As has become the new “normal” at Davy Crockett Lodge, July was a whirlwind of activity! We had the Installation of new Officers, co-hosted a successful Blood Drive with Army Lodge (a big “thanks” to Bro. Steve Cole for all his work), hosted the Grand Master’s Workshop for District 39, conferred two EA Degrees, and began this year’s esoteric certification studies with a roundtable at the end of the month. August is also going to be busy and fun! We have two investigation teams out on new petitioners, so expect more Degrees to be conferred; our Senior Warden will have his first opportunity to assume the East as our first “Step-up” night is planned for August 4

th (please come out and support Bro. Dellagiacoma); our second official visit from

R:.W:. Robert Madison, District Deputy Grand Master for District 39b is scheduled for August 18

th; and the infamous “Widow’s Degree” is scheduled for August 25

th. Guys, this

year we’ve revamped a lot of the program and added a fundraising element to it. I promise it will be a lot of fun and I’m sure the ladies will enjoy everything we’ve got planned. With the revisions to the program, the addition of door prizes for the ladies, and a Jewelry Party during dinner, even those who have attended in the past will be entertained. Also, Premier Designs Jewelry will be contributing a portion of all sales towards our Scholarship Fund, so I hope that you will all bring your wives and your wallets and come out and have some fun! Finally, I’d just like to thank all of the Officers for their commitment and hard work. It takes a lot to manage such an active Lodge and without their support (and that of the Past Masters) we wouldn’t have become what we are today. I’m very proud to be a member of Davy Crockett Lodge…bless you all.

From The East

Brethren: It is hard to conceive of the fact that it has been a year since I became the Secretary of your lodge. It seems like just yesterday. This year we had 5 members go NPD but can automatically be reinstated by sending in the dues of $100. On a positive note, the Lodge has been extremely busy with degrees and proficiencies. There are quite a few brothers working on their proficiencies and we are still receiving petitions for the mysteries. We are having another BRING A FRIEND TO LODGE NIGHT on September 8

th which has been a source of education and information to potential

petitioners. On August 25th

, another edition of the Widow’s Degree will be put on. This is a fun night for everyone. Finally, I ask your help in saving the lodge time and money when you change addresses. Please send me an email with the changes or call me. The Post Office charges us whenever we are notified of an address change. Thank you in advance. Fraternally, Steve Cole

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1Light From the East

From the Secretary’s Desk

2 Light Reflected….Opinion by

PM Brad Kohanke

3 Davy Crockett Light Brigade--

Programs

4 Two Month Calendar of

Upcoming Events

5The Profound Pontifications of

Brother John Deacon……?

8 “Trivia and Humor

9”It’s What’s Happening”

10 Masonic “Did You Know

12 “Midnight Freemasons

14 The Old Folks Section by

Corky Daut

Davy Crockett Website

www.davycrockettlodge.com

“Whether you know it or not,

Whether you believe it or not

Whether you want to or not,

You are setting an example”

What example are you

setting?

By Brad Kohanke

Worshipful Master

From the Secretary’s

Desk By Steve Cole PM

The Trestleboard

Davy Crockett

Lodge #1225

Stated Meeting 1st & 3rd Tuesdays Practice 2nd & 4th Tuesdays Degrees & Family Nights on Wednesdays Alamo Hts Chapter 734 meets First Thursday of each Mont

August 2015

210-789-9653

Kohanke@sbcglobal.net

210-718-1988

shc220@gmail.com

www.davycrockettlodge.com Friend us on Facebook

Volume 8-- Issue 2

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LIGHT REFLECTED

An “Opinion” offered by Brother Bradley Kohanke, PM

A few years back, a friend of mine from our Fraternity was hospitalized and although it was serious, he was

still able to receive phone calls. During one of our conversations, he expressed that he’d like to have some visitors. I

passed the request along to the Secretary of our Lodge and as expected, the guys began arranging their schedules to

go and visit. I went that afternoon and was the first from our Lodge to arrive at the hospital. I made my way to the

floor where my friend was convalescing, and was told by the nurse manning the station that due to the serious nature

of his condition, he was only to receive family members. “That’s ok,” I said, “he’s my Brother.” While I was there,

