Cherokee Lodge
#66, F. & A. M.
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Cherokee Lodge
#66, F. & A. M.
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A History of Cherokee Lodge From a paper contributed by Frank Gentry Past Master of Cherokee Lodge Webmaster's notes: The following information came from "the masonic news," september 15, 1936. Every effort was made to record the information as near the original as possible. When a word was not clear in the original DOCUMENT IT IS INDICATED BY --- IN THE TEXT. Sometime ago in discussing subjects of interest with regard to our Fall programs, an idea occurred to me that if some one would get up a brief summary of the past history of Cherokee Lodge, it might not only be interesting from a standpoint of entertainment, but might be worth something as a matter of record. During my fifteen years as a member of this lodge, I do not recall hearing anything of the actual past history, except possibly the reading of some of our former leaders. My name appears on this program as giving you a history of Cherokee Lodge. I wish to say that it would not be possible for this to be done, as most of our old records have been lost or destroyed; and further. I am not a historian or the son of a historian. In accepting responsibility of this undertaking, --- to the best of my ability a brief summary of the "high lights" of the years past. However, I accepted the job and will endeavor to give you the most enlightening information I have been able to gather as briefly as possibly; and hope you enjoy it. My findings are as follows: COOSA LODGE NO. 66 WAS INSTITUTED ON JANUARY 25, 1848, WITH F. I. SULLIVAN AS WORSHIPFUL MASTER. IT SEEMS THAT THIS CHARTER STAYED IN EFFECT UNTIL DECEMBER 22, 1854, AT WHICH TIME A BROTHER PRINTUP PRESENTED A PETITION TO THE GRAND LODGE FROM COOSA LODGE NO. 66 AND HUNTER LODGE NO. 134, REQUESTING THAT THEY BE ALLOWED TO CONSOLIDATE, WHICH WAS REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON RELIEF, AND AGREED TO. THE FIRST RETURN OF CHEROKEE LODGE NO. 66 MADE IN THE YEAR 1855 SHOWS THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS.
James M. Sumter, The first "Worshipful Master" of Cherokee Lodge 1855-56-57-58
A History of Cherokee Lodge From a paper Contributed by Frank Gentry, Past Master of Cherokee Lodge Part II This was first printed in "the Mason's News", October 15, 1936 According to the deed records of Floyd County, Georgia, I find that in Book of Deeds "P", page 632, under the date of August 24, 1867, recorded October 1, 1867, George Burnette conveyed to Cherokee Lodge No. 66, F. & A. M., lot No. 98 of the Coosa Division of the City of Rome, with all the improvements thereon situated at the East corner of Howard Street and Broad Street, running back on Howard Street one hundred thirty-two feet. Howard is now Second Avenue. This deed was made to J. I. Wright, W. M., Thomas Perry, S. W., and Richard W. Mitchell, J. W. of Cherokee Lodge No. 66, a lodge of free and accepted Masons of Rome, Georgia, chartered by the Grand Lodge of the state of Georgia, and working under their jurisdiction, for the use, benefit and behoof of Said Cherokee Lodge No. 66 F. & A. M. The consideration of this deed was $9,250.00. This apparently was the first meeting place of Cherokee Lodge, located at the place where the Wheeler Drug Store now is. On April 22, 1867, the Book "TT" of deeds was executed from James M. Jenkins, Sheriff, to Cherokee Lodge No. 66 F. & A. M. The property described in the deed was levied and sold by Sheriff as property of Thomas C. Ayer. The lodge bid it in at the Sheriff's sale on the first Tuesday in April, 1876, before Floyd County Court house door. This conveyance took in corner half of Lot No. 11 in Coosa Division of the City of Rome on the corner of Broad and Oostanaula Streets, fronting thirty-three feet, more or less, on Oostanaula Street. Oostanaula Street is now Fourth Avenue. The consideration of this deed was $1000.00. Under date of April 26, 1877, in Book "TT" of Deeds, page 242, Cherokee Lodge No. 66 F. & A. M. bought from Mary A. Cleaves, Administratrix of the estate of Turner A. Cleaves, deceased, and undivided one-half interest in City Lot No. 11 in the Coosa Division of the City of Rome, Floyd County, Georgia, fronting thirty-three feet, more or less, the portion sold being half next to No. 10 and adjoining Whitley Livery Stable. The consideration of this deed was $600.00. We then find that Cherokee Lodge No. 66 F. & A. M., under date of May 24, 1878, Book of Deeds "Y", page 161, conveyed to J. W. and J. A. Rounsaville Lot No. 98 on corner of Broad Street and Howard Street in the Coosa Division of the City of Rome. The consideration of this deed was $9000.00. The deed was signed for the Lodge by J. I. Wright, W. M., John W. Jones, S. W., E. J. Magruder, J. W., J. W. and R. W. West, Secretary. This apparently did away with the property located at Second Avenue and Broad Street.
