This WEBSITE is published monthly as an official publication of the
Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America.
RICHARD BURDITT BALDWIN, Grand Master and Publisher,
Lawrence E. Tucker, Grand Recorder and Editor
5909 West Loop South, Suite 495, Bellaire, TX 77401-2402
(713) 349-8700 (telephone), (713) 349-8710 (facsimile)
E-mail: letucker@sbcglobal.net
Joan B. Morton Assistant Editor
Mail materials and correspondence, to:
Editor, Grand Encampment of Knights Templar
Post Office Box 478448, Chicago, IL 60647-8448
phone and fax: (773) 489-0689
Material for the Grand Commanderies' two-page supplements is to be directed to the respective Supplement editors.
Supplement Editors are encouraged to create their own sites or submit "NEWS" to kych52va@aol.com
Address corrections from members are to be sent to the local Recorders LISTED HERE
JULY: Just SCROLL DOWN to view the Grand Master's July Message; the biographies of the last three R.E. Department Commanders of the Grand Encampment, these extremely accomplished Sir Knights are leading the Commanderies in their particular jurisdictions; the final results of the 39th Annual Voluntary Campaign for the Knights Templar Eye Foundation and listings of the new KTEF club memberships; the story of another colorful Mason, Gordon W. Lillie, otherwise known as "Pawnee Bill."; and , "On the Masonic Newsfront"
Grand Master's Message - ULY 2007 July marks the middle of summer. For most of us, this is a time of warm weather, vacations, and enjoying family. As most of you are reading this message, the July 4th celebration of 2007 will be history. Masonry and the formation of our Great Country is one of the things I think about most as we celebrate Independence Day. We all know of the many Masons whose hands signed the Declaration of Independence so beautifully written by Thomas Jefferson.
There is a little told story that few know unless they happened to visit Monticello or are just plain trivia enthusiasts. The committee who drew up the Declaration consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin. John Adams would go on to be our second President, and Thomas Jefferson, after serving as Adam's Vice-President, became our third President. Though both loved their country, they saw its future differently and disagreed regularly on political issues. Only as they became older did they reconcile these issues and become friends. Both wanted to live long enough to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Declaration.
I always marvel that on July 4, 1826, the date of the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, both men died. Adams outlived Jefferson by a few hours. They did, in fact, live to see the day, but not to enjoy it. James Monroe, our fifth President, and a close friend of Jefferson, living only a few miles from Monticello, died on July 4, 1831, just five years after Jefferson and Adams. Thus three of our Presidents, all involved in one way or another with our Independence, died on our Country's Birthday. Very ironic!
I wish for you and your family a safe and enjoyable summer.
Yours in Templary
Sir Knight Richard Burditt Baldwin
Most Eminent Grand Master
2006 - 2009TOP
JAMES C. HERNDON
Right Eminent Department Commander (2006-2009)
Northwestern Department
Sir Knight James C. Herndon was born on July 26, 1941, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the eldest child of John Charles and Lucile Tway Herndon. Shortly after he was born, his parents returned to the Herndon family home in Salmon, Idaho. He was raised in Idaho. He received his primary and secondary school education in Salmon and was graduated in 1959. He attended the University of Idaho and was graduated with a Bachelor of Science (journalism) in 1963 and Juris Doctor of Law (J.D.) in 1966.
Sir Knight Herndon is married to the former Tommye R. Low. He has five children: Heidi, Lora, Sarah, Lacrecia, and John and fourteen grandchildren.
In 1966 Sir Knight Herndon was admitted to practice law in state and federal courts in Idaho. He maintained a general practice of law in Salmon, Idaho, for twenty years with emphasis in the areas of real estate, municipal, mining and water law, together with commercial and personal injury litigation. He also served three terms as the county attorney prosecuting criminal cases. He also was a partner in an insurance agency and a land title company.
Active in his community, he is a past director of the Salmon Valley Chamber of Commerce, a past president of the North Idaho Chamber of Commerce, past director of the University of Idaho Foundation, past director of the Salmon Rotary Club, past secretary of the Lemhi Irrigation District, and a past Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE), Lodge No. 1620. He also is the recipient of the Salmon Jaycees Distinguished Service Award.
In 1986 Sir Knight Herndon was elected a district judge and the Herndons moved to Blackfoot where they now live. The district courts in Idaho are the courts of original jurisdiction in all criminal and civil cases. Judge Herndon presided over a district court in Idaho's Seventh Judicial District for twenty years, including fourteen years as the Administrative Judge when he supervised four other district judges and thirteen magistrates (limited jurisdiction). He retired on December 31, 2006. He is a past president of the Idaho Judges Association, a member of several Supreme Court/Idaho Bar committees, including the committee on Civil Rules and Bench/Bar and Media Committee. He remains active in Rotary.
He is a member of the Sigma Chi social fraternity and in 2006 was presented the Jesse E. Buchanan award "for outstanding service to the community and exemplifying the spirit and ideals of Sigma Chi."
In 1987 Sir Knight Herndon was ordined a deacon in the Diocese of Idaho, Protestant Episcopal Church, and continues to serve in that capacity.
Sir Knight Herndon has a strong Masonic history. His father Charles was a Past Master of Lemhi Lodge No. 11 at Salmon, Past Grand High Priest of Salmon Chapter No. 14, RA.M., member of the Shrine, and a Past Commander of Salmon Commandery No.9, Knights Templar, and Grand Master of Masons in Idaho in 1961-1962. His mother and father were active in the Order of the Eastern Star. Sir Knight Herndon's uncle Joe Herndon served not only as Master of his lodge but also as Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons of Idaho and Grand Commander, Knights Templar of Idaho. His grandfather Herndon and a great uncle Ashley were also Masters of Lemhi Lodge No. 11, and his maternal grandfather, R R Tway, and his uncle Jack Tway were active in Masonry in Oklahoma, especially the Scottish Rite and the Shrine.
Sir Knight Herndon was raised a Master Mason in Lemhi Lodge No. 11, AF. & AM., by his father on September 24, 1964. He served as Master of Lemhi No. 11 in 1971 and 1979. Later he became a dual member in Grove City Lodge No. 33 at Blackfoot and was Master in 1997, 1998, and 1999. He was the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Idaho in 2005-2006. He has served on most Grand Lodge committees and presently is chairman of the Jurisprudence Committee.
In Capitular Masonry, Sir Knight Herndon was exalted in Salmon Chapter No. 59, R.AM., Salmon, Idaho, serving as Excellent High Priest in 1973 and 1974. He also belongs to Idaho Falls Chapter No. 10 and was Excellent High Priest in 2002-2003. He currently serves the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Idaho as the Royal Arch Captain. He has chaired the Jurisprudence and Finance Committees.
Sir Knight Herndon is the Illustrious Grand Chancellor of the United Grand Imperial Council of the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine. He was installed in St. Charles Conclave at Pocatello, Idaho, on June 10, 1989, and is a Past Sovereign. He was appointed Vice Intendant General, Division of Idaho, in 2002; Intendant General, Division of Idaho, in 2003; Grand Almoner in 2005; and Grand Chancellor in 2006.
In Cryptic Masonry, Sir Knight Herndon belongs to Jeremiah Council No. 9 at Idaho Falls, where he served as Illustrious Master in 2002-2003. He currently is the Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Idaho.He is a member of the Order of the Silver Trowel and of the Council of Thrice Illustrious Masters.
