Proceedings of the Lodge 1856-1981 - Continued
1884 25 communications were held during the year, and membership increased to 103. Masonic funeral services were held for W. Samuel H. Jackson, Past Master, charter member and one of the active workers of the Lodge.
A request was received and approved, from a group of Masons to form a lodge at South Thomaston. Dispensation was granted by the Grand Master, and Knox Lodge, U. D. was added to the rolls of the 9th District.
Again the DDGM did not visit Eureka, giving ill health and bad roads as his reason.
An old Masonic custom was observed in connection with the raising of a candidate on September 16th. The minutes note that the Lodge was "called from labor to refreshment. Having done full justice to the very bountiful spread prepared by the Stewards at the expense of the candidate, called to labor again."
1885 Request was received from the daughter of a deceased member for assistance, and $25.00 was voted.
A memorial page was inscribed for Brother John M. Fuller. Brother Fuller was the owner of the building where the Lodge had met since 1860.
Voted $10.00 to Katie — (widow?) of a deceased member. A request was received via the Grand Lodge of Maine, for assistance for Masonic sufferers at the great fire in Galveston, Texas, November 13th. Voted $5.00.
Membership held at 103, with attendance at 25 communications averaging 11% of membership.
1886 Little of significance took place this year. Improvements to the Lodge rooms were negotiated with the owner of the building. New rods for the Deacons and Stewards and a ballot box were purchased ($7.00), as well as "new furniture". It was voted to sell the old furniture for $20.00.
Only 13 communications were held during the year, the lowest number since the Lodge was formed, and there were no candidates for the degrees. Attendance was fairly good, with programs about evenly divided between business and instruction. Membership 103.
1887 The District Deputy again did not visit Eureka Lodge, because of business and "bad travelling conditions." His report however, about sums up the year's activities, when he writes, "there has been no work in two years and funds are just about able to keep up. Members are mostly seafaring men who are away much of the time; otherwise peace and harmony prevails."
Membership 102, and average attendance down to 8%.
1888 Only 11 communications were held, a new low. Voted to procure a hanging lamp for the center of the hall and a cushion for the altar: also "other necessary articles to complete the furnishing of the hall."
The District Deputy in reporting on his official visit, notes it was a stormy night and few members. One walked 3 miles to make a quorum. A few deserve much credit... fine little hall, and the Lodge needs only work."
Membership dropped to 97, due partially to deaths and demits.
1889 There was little activity, with 14 communications being held, devoted mostly to instruction (exemplification of degree work and lectures) and business. Three petitions were received of which one was rejected.
The District Deputy's report notes "membership scattered . . . some seafaring men. . little work .. neat and cozy Masonic home."
Membership 100.
1890 A petition was received from an Entered Apprentice from Iron Mountain Lodge No. 430, of Missouri. He was elected, and it was voted to confer the three degrees on him for the price of two. ($12.00)
The minutes dated March 6th note that "this is the date for our regular monthly meeting, but owing to a very heavy snow storm, only 3 members came to the Lodge room . . Therefore could not open Lodge." The communication of April 3rd also went by the board, as the Senior Deacon, Secretary, Senior and Junior Wardens were sick, and not enough members were present to fill the offices.
The District Deputy reported that the work at his inspection was "very well done although the officers are new and had little practice."
Membership 98 and attendance at the 15 communications held, was somewhat improved.
1891 The lull continues, with very little outside the routine taking place. The minutes of January 22 state that "owing to a very heavy storm, did not elect officers". A dispensation was requested and election held at a special communication on February 3th.
The District Deputy reported a small gathering on the occasion of his official visit to Eureka Lodge . . the candidate was unable to be present as he is a member of a Life Saving Station .. exemplification fairly well done. Many of the members are seafaring men and do not have the privilege of attending Lodge meetings."
Membership dropped to 93, due partially to 3 deaths and 3 demits.
1892 Work began to pick up somewhat, with 6 petitions received of which 4 were elected, 1 rejected and 1 referred back to the Committee of Inquiry.
"Voted Brother — $20.00 from Lodge funds." (Charity) Also voted to "procure a suitable slop pail for the ante room."
The District Deputy did not visit the Lodge (Bad roads again?) Membership was up to 97. Average attendance increased to 14% at the 15 communications held, of which 11 were devoted to degree work.
1893 The minutes of January 26th indicate that the matter of quarters for the Lodge was approaching a climax. It was voted to hire the present hall for $60.00, and to notify all members to attend the March stated communication to discuss the problem of obtaining adequate quarters. (There were 32 members in 1860 when the present hall was contracted. There were 97 in 1893) A committee of 3 was appointed to look into the matter. It was also voted to incorporate the Lodge, and a committee was appointed to do so.
Another committee was appointed at the April state <sic> communication to see if the lot owned by Mrs. Fernald would be available for a new Masonic Hall. At the May 25th communication, the committee advised that Mrs. Fernald's lot was not available, and after discussion it was voted to "purchase the Capt. Joseph Watts lot lying north, next to John C. Snow's, for the purpose of building a new Masonic Hall thereon." The vote was 17 in favor and 5 opposed.
At the June 29th communication, it was voted to assess each member $4.00 per year until the Hall was paid for. The Building Committee was directed to obtain costs of a 2 story vs a 3 story building. At a special meeting (termed "reconvened") on July 8th, it was voted that "the Building Committee be instructed to build a Hall on the Watts lot, and that they be empowered to locate the building on that part of the lot, in their judgement will be best for all concerned, also the size and style of building."
On November 23rd, the Building Committee was empowered to furnish the hall and arrange for the dedication. It was voted to invite Knox, St. George's, Aurora, Orient, Amity and Rockland Lodges to attend the ceremony. St. Paul's was added to the list at a later date.
