THE BUILDER September, 1925

The Story of Freemasonry in Colorado
By BRO. GEORGE B. CLARK, Colorado
PART I

BRO. CLARK is a member of Pueblo Lodge, No. 17, A.F. & A.M.,
Pueblo, Colorado. His brief history, the second and concluding half
of which will be published next month, is the result of original
researches extended over a period of years, during which he has
spared himself no effort to verify all the facts. His brochure
should be published in book form and so made available to all
brethren in Colorado, and to students of Masonic history elsewhere.

What will a man not do for gold? No obstacle is too great, no
hardship too severe when there is reasonable hope that gold may be
had for the taking. The streams and hills of Colorado have yielded
many fortunes to the hardy adventurers who went after them. Many
who came did not find the fortune. For them some obstacle could not
be surmounted.

The story of Colorado Masonry is the story of Colorado, and the
story of early Colorado is the story of the search for gold. When
the golden sands of California called in 1848, the gold seeker
crossed Colorado and passed on to the West and added a new empire
to the country. Ten years later another wave of excitement,
encouraged by the success of the California movement, rolled
eastward. Gold had been discovered at Pikes Peak, and the "prairie
schooner," with its "Pikes Peak or Bust" banner, came to the
Rockies. Men flocked to this part of the country always in search
of gold. And it is to the glory of Colorado that, having found the
gold, many of these bold spirits remained to build a state and
enjoy the fruits of their labor within sight of the mountains which
gave them their wealth.

Masonry? Yes. Many of these men were Masons, made in some lodge in
a "home town back East." Away from that home town probably for the
first time in their lives, what more natural than that they sought
out their brethren in the new West ! The very dangers and
vicissitudes of travel would draw them together; and being once
drawn together it was inevitable that the principles instilled into
them in the lodge would go far in maintaining order in the new
country. The prospector for gold is a very migratory sort of
person. Any "strike," or rumor of a strike, starts him at once for
the new "diggings." Were this not so there might not have been any
Colorado.

Prior to 1861 there was no Colorado, there was only an indefinite
"West," with an almost impassable mountain range crossing from
north and south. Travelers of necessity went around to the north by
way of Ft. Laramie, or to the south by way of Santa Fe or Ft.
Union. Kansas and Nebraska were new countries even then with rather
indefinite boundaries. The line between them was drawn on the map
as a straight line to the mountains. The Utah lines coming from the
west were drawn to this same very indefinite mountain range. The
maps of 1859 are not in agreement but seem to carry an idea of the
mountain range as a boundary line running approximately as a line
between North Park and Routt County, between Park and Chaffee
Counties, and between Huerfano and Costilla Counties. All on the
west was Utah. The present line between Kansas and Nebraska
continued west to this same mountain range. All to the north was
Nebraska and to the south was Kansas. One map of the Indian
Reservation, dated 1854, shows a portion of the southern part
bounded approximately on the west by the Culebra Range, on the
north by an east and west line through La Junta, and on the east by
the 103rd meridian, as being New Mexico.

At that time nobody seemed to care a part of the country; nobody
wanted it. In Kansas and Nebraska seemed to be arguing as to who
should police it. But in 1858 the magic word GOLD was spoken! How
quickly the scene changed! Men flocked out to the "Pikes Peak"
country and a new order arose, a new country came into being, a new
state was formed.

THE FIRST IMMIGRANTS TO ARRIVE

 The trails led to the intersection of the South Platte River and
Cherry Creek where there had been a small Indian village. As near
as may be ascertained the first party of immigrants arrived Oct.
10, 1858. In this party were the "Russell Boys" and a trader named
John Smith. It seems that the first structure erected was a double
cabin built by Dr. L.J. Russell for himself and Smith. Others came
in and other cabins were erected by Roswell Hutchins, John Easter,
A.H. Barker, Henry Allen, Andrew Sagendorf and a Mr. Rooker. These
cabins were located on the west side of Cherry Creek and the
community was named "Auraria City" after Auraria, Georgia, the home
town of Dr. Russul. In a month or so other parties arrived and
settled on the east side of Cherry Creek. They named their
community "Denver City," after the then Governor of Kansas, this
being presumed to be Kansas soil. Some of the first cabin builders
on this site were General Larimer, E.P. Stout, Charles Nichols,
Hickory Rogers, Moyne and Rice, Lawrence and Dorsett. The name
Auraria was dropped in April, 1860, when a bridge was completed
across Cherry Creek making one community and it was called Denver
City.