In Chivalric Masonry, Sir Knight Herndon was created a Knight Templar in 1967 in Salmon Commandery No.9. He served as Eminent Commander in 1974, 1992, 1993, and 1994. He affiliated (dual) with Idaho Falls Commandery No.6, where he is currently the Eminent Commander. Sir Knight Herndon, KCT, is also a Past Grand Commander (2000-2001). He is a member of Redemption Tabernacle No. XL, HRAKTP, and Knights of the York Cross of Honour, Priory No. 13, and a member of Fidelity Council No. 277.
Other Masonic affiliations include: Allied Masonic Degrees (Past Sovereign); Tri-Valley No. 178, York Rite College; Hugh Duncan No.2, Order of the Eastern Star; Past Associate Grand Guardian of Idaho, International Order of Job's Daughters; Advisor and recipient of Legion of Honor, Order of DeMolay.
In the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Sir Knight Herndon received his 32º on April 23, 1977, in the Boise Valley, Southern Jurisdiction.
He was nominated KCCH on November 5, 2005.
Sir Knight Herndon was created a member of El Korah Shrine, Imperial Council, AAONMS, at Boise, Idaho. He continues to serve as an Ambassador.
Sir Knight James C. Herndon was appointed R.E. Department Commander, Northwestern Department, by Most Emwent Grand. Master Richard B. Baldwin at the 63rd Triennial Conclave of the Grand Encampment, August 16, 2006, in Houston, Texas.
DOUGLAS MITCHELL
Right Eminent Department Commander (2006-2009)
South Central Department
Sir Knight Douglas Mitchell was born in Kenton, Ohio, on May 25, 1944, and attended public schools in Kenton, Fairview Park, and Hilliard, Ohio, graduating in 1962. He graduated from Nashville Auto-Diesel College in 1972 and worked for American Airlines for 27 years, retiring in 1995.
Doug is married to Colleen; they live in Arkansas and have three sons: William, Michael, and Daniel.
He was ordained as an Elder at Central Christian Church in Ft. Worth, Texas, and was chairman of the Board. He also was a firefighter on the Briar Fire Department for over 20 years and served on their board of trustees.
He is a life member of Simon Kenton Chapter, Order of DeMolay, an active member of the DeMolay Legion of Honor, and a life member of the International DeMolay Alumni Association.
Doug was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Hurst Lodge No. 1387 in 1974 and served as Worshipful Master, 1981-1982.
He was exalted to the Degree of Royal Arch Mason in Hurst Chapter No. 492 in 1975, served as Most Excellent High Priest in 1982-1983, and was appointed District Deputy Grand High Priest of the 17th Capitular District in 1995. He is presently the Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Order of High Priesthood of Texas.
He was greeted a Select Master in Hurst Council No. 407 in 1975, served as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1982-1983, and was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the 27th Cryptic District in 1997. He has served five years on the Board of Trustees of the York Rite Trust.
Doug is a Past President of the Past Presiding Officers Association of Tarrant County.
Sir Knight Doug was Knighted in Worth Commandery No. 19 in 1984, served as Commander in 1988, was elected Grand Sentinel in 1990, and served as Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery, Knights Templar of Texas, in 1999. He received the Grand Encampment's Knight Commander of the Temple in 2000.
He is a Past President of Worth Commandery's Drill Team, drilled on various drill teams for 18 years, and has been a judge for the past ten years.
Some of his other Masonic affiliations are: Past Preceptor of Our Redeemer Tabernacle IX, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests; Past Governor of Trinity York Rite College No. 154; Past Prior of Texas Priory No. 23, KYCH; Past Sovereign Master of Texas Council No. 282, Allied Masonic Degrees; Past Excellent Chief of Worth's Shamrock Council No. 54, Knight Masons; Past Patron of Lake Worth Chapter No. 1109, Order of the Eastern Star; and Past President of the Patrons and Associate Patrons Association, District 3, Section 1.
Doug is, also, an officer of Crusader Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine; a fellow in the Grand College of Rights of the U.S.A.; a member of the Ohio College, Masonic SRICF; and has received the Grand Cross of Color from the Order of the Rainbow for Girls.
He is a Knight Commander in the Sovereign, Knightly, Noble, and Religious Order of the Crown of Thorns, where he now serves as Grand Prelate; is a Past Grand of Kingston Lodge No. 118, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and is a Colonel in the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.
Doug received his Scottish Rite degrees in the Valley of Ft. Worth, Texas, in 1976 and was invested with Knight Commander of the Court of Honor in 1985. He affiliated with the Valley of Little Rock, Arkansas, in 2006.
Sir Knight Douglas Mitchell was appointed Right Eminent Department Commander, South Central, by Most Eminent Grand Master Richard Burditt Baldwin at the 63rd Triennial Conclave, August 16, 2006, ir Houston, Texas.
GEORGE A. CHIPOURAS
Right Eminent Department Commander (2006-2009)
Subordinate Commanderies
Born on October 22, 1922, in Washington, D.C., Sir Knight George Arthur Chipouras is the son of immigrants from Greece. He was educated in the public schools of Washington, D.C., and attended the American International College, Springfield, MA-BA in political science with minor in psychology-and the University of Miami, MA in business administration/business management. He is a member of the Alumni Associations of both schools.
Sir Knight Chipouras served in the US Air Force, 1942-1970, and is a Lieutenant Colonel, retired, with 28 years of service. He is a member of the Retired Officers Association.
After his career in the AIr Force, he was in the construction business and was Director of Construction Administration and Management Ferendino, Grafton Spillis, Candella, 1971-1979, and Director of Facilities Planning and Construction Management, University of Miami, 1979-1988. He is a member of the Construction Specifications Institute.
He was married to a loving wife, now deceased, and he has two children, a son and a daughter, and two grandchildren, a grandson and a granddaughter, and a great grandson.
He is a member and past council member of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Miami, Florida.
Sir Knight Chipouras' Masonic history is as follows: Blue Lodge: 1956-1957, Solomon's Lodge No.1, Savannah, GA, initiated, passed, and raised; 1979, Palma Vista Lodge No. 205, Princeton, FL, affiliated by demit: Worshipful Master, 1984, served 29th Masonic District and Masters and Wardens Districts, 1985 to present; 2004, Royal Palm Lodge No. 100, Homestead, FL, affiliated through merger. In the Grand Lodge of FL: R W. District Deputy Grand Master, 29th District, 1988-1989; Properties Committee, 1990; Jurisprudence Committee, 1992 and 1996; Florida Junior Grand Steward, 1995.
Sir Knight Chipouras was exalted in Jericho Chapter No. 11, RAM., 1974; High Priest, 1980; Order of High Priesthood, 1980; and served as Secretary, 1998-2005. In Grand Chapter of Florida: State Executive Officer, RARA, 1981-1998; D.D.G.H.P., 1st District, 1984; received Gold Key Award, 1985; International Distinguished Service Medal, 1987; and is Grand Chapter, RAM., Distinguished Guest Chairman 1, 1999 to present. At General Grand Chapter, RA.M., International, he served Distinguished Guest and State & Country Flag Ceremony Committees, 1984-1987.
He was greeted, 1974, in Adoniram Council No. 10, R & S.M., served as Ill. Master, 1978, received Order of Anointed Kings (Silver Trowel), 1978, and serves as Recorder, 1998 to present. In Grand Council of FL: RI. D.D.G.M., 1st Cryptic District, 1979; Committee on Work, 1980-1993; ISH som award, 1984; Budget and Finance Committee, 1992-1995, and Distinguished Guest Committee, 1999 to present. He is the General Grand Council Cryptic Masons International, Ambassador to Greece, 2005-2008.
