Copyright © 2021 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
In 1922 Thomas G. Moses wrote, “On November 21st I signed a petition to the Fair Oaks Blue Lodge. I sincerely hope it is accepted. A little doubtful on account of my age.” Moses was 66 yrs. old and initiated in =to Freemasonry at the Masonic Lodge in Oak Park, Illinois.
In 1923 Moses wrote, “March 1st, I took my first degree in Masonry. I don’t know when I shall get around to the others; rather interesting and I would like to go through the Shrine.” Only a few blocks from his home, he was initiated at Fair Oaks Blue Lodge No. 1006 A.F. & A.M. The Masonic Temple was located at Oak Park Avenue and Lake Street. The building still exists and is now known as Scoville Square, a 72,000 sq. ft. complex.
Two more years passed before Moses returned to his Masonic degree work; this time in California. In his defense for the delay, it was a challenging period in his life, with his health deteriorating, Sosman & Landis studio closing their doors, and Moses struggling to secure projects in an entertainment industry that was gradually turning away from traditional scenic art. In the end, he purchased the name “Sosman & Landis” and began targeting Masonic scenery contracts. Scottish Rite theater scenery installations offered traditional scene painting projects with substantial profits. Although Moses was not a Mason, he intimately understood the designs and demands of many Southern Jurisdiction stages. Finishing his Blue Lodge work and becoming a Scottish Rite Mason would give him an edge in landing these lucrative projects. After the passing of Joseph Sosman in 1915, Sosman & Landis lost their Masonic ties. Sosman was a Mason. Moses may not have realized it when he became president of the company in 1915, but having a Masonic connection made all the difference in the world as it was often the determining factor when Scottish Rite Valleys selected a studio to manufacture scenery for degree productions. Between 1915 and 1925, Toomey & Volland took the lead in Scottish Rite Theatre production as Hugo Volland was a Scottish Rite Mason in St. Louis, Missouri.
In 1925, Moses wrote, “I have made up my mind to go on with my Masonic degrees and have a coach for the Blue Lodge work. I was very fortunate in getting young Champion, as he has a lot of patience and I am afraid he will need all of it, as I can’t commit very easily and especially when it is word of mouth entirely. It will be very hard, but I want to get in the Scottish-Rite class at Pasadena.” After being initiated at Fair Oaks Lodge, Moses was passed and raised in Carmelita Lodge, No. 599, F. and A.M. in Pasadena, California. In 1925, Carmelita Lodge held their meetings on Thursday nights (The Pasadena Post, 2 April 1925, page 8). Fortunately for Moses, he was in town for an extended period of time delivering the Pasadena Scottish Riet scenery for the opening of the new cathedral. Meetings were held on the third floor at the Masonic Temple, located on the corner of Raymond and Colorado streets.
Moses later wrote, “On February 10th, we completed the Pasadena job – and I finished my 2nd Degree in the Blue Lodge, Carmeleto [sic.]. The worshipful Master gave me a nice record for my past labors and for my future life, which I hope I will be able to follow to the line.”
Moses was officially recognition in the “Pasadena Post” on Feb. 14, 1925. An article on the front page announced, “Maj. Skillen is donor of Scenic Drop. Beautiful Curtains Painted for Cathedral Stage by Thomas G. Moses.” The article continued, “The magnificent scenic drop curtains which have been hung in the new Scottish Rite cathedral to be dedicated Thursday evening, are the gift of Maj. Charles M. Skillen, in memory of his son, the late Dr. Ralph G. Skillen. Both father and son were charter members of the Pasadena Consistory. The 73 drops represent some of the finest work that the artists of Sosman & Landis company of Chicago have ever produced, according to Thomas G. Moses, president of the firm, who is in Pasadena to personally supervise the work installing them. Each of the drops were especially designed and finished for the Pasadena cathedral. Months were spent in the preparation of them, it is said. About half were painted in the Chicago studios of the company and the remainder finished in this city. Mr. Moses has watched carefully the painting of the curtains, much credit for their final perfection must go to the assistant and scenic artist, F. B. Fulton. Mr. Fulton believes the scenic work to be some of the finest he has ever produced. The final work of hanging and installing the curtains will be under the supervision of Harry Nail, a member of the Sosman & Landis company. This work demands such expert workmanship that Mr. Nail was brought from Chicago so that no mistakes in installation could be made.”
First of all, the drops noted as being painted in Chicago were the used drops from Little Rock Scottish Rite. With the impressive scope of the project, it is understandable that the Pasadena Scottish Rite did not want to advertise that they were purchasing used scenery.
These used drops, a few new drops, fabric curtains and stage machinery were purchased and installed for $8,500. Harry Naile removed both the used drops and stage machinery in Little Rock, so it only made sense that he installed the same equipment in Pasadena.
I have written about Naile in the past, as he installed the scenery and stage machinery for Moses at Scottish Rite theaters in Tacoma and Binghamton. Here is the link: https://drypigment.net2020/12/16/tales-from-a-scenic-artist-and-scholar-part-1137-thomas-g-moses-and-harry-e-naile-1922/
In regard to completing the third degree, Moses wrote, “My third was given to me on February 23rd, just in time for me to get into the Scottish Rite Class on the 24th.” This is interesting, as the third degree was officially planned for Masons at Carmelita lodge on Feb. 26, and not Feb. 24th in 1925. On Feb. 26, 1925, the “Fraternal News” section of the “Pasadena Post” reported, “Carmelita Lodge, No. 599, F and A.M., will meet tonight at 7:30 o’clock on the third floor of the Masonic temple. The third degree of Masonry will be conferred, and all members are urged to attend” (page 6). This meant that Moses was considered a special case and was raised three days before the scheduled degree work.
On Feb. 24, 1925, the “Pasadena Post” reported, “Masons of Pasadena were the guests Saturday evening of local Scottish Rite Masons at a reception given in the new cathedral on North Madison avenue. A short program in the auditorium included a display of the costumes and scenery used in the degree work of the order. Following the program, dancing was enjoyed in the large ballroom and the guests were given an opportunity to inspect the new edifice. A reunion will be held at the cathedral, beginning today and ending Saturday, when degree work will be put on for a class of candidates every afternoon and evening” (24 Feb 1925, page 11).
The Pasadena Scottish Rite Reunion took place from Feb. 24 to Feb 29, with degree work put on each afternoon and evening. Moses wrote, “On the 28th I was a 32nd Degree Mason and very proud and thankful for it. It was like a dream to me as all my Masonic knowledge was only padded over by the ritual and some new work which was thankfully received. So, after forty years of designing and painting these degrees, I will now go into the work with a better understanding.”
The next month, Moses wrote, “On March 25th, I crossed the “Hot Sands” of the Al Malaikah” Shrine.” So, from Feb. 10 to March 25, 1925, Moses became a Master Mason and joined both the Scottish Rite and Shrine. With this work completed, Sosman & Landis once again became a major contender for Scottish Rite projects again.
To be continued…
