F. Wilhermsdorfer, Miss Karma D. Priddy, Mrs. Maggie Priddy, Mrs. Avis A. Burke, Mrs. Ella M. Newlin, Mrs. Elizabeth Pontius, Mrs. Mattie A. Parsons, Mrs. Ida M . Proctor, Mrs. Maude Shorow, Mrs. Emma Bige low, Mrs. Elizabeth Bigelow, Mr-. Ella Wilson, Mrs. Fannie Murphy, John II. Nfewlin, Vernon Hanson, Chris Shorow, E. V Bigelow, John D. Proctor, and William Murphy. Carrie Woodruff is the present noble grand; Lulu Rogers, vice grand; Elsie Schnurr, sec-

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

retary. and Elizabeth Pontius, treasurer. The lodge meets the second and fourth nights of each month.

Frequently the Masonic order is referred to as the parent of all lodges, the Kingbee of them all. Yet it was the last order to be created in Harrison. Yet there is no doubt that the first member of any lodge that ever walked the pine ridges and the fertile lands around them was a Mason. In the sign language of the Indians are Masonic symbols. Someone sometime among the aborigines gave them crude lessons in Masonry.

Sioux lodge number two hundred seventyseven, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons was created under dispensation June tenth, nineteen ten, and chartered June sixth, nineteen eleven. Its charter members were John A. Anderson, Nels Anderson, Fern S. Baker, John H. Bieser, Thomas S. Boyd, William W. Callamore, William H. Davis, George L. Gerlach, Francis M. Hall, David W. Hamaker, Daniel Jordan, Thos. C. Lewis, Andrew McGinley, John E. Mann, John Marking, Joseph C. Parsons, George F. Phillips, Edward F. Pontius, Tressie M. Powell, Walter C. Reed, Albert L. Schnurr, Nathan R. Tisdale, Charles H. Unitt, Francis H. Wallace, Cyrus O. Wertz, Jerman B. Wilkerson. There are sixty-seven Mason members of this order at the present time, and the officers now are: Tress M. Powell, worthy master; Jesse Gerlach, senior warden; F.