In Chivalric Masonry Sir Knight Chipouras was Knighted, 1974, Miami Commandery No. 13; E. Commander, 1980; Recorder, 1998 to present; and is Chairman, Miami Commandery, KTEF, 1974 to present. He affiliated as a dual member with INRI Commandery No.4, D.C, now Marvin W. Fowler No.7, 1995, and ascended the line to Eminent Commander, 2004. In the Grand Grand Commandery of Florida, he served as D.D.G.C., 1980, received Order of Knight Crusader of the Cross, 1980; was Chairman, Committee on Work, 1981-2000; and served as RE.G.C., 1987-1988. He served committees: Jurisprudence, Budget and Finance (chairman), Distinguished Guest (chairman); was Grand Commandery Inspector General, 1991-2001; presided as Knight Crusader of the East, 1993, and belongs to Ritual Team, Knight Crusaders, 1998 to present. For Grand Encampment he served on the Returns and Credentials and Public Relations committees, was State Coordinator for Florida, member and President of Southern Breakfast Association and presently is the RE. Department Commander for Subordinate Commanderies, 2006-2009.
Additional Masonic affiliations include: Miami Conclave, R.C.C., Puissant Sovereign, 1992, Director of Work, 1982 to present, and Recorder, 1996-2002; Miami Priory No. 10, KYCH, Eminent Prior, 1992, Registrar/Treasurer, 1995-2003; Convent General, KYCH, one quadrant, 1989, Warrants, Charters and Dispensations Committee, Chairman, 2005 to present; HRAKTP, King of Kings Tabernacle No. 25, Very Eminent Preceptor, 1993, Grand College HRAKTP, Most Eminent Grand Preceptor, 2006-2007; Mystic Tie Council No. 374, A.M.D., Sovereign Master, U.D., 1988-20001 Mystic Tie, 2006, Grand Council, A.M.D., USA, Grand Masters Council "A", Red Badge of Eri, 2001, Preceptor Ritual Team Preceptors Degree, 2006-2007; John Bridges Phelps York Rite College No. 31; Everglades York Rite College No. 149, York Rite Sovereign College of North America, OPC, Associate Regent, also Chairman Regents Council, Grand Herald, 2002-2004, and served on committees; Sam Womack Council No. 21, Knight Masons; Space Coast Council No. 32, Knight Masons, Ex. Chief and Director of Work; Florida SRICF, Celebrant; the Philalethes Society; and the Forty Fivers. Sir Knight Chipouras is also a member of: Miami Consistory, A.A.S.R., 33º; Mahi Shrine, AAONMS; the Royal Order of Scotland, and National Sojourners. In DeMolay he is an Honorary Legion of Honor, 1988, State Chapter Dad, 1988-1989, and State DeMolay Council, Order of Knighthood, 1992 to present.
TOP
Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.
1000 East State Parkway, Suite I
Schaumburg, IL 60173-2460
Phone: (847) 490-3838
Fax: (847) 490-3777
www.knightstemplar.org/ktef
Eye Foundation Campaign Closes
The Knights Templar Eye Foundation reports a contribution total for the 39tl Annual Voluntary Campaign of $1,281,441.15, $359,958.04 more than last year Many Commanderies did an outstanding job as you can see for yourself from the following listings. Thanks to all those who worked so hard. A total of 1,168 Commanderies participated in this year's campaign, 10 more than last year.
Oregon took the lead in total dollars contributed, with Ohio in second position and Pennsylvania third. A listing of top Grand Commanderies on a per capita basis found Oregon first, followed by Nevada and Colorado, second and third respectively. The top subordinate Commandery on a per capita basis is Hilo No.3, Hawaii, and the top sub ordinate Commandery for total dollars contributed is Heidelberg No.2, Germany.
Plaques and seals are being prepared for the 217 constituent Commanderiei that reported contributions of $10.00 or more per member. 169 Commanderies contributing $5.00 to $9.99 per member will receive certificates. These Commanderies are listed on the following pages.
TOP GRAND COMMANDERIES ON A PER CAPITA BASIS
No.1 OREGON $180.36 per member, Total-$202,548.83 - Jerry C. Thompson, Chairman
No.2 NEVADA $69.62 per member, Total-$43,929.01 - Ted P. Bendure, Chairman
No.3 COLORADO $31.46 per member, Total-$44,196.46 - Grover L. Sardeson, Chairman
TOP SUBORDINATE COMMANDERIES ON A PER CAPITA BASIS
Hilo No. 3, Hawaii, $12.00 per member Total-$216.00
Ivanhoe No.2, Mexico, $2.69 per member Total-$250.00
TOP GRAND COMMANDERIES IN DOLLAR TOTALS
No.1 OREGON, Jerry C. Thompson, Chairman - Total-$202,548.83
No.2 OHIO, Robert E. McNutt, Chairman - Total-$143,148.79
No.3 PENNSYLVANIA, Michael Koncewicz, Chairman - Total-$97,898.28
TOP SUBORDINATE COMMANDERIES IN DOLLAR TOTALS
Heidelberg No.2, Germany-Total-$343.00
Ivanhoe No.2, Mexico-Total-$250.00
TOP TEN GRAND COMMANDERIES IN DOLLAR TOTALS
1. OREGON
2. OHIO
3. PENNSYLVANIA
4. TEXAS
5. GEORGIA
6. CALIFORNIA
7. COLORADO
8. MASSACHUSETTS/RHODE ISLAND
9. NEVADA
10. TENNESSEE
TOP TEN GRAND COMMANDERIES IN PER CAPITA TOTALS
1. OREGON
2. NEVADA
3. COLORADO
4. UTAH
5. CONNECTICUT
6. NEW MEXICO
7. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
8. IDAHO
9. PENNSYLVANIA
10. VIRGINIA
Constituent Commanderies Reporting $10.00 or More Per Member
(Per capita is within 10 cents of minimum.)
ALABAMA: DeMolay No.4, Decatur; Anniston No. 23, Anniston; Florence No. 39, Florence; Lee No. 45, Phenix City.
ALASKA: Wasilla-Palmer No.4, Wasilla.
ARIZONA: Arizona No.1, Tucson; Calvary No.8, Winslow; Columbine No.9, Safford; Scottsdale No. 12, Scottsdale; Burning Taper No. 15, Sierra Vista; St. Andrew No. 17.
ARKANSAS: Rogers No. 24, Bentonville.
CALIFORNIA: San Jose No. 10, San Jose; St. Bernard No. 23, San Bernardino; San
Gabriel Valley No. 31, Rosemead; Orange County No. 36, Anaheim; Vacaville No. 38, Vacaville; Palo Alto No. 47, Palo Alto; Whittier-St. Johns No. 51, Whittier; Imperial Valley No. 54, EI Centro; Santa Monica Bay No. 61, Santa Monica; Merced No. 69, Merced.
COLORADO: Denver-Colorado No.1, Denver; Georgetown No.4, Georgetown; Pikes Peak No.6, Colorado Springs; Greeley No. 10, Greeley; Oriental No. 18, Trinidad; Glenwood No. 20, Glenwood Springs; Temple No. 23, Grand Junction; Coronal-Ascalon No. 31, Denver; J. E. Abbott No. 40, Englewood; St. Bernard No. 41, Denver; Eastlake No. 42, Eastlake.