Funeral services were conducted for Brother John H. Long, Past Master and a staunch supporter and worker in the Lodge.
The Grand Lodge adopted the present method of giving "Public Grand Honors" at its annual communication.
Eureka's rolls were pruned again, and 8 were suspended for nonpayment of dues, resulting in a drop in membership to 93. Activity was increasing however, as evidenced by 27 communications held with attendance showing a healthy increase to 17%.
The District Deputy reported work at his official visit was "very well done."
1894 This year might well be termed the high point in Eureka's history to date; the climax being the dedication of the new Masonic Hall on February 19, 1894. The Rockland Courier Gazette and the Grand Lodge Proceedings contain coverage in detail of this event. The dedication had been planned for the previous Thursday (February 15th) but had to be postponed, first until Saturday, then till Monday, due to an extremely heavy snow storm which blocked all roads and prevented Grand Master Horace H. Burbank from getting through. He finally made his way through snow drifts, and the dedication ceremonies were conducted at 7:30 PM on Monday evening, February 19, 1894. An account of the event will be found in the chapter "Eureka's Homes."
As might be expected, the tempo of activity increased with the building of the new Hall, and petitions began to come in. Fifteen were raised during the year, which brought membership rolls up to 106, a net increase of 13 over the previous year. As the District Deputy's report indicated, Eureka was "enjoying a marked era of prosperity."
Later in the year, adjustments were made involving property owned by H. F. Kalloch, Charles Crocker and Mrs. Monaghan, and it was voted that "when the lot of Eureka Lodge is established, that bolts be placed in the corners to assert at anytime the bounds of the lot." It was decided to add a fire escape.
It was voted to have a picnic on St. John's Day, June 23rd, with the ladies to furnish refreshments, but nothing shows in the minutes to tell whether or not it was ever held.
So ends a busy year!
1895 At the January 10th communication, it was "voted to allow the ladies the use of the Masonic Lodge rooms to hold the meetings of the Order of the Eastern Star if organized, they to have it at a fair rent."
The By-Laws were amended to hold stated communications on the first Thursday of each month, but may stand closed in July and August.
A request for assistance from the widow of a deceased former member was denied, as he was under suspension for non-payment of dues at the time of his death.
A committee was appointed to paint the Hall. The District Deputy reported of Eureka "work finely rendered - everything prosperous."
Membership was 112 at year end. 27 communications were held with average attendance 20%.
1896 A busy but uneventful year. By-Laws were printed. The OES chapter was invited to the Lodge's public installation for which printed invitations were made up. A committee was appointed to provide music.
On March 5th, $10.00 was voted to Brother — and $15.00 to another member. At the June 4th communication "voted to invite Brother Sewell Browne to preach the sermon to the Brethren of Eureka Lodge and members of the OES on the Sunday previous to St. John's Day". This is first recorded celebration of St. John's Day by the Lodge, a custom followed to this day. The service was held at the Tenants Harbor Baptist Church.
The District Deputy reports "everything is well with Eureka . . each officer tries to make his part perfect, and many of them are qualified to fill the chair."
Membership 110. 23 communications held, with average attendance 21%.
1897 It was voted at the annual communication, to refinance the debt at a lower rate of interest.
On March 4th, it was "voted that the application of Brother James Smith for the use of the Hall for a Chapter (Royal Arch?) be left with the Trustees of the Charity Fund. At the April 1st communication, it was voted to "require new members to pay pro-rata dues; to purchase a Marshal's collar; to purchase the stove that we have in the cook room, and to loan the Good Templars the old altar."
Brother James M. Smith was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the Ninth Masonic District, the first such honor to come to a member of Eureka Lodge. He was installed in office at the June 3rd communication.
At the July communication, it was voted to suspend meetings until September, the first instance this was done since the By-Laws had been revised to allow it.
Masonic funeral services were conducted on October 1st for Brother George W. Barter, the last surviving charter member.
Membership was 109 at year end. 24 communications were held, with average attendance 19% of membership.
1898 Invitation was received to attend the installation of officers of Naomi Chapter, OES (First use of this name). On advise of the Grand Master, the Lodge declined to pay a bill from Bowring Lodge No. 44, of Michigan, for burial of a member of Eureka Lodge. The Grand Master's decision was based on the premise that Masonic charity should be freely given without incurring liability for reimbursement.
Some dissention appears to have arisen at the April 7th communication, when the Senior Warden, Junior Steward and Secretary all requested demits. Reading between the lines, it may have been caused by the rejection of a petition for the degrees. Possibly this was the reason that at the next communciation, "the W.M. gave the Lodge some good instruction in regard to conduct out of the Lodge, especially before the profane." The Secretary submitted his resignation, but it was postponed indefinitely by the Lodge.
Request for relief was received from a member. A vote of thanks was given to Moses Webster Lodge for kindness to Brother — and family at Vinal Haven.
The District Deputy (James M. Smith) noted in his report that 22 members of Eureka Lodge had accompanied him on his official visit to Knox Lodge, with temperature below zero and bitterly cold. 24 members also accompanied him on his visit to Amity Lodge in Camden.
Mt. Olivet Lodge No. 203, of Washington was added to the Ninth District. Membership in Eureka Lodge stood at 108 at year end, with 23 communications held and average attendance 19%.
1899 A rather uneventful year. 15 communications were held, seven for degree work. Apparently there was some difficulty with finances, as several were suspended NPD. Dues were reduced to $3.00.
The Lodge paid part of a bill from Moses Webster Lodge for services rendered to a sick member of Eureka Lodge, with the balance to be collected by subscription.
The District Deputy reported "work rendered in a very pleasing manner... records in good hands."
Membership was 106.
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