Apparently the month of October, 1858, was a busy one for the new
settlements. Cabins must be built for~ protection against the
coming winter, and more important than that was the pleasant task
of getting acquainted. The first rush of building over their
thoughts turned "east." We are told by J.D. Ramage that he arrived
at "Pikes Peak" (now Denver) on Nov. 2, 1858 and that on the next
evening he attended the first assemblage of Masons in this new
country. Note the names of those present at the birth of Masonry in
Colorado: W. M. Slaughter, Charles Blake, Dr. Russell, Andrew
Sagendorf, George Lehow, Henry Allen and J.D. Ramage.

December came and with it the true Masonic desire to celebrate St.
John's day on the 27th. Quite a gala feast was prepared for the
twenty-six Masons who had arrived by that time. The story of this
first celebration has been told many times. The banquet room--a
16 by 16 foot cabin; table cloth--a clean sheet borrowed from a
Mormon family: the table--wagon boards; chairs--none, all stood up;
menu--flour, pork, beans, coffee, wild game, as far as it went.

Then came spring and with it a great influx of miners, prospectors
and those who hoped to be miners. W. N. Byers arrived April 17,
1859, and he notes meetings with forty Masons present. On May 6
came the announcement of the discovery of gold at Gregory Diggings
and away went the people. Gregory Diggings is but a few miles
distant from the present Central city and a great exodus took place
from Auraria and Denver to Gregory. Less than a fortnight later we
read of meetings being held by Masons at Central City. Before June
had passed a block of ground had been pre-empted for the purpose
and a Masonic Temple was erected. Many of the same names noted as
being present at the Auraria meetings are now recognized as the
pioneers among the Masonic activities at the diggings. By summer it
was estimated that fully 20,000 men had come into the mining
district, and the intensity of the Masonic interest may well be
imagined. Meetings were held every week and hundreds of names were
added to the "rolls of visitors." It must be kept in mind that
these were not lodge sessions but were informal meetings of Masons
to discuss and keep alive the Masonic traditions, and to search out
and band together for mutual protection those who were entitled to
wear the Square and Compass.

As time went on other mining discoveries were made, districts were
established and miners came in to make more history. The transient
moved on to the new fields until he found his place and became a
part of a new community. In the fall many of the men went out of
the district, some going back to the states for the winter, and
some simply stopped off at Auraria until winter had passed.
Meetings now took on a more settled and serious aspect. Permanent
organizations, dispensations and charters were discussed. Decision
was made to change the temporary organizations into permanent ones
through regular Masonic proceedings.

In the olden time Masons by "immemorial custom" could assemble and
erect a Masonic lodge. These lodges would make Masons, who in turn
would "travel in foreign countries," work, and receive Masters'
wages, and they in time would organize other lodges. Eventually
there came the necessity of an affiliation of these lodges, the
need of some central authority. So representatives of these lodges
gathered together and organized a Grand Lodge and elected a Grand
Master. To this Grand Lodge were delegated certain powers, among
which was the power to charter lodges. This Grand Lodge assumed
jurisdictional powers which, after much controversy, was
established as regular. Thus the Grand Lodges were set up in
England, Scotland and Ireland, the priority resting with the Grand
Lodge of London, organized in 1717. From these sources the
principles spread to the American Colonies and lodges were
established on this side. In time Provincial Grand Lodges were set
up in most of the Colonies by one or the other of the Grand Lodges
of England or Scotland. After the Revolutionary War the American
Provincial Grand Lodges declared their independence of the European
authority and erected themselves as sovereign and independent Grand
Lodges in their respective states. This was in due time
acknowledged by the Grand Lodge of England, and the American Grand
Lodges became in fact independent Grand Lodges. These Grand Lodges
by mutual agreement announced a new policy, that of "exclusive
jurisdiction." In brief, it is this. The authority of each Grand
Lodge is supreme in the state in which the Grand Lodge is situated.
and no other Grand Lodge may invade that state to charter lodges.
If in any state or territory there be no Grand Lodge, that field is
open to any Grand Lodge to charter lodges.