CONNECTICUT: Washington No.1, East Hartford; New Haven No.2, New Haven; Cyrene No.8, Middletown; St. Elmo No.9, Meriden.
DELAWARE: Trinity No.3, Wilmington.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Washington No.1, Washington, D.C.; Columbia No.2, Washington, D.C.
FLORIDA: Ft. Myers No. 32, Ft. Myers; Springtime No. 40, Clearwater.
GEORGIA: St. Orner No.2, Macon; St. Aldemar No.3, Columbus; Couer de Lion No. 4, College Park; DeMolay No.5, Americus; Palestine No.7, Savannah; Ivanhoe No. 10, Fort Valley; Plantagenet No. 12, Milledgeville; Pilgrim No. 15, Gainesville; Malta No. 16, Valdosta; Crusader No. 17, Bainbridge; St. Johns No. 19, Dalton; Alexius No. 22, Jackson; St. Paul No. 24, Albany; St. Bernard No. 25, Covington; Constantine No. 26, Marietta; Charles Martel No. 29, Chickamauga; Bethlehem No. 30, Thomasville; Griffin No. 35, Griffm; Blue Ridge Mountain No. 37, McCaysville; DeKalb No. 38, Decatur; Amicalola No. 41, Jasper; St. Michael No. 43.
IDAHO: Idaho Falls No.6, Idaho Falls.
ILLINOIS: Apollo No.1, Wheaton; Rock Island No. 18, Rock Island; Temple No. 20, Princeton; Aurora No. 22, Yorkville; Bethel No. 36, Palatine; Melita No. 37, Thscola; Chicago Heights No. 78, Lansing; Trinity No. 80, Downers Grove.
INDIANA: Bloomington No. 63, Bloomington.
IOWA: Palestine No.2, Iowa City; Siloam No.3, Dubuque; Damascus No.5, Keokuk; Holy Cross No. 10, Clinton; St. Johns No. 21, Centerville; Ascalon No. 25, Waterloo; Antioch No. 43, Mason City; St. Elmo No. 48, Iowa Falls; Esdraelon No. 52, Estherville; Zerubbabel No. 68, Albia; Ascension No. 69, Ames.
KENTUCKY: Covington No.7, Covington; Paducah No. 11, Paducah; Ryan No. 17, Danville; Shelby No. 32, Shelbyville; Conrad H. Cates No. 37, Elizabethtown; Mayfield No. 49, Mayfield; Whitesburg No. 51, Whitesburg.
LOUISIANA: Plains No. 11, Baton Rouge; C.A. Everitt No. 29, Slidell.
MARYLAND: Monumental No.3, Baltimore; Jacques de Molay No.4, Frederick; Palestine No.7, Annapolis.
MASSACHUSETTS/RHODE ISLAND: St. Johns No.1, Cranston, RI; Gethsemane DeMolay No.7, Newtonville, MA; Holy Sepulchre No.8, Pawtucket, RI; Milford No. 11, Milford, MA; St. Bernard No. 12, Boston, MA; Calvary No. 13, E. Providence, RI; Haverhill No. 14, Haverhill, MA; United No. 21, Norwood, MA; Berkshire No. 22, Pittsfield, MA; Olivet No. 36, Lynn, MA; Bay State No. 38, Brockton, MA.
MICHIGAN: Bad Axe No. 52, Bad Axe; Redford No. 55, Dearborn.
MINNESOTA: Bayard No. 11, Stillwater; Hutchinson No. 40, Hutchinson.
MISSOURI: St. Graal No. 12, Columbia; Jasper No. 31, Carthage; Lebanon No. 33, Lebanon.
MONTANA: Montana No.3, Butte.
NEBRASKA: Gethsemane No. 21, Columbus.
NEVADA: DeWitt Clinton No.1, Reno; Malta No.3, Las Vegas; Edward C. Peterson No.8, Carson City; Melita No.9, Boulder City.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Mt. Horeb No.3, Concord.
NEW MEXICO: Santa Fe No.1, Santa Fe; Pilgrim No.3, Albuquerque; Las Cruces No. 11, Las Cruces; Baldwyn No. 12, Gallup; Shiprock No. 15, Farmington.
NEW YORK: Capital City No.2, Albany; Cyrene-Monroe No. 12, Rochester; Malta No. 21, Binghamton; Coeur de Lion No. 23, New York City; Hugh de Payens No. 30, Hamburg; Norwich No. 46, Norwich; Cortland No. 50, Cortland; Niagara No. 64, Niagara Falls; Otsego No. 76, Cooperstown; Tonawanda No. 78, Tonawanda.
NORTH CAROLINA: Raleigh No.4, Raleigh; Piedmont No.6, Winston Salem; St. Johns No. 10, New Bern.
OHIO: Shawnee No. 14, Lima; Highland No. 31, Hillsboro; Findlay No. 49, Findlay;Middletown No. 71, Middletown; Cuyahoga Falls No. 83, Cuyahoga Falls.
OKLAHOMA: Trinity No. 20, Tulsa; Calvary No. 26, Bartlesville.
OREGON: Oregon No.1, Portland; Ivanhoe No.2, Eugene; De Molay No.5, Salem; Bruce No. 17, Corvallis.
PENNSYLVANIA: Reading No.9, West Reading; Mountain No. 10, Altoona; Pilgrim No. 11, Harrisburg; Hutchinson-Jerusalem No. 15, Norristown; Baldwin II No. 22, Williamsport; Mt. Olivet No. 30, Erie; ConstWltine No. 41, Pottsville; KensingtonKadosh No. 54, Jenkintown; Centennial No. 55, Coatesville; Trinity No. 58, Bradford; Lawrence No. 62, New Castle; Warren No. 63, Warren; Nativity No. 71, Pottstown; Mt. Vernon No. 73, Hazleton; Samuel S. Yohe No. 81, Stroudsburg; Bethel No. 98, Hanover; Holyrood No. 100, Kittanning. .
SOUTH CAROLINA: Anderson No. 11, Anderson.
SOUTH DAKOTA: Damascus No. 10, Aberdeen.
TENNESSEE: Morristown No. 22, Morristown; Kingsport No. 33, Kingsport; Columbia No. 35, Columbia; Rosemark No. 39, Millington; Manchester No. 40, Manchester; Cyrene No. 42, Dayton.
TEXAS: Colorado No.4, Austin; El Paso No. 18, El Paso; Brownwood No. 22, Brownwood; Denison No. 24, Denison; Brady No. 68, Brady; Fort Bend No. 74, Rosenberg; Taylor No. 85, Gun Barrel City; Lufkin No. 88, Lufkin; Granbury No.
VERMONT: Lafayette No.3, St. Albans.
VIRGINIA: Richmond No.2, Richmond; De Molay No.4, Lynchburg; Appomattox No. 6, Petersburg; Stevenson No.8, Staunton; Lynn No.9, Marion; Old Dominion No. 11, Alexandria; Winchester No. 12, Winchester; Bayard No. 15, Roanoke; Hampton No. 17, Newport News; Clinch Valley No. 20, Tazewell; Fairfax No. 25, Culpeper; Moomaw No. 27, Lexington; Arlington No. 29, Arlington; George W. Wright No. 31, Martinsville; Blacksburg No. 32, Blacksburg; Penn-Neck No. 33, Urbanna.
WASHINGTON: Seattle No.2, Seattle; Temple No.5, Ellensburg; Hesperus No.8, Bellingham; St. Helens No. 12, Chehalis; Malta No. 18, Bremerton.