another member of our Lodge showed up and was told the same thing, with the same response being given. After the

third guy entered the room the nurse came in to speak to our ailing friend. She told him that it was best if he limited

his visitors to just family, to which he responded, “These are my Brothers.” She just rolled her eyes and walked out

of the room. It was really pretty funny, primarily because it wasn’t planned, and all of us just automatically

responded the same way. On the way out I stopped and explained to the nurse that we were all Masons and members

of the same Masonic Lodge, that we really were as close as brothers, and promised that we would try to keep the

number of visitors down to a manageable level. As amusing as this is, it really makes you think. How is it that we

become so close that we automatically consider ourselves to be Brothers?

I know about the ancient charges and how they say we’re supposed to address one another, something to the

effect of, “you are to salute one another in a courteous manner, calling each other Brother, you shall call all Masons

your fellows, or your brethren, and no other names.” I know that part of the requirements for being initiated are a

belief in the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man. I know that during the explanation of Masonic protocol,

we are told how to address the officers and members of the Lodge. I know all this stuff. But how is it that in a fairly

short period of time, we really do become Brothers.

Sometimes when I walk into our Lodge on a Stated Meeting night, after greeting everyone and putting my

stuff away, I stand back and just marvel at the interaction between the members. There at the front table sit Max and

Ernest, playfully busting the chops of our Stewards, Anthony and Chad. Max and Ernest are from the World War II

generation, Anthony is in his 40’s, and Chad might be around 30. But there they are, joking around with each other as

if they were siblings. Then, in walks Jared who is actually still in college. He can’t even be 22 years old yet, but he

walks right up to the table where Max and Ernest are sitting, grabs a handful of chips, sits down and joins the

conversation. This continues as more guys of all ages show up. Sometimes I’ll overhear one of the older guys

sharing stories about their time in the War, or when they were employed as a teacher or in the oil business.

Sometimes I’ll overhear one of the younger guys talking about his girlfriend or what his opinion is of the latest video

game that just came out. Casual conversations among friends who are decades apart in age and experience, but who

share this feeling of Brotherhood. How does that happen? Where else in the world can you go and see a group of

guys ranging in age from 21 to 91, sitting together at a table and engaged as equals in a conversation? I’m at that

weird age of 52. I fall right in the middle of this range, so out in the world I don’t really identify with either. But

when I come to Lodge, the age on the faces of my Brethren disappears. I see a Brother who might be able to show me

how to set up my new smart phone. I see a Brother who could possibly provide me with some insight on how to

handle my son going off to join the Air Force. I see a Brother who can explain to me the importance of getting that

dreaded “50-year old male” exam…(ok, maybe that was a bad example – haha!), but you see where I’m going with

this.

Look, I don’t profess to know the answer to this question, but I throw it out there for your own individual

consideration. Where else in this world does there exist a group of men who through merely joining an organization,

become family? How lucky are we to have found this Fraternity, and how good and pleasant it is for Brethren to

dwell together in unity.

The Davy Crockett

“Light Brigade”

A Davy Crockett research committee Dedicated to providing original Masonic education programs

To the Brethren of Davy Crockett Lodge at every Stated Meeting And to provide Masonic Education to all the Masons of Texas

Committee Chairman PM Chris Williams….c-williams@sbcglobal.net

Upcoming Light Brigade Programs

Tuesday August 4

th— The program for this meeting will be presented by our

Senior Deacon, Dave Kienbaum. He will review a recent article in Texas Highways Magazine on Freemasonry and the Grand Lodge in Waco. Tuesday August 18

th— There will be no program for this meeting. Our DDGM

RW Robert Madison has ordered that no Masonic education program be presented at this meeting. Tuesday September1st — The program for this meeting will be presented by our Junior Warden Brother Scott Allen. This program is entitled “How I explain Freemasonry. This is a very interesting angle on our Fraternity. Tuesday September15th-- The program for this meeting will be presented by our Senior Steward PM Brother Anthony Trujillo.

Come and join us for some great fellowship and Masonic Education!!

