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The Early Introduction of Bogus Freemasonry in the United States of America and Texas Among Colored Masons

Chapter 12

L. W. GREENLY,

Notary Public, Bexar County, Texas. LEGALIZING MASONS IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS AUGUST 7, 8, 9 AND 10, 1908. To All Whom This May Concern, Greeting: Whereas, in the course of Masonic events it becomes necessary for one regular and legitimate Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons to heal and Masonically legalize Master Masons and Lodges and a Grand Lodge. Whereas, There was certain numbers of Masons, viz: R. Amos, Isaac Butler, M. F. Leon, H. C. Leon and their associates of the City of Montrose, Ark., J. C. Parker, R. B. Morehead, B. G. Head, A. W. Spears, R. B. Hockenhull and others of Pine Bluff, Ark., C. W. Ross, J. L. Brown and others of Readland, Ark., C. J. Jefferson, K. P. Ross. A. McDonald and others of Sun Shine, Ark., and several others in the State of Arkansas, C. W. Ross, E. E. Perryman, J. L. Brown and others of Eudora, Ark. Whereas application having been made by the above named brethren and their associates in the State of Arkansas, and the Masonic Lodges of which the above named brethren were members of in the State of Arkansas. The M. W. King Solomon, Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the State of Texas and Masonic jurisdiction to be Masonically legalized as Master Masons and members of various warranted Masonic Lodges in the State of Arkansas. Whereas, The M. W. King Solomon Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Ma-kansas having been duly presented and considered in open session of the M. W. King Solomon Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the State of Texas in special session held in the City of San Antonio, Texas, on the 4th day of August, A. D., 1908, and the prayer of the above named petitioners was then and there duly considered and unanimously granted. Whereas, The M. W. King Solomon Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. Masons of the State of Texas and Masonic jurisdiction having in open session duly instructed and empowered the Grand Master of the M. W. King Solomon Grand Lodge of the A. F. & A. Masons of the State of Texas and Masonic jurisdiction to repair to the State of Arkansas and there proceed to Masonically legalize the Lodges and the above named brethren residing in the State of Arkansas, and to assist them in the formation and install the officers of the M. W. Hiram Grand Lodge, A. F. & A. Masons of the State of Arkansas. Therefore, be it known that I. C. L. Mitchell, 33rd degree of the City of San Antonio, State of Texas, and Grand Master of the M. W. King Solomon Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the State of Texas and Masonic jurisdiction did in the City of Montrose, Ark., on the 7th day of August, A. D., 1908, did then and there under the instruction and authority of the M. W. King Solomon Grand Lodge A. F. & A. Masons of the State of Texas did in said City of Montrose, Ark., on the 7th day of Aug. A. D., 1908, obligate and Masonically legalize the above named brethren and did Masonically legalize the subordinate Lodges in the State of Arkansas, and did assist and was present in the formation of the M. W. Hiram Grand Lodge of the A. F. & A. Masons of the State of Arkansas and did install Brothers Ralph Amos, M. W., Grand Master and J. C. Parker, Grand Secretary and the rest of the brethren as grand officers of the M. W. Hiram Grand Lodge of Arkansas according to the Masonic laws, rules and regulations of the craft. And, I, now do proclaim to the whole Masonic world that the M. W. Hiram Grand Lodge of the State of Arkansas of the A. F. & A. Masons has been regularly constituted according to laws, landmarks of Freemasonry. The