SUCCESSION KEPT INTACT

Now enters another phase of the principle of exclusive
jurisdiction. When three or more lodges have been chartered by any
Grand Lodge authority in a state or territory in which there is no
Grand Lodge, these three or more lodges may meet by agreement and
themselves erect a Grand Lodge for that state or territory. Thus
the chain goes on. A new frontier is opened, Masons go in, meet
each other, desire Masonic concourse, associate as a lodge, ask
some Grand Lodge for a dispensation to form a lodge, and when
granted meet as a lodge, regular in every way. In due time the
charter is granted and the new lodge is now on its way. Then by
association of all such lodges in the new country a Grand Lodge is
formed.

MASONS CAME FROM EVERYWHERE

So it was in this part of the country. These informal meetings took
on the aspects of a lodge and the desire was expressed to form a
regular lodge. Naturally the first question which arose was that of
the source of such authority. Strictly speaking, all the territory
around Denver, Central city, Golden, and Gregory was Kansas soil
but it is doubtful if it was so known or considered at that time.
The line between Kansas and Nebraska was drawn as being along the
present north line of Arapahoe county. So it may safely be said
that there was a question as to the title to this new gold field,
Masonic title as well as civil or territorial title. Men came here
from all parts of the United states and Masonic memberships must
have been almost as varied as the men themselves.

By the spring or summer of 1859 there were more or less settled
communities in Auraria, Denver, Golden, Central city, Parkville and
Gold Hill. Masons were meeting in each of these places in
sufficient numbers to justify the establishing of lodges and each
group in its own way did ask for regular Masonic authority for a
lodge. Some of these requests were carried through to completion as
chartered lodges, some were delayed for a time, and some were lost
by the way. Brethren in Auraria, Golden city and Nevadaville
petitioned the Grand Master of Kansas for dispensations and these
petitions were all granted. Brethren in Parkville an Gold Hill
petitioned the Grand Master of Nebraska for dispensations and these
petitions were likewise granted. The lodge at Golden city was given
a dispensation on Feb. 18, 1860, and was chartered by the Grand
Lodge of Kansas on Oct. 16, 1860, as Golden City Lodge, No. 34. The
lodge at Parkville was chartered on June 5, 1861, by the Grand
Lodge of Nebraska as Summit Lodge, No. 7. The lodge at Gold Hill
was chartered on June 5, 1861, by the Grand Lodge of Nebraska as
Rock Mountain Lodge, No. 8.

The Grand Master of Kansas issued two other dispensations for
lodges in the Gold country--to the brethren at Auraria on Oct. 8,
1859, and to the brethren at Nevadaville in January, 1861. When the
Grand Lodge of Kansas met in October, 1860, there was no return
from Auraria Lodge, but it was ordered that a charter should issue
as No. 37 when the returns should arrive, cognizance being taken of
the insecurity of travel. The returns of Golden City Lodge did
arrive on time and it was regularly awarded its charter at No. 34.
It is known that at least three, and perhaps four other communities
were asking for lodges, but complete organizations were not
perfected. These were Denver, separate and distinct from Auraria,
Central City Mountain City and Arapahoe.

In February, 1861, the territory enclosed by the present boundaries
of the State of Colorado was set aside by the National Government
and named the "Territory of Colorado." In due time, 1876, Colorado
took its place as a sovereign state of the Union.

A GRAND LODGE IS ORGANIZED

In August, 1861, then, conditions were right for the next Masonic
move. Here was an independent civil territory of the Union with no
Grand Lodge and there were functioning within its borders three
chartered lodges, two lodges under dispensation, and three or four
more seeking authority to meet as lodges. Invitations were issued
to the chartered lodges to meet and discuss the advisability of the
formation of a Grand Lodge. The time set was Aug. 2, 1861, and the
place as Golden City. On that day there assembled at the lodge room
in Golden City the following:

Representatives from Golden City Lodge. No. 34, at Golden City,
C.T: Bro. Eli Carter, W.M.; Bro. I.E. Hardy, proxy for S.W.; Bro.
J.A. Moore, J. W.

Rocky Mountain Lodge, No. 8. at Gold Hill, C.T.: Bro. C.F. Holly,
proxy for W.M. and S.W.; Bro. J.M. Chivington, proxy for J.W.

Summit Lodge, No. 1, at Parkville, C.T.: Bro. James Ewing, W.M.;
Bro. O.A. Whittemore, proxy for S.W.; Bro. S.M. Robins, proxy for
J.W.