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Sun

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

August Happenings

1

2 3 4 Stated Meeting

5 Practice or Degree

6 7 8

9 10 11 Practice or Degree

12 Practice or Degree

13 14 15

16 17 18 Stated Meeting

19 Practice or Degree

20 21 22

23/30 24/31 25 Widows Degree

26 Practice or Degree

27 28 29

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

September Happenings

1 Stated Meeting

2 New Mason Information Night

3 4 5

6 7 8 Bring a Friend to Lodge Night

9 Practice or Degree

10

11 12

13 14 15 Stated Meeting

16 Practice or Degree

17

18 19

20 21 22 50,60,65 Year Awards

23 Practice or Degree

24 25 26

27 28 29 Philosophic Roundtable

30 Practice or Degree

August Birthdays Leroy Becker Ronald Belden William Boyers Travis Cox Florencio Martinez Charles Davenport Juan Garza BillyWright Harold Gavitt Reagan Hill James Pue Steve McKenzie Dan Mason Samuel Pullom Keith Reynolds Fred Russell Ernest Sessums Steve Lacey Charles Shaw III Dennis Wikoff Vic Woodfield Charly Padron Robert Mann Lawrence McMahan Paul Sherrod Jeryl Foster James Todd Chris Christopher Mike Gower Brian Rakestraw Pascual Mendoza

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

The Profound Pontifications of Brother John Deacon

By PM Chris Williams

c-williams@sbcglobal.net

It’s the same every month. He calls and says he’s starving and wants to know where I am taking him and somehow finds a way to make me pay. Well it was about time for that to stop. Not the eating …..just the paying. He claims that good material is not free and since I meet with him every month and write his words that I ought to be happy to buy his lunch….and I am….some of the time. The way he eats, a man could go bankrupt pretty quick. Actually it’s only once a month and it’s not that bad but it’s the principal of the thing. There was a new Italian restaurant named Capparelli Bros. we hadn’t been to yet that I wanted to try. I told him I would meet him there and hurried to get there before him. It’s not a very big place and I wanted to make sure we sat in the very back corner so when he got the crazies…..as he usually does…..that we would not be a spectacle. I was glad to see as I walked in that the table in the back was open. Tara the owner met me inside the door and told me I could sit anywhere I wanted. I told he thanks and that I was going to the back table and that I hoped they cooked enough food today. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the puzzled look on her face as I passed….and I chuckled under my breath knowing she wouldn’t be puzzled long. Our server was a nice young lady who brought a couple of iced teas and some delicious bread olive oil and Italian spices while I was waiting for John, who was taking longer than I thought he would. I was starting to get a little worried when the door flew open and he rushed in. Every person in the place turned to see what the commotion was and for a split second I thought about sliding down in my chair and hiding. Instead I waved and he saw me and headed back to the table with all eyes on him. When he slid into his seat he had a sheepish look on his face and said, “I got lost. My darned navigation took me to the livestock feed store down the road and I thought you were trying to be funny sending me there. So I went in looking for you to spoil the joke.” “I wasn’t there John,” I said. “I know that now,” He said sarcastically. “I am about to die of hunger so we need to eat now.” It was Tara who took our orders. She looked at me first and I ordered the Lasagna and a small Caesar Salad. She smiled her approval of my choice and turned to John. He began to order and at first all seemed normal. He ordered the eggplant parmigiana and an italian Salad. Once again she smiled and reached for the menus. After taking mine she reached for Johns who refused to give it up. He just looked at her confused face and began to order more. By the time he was done, Tara had filled one page on her pad and most of the next. He added an appetizer called tomato bread, a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs, a plate of lasagna, and two medium pizzas. When he was done and handed her the menu she smiled at me and said, “Now I understand.” I informed him that we were going dutch today and I was buying my lunch and he was buying his. He smiled and nodded like he understood. It wasn’t long before we had our food and with all he had ordered there was not enough room on our table so Tara left the serving tray on its stand next to the table with several of his dishes still on it. I could see other diners staring as a full plate replaced a just emptied plate on the tray. We managed to get through the meal without incident except for the two older guys who came up and shook his hand and told him they had never seen anyone eat that much at one sitting. I told them to stick around while he had dessert and they had a good laugh as they left. I wasn’t laughing though. He had dessert of course and finally I asked him if he had anything for this month’s newsletter.