WISCONSIN: Ivanhoe No. 24, Milwaukee.
WYOMING: Wyoming No.1, Cheyenne; Ivanhoe No.2, Rawlins; Hugh de Payen No. 7, Lander; Apollo No.8, Casper; Constantine No.9, Cody; Mt. Lebanon No. 11, Thermopolis; Clelland No. 12, Douglas.
HAWAII: Hilo No.3, Hilo.
Commanderies Contributing $5.00 to $9.99 Per Member (Per capita is within 10 cents of minimum.)
ALABAMA: Montgomery No.4, Montgomery; Huntsville No.7, Huntsville; Etowah No. 15, Gadsden.
ALASKA: Anchorage No.2, Anchorage.
ARIZONA: Ivanhoe No.2, Prescott; Crusade No. 11, Chandler; Mohave No. 13, Kingman.
ARKANSAS: Baldwin No.4, Fayetteville; Hickmon No. 37, Bald Knob.
CALIFORNIA: California No.1, San Francisco; Pacific No.3, Sonora; El Dorado No.4, Placerville; Nevada No.6, Nevada City; Golden Gate No. 16, South San Francisco; San Diego No. 25, San Diego; St. Orner No. 30, Santa Barbara; Bakersfield No. 39, Bakersfield.
COLORADO: Mt. of the Holy Cross No.5, Leadville; Mt. Sinai No.7, Boulder; DeMolay No. 13, Fort Collins; Montrose-Ouray No. 16, Montrose; JeffersonHighlands No. 30, Denver; Delta No. 34, Delta; Sterling No. 35, Sterling.
CONNECTICUT: Clinton No.3, Norwalk; Hamilton No.5, Stratford; Palestine No.6, Mystic; Crusader No. 10, Danbury; St. Johns No. 11, North Windham.
DELAWARE: St. John's No.1, Wilmington.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Potomac No.3, Washington, DC; Inri No.4, Washington, DC.
FLORIDA: St. Augustine No. 10, St. Augustine; Tallahassee No. 12, Tallahassee; Palm Beach No. 18, West Palm Beach; St. Johns No. 29, Panama City.
GEORGIA: Atlanta No.9, Atlanta; Tancred No. 11, Newnan; Godfrey de Bouillon No. 14, Athens; St. Elmo No. 21, Brunswick; Douglasville No. 40, Douglasville.
IDAHO: Idaho No.1, Boise; Twin Falls No. 10, Twin Falls.
ILLINOIS: Elwood No.6, Springfield; Sterling No. 57, Sterling;; Evanston No. 58, Evanston; St. Elmo No. 64, Chicago. '
INDIANA: Baldwin No.2, Shelbyville; Lavalette No. 15, Evansville; Hammond No.41, Hammond; Noblesville No. 61, Noblesville.
IOWA: Temple No.4, Des Moines; St. Orner No. 15, Burlington; Oriental No. 22, Newton; Apollo No. 26, Cedar Rapids; St. Aldemar No. 30, Marshalltown; Bethlehem No. 45, Washington; Mt. Lebanon No. 61, Clarion; Melita No. 64, Knoxville.
KANSAS: De Molay No.4, Lawrence; Esdraelon No. 49, Iola.
KENTUCKY: Frankfort No.4, Frankfort; Louisville-De Molay No. 12, Louisville; Ashland No. 28, Ashland; Franklin No. 44, Franklin; Williamsburg No. 50, Williamsburg; Jefferson No. 52, Louisville; Morehead No. 53, Morehead.
LOUISIANA: Jacques de Molay No.2, New Orleans; Monroe No.7, Monroe;Ivanhoe No. 19, New Orleans; Crusader No. 21, Minden.
MAINE: St. Alban No.8, Portland; De Valois No. 16, Vinalhaven.
MARYLAND: Beauseant No.8, Cockeysville; St. Bernard No.9, Hagerstown; York No. 16, Camp Springs.
MASSACHUSETTS/RHODE ISLAND: Newburyport No.3, Newburyport, MA; Godfrey de Bouillon No.4, Somerset, MA; Worcester County No.5, Worcester, MA; South Shore No. 15, East Weymouth, MA; Jerusalem No. 19, Fitchburg, MA; Metro North No. 20, Melrose, MA; Narragansett No. 27, Westerly, RI.
MICHIGAN: Port Huron No.7, Port Huron; Genesee Valley No. 15, Flint.
MINNESOTA: Coeur de Lion No.3, Winona; Nazarene No. 24, St. Cloud.
MISSOURI: Liberty No.6, Liberty; Ivanhoe No.8, St. Louis; Kansas City No. 10, Kansas City.
NEVADA: Winnemucca No.4, Winnemucca.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: North Star - St. Gerard No.4, Littleton; Palestine No. 11, Rochester.
NEW JERSEY: Hugh de Paynes No.1, Hackensack; Trinity No. 17, Plainfield.
NEW MEXICO: Rio Hondo No.6, Roswell.
NEW YORK: Morton No.4, New York City; Lafayette No.7, Hudson; Genesee No. 10, Lockport; St. Augustine No. 38, Ithaca; Dunkirk No. 40, Dunkirk; Westchester No. 42, Nelsonville; Trinity No. 68, Flushing.
NORTH CAROLINA: Ivanhoe No.8, Greensboro; Malta No. 19, Monroe;Waynesville No. 31, Waynesville; Lenoir No. 33, Lenoir.
NORTH DAKOTA: Tancred No.1, Mandan.
OHIO: Lancaster No.2, Lancaster; Cincinnati No.3, Cincinnatti; Steubenville No. 11, Steubenville; St. Johns No. 20, Youngstown; Forest City No. 40, Cleveland; Sidney No. 46, Sidney; Pilgrim No. 55, East Liverpool; Allenby No. 73, Twinsburg; Valley No. 80, Miamisburg.
OKLAHOMA: Cimmaron Valley No. 42, Drumright.
OREGON: Temple No.3, Albany; Pendleton No.7, Milton-Freewater; Melita No.8, Grants Pass; Washington No. 15, Portland; Columbia No. 26.
PENNSYLVANIA: Pittsburgh No.1, Pittsburgh; St. Johns No.8, Carlisle; Crusade No. 12, Bloomsburg; Palestine No. 14, Carbondale; Northern No. 16, Towanda; York-Gethsemane No. 21, York; Cyrene No. 34, Columbia; Prince of Peace No. 39, Ashland; Dieu Ie Veut No. 45, Wilkes Barre; Hospitaller No. 46, Lock Haven; Clarence No. 51, Corry; Duquesne No. 72, Pittsburgh; Chartiers No. 78, Carnegie; Mt. Hermon No. 85, Sunbury; Lorraine No. 87, Butler; Damascus No. 95, Lansdale; Mizpah No. 96, Doylestown.
SOUTH CAROLINA: South Carolina No.1, Charleston; Spartanburg No.3, Spartanburg; Aiken No. 14, Aiken; Gaffney No. 18, Gaffney; Hampton No. 23, Hampton.
SOUTH DAKOTA: Vermillion No. 16, Vermillion.
TENNESSEE: St. Elmo No.4, Memphis; Baldwin No.7, Lebanon; De Payens No. 11, Franklin; Jackson No. 13, Jackson; St. Orner No. 19, Bristol; Cumberland No.26, Cookeville; Plateau No. 38, Crossville.
TEXAS: Pittsburg No. 43, Pittsburg; Southeast Texas No. 112, Kirbyville.