Visitors: Bro. L.L. Bowen, Past Deputy Grand Master of Nebraska;
Bro. W.T. Wade, Past Master; Bro. L. M. Frary, Past Master.

The organization of the Grand Lodge of Colorado as perfected on
this day, Aug. 2, 1861, and the following officers elected and
installed:

J.M. Chivington, Gold Hill, Grand Master; S.M. Robins, Parkville,
Deputy Grand Master; James Ewing, Parkville. Senior Grand Warden;
J.M. Holt, Gold Hill, Junior Grand Warden; Eli Carter, Golden City,
Grand Treasurer; O.A. Whittemore, Parkville, Grand Secretary.

Interrupted communications due to the difficulties and dangers of
travel caused some embarrassing situations for the new Grand Lodge.
It became known that, another Grand Lodge had chartered a lodge in
Colorado after the formation of the Grand Lodge of Colorado. But in
true Masonic spirit these situations were cleared away and the new
Grand Lodge was recognized and accorded its place among the Grand
Lodges.

Nevada Lodge surrendered its Kansas charter and received a Colorado
charter as No. 4. Auraria and Central city surrendered their
dispensations from Kansas and Nebraska respectively and received
new dispensations from Grand Master Chivington. They were in due
time chartered by the Grand Lodge of Colorado as Denver Lodge, No.
5, and Chivington Lodge, No. 6. This latter lodge, however, changed
its name later to Central Lodge, No. 6.

The first Grand Master, John M. Chivington, was a church dignitary,
but when the war broke out he sought service for the Union. He was
offered appointment as chaplain, but this he refused, insisting
that he have a fighting commission. He eventually became a colonel
of Colorado troops and served his country well. He came to Colorado
from Nebraska, where he served as Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge
of Nebraska, prior to which he had served as Master of the lodge
under dispensation which became, Lodge No. 3 when the Grand Lodge
of Kansas was formed.

WHENCE DID COLORADO DERIVE ITS RITUAL?

Attention is particularly directed to the following extract from
the minutes of this first meeting, dated Aug. 1, 1861:

"On motion it was

"RESOLVED, That a school of instruction be established by this
Grand Lodge, and that at least one day, at each Grand
Communication, be set aside for the purpose of instruction by the
M.W. Grand Master, in order that uniformity in the work may be
obtained in this Jurisdiction.

"RESOLVED, That the work in this Jurisdiction be adopted as
exemplified in the present session of this Grand Lodge."

Just what this work was is not known. Golden City Lodge was
chartered by the Grand Lodge of Kansas, and set up by a
representative of the Grand Master who was a well qualified Kansas
Mason. The meeting at which the Grand Lodge was formed was held in
the hall of Golden city Lodge, and I. E. Hardy of Golden City was
appointed the first Grand Lecturer. The first Grand Master was a
Master of a Kansas Lodge. These facts might lead one to infer that
the first work was "Kansas work."

On the other hand a Past Deputy Grand Master of Nebraska, one L.L.
Bowen, was present at the organization of the Grand Lodge and he
may have influenced the selection of the first work. Also it is
known that Bro. Chivington had been an officer of the Grand Lodge
of Nebraska, as well as having been a Kansas Master. It is known
that the first Constitution adopted was the Constitution of the
Grand Lodge of Nebraska, modified only to suit the conditions of
the new Grand Lodge.

Be that as it may, it is one thing to adopt an official "work" and
quite another thing to see that it is used. Lodges were few and far
between; the presence of hostile Indians on the way and the extreme
vicissitudes of travel made it almost impossible for a Grand Lodge
officer, be he Grand-Master or Grand Lecturer, to visit the lodges
and teach or demonstrate what that official work was. Each Master
of a lodge naturally thought the work of the Jurisdiction from
which he came was the best ever conceived and, knowing that work
only, he would use it in his new Colorado lodge to the exclusion of
all else. The result can well be imagined. In 1878, Grand Master C.
J. Hart said in his annual address:

"We have adopted a uniform work and enacted laws prohibiting the
introduction of any other among our lodges and yet, notwithstanding
this, the work in this Jurisdiction is almost as varied as were the
colors of Joseph's coat." Many attempts to correct this were made.
The system of District Deputy Grand Lecturers was tried but was not
a success. Men could not give the time and attention to Masonic
work to the neglect of private business especially when distances
were great and traveling hazardous. As a result a committee of five
Past Grand Masters was appointed to look into the matter. Their
report rendered in 1882 carried this quite significant statement:
"That the work as presented by the Grand Lecturer is in its
essential features the same as the ALLYN WESTON work so long ago
used in this jurisdiction." It should be noted here that Allyn
Weston was made a Mason in Michigan, in a lodge in Detroit. He was
very active in Michigan Masonry and for a number of years published
a Masonic magazine known as THE ASHLAR. He came to Colorado in 1861
and at the first Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge in
December, 1861, was appointed Grand Lecturer. He no doubt at this
time introduced his Michigan work in the new Grand Lodge of
Colorado. The following year he was elected Grand Master. This
Allyn Weston work with but few changes continued until 1911, when
a revision made by the Custodians of the Work was put into effect.
This latter work is now in use and, by a thorough system of
inspection under a Grand Lecturer who devotes his entire time to
the work, complete uniformity is maintained throughout all the
lodges in the state. All the credit for this wonderful
accomplishment goes to Bro. W. W. Cooper, who was for so many years
the Grand Lecturer and is now the Grand Secretary.

Bro. Cooper, writing in 1915, had this to say concerning the
derivation of the esoteric Colorado ritual:

"From what I can learn of these matters, I am inclined to think
that our line of descent is fairly clear. Beginning with Webb, we
next have Gleason and Fowle, then Barney, and through Michigan,
Colorado. It must be remembered, however that the Barney work, as
taught by him to Willson in Vermont in 1818, is not the same Barney
work that we have inherited. The stream has been clouded, possibly
it has been purified by additions and minglings. The Brother
Willson above referred to subsequent to 1818 went to Iowa and
Kansas, and the system of lectures which he had learned from Barney
in 1818, was adopted by those two Jurisdictions. I think there is
no doubt that Vermont, Iowa and Kansas have a better title to the
original Barney work of 1818 (whatever it was) than have Michigan,
Illinois and Colorado. Whether the original Barney-Gleason-Webb
work of 1818 is better than the modified Barney-Gleason-Webb work
of Colorado is another question."

A MONITOR IS ADOPTED

Until 1906 there had been no Monitor adopted as the official text
for this jurisdiction. Prior to this time the Mackey Monitor had
been unofficially the standard and in general use. The
Jurisprudence Committee reported on this subject in 1900 as
follows: "In our opinion the Mackey Manual now in use meets the
errands and wishes of our officers and lodges. In view of the fact
that it is so generally satisfactory and so generally used we
recommend that no change be made." In 1906, however, the Macoy
Manual was adopted as the official monitor and its use recommended
throughout the jurisdiction. This was not satisfactory and the
Custodians of the Work were directed to and did prepare a Monitor
that harmonized completely with the new revision of the esoteric
work, and this, called The Colorado Craftsman, was adopted in 1911,
and is in use throughout the jurisdiction today.

At this same time this committee prepared a Colorado diploma for
the use of Colorado Masons who may wish to travel in other
jurisdictions where such documents are required.

As has been stated the Constitution adopted Aug. 2, 1861, was
practically a copy of that of the Grand Lodge of Nebraska, and the
preamble read:

"WHEREAS, Every Grand Lodge possesses the inherent powers to form
a Constitution, as the fundamental law of its Masonic action, and
to enact such By-Laws from time to time as it may deem necessary
for its own government, and to make such rules and prescribe such
regulations for the administration of its subordinate lodges, as
will insure the prosperity thereof, and promote the general good of
Masonry; and,

"WHEREAS, Every Grand Lodge is the true representative of all the
Fraternity in communication therewith, and is, in that behalf, an
absolute and independent body with supreme legislative authority:
Provided always, That the ancient Landmarks of the Order be held
inviolate.

"Therefore, Upon these principles, which have never been disputed,
the Grand Lodge of Colorado does hereby ordain establish and
promulgate the following Constitution and By Laws for its future
government, and does make and prescribe the following rules for the
government of the lodges under its jurisdiction."

This Constitution has been entirely revised and the present code
adopted in 1914 had for its preamble the following:

"We, The Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of
Colorado, in order to form a more perfect fraternal union provide
for and promote the welfare of the Craft, do ordain and establish
this Constitution."