Where’s the Chicken Fried Steak

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Instead of giving me a hard time he got a far off look on his face and smiled the smile of a contented man. (Heck he ought to be contented. He just ate enough to last him a week. ) But I was soon to find out that his contentment was not because of a full belly, but more being full of Masonry. “Are you going to just sit there with that goofy smile on your face,” I asked? “Or are you going to speak.” Normally that would elicit a negative sarcastic response from him but for some strange reason he was unfazed. “Brother Chris,” he said finally, that smile still on his face. “I don’t really know how it happens or why it happens but it happens to me from time to time. And I am sure it happens to a lot of Brothers. And when it happens to me it’s like a slow controlled explosion in my mind. And when it happens and I think about it I have to smile cause it makes me feel really darn good.” Dear reader I have to admit that right about here I was close to losing my patience and commence to beating him vigorously about the head and shoulders waiting for him to get to the point….if there was one. He took a breath…and I waited…..and right then Tara, God bless her heart, appeared to fill our tea glasses. “Thank you kindly darlin,” he said still smiling as she nodded and went to welcome another diner. And I continued to wait. And y’all all know that waiting is not one of my strong suits. Finally he took another deep breath and began, “Brother Chris, I was sitting in my Lodge just the other night. I was not expecting to have one of those “moments” but I did. We had an Entered Apprentice Degree scheduled for the evening and everything was just beginning. I had picked a spot to watch the degree that was different from where I usually sit. As I sat there peering out from the darkness into the light, (now the Brothers know where I was sitting) I watched something that truly made me feel good and made me smile. As I watched, I saw why I love coming to lodge like I do. I saw what we are all supposed to see when we bring another good man into our Gentle Fraternity. Watching my Brothers perform that night, I heard more than just the words of the ritual and I saw more than just the movements of the ritual. I saw pride in the work and I saw love of the Fraternity. And it occurred to me as I sat there, that our work in the Lodge……. all of it ….is so much more than just words and movements. We are, after all, teaching life lessons and moral and spiritual truths in a most effective and lasting way. We are teaching right from wrong and defining good from bad. And when we perform our ritual, the words have to have feeling and the movements have to have meaning. Then our lessons and our teachings start to make sense. We tell all new Brothers that they got a “good degree”….but that is not always true. And when they don’t get that good degree it’s usually because there is no pride or love in the work. There is many times words repeated by memory without any emotion and movements carried out haphazardly without regard to accuracy……and all without any understanding of why. Sometimes Brothers are asked to perform certain parts of the ritual when they aren’t ready or properly prepared to do so. And sometimes a Brother will take on a part that he may think he is ready for but he is actually not and again the candidate doesn’t get that “good degree”. And I don’t know if I can explain what I am talking about in the right way here but, a degree in which a few words are missed or a movement or two are not performed right, but that there is sincerity in the voice and happiness in delivery and yes, love in the tone is, for the most part, a good degree for the candidate….as he has no way of knowing if or what mistakes were made. But that same degree is not a good degree for the Brethren watching. We need to understand that every degree, while it is put on for the benefit of the candidate, it is also for the benefit of the Brethren performing as well as those watching. There is a lifetime of lessons and life knowledge contained within each Masonic degree and a candidate is only able to learn a very small amount during his actual ceremony. Most Brothers don’t realize and we don’t impress upon them adequately that to learn those secrets of life that all men say is a reason they desired Masonic membership, they need to continue to see the degrees performed as often as