A History of Cherokee Lodge From a paper Contributed by Frank Gentry Past Master of Cherokee Lodge Part III We find in Book of Deeds X, page 194, under date of November 1, 1877, deed recorded November 1, 1877, Cherokee Lodge borrowed from A. P. Allgood of Chattooga, County $5000.00, putting up as collateral security City Lot No. 11, where the Masonic Temple now stands. Six notes of $833.33 1/3 each were given, with interest at ten percent per annum, the interest to be paid semi-annually, one becoming due on the first of November of each of the six years next following. Resolution authorizing this mortgage was adopted at a regular communication on the 10th day of August, 1877. Mortgage was signed for the Lodge by J. I. Wright, W. M., Thomas J. Perry, S. W., Richard V. Mitchell, J. W., and R. H. West, Secretary. Record shows that this mortgage was satisfied November 6, 1891. We next find that Cherokee Lodge No. 66, F. & A. M., in Book A of Mortgages, page 482, under date of March 15, 1879, recorded July 9, 1879, borrowed from Thomas Berry $500.00, putting up as collateral security land Lot No. 11 in the Coosa Division of the City of Rome, subject to mortgage in favor of A. P. Allgood for $5000.00, and one in favor of E. J. Magruder, Guardian, for $500.00; first half payable August 1 and other half payable January 1 next, with interest at twelve percent. Deed signed by J. I. Wright, W. M., John W. James, S. W., and E. J. Magruder, J. W. This deed was later transferred to Berry and Company and was satisfied of record on September 2, 1891. Cherokee Lodge borrowed from Rome Fire Insurance Company, under date of October 16, 1891, $6500.00, giving a mortgage on this same property. The deed recites this money being used for the purpose of erecting an addition to the temple on Fourth Avenue, now in the process of construction. The deed was signed by Max Meyerhardt, W. M., Samuel Funckhouse, S. W., James C. Brown, J. W. and R. H. West, Secretary. This deed does not recite the rate of interest. The mortgage was recorded in Book V of Mortgages page 424, and satisfied of record January 13, 1892. Cherokee Lodge then borrowed from D. J. Hull $7500.00. Deed recorded in Book V-1 of Mortgages, page 192, March 2, 1894, with interest at eight percent. This deed was signed by the Lodge by Max Meyerhardt, W. M., J. C. Brown, S. W., James B. Hill, J. W., and R. H. West, Secretary; and was satisfied of record December 21, 1900. The last loan we find, according to the records, was made by Cherokee Lodge to Geo. D. Selden. This mortgage was recorded in Book of Mortgages Z, page ---, dated December 15, and recorded December 27, 1900, consideration of $8000.00 due December 15, 1905, with interest at six percent. Deed signed for the Lodge by Max Meyerhardt, W. M., James B. Hill, S. W., W. L. Collier, J. W., and R. H. West, Secretary; and was cancelled of record November 24, 1920. According to the records of Floyd County, Georgia, in Book FFF, page 10, under date of January 7, 1989, J. A. Tigner conveyed to Cherokee Lodge No. 66, F. & A. M. by warranty Deed, Lot No. 18 Wimpee Subdivision of the Town of East Rome a lot fronting fifty-eight feet on East Boundary Street and running back between parallel lines one hundred ninety-one feet. The consideration of this
A History of Cherokee Lodge From A Paper Contributed by Frank Gentry Past Master of Cherokee Lodge Part IV As previously stated, on December 22, 1854, the name of this Lodge was changed to Cherokee Lodge No. 66, with James M. Sumter, W. M., W. M., William Ramey, S. W., John G. McKenzie, J. W. During the years 1854 to 1885 the meeting nights were on the first and third Friday nights in each month, and afterwards changed to first and third Tuesday nights. The new charter was signed by William C. Dawson, G. M. Following is a list of the Master of Cherokee Lodge from 1855 to 1885:
The cornerstone of the present temple was laid on October 6, 1877, and the hall was dedicated on May 21, 1879, with imposing ceremonies. In 1891 the present annex was built and dedicated December 28 of that year, Grand Master John S. Davidson Presiding. Cherokee Lodge has furnished two Grand Masters, J. I. Wright, 1880-1881 and Max Meyerhardt, 1900 through 1907; also one Junior Grand Deacon, R. V. Mitchell. The last charter member of Cherokee Lodge, Brother Joel L. Pyle, died in 1914. Brother Pyle was ninety years old at the time of his death. Brother
R. H. West was appointed Secretary in July, 1873, and served the Cherokee Lodge
in this capacity for fifty-one years. Brother C. L. King served Cherokee
Lodge as Senior Deacon for thirteen years. B. F. Clark was organist for
Cherokee Lodge from 1883 to 1914, until the time of his death. Incidentally,
this organ was installed at a cost of $470.00, the expenses being borne by the
various organizations that used the Lodge room.
