ Grand Lodge A.F.&A.M. Texas writes:

“… the city of York is in the north part of England it is celebrated for its traditional connection with Freemasonry in England. The first charter granted in England to the Masons as a body was by authority and power of King Athelstan, in the year of 926 at York, England and the application was made by Prince Edwin and Prince Edwin summoned all the Masons in England to meet him in congregation at the City of York, England and from this assemblage of Masons at York the letter "Y" originated. Prince Edwin was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge that was organized at York England in 926. From the commencement of 926 of the assembly of Masons at York the letter "Y" commenced, and has been known among members of the Masonic fraternity and at the establishing of the Grand Lodge at York, England in the year 926 they adopted a constitution and general regulation for the craft.

“Prince Edwin, the brother of King Athelstan of England was an eminent and distinguished Mason and King Athelstan was the grandson of King Alfred the first anointed King of England who translated the Holy Bible into the Saxon language.
“The Grand Lodge that was established in York, England in 926 prospered and flourished. The City of York, England was the seat of Masonic government of the craft in England.”1

So, what were the constitution and general regulations of Masonry in 926. One of the oldest Masonic documents to be discovered, written between 1350 and 1450 and dated by authorities at about 1390 is The Regius Poem or Halliwell Manuscript.

“The Regius Poem is considered by Freemasonry to be one of the Old Charges. The Old Charges were meant to describe a members requirements when they joined an operative lodge. In order to join, a new member swore to uphold and perform the things required in the charge. Often these appeared in the front of the lodge's book of minutes.
“The Regius Poem itself consists of 64 vellum pages written in rhyming couplets. The poem starts with Euclid in ancient Egypt. It describes how Euclid "counterfeited geometry" and called it masonry. This was for the employment of the children of the nobility. After Euclid it describes how masonry is spread through 'many diverse lands'. It also documents how masons in England during the reign of King Æthelstan, the first King of England, gained self governance. In the poem as it relates to Æhelstan and Freemasonry, masons throughout England travel to his court and seek guidance on governing themselves.”2

The next rabbit hole to explore, who were the signers of the charter and what information could be found about them. A search of the Grand Lodge of Arkansas website revealed W.D. Blocher was the Grand Master in 1869 and that E.H. English was Grand Master in 1849 and from 1859 to 1868, for a total of eleven years. This span included the period of the American Civil War from April, 1861 to April, 1865.

In the spring of 1862, after the Battle at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, then First Lieutenant Blocher was placed in charge of the Weaver battery, garrisoned at Fort McCulloch under the command of General Albert Pike.

“A few days later there was a large delegation in camp from the wild and roving tribes of the commander’s Indian allies — Kiowas, Comanches and several other tribes, who were summoned to council by General Pike … Next to General Pike’s fine person, the bronze guns of West and Blocher was the chief center of attraction.”3

In 1864, Blocher was placed in command of the Fifth Artillery Battalion of the Trans-Mississippi Department, Headquartered in Shreveport, LA.

“SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT, Numbers 290. Shreveport, La., November 19, 1864.

“XIX. The following will in future be the organization of the artillery in the Trans-Mississippi Department: …

“Fifth Battalion, Major W. D. Blocher commanding: First Arkansas Field Battery, Captain McNally, 4 guns (mounted); Third Arkansas Field Battery, Captain J. G. Marshall, 4 guns (mounted); Fourth Arkansas Field Battery, Captain H. C. West, 4 guns (mounted); Seventh Arkansas Field Battery, Lieutenant J. V. Zimmerman; First Missouri Field Battery, Captain S. T. Ruffner; Third Missouri Field Battery, Captain A. A. Lesuer.”4

He surrendered with General Kirby Smith’s army in the Trans-Mississippi Department May 26, 1865. W.D. Blocher went on to be a prominent newspaperman in Little Rock. He was a partner in ownership of the Gazette until 1876 and in 1878, purchased the Arkansas Democrat. Stricken with disease in October, 1879, he passed away on November 9, 1879. 5

And finally, E.H. English moved to Arkansas and opened a law office in Little Rock in 1844. He supplemented his income by becoming the official reporter of the Arkansas Supreme Court’s opinions. He eventually published eight volumes covering the period of 1845 - 1853. He also compiled an annotated digest of the laws of the state, adopted by the General Assembly and published in 1848 as English’s Digest.

In 1848, he sought election to the supreme court as an associate justice, but was defeated. And in 1854, the General Assembly appointed English to Chief Justice to complete the last six years of George Watkins term and in 1860, he was unanimously re-elected to a full eight year term.