they can. They need to try to actually perform in the degrees. They need to be in a receptive and reflective frame of mind when either performing in or watching a degree…..and as I found out the other night, it’s enjoyable to watch a degree from a different place in the Lodge from time to time. And when a Brother comes to a degree in that proper frame of mind and the degree is performed with the proper respect and the proper emotion and in the proper way, those slow explosions in the mind….those moments of unexpected realization……those “wow” moments…..happen. That’s when a Brother starts learning and understanding and uncovering the secrets he is searching for.” He paused to take a breath and I jumped in knowing the penalty for doing so, “But John, I have been to some degrees that the only thing I learned is that the Brothers doing the degree didn’t seem to care about how it was done….and just wanted to get it over with.” “Ahh, yes Brother Chris,” he replied, surprisingly without sarcasm. “I too have sat in Lodges where there was no pride in the work and have sat there with a pain in my stomach feeling sorry for the candidate who at some point in his Masonic career, if he even has one, will come to realize how little the Brethren of his Lodge cared about him to give him the start in Masonry that he was promised and that he deserved. I have watched the Brethren who were members of the same Lodge as they sat there and watched with pained looks of embarrassment on their faces, knowing that what was being performed was dismal……and I couldn’t help wondering why they allowed that kind of work to go on. I have to believe that every Mason has a burning desire to do things right. It is, after all, one of our most basic principles. And knowing that, it is mind boggling that a Lodge of Brothers wouldn’t mandate that all work be done correctly and then put in the proper effort to practice and make sure that it was done. Maybe they don’t really realize what a Mason is or should be….maybe they just don’t care.” I saw the smile was gone now and he had a sad look on his face. “I have seen the same things John,” I said. “And I agree with your assessment. Tell me more about the other night.” As I hoped, the smile came back and the sadness was gone….but unfortunately not forgotten. He got a far off kind of gaze, not actually looking at anything, recalling the good feelings of that night and that degree and said in not much more than a whisper, “It was one of those “wow” moments that lasted the whole evening. I could see the effort of the degree team as the results of their hard work in practice as they put their all into the ritual. I could hear the emotion and love transmitted in the words and I could feel the lessons being taught as though I was the candidate again. The reminding us that God, the Supreme Architect of our Universe is and should be the center of our lives….the promise And as mushy as this sounds….it was beautiful. And I can’t wait for the next degree.” I watched as he reached up and brushed something from the corners of his eyes. What a softy he really is. He then mumbled that he had to go the restroom and quickly got up. I warned him as he walked away not to try to get out of the bill and he shook his head. After a few minutes, I saw him come back into the dining room and walk up to the front counter. He looked like he was paying his bill and ……as I watched, he finished up and came back to the table. He stuck out his big paw and shook my hand…… with that familiar grip…. and said “Brother, I have to get on down the road. Those working tools don’t sell themselves, you know.” I told him to drive safe and thanks for the talk. As I sat there thinking about how great his story was, Tara came up and sat my bill on the table. I glanced at it and my good feeling turned to bad immediately as I saw that John’s bill was with mine. He hadn’t paid his at all. I asked Tara what John was doing at the counter and she said that he told her that it was his birthday and that he and I were Brothers. As mad as I was, all I could do was laugh out loud. It was true and I could not deny it. We were, in fact, Brothers. Next month it’s going to be different…..I guarantee it…..yes I do. See y’all next month…………………..Chris

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Masonic Trivia From the book Masonic Trivia: Amusements and Curiosities by Peter Champion Caledonian Railway Lodge #354 of Glasgow, Scotland, has operated since February 5, 1849. Its original Charter states, “The Lodge shall be composed entirely of Brethren connected with or in the employment of the Caledonian Railway Co. at the date of initiation, passing, raising or affiliation. …The Lodge to be moveable and have power to meet at suitable places on the line of the Caledonian Railway, or such other Railways as may become part of the Caledonian. …The Lodge to be ranked as a Metropolitan Lodge and under the immediate jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Edinburgh. …No meetings to be held in any railway carriages, engine houses, booking offices, or other un-tieable (sic) fabric. …No meetings to be held out of Scotland.”

Comedy Corner Grandma and Grandpa were visiting their kids overnight.

When Grandpa found a bottle of Viagra in his son's

medicine cabinet, he asked about using one of the pills.

The son said, "I don't think you should take one Dad;

they're very strong and very expensive."

"How much?" asked Grandpa. "$10. a pill," answered the

son.

"I don't care," said Grandpa, "I'd still like to try one, and

before we leave in the morning, I'll put the money under

the pillow."

Later the next morning, the son found $110 under the

pillow.

He called Grandpa and said, "I told you each pill was $10,

not $110.

"I know," said Grandpa. "The hundred is from Grandma!"

It’s What’s Happening!!!!!!

August 25th

The Widows Degree Don’t miss this one!!!

