Part 695: Transactions of the Supreme Council, 1905
One of the more interesting publications to peruse is “The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Free-Masonry Transactions of the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America.” There is an abundance of information tucked away in reports, statistics and recorded travels completed by the Grand Commander and other Supreme Council representatives. I have discovered more about the early use of stages and degrees productions here than in may othet records.
The 1905 “Report of Committee on Doings of Inspectors and Deputies” provides a sneak peak into the goings on of Scottish Rite Valleys througout the Southern Jurisdiction. Keep in mind that this was in the midst of a Scottish Rite building boom that began at the turn of the twentieth century. Each representative (Sovereign Grand Inspector General, or SGIG for short) was making a two-year report at each biennial session. In 1905, it was for the two years ending June 30, 1905.
This was an exciting time for the Southern Jurisdiction as membership rapidly increases and funds pour in, especially from the western region. I looked for the report by Harper S. Cunningham, Sovereign Grand Inspector-General from the Valley of Guthrie, Oklahoma and Indian Territories. I sought out more information pertaining to the McAlester scenery photographed in 1904, that was later sold to the Scottish Rite in Santa Fe, and rediscovered in Charleston by Rhett Bryson in 1995. Here is Cunningham’s 1905 report:
“I have the honor to report that Scottish Rite Masonry has made satisfactory progress in Oklahoma and Indian Territory during the past two years.
The bodies located in the Valley of Guthrie have prospered sufficiently to practically complete payment of the debt outstanding against their new temple, and now contemplate additional improvements that will make the temple more commodious, especially as regards the entertainment feature, by providing a banquet hall commensurate with the needs of the craft. In the Valley of South McAlester I revived the Chapter of Rose Croix and during the past year have granted letters of temporary for the Council of Kadosh and the Consistory. These bodies are thoroughly equipped as far as paraphernalia needs are concerned. They have temporary quarters, where the degrees are worked in style and manner second to none. They have a corps of enthusiastic workers, and much enthusiasm for the Rite is shown among the brethren. They have purchased a magnificent site for a temple, and have agreed upon the plans and specifications, and already contracted for the excavation and building of the basement. The temple will be 100 x 150 feet in size, and will contain all of the improvements which have been suggested by the experience of our sister bodies, for the exemplification of the degrees. All things considered, the bodies of South McAlester are progressing undermost favorable auspices, and I predict them great success in their work. They are holding a reunion during the present week, October 9 to 12, inclusive, at which they confer the degrees upon a large class. The work will be manifested in their returns and application for permanent charters. The Honorary 33ds of my jurisdiction are all enthusiastic in the cause of Scottish Rite Free-Masonry and bear their honors worthily.”
A couple of things to consider. The building being discussed (100 x 150) would necessitate grander scenery for a larger stage, thus supporting the sale of the existing scenery to the Valley of Santa Fe while their 1912 cathedral was being planned and built. The used scenery would prepare Santa Fe Masons for a new theater.
In looking at activities across the country during 1905, I wasn’t to mention a few other reports.
Frank Pierce, SGIG of the Valley of San Francisco noted, “Only one reunion has been held in this jurisdiction, This one was at the dedication of the Albert Pike Memorial Temple, San Francisco, and held for the purpose of allowing the brethren from various parts of the State to witness the conferring of all degrees in a temple equipped with the most modern paraphernalia and stage fittings to present their dramatic part of the work.” This was another Sosman & Landis delivery.
Francis J. Woodman, SGIG (Valley of Washington, D.C.), reported, “Harmony prevails throughout our valley, and ard and faithful work is being performed in the exemplification of the degrees of the Rite, which will now compare favorably, I believe, with that done in other Valleys of the Southern Jurisdiction.” Translation: they are staging degrees.
Edward Tears Taubman, SGIG of (Valley of Aberdeen) State of South Dakota noted, “Our regret was that the visit could not have been extended to the bodies at Deadwood, where you would have also observed that they were well-equipped for the work…” Traslation: they are using scenery to stage the degrees. We know that Twin City Scenic Equipment Co. provided some early Scottish Rite scenery to the Deadwood Scottish Rite.
A. B. Chamberlain, SGIG of the Valley of Galveston, State of Texas, reported, “With the organization of their Consistory (Dallas), the brethren began in earnest to provide means for the erection of a cathedral, one that would not only answer their present needs, but those for many years to come, and to that end they appointed a committee to take charge of the same….the bodies of Galveston have shown the same prosperity as in the preceding two years. The members have determined to remodel their stage and equip same with necessary scenery and electric equipment. This will enable them to confer the degrees equal to any.” Translation: Dallas is starting the construction of a Scotish Rite facility; there wil be a stage for future generations. Galveston already uses scenery, but is going to remodel their space house and purchase better versions to make their degree productions more impressive.
John W. Morris, SGIG of the Valley of Wheeling, State of West Virginia reported, “The interest shown by the brethren in ritualistic work is far greater than when the last report was made. Since the last session, we have purchased a very desirable piece of property 90×100 feet, costing $23,000, all paid for and a little cash left. We are now contemplating the erection of a Scottish Rite cathedral and will begin when we perfect plans and schemes to raise the money.” Translation: We are planning to build a Scottish Rite like everyone else, complete with a stage, howevre, we are just waiting to see which plans work best in other states.
Frank M. Foote, SFIG from the Valley of Evanston, State of Wyoming reported, “Scottish Rite Masonry in the States of Wyoming and Utah has made during the past two years satisfactory progress. The bodies of the Rite in Utah have lately purchased land in Salt Lake City for a Scottish Rite temple, and have let the contract for the building, which will be completed and occupied in less than a year from this date…The bodies in Cheyenne, Wyoming, have rebuilt and refurbished the temple, which was destroyed by fire early in 1903.” Translation: The Utah Scottish Rite is almost complete; there will be a stage. We know that the Cheyenne Scottish Rite were using some scenery, the fire was an opportunity to facilitate the inclusion of even more staged degrees.
My research suggests the there were twenty-five Southern Jurisdiction Valleys that were staging degrees by 1905: Little Rock, Arkansas; Wichita, Topeka, Salina, Fort Scott, Lawrence, and Kansas City, Kansas; Guthrie and McAlester, Oklahoma and Indian Territory; St. Louis, Joplin, and Kansas City, Missouri; Fargo, North Dakota; Yankton, South Dakota; Omaha, Hastings, and Lincoln Nebraska; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Portland, Oregon; Butte, Montana; Galveston, Texas; Duluth, Minnesota; San Francisco, California; Memphis, Tennessee; and Washington, D. C. There are likely more, especially in Iowa, but I have not confirmed the exact dates when stages were constructed and/or scenery was purchased. Considering the first Southern Jurisdiction stages were completed in 1896, (Oakland, California, and Little Rock, Arkansas), this number shows amazing growth in less than a decade!
To be continued…