UTAH: EI Monte No.2, Ogden.
VIRGINIA: Fredericksburg No.1, Fredericksburg; Charlottesville No.3, Charlottesville; Portsmouth No.5, Portmouth; Johnson No. 14, Bristol; Grice No. 16, Norfolk; Piedmont No. 26, Manassas; Chesapeake No. 28, Cape Charles.
WASHINGTON: Columbia No. 14, Wenatchee.
WEST VIRGINIA: Wheeling No.1, Wheeling.
WISCONSIN: Galilee No. 38, Hartford.
WYOMING: Albert Pike No.4, Evanston; Platte No. 17, Wheatland.
Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. 39th Annual Voluntary Campaign
Campaign report by Grand Commanderies for KTEF Officers and Trustees for the week ending May 15, 2007.
The total amount contributed to the Campaign is $1,281,441.15.
| Alabama | $15,939.50 |
| Alaska | 2,333.00 |
| Arizona | 9,632.19 |
| Arkansas | 5,939.93 |
| California | 45,803.64 |
| Colorado | 44, 196.46 |
| Connecticut | 30,492.77 |
| Delaware | 1,933.00 |
| District of Columbia | 6,968.00 |
| Florida | 30,299.28 |
| Georgia | 52,727.64 |
| Idaho | 8,553. 00 |
| Illinois | 25,448. 08 |
| Indiana | 16,081.98 |
| Iowa | 24,787.50 |
| Italy | 1,730.00 |
| Kansas | 4,960.79 |
| Kentucky | 26,412.92 |
| Louisiana | 9,590.60 |
| Maine | 4,447.15 |
| Maryland | 11,529.00 |
| Mass./R.I. | 43,996.20 |
| Michigan | 7,399.00 |
| Minnesota | 6,549.00 |
| Mississippi | 3,647.00 |
| Missouri | 14,065.98 |
| Montana | 2,513.00 |
| Nebraska | 4,086.90 |
| Nevada | 43,929.01 |
| New Hampshire | 5,129.00 |
| New Jersey | 4,425.00 |
| New Mexico | 15,490.65 |
| New York | 14,315.06 |
| North Carolina | 23,925.27 |
| North Dakota | 1,074.00 |
| Ohio | 143,148.79 |
| Oklahoma | 8,207.42 |
| Oregon | 202,548.83 |
| Pennsylvania | 97,898.28 |
| South Carolina | 15,254.53 |
| South Dakota | 2,128.40 |
| Tennessee | 35,453.97 |
| Texas | 87,914.49 |
| Utah | l0, 122.50 |
| Vermont | 3,317.57 |
| Virginia | 34,659 .55 |
| Washington | 8,372.37 |
| West Virginia | 4,568.86 |
| Wisconsin | 6,441.00 |
| Wyoming | 8,210.57 |
| Philippines | 110.00 |
| Hilo No.3, Hawaii | 216.00 |
| Panama Canal No. 1 | 20.00 |
| Honolulu No.1, Hawaii | 150.00 |
| Kalakaua No.2, Hawaii | 33.00 |
| Porto Rico No. 1 | 246.00 |
| Ivanhoe No.2, Mexico | 250.00 |
| Tokyo No.1, Japan | 180.00 |
| Heidelberg No.2, Germany | 343.00 |
| Harry J. Miller No.5, Germany | 15.00 |
| Canaan No.1, Virgin Islands | 50.00 |
| Miscellaneous | 41,229. 52 |
NEW CONTRIBUTORS TO KTEF CLUBS
Grand Master's Club
No. 5,070-Mary N. Blankenbecler (TN)
No. 5,071-Mrs. Johnsie Hackler (TN)
No. 5,072-Jane V Purdy (VA) in memory of Paul L. Purdy
No. 5,073-Springtime Commandery No. 40, Clearwater (FL)in memory of Charles Probst
No. 5,074-Mrs. Willie Nell Doty (TN)
No. 5,075-James S. Crosby (PA)
No. 5,076-Kenneth E. Brown (OH)
No. 5,077-Laverne A. Kistler (GA)
No. 5,078-Marvin Frost (MO)
No. 5,079-Russell Hanson (MO)
No. 5,080-Robert Detherow (MO)
No. 5,081-Corey Huntsunker (MO)
No. 5,082-StevenA. Ballentine (MA/RI)
No. 5,083-Dale C. Davis (NC)
No. 5,084-Paul J. Reardon (VA)
No. 5,085-H. Gordon Bevill (CO)
No. 5,086-Alan T. Sprigg (CO)
No. 5,087-C. Wayne Glass (GA)
No. 5,088-0. Thomas Anchors, Jr. (GA)
No. 5,089-Paul W. Sedelmeyer (GA)
No. 5,090-Bruce H. McNall (GA)
No. 5,091-Daniel C. Ricketts (GA)
No. 5,092-Sam R. Whitfield (GA)
No. 5,093-Tommy Lloyd Gilbert (GA)
No. 5,094-Charles M. Jewell (KY)
No. 5,095-Michael J. Broom (SC)
Grand Commander's Club
No. lO2,588-Gary Lynn Campbell (TN)
No. lO2,589-Michael A. Riley (VA)
NO. lO2,590-James S. Crosby (PA)
No. lO2,591-Byrd Clemons (TN)
No. lO2,592-Gayle Don Bedell (MO)
No. lO2,593-Ronald F. Keel (GA)
No. lO2,594-Robert Spaulding (AR)
No. lO2,595-Mrs. Marian B. Reardon (VA)
No. lO2,596-Keith Odell (OR)
No. lO2,597-Robert T. Sewell III (SD)
No. lO2,598-Robert T. Johnson (TN)
No. lO2,599-Clyde R. Caldwell (TN)
No. lO2,600-Eddie M. Shadden (TN)
No. lO2,601-William M. Harris (TN)
No. lO2,602-Gary D. Whittaker (TN)
No. lO2,603-Franklin D. R. Pravette (TN)
No. 1O2,604-Steven J. Poole (TN)
No. lO2,605-Christopher M. Dotson (TN)
No. lO2,606-Roy C. Etherton (TN)
No. lO2,607-Emmett E. McKenzie (CO)
No. lO2,608-Bruce T. Fykes (GA)
No. lO2,609-Lloyd Kinchen (GA)
No. lO2,610-Bart L. Brown (GA)
No. 102,611-8. M. Latta (NC)
No. lO2,612-Wyndell L. Browning (GA)
No. lO2,613-James W. Mitchell (DC)
No. lO2,614-Gregory 8. King (OR)
No. lO2,615-Ralph W. Fogleman (PA)
Contributors to the 33° Club
John W. Acer (AZ), 33º
David C. McEntire (TN), 33º
Arthur L. Channell (TN), 33º
TOP
Brother "Pawnee Bill": Frontiersman and Showman
by Dr. Ivan M. Tribe, KCT, KYCH, 33º
Pawnee Bill, ca. 1880
The American frontier produced a number of persons who achieved prominence, and some gained a legendary status. A surprising number of these individuals were Masons, despite the fact that Masonry tends to be associated with a more settled society. Masonic figures on the frontier range from men like explorers, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, as well as Kit Carson and the leadership of the Montana Vigilantes to a number of noted Texas Rangers. One of the most famed, William F. Cody, gained wide recognition as "Buffalo Bill," a frontier scout, dime novel hero, and developer of the Wild West Show.