Other affiliated Past Masters who were members of Cherokee
Lodge are: W. A. Simmons; E. A. Heard; W. T. Clark, C. Hamilton; G. D. Cox. Some of the interesting "high lights" I find from
pursuing the minutes are: The Lodge was re-worked in 1915, and all communications,
while the Lodge was undergoing these repairs, were held at the Woodmen Hall. The three Lesser Lights which you see in the center of the
room were installed in 1914 at a cost of $2250. One interesting fact I find upon reading the minutes is that
Cherokee Lodge held a communication in Floyd Springs Lodge No. 167. This
communication was held October 5, 1918, and was brought about by an order of the
city authorities, that meetings of this kind could not be held due to the
prevalence of influenza, which was raging at that time. I understand this
communication was held for the purpose of conferring the entered apprentice
degree upon Brother E. J. Hine. The rug which covers the floor was purchased during Brother
Johnson’s administration at a cost of $500.00. The Degree Team was formulated in 1929 during Brother Turner’s
administration. New costumes bought at that particular time from Henderson Ames
Company cost around $400.00. This sum has repaid Cherokee Lodge many, many
times. A History of Cherokee Lodge ________ From A Paper Contributed by FRANK GENTRY Past Master of Cherokee Lodge PART V Practically all of the members of the team that are still in
Rome are still loyal members, the names of which are as follows: W. E. Turner, J. W. Whitehead, D. W. Holland, C. W. Shahan,
Hix Sims, M. T. Tippin, D. H. Wollstein, W. C. Yarbrough, A. C. Byars, J. Glover
McGhee, E. W. Keith, A. E. Putnam, Joe D. Gordon, H. B. Jolly, J. G. Hughes, C.
W. Hill, H. G. Hamrick, B. L. Eberhart, E. J. Radcliff, W. S. Beck, C. F. Clark,
W. P. Lansdell, Paul Brown, Joe Porter, Harry Platzbladd, H. F. Bray, W. R.
Burnell, R. A. Jones, J. E. Yarbrough, Wm. I. Weiser, W. A. Johnson, Frank
Gentry. The property we now own fronts sixty-six feet on Broad Street
and runs back one hundred thirty-two feet. This property is assessed for taxes
at $30,000.00, based on a fifty per cent valuation. At the last audit, this
property was set up on the books at $66,000.00; and personal property listed,
including costumes, fixtures, organ, etc., at $1,000.00. Assets of the Cherokee
Lodge at the 1934 audit was $75,201.76. Buildings covered by fire insurance in
the amount of $41,000.00. The approximate income from the building, exclusive of
membership dues, is about $4,800.0 annually. Total membership at the present
time is 276. (October, 1936) Cherokee Lodge is at the present time thirteenth ranking
Lodge in the State of Georgia in membership. On March 1, 1934, the first edition of the Mason’s News was
published under the direction and supervision of Brother D. H. Wollstein. This
is a splendid piece of work, and this little paper is read monthly by over one
thousand Masons in Floyd County. Brother Wollstein is Editor and Brother
Eberhardt is Business Manager, and both are due worlds of credit for their
splendid work in giving the Masons of Floyd County news of interest so pertinent
to Masonry. I quote the following editorial announcing the purpose and aims of
this paper in the first edition on March 15, 1934: "With this is launched the first issue of ‘The Mason’s
News,’ dedicated to the principles of and in the interest of Freemasonry. Its
cause for being is to more closely cement us into ‘one sacred band or society
of friends and brothers, among whom no contention should exist, save that noble
contention, or rather emulation, as to who can best serve and best agree.’