The Supreme Court of Arkansas consisted of the Chief Justice and two Associate Justices, with two required to form a quorum. On May 6, 1861, the Convention of Delegates for Secession reconvened and in hours voted to withdraw from the Union. As the war progressed, the Capital of Arkansas as well as the Supreme Court was moved from Little Rock to Washington, 100 miles southwest. Frequently only 2 justices were present because of actions and difficult travel present during the Civil War. On November 25, 1863, Justice Fairchild resigned.

March 1864, A vote was held in Union-occupied Arkansas and a new constitution was approved leaving Arkansas with two state governments. On June 8, 1864, Confederate Governor Flanagin finally named a replacement justice to the Supreme, Albert Pike.

The Confederate state supreme court, like the government ceased to exist in the spring of 1865. English returned to Little Rock and the practice of law. With the support of Unionist Governor Isaac Murphy, he was given a presidential pardon in 1867 and in 1871, the General Assembly approved a bill restoring English’s political rights. In 1873 he served as counsel for the Republican Governor, then appointed chief justice to the supreme court. In 1874 he was elected to a six year term, and re-elected in 1880 to an 8 year term. English died September 1, 1884 in Asheville, NC while seeking relief from the summer heat. 6

In total E.H. English served as G∴M∴ of Arkansas for 11 years and Chief Justice for over 20 years under 4 different State Constitutions of 1836, 1861, 1868 and 1874.

Sources

1. M∴W∴B∴C. L. Mitchell, 33˚, PGM, The Early Introduction of Bogus Freemasonry in the United States of America and Texas Among Colored Masons (1909) at https://www.gutenberg.org/files/40234/40234-h/40234-h.htm
2. The Regius Poem, at https://www.masonrytoday.com/index.php?new_month=2&new_day=10&new_year=2016.
3. W. E. Woodruff, Late Major Artillery, C.S.A, With the Light Guns in ’61-’65: Reminiscences of Eleven Arkansas, Missouri and Texas Light Batteries, In the Civil War (1903) at https://books.google.com/books.
4. The Honorable Stephen B. Elkins, et. Al. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (1892) at ehistory.osu.edu/books/official-records.
5. William S. Speer, Managing Editor and Hon. John Henry Brown, Revising Editor, The Encyclopedia of The New West (1881) at https://books.google.com/books..
6. Logan Scott Stafford, The Arkansas Supreme Court and the Civil War, 7 J. S. Legal Hist. 37 (1999) at https://lawrepository.ualr.edu/faculty_scholarship.

Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 428

Works with Local Students and Non-Profit on Good Deed

6th, 7th, and 8th grade students of N.P. Trist Middle School

Students with members of Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 428

Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 428, in Arabi Louisiana, teamed up with Good Deeds Fillings Needs, a Non-Profit Community organization, and N.P. Trist Middle School. Students of N.P. Trist collected non-perishable food items through a school food drive, They secured enough food for 30 families. They also received a donation of bags from the Local Tractor Supply store.

Good Deeds filling Need provided Andrew Jackson Lodge with a list of 30 families in Saint Bernard Parish in need of assistance. Brother Darryl J.Dragon (W∴M∴ Elect for the year 2023) negotiated with Walmart Neighborhood Market to purchase 30 turkeys. Brother Dragon coordinated the entire event with all members, GDFN, and the Principal of N.P. Trist Middle School. Members later learned that her Father, Grandfather, and Uncle were all members of Daylight Lodge. On Friday November 18th W∴B∴ Thomas O’Flarity , W∴B∴ Frank Bianchini D∴D∴G∴M∴ 15th District, W∴B∴ John Stogner, Brother Darryl Dragon, Brother Paul Couget, Brother Andrew Poland, and Brother Blake LeJuane, delivered 30 bags and 30 turkeys to residents of Saint Bernard Parish.

Michael Dempsey Lodge No. 327

Donates $1K for Jena Charitable Works

November 8, 2022: Missy Bradford McEntyre, Homeless Liaison for the LaSalle Parish School System, accepts a $1,000 donation from members of Michael Dempsey Lodge No. 327 of Jena to assist with the "Christmas APPLES Program". Mrs. McEntyre expressed thanks for the donation, which will help many students in the parish have a better Christmas this year. Those wishing to assist with the program should contact Mrs. McEntyre at the LaSalle Parish Media Center, 992-8884.

Freemasons shown from left to right include, Kevin Ray Jones-P∴M∴, Brent Humphries-Worshipful Master, Jackie Morris-P∴M∴, Dennis Bradford-P∴M∴, Doyle Stevenson-Chaplain, Buford King-Senior Deacon.