The subject of this sketch, Gordon William Lillie, gained only slightly less renown as "Pawnee Bill." While younger and having less frontier experience than Cody, Lillie, nonetheless, had his share of experience in the wild West. He was probably as good a showman, sometimes a rival, occasionally a partner, and certainly a better business man than Buffalo Bill.
Much of America's frontier experience had already happened when Gordon William Lillie was born near Bloomington, Illinois, on February 14, 1860. As the eldest of four children of a flour mill operator, young Gordon was much influenced by stories of the wild West, particularly those contained in dime novels about Buffalo Bill that began to appear in 1869. He persuaded his family to move to Sumner County, Kansas, in 1873 and then in mid-1875 finally coaxed them to let him leave home.
After visiting in the booming cow town of Wichita, he found a job at the Pawnee Indian Reservation helping to build a house for the. agent. Over the next several years, young Gordon Lillie would spend a great deal of time among the Pawnees learning their language and way of life. These experiences would result in his gaining the nickname by which he would become known, "Pawnee Bill" and also in 1878 another sobriquet bestowed upon him by his
Native American friends, "White Chief of the Pawnees."
During his' years among the Pawnees, Lillie worked in a variety of jobs, including interpreter and teacher in the agency school. He also became skilled in hunting and trapping and gained the general knowledge needed for survival on the plains and prairies. He left the Agency in August 1881 and worked as a farm and ranch hand in the general vicinity of Caldwell, Kansas.
Then in 1883, Buffalo Bill Cody, who had been working in a variety of stage plays, began organizing his fabled Wild West Show, and a man named Charlie Burgess, whose father had known Gordon Lillie at the Pawnee Agency, was looking for Gordon on Cody's behalf. A group of Pawnees were to work in the show, but the Indian Commissioner would approve only if someone would be responsible for them and look out for their well-being. He was told that "there is a young man out there who was in the service for a time who talks Indian like a native, wears long hair and is a great friend of the Pawnees."
Having seen Cody in person back in 1873 just before his family moved to Kansas, young Gordon Lillie accepted the offer and went to work in the show. He found some personal disappointment learning that his hero had human frailties including a periodic drinking problem and being financially irresponsible. Still, he also noted the man's positive qualities. (Cody had also been a member of Platte Valley Lodge since January 10, 1871.) Lillie became a key member of his troupe.
As the show moved eastward attracting huge crowds, Gordon Lillie met the love of his life when the group reached Philadelphia. He met a girl named May Manning, who was a student at Smith College. The two soon began to correspond and following her graduation were married on August 31, 1886. Although uncertain as to how she would adjust to life on the plains, May somewhat surprisingly became an expert rider and rifle shot. In December 1887 friends back in Philadelphia presented her a medal inscribed "Champion Girl Shot of the West," and her fame was almost equal to that of Annie Oakley. When Pawnee Bill established his own show, May Lillie became one of the star attractions.
At about the same time that May received her medal, Pawnee Bill, who had been thinking about starting his own show, entered the fray. He launched Pawnee Bill's Wild West in the spring of 1888 and for the first few weeks drew large crowds with Bill and Mayas star attractions, along with Annie Oakley, who had a temporary rift from her normal employer, Buffalo Bill.
But after Cody returned from England and the weather turned bad, things went sour. In late October Bill gave up and the show folded.
Gordon Lillie returned to Kansas in time to lead a party of "boomers (Le. settlers)" into a section of what was newly Oklahoma Territory. Then, he reorganized his show as Pawnee Bill's Historical Wild West, Indian Museum and Encampment. Benefiting from his earlier mishaps, this time his production proved successful, and he gave his former employer, Buffalo Bill, real competition.
Lillie's show popularity undoubtedly also was buoyed by his own appearance as a dime novel hero. In 1888 the first of fourteen of these lurid pieces of fiction came off the presses of Beadle & Adams, Frank Tousey, and Street & Smith, written by such masters of the art as Colonel Prentiss Ingraham (who had written many of the Buffalo Bill stories), Paul Braddon, and Edward W. Wheeler. The stories had little basis in fact, but kids continued to devour them with gusto. One offering in 1891 even bore the title Pawnee Bill's Shadow; or, May Lillie, the Girl Dead Shot. Many years later (1917-1919), another series in which both Buffalo Bill and Pawnee appeared together resulted in twentyseven additional titles.
Meanwhile, the Wild West Show continued to do well, and more lands in Oklahoma Territory opened for settlement, including what would become the town of Pawnee. Not only did Gordon and May Lillie establish their home then1 in the off-season, but Bill's parents and sisters also located there.
In 1894, he took his wild West show to Europe where the troupe performed for royalty, including King Leopold of Belgium and Queen Wilhemina of the Netherlands.
Back in Oklahoma, Gordon Lillie used his profits to become a stockholder in the Arkansas Valley Bank, of which he eventually became Vice President. Interested in preventing the American bison from becoming extinct, he purchased 2,000 acres south of town and established his Buffalo Ranch.
Above left, ca. 1890: Buckskin Joe (A. F. Hoyt) is at left, and Pawnee Bill (Gordon Lillie) is at right. Above right: cover of a Pawnee Bill dime novel, ca. 1889.
It was during one of the wild West show off-seasons that Pawnee Bill became a Mason in Pawnee Lodge No. 82. Gordon William Lillie was initiated an Entered Apprentice on January 7, 1899; was passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on January 14, 1899; and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on February 2,1899. He remained a faithful member until his death forty-three years later. He also joined the Scottish Rite bodies in Guthrie and became a Noble of Akdar Temple, AAONMS, in Tulsa.
Pawnee Bill, ca. 1900
After his own retirement from show business, Bill and the Miller Brothers of 101 Ranch fame (were the Miller Brothers Masonic?), who had the last wild West show, staged a rodeo for the Imperial Shrine session at Washington, D.C., in June 1923.
Not exclusively Masonic, Bill joined Lodge No. 654 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and a number of old-time cowboy groups. He also proved to be a firm supporter of the Boy Scouts of America.
Pawnee Bill's Historic Wild West continued to prosper. In 1907 he expanded the show and added Great Far East to his billing, including such features as elephants and exotic attractions associated with Asia, Australia, and Africa. In other words, it became more like a regular circus.
Meanwhile, Lillie's chief rival experienced a series of problems; including a wreck of his show train, injuries and retirement of Annie Oakley, the death of his principal advisor Nate Salsbury, heavy debts to James Bailey of Barnum & Bailey fame, and a personal scandal. In 1908 Pawnee Bill and Buffalo Bill came to an agreement to merge their shows.
Cody's fmancial recklessness still troubled Lillie, but against his own better judgment and out of lingering respect for his long-time idol, he agreed to the union as "Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Pawnee Bill's Great Far East" for the 1909 season.
In 1910 and 1911 the combination made money, partly because it was advertised as Buffalo Bill's "farewell tour." By 1912, however, this concept was beginning to wear thin, and business declined. As Lillie's biographer, Glenn Shirley, put it, "there were profits, but hardly enough to keep Buffalo Bill ahead of creditors." Things went worse in 1913, and in July legal entanglements caught up with the show. The last performance took place in Denver on July 21, 1913, as Pawnee Bill refused to spend any more of his personal funds to keep it afloat. To again quote Glenn Shirley, "thus, Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Pawnee's Far East died ingloriously."
Cody went back to his home in North Platte, Nebraska, and Pawnee Bill returned to Oklahoma, having sufficient personal funds to survive in comfort. When the old scout died in 1917, Gordon Lillie wrote "time smoothes everything. Buffalo Bill died my friend" adding the conclusion, "he was just an irresponsible boy."