" "Masonry has been described as a ‘constant struggle
towards the Light.’ With this uppermost in the minds of all who contribute
their efforts to the publication of this paper, it is started on its journey to
the Masons of Floyd County with a silent prayer that perhaps some gem of Masonic
Philosophy—some reference to the sublime history of our order—some lesson or
story portrayed in the exemplification of the degrees, which have caused Masonry
to survive throughout the centuries, shall inspire us to work, for the love of
work alone, to increase our Faith in the Divine Plan, so that one of the first
questions asked a candidate for the degrees of Masonry may be silently answered
by all of us without the slightest hesitation. Therefore, however limited in our
own abilities, the purposes and ideals of the Mason’s News shall be one and
the same with the ideals of Freemasonry—Our motto must be ‘Light from
Darkness.’ " A History of Cherokee Lodge From A Paper Contributed by FRANK GENTRY Past Master of Cherokee Lodge PART VI All of the offices in the building are rented at the present
time, and all of the tenants are paying their rent right on time, with the
exception of one or two. The Lodge has been operated for the past five years on
a sound business basis, and at the end of this year we hope to be entirely out
of debt, with an investment of about $2,300.00 on hand. The Building Committee of Cherokee Lodge is composed of: H.
G. Hamrick, Chairman; W. S. Horan, Andrew Cothran, Homer Henson and S. N.
Kuttner (1935). The Finance Committee is composed of: Frank Gentry, Chairman,
D. H. Wollstein, John Nelms, Hugh McCrary and M. T. Tippin, (1935). Following the death of Brother Meyerhardt on March 4, 1923,
Brother O. D. Gore, who was Senior Warden at that time, filled the office of
Worshipful Master for the remainder of the year. Officers elected for 1924 were: O. D. Gore, W. M; J. W.
Whitehead, S. W; S. F. Gentry, J. W; G. C. Byars, Treasurer, and J. O. Davis,
Secretary. Officers elected for 1925 were: J. W. Whitehead, W. M; S. F.
Gentry, S. W; W. A. Johnson, J. W.; G. C. Byars, Treasurer, and H. D. Climer,
Secretary. Officers elected for 1926 were: S. F. Gentry, W. M; W. A.
Johnson, S. W; D. W. Holland, J. W; G. C. Byars, Treasurer, and H. D. Climer,
Secretary. Officers elected for 1927 were: W. A. Johnson, W. M; D. W.
Holland, S. W; R. M. Caldwell, J. W; G. C. Byars, Treasurer, and H. D. Climer,
Secretary. Officers elected for 1928 were: D. W. Holland, W. M; R. M.
Caldwell, S. W; W. E. Turner, J. W; G. C. Byars, Treasurer, and H. D. Climer,
Secretary. Officers elected for 1929 were: W. E. Turner, W. M; H. P.
Simmons, S. W; W. S. Beck, J. W; G. C. Byars, Treasurer, and H. D. Climer,
Secretary. Officers elected for 1930 were: H. P. Simmons, W. M; W. S.
Beck, S. W; M. T. Tippin, J. W; G. C. Byars, Treasurer, and H,. D. Climer,
Secretary. Officers elected for 1931 were: J. W. Whitehead, W. M; M. T.
Tippin, S. W; D. H. Wollstein, J. W; G. C. Byars, Treasurer, and H. D. Climer,
Secretary. Officers elected for 1932 were: M. T. Tippin, W. M; D. H.
Wollstein, S. W; H. C. Hamrick, J. W; G. C. Byars, Treasurer, and H. D. Climer,
Secretary part year, B. L. Eberhart balance of year. Officers elected for 1933 were: D. H. Wollstein, W. M; G.
Hamrick, S. W; C. D. Dibble, J. W; M. T. Tippin, Treasurer, and B. L. Eberhart,
Secretary. Officers elected for 1934 were: H. G. Hamrick, W. M; C. D.
Dibble, S. W; J. S. King, J. W; M. T. Tippin, Treasurer, B. L. Eberhart,
Secretary. Officers elected for 1935 were: C. D. Dibble, W. M; J. S.
King, S. W; Daniel Lease, J. W; M. T. Tippin, Treasurer, B. L. Eberhart,
Secretary, A. J. Cothran, S. D; W. A. Meenen, J. D; John Nelms, S. S; W. B.
Livingston, J. W; and Paul T. Brown, Tyler. Brother Paul T. Brown has served as Tyler from 1930 up to the
present time. Brother A. C. Byars served as Tyler during 1928 and 1929. Brother William McDuffy held the station of Tyler quite a
number of years prior to this time, until his health failed. He is now in East
Point, Georgia. The living Past Masters of Cherokee Lodge are as follows:
(through 1936) J. W. Whitehead, W. A. Johnson, W. E. Turner, H. P. Simmons,
H. G. Hamrick, Frank Gentry, D. W Holland, M. T. Tippin, D. H. Wollstein, C. D.
Dibble, Jether S. King. |