Back in Pawnee, Oklahoma, Gordon and May Lillie had their numerous business interests and friends. He supported the Boy Scouts and efforts to protect and enlarge the surviving bison herds. To accommodate numerous tourists, he built a facility known as Old Town and Indian Trading Post, which was completed in 1930 and provided employment for many of his Pawnee Indian friends. Generally speaking, one might say that he enjoyed his status of what one person termed "being famous for being famous."
In retirement he often spent part of each summer at Taos, New Mexico, where he and May celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on August 31, 1936.
Unfortunately, this gala would prove to be a last hurrah for the aging couple. Two weeks later on a return trip to Pawnee from Tulsa, they were involved in a serious auto crash, and May died from injuries on the morning of September 14.
Bill's own health began to deteriorate in the following months, but he continued to drive about his properties in his old Pierce Arrow and made plans to donate some of his attractions to the ranch prepared to arrange an 82nd birthday party, the old frontiersman died on February 3, 1942, one day after the 43rd anniversary of his raising in Pawnee Lodge. He was buried beside May in the family mausoleum in the local Highland Cemetery. One of the few remaining symbols of a vanished era had gone to his reward.
Note: The definitive work on Gordon Lillie is Glenn' Shirley's Pawnee Bill: A Biography of Major Gordon W Lillie (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1965). For his Masonic Record, I appreciate the rapid assistance of the staff at the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma, Garry Odom, P.G.M., Grand Secretary
Sir Knight Ivan M. Tribe, KCT, KYCH, 33º, and a professor of history at the University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, Ohio, is a Past Commander of Athens Commandery No. 15, Athens, Ohio. He resides at 111 East High Street, McArthur, OH 45651-1111.
TOP
SIR KNIGHT WILLIAM McKINLEY, JR. (1843-1901)
25th President of the United States (1897-1901)
Governor of Ohio (1892-1896) . U.S. Representative (1877-1891)
FUNERAL REENACTMENT SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2007
A part of American history will be brought to life by Ohio York Rite Masons including William McKinley Lodge No. 431, F. & A.M., during an reenactment of President and Sir Knight William McKinley's funeral procession on Saturday, September 22, 2007. Starting at 12:00 NOON at the Church of the Savior Methodist Church, located at 120 Cleveland Avenue,S.W., Canton, Ohio, it will continue west on Tuscarawas Street West to the McKinley National J Memorial, the final resting place of our martyred president. This is the 1O0th anniversary ofthe original dedication of the McKinley Mausoleum.
The Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Ohio, Sir Knight Michael A. Himes, and the Ohio Grand Lodge officers will perform a building dedication ceremony at the Mausoleum. Representatives from all Masonic organizations, including the Grand Lodge of Ohio, Grand Chapter of Ohio, Grand Council of Ohio, Grand Commandery of Ohio, as well as various other affiliated Masonic groups, will be in attendance. The procession will include a horse drawn hearse, a riderless horse, and a casket draped with a 45-star American flag. Many other community groups and public officials will participate in the reenactment.
Sir Knight William McKinley was Knighted on December 23, 1884, in Canton Commandery No. 38, Canton, Ohio, and was a member until his untimely death in Buffalo, New York, on September 14, 1901, which was a result of an assassination attempt on September 6, 1901. He was elected a Life Member of Washington Commandery No.1, Washington, DC, on December 23,1896.
There were members from five Commanderies who escorted the body of Sir Knight William McKinley from the White House to the United States Capitol on September 17,1901. In Canton, Ohio, on September 19,1901, more than 2,000 uniformed Knights Templar formed the funeral escort.
All Masons are invited to participate in the reenactment, especially all uniformed Knights Templar. For further information, please contact: Sir Knight Glenn R. Greenamyer, KTCH, KYCH, at 719 Netherwood Avenue, N.W., Canton, OH 44708; e-mail: Greenamyer@sbcglobal.net; telephone: (330) 478-1579.
The above information was submitted by Raymond B. Strickland, Commander of "F" Corps, Grand Commandery of Ohio; e-mail: rbskych@aol.com; telephone: (330) 864-2653.
COEUR DE LION COMMANDERY, FLORIDA, HOLDS SPRING FESTIVAL
Coeur de Lion Commandery No.1, Pensacola, Florida, held its annual Spring Festival on April 21, 2007, in Pensacola. The Order ofthe Red Cross and the Knight of Malta were conferred in the morning, lunch was served by the Pensacola York Rite Ladies Club, and the Order of the Temple was conferred after lunch.
27 new Sir Knights were Knighted at this occasion. They are from Coeur de Lion Commandery No.1, St. Elmo Commandery No. 42, Chipola Commandery No. 22, and St. Johns Commandery No. 29. Pictured below are the newly Knighted Brothers and the degree team for the Order ofthe Temple. (submitted by Sir Knight Charles Perez, Grand Generalissimo, Grand Commandery of Florida)
Shreveport, Louisiana Commanderies and S.O.O.B. Assembly
Attend Easter Service at Yellow Pine Christian Church
Each Easter the ladies of Shreveport Assembly No. 60 and the Sir Knights of Ascension Commandery No.6 and Minden Crusader Commandery No. 21 attend church at Yellow Pine Christian Church in Sibley, Louisiana. Sir Knight Tom Brown from Ascension No. 6 is the pastor.
Pictured, left to right, are: 1st row: (Mrs. Manfred) Theresa Johnscher, (Mrs. Larry) Trellis Ledbetter; 2nd row: (Mrs. Howard) Nona Entwistle, (Mrs. Roy E.) Viva May, (Mrs. Jack) Macel Giles, Angela McNicoll, and (Mrs. Tom) Sue Brown (wife of the pastor). A delicious lunch was served after the service.
SCOTTISH RITE PREPARES FOR JOINT SESSION
For the first time in history, the two Scottish Rite jurisdictions in the United States will come together for a joint meeting in August 2007. The special event is expected to attract more than 3,500 33º Masons and their ladies from 50 states.
The meeting will take place in Washington, DC, on August 26-28,2007. Among those in attendance will be Grand Masters from most states as well as Scottish Rite representatives from many jurisdictions throughout the world.
John William McNaughton, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, and Ronald A. Seale, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Southern Jurisdiction, will jointly welcome visitors to a special open session for men and women on Monday morning, August 27. A luncheon will follow. The Monday session will be preceded by a vespers service on Sunday afternoon.
Both jurisdictions will be conferring the 33º on a class of candidates. The Northern Jurisdiction degree is scheduled for late afternoon on Monday. The Southern Jurisdiction degree will take place on Tuesday morning. The degree is awarded for outstanding achievement in the fraternity or for significant contributions to others, reflecting credit on Freemasonry.
The Scottish Rite Research Society will hold its annual meeting on Tuesday afternoon when Arturo deHoyas and Martin R. Starr will present the SRRS lecture.
The 3-day event will conclude with a gala banquet on Tuesday evening. The main events will be held in the International Ballroom at the Washington Hilton Hotel.
The meeting in the nation's capital takes place in conjunction with the biennial meeting of the Supreme Council for the Southern Jurisdiction and the annual meeting ofthe Supreme Council for the Northern Jurisdiction.TOP
<![CDATA[<BGSOUND SRC="http://www.knightstemplar.org/music/knowingmeknowingyou.mid">]]>
"Knowing Me, Knowing You"