RSVP ASAP to sec.dclodge@gmail.com

The one and the only Widows Degree!!

Brothers bring your wives and ladies and let us thank them for all they do for us

Masons. All current members please come and tell all Masonic Wives and Ladies to

come out for the most fun ever in a Masonic Lodge!!!

**************************

September 2nd

New Mason Information Night This will be an interactive discussion about the EA Degree and its lessons and meanings. All new as well as veteran Masons are invited to attend.

****************************

September 8th Bring A Friend To Lodge Night

This is one of the most successful programs we have ever had at Davy Crockett. Masons and Non-Masons learn about Masonic Philosophy, History, Philanthropy, and shhhh….The Ritual. Q&A afterwards any & all questions.

*********************

September 22nd 50,60,and 65 Year Service Awards

Please come out and help us honor our service award recipients!! Our District Deputy Grand Master will do the honors.

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Masonic Did You Know

Thanks to W. Brother Dwight D. Seals, Camden Lodge#159; Camden Ohio

Did U Know?

Brethren,

The below poem is one of my all time favorites, and I know it has been sent out before. The

reason I am sending this again is because of an e mail I received. A young Brother sent a

message to me and said he received his Master Mason degree last year. Immediately following

the degree, the Master handed him four things: his Bible, his Apron, his temporary dues card

and my e mail address so he could get on our DUK list (which he has been on since being

raised). Then he asked if he had anything to say, which he did and sat down with his Brethren.

His question to me in the e mail was: What do I do with my Apron, can I wear it in Lodge and is

it so secretive that I can't I tell my family about it. Well, I was stunned with this whole scenario

and I couldn't help but ask a few questions of him. Long story short, the Lodge didn't give a

Bible presentation or Apron presentation. They just handed them to him without any pomp

and circumstance. I guess all Lodges do things differently. So I told him that yes he could wear

his Apron in Lodge but most of us don't that we put it in a drawer or under a mattress for safe

keeping until we pass on to the Celestial Lodge and the Apron is placed in the casket with us. I

also told him to absolutely tell his family what it is and where to find it for that day as there is

nothing secretive about the Apron. He told me that he was filling in as Junior Steward since

being raised as the appointed Brother had a shift change and couldn't be at meetings. I sent

him this poem and told him how my Lodge does things. I suggested to him that he ask the

Master if he could make the next Apron Presentation, make a copy of this poem and read it to

the new Master Mason along with a short Apron lecture I wrote telling what to do with the

Apron. He thanked me for the e mail trail and that he appreciated my thoughts on the matter

and he would be talking to his Master. Last week l received a message from him saying that he

did his first Apron presentation in Lodge as I had suggested. He said it went over so well that a

visiting Master came up to him after the meeting and asked if he would do the Apron

presentation at a neighboring Lodge for an upcoming Master Mason Degree. He was so very

appreciative and said in his last line of the message, "I think you created a monster", with a

happy face symbol behind it.

Brethren, I love it when a plan comes to fruition. I will never understand the Master standing at

the Alter and just hand a newly raised Master Mason with his Bible, apron and temporary dues

card without some sort of words of wisdom. Incidentally, the Brother knows I am sending this

and I promised to keep his name and Lodge confidential. I would appreciate any thoughts you

might have. I am off my bandwagon now. This is a great poem to read for an Apron

presentation after a Master Mason Degree. You could even print it and make it part of the

presentation.

Did U Know?

THE LAMB SKIN By Edgar A. Guest

It is not ornamental, the cost is not great, There are other things far more useful, yet truly I state, Tho of all my possessions, there's none can compare, With that white leather apron, which all Masons wear.

As a young lad I wondered just what it all meant, When Dad hustled around, and so much time was spent

On shaving and dressing and looking just right, Until Mother would say: "It's the Masons tonight."

And some winter nights she said: "What makes you go, Way up there tonight thru the sleet and the snow,

You see the same things every month of the year." Then Dad would reply: "Yes, I know it, my dear."

Forty years I have seen the same things, it is true. And though they are old, they always seem new,

For the hands that I clasp, and the friends that I greet, Seem a little bit closer each time that we meet."

Years later I stood at that very same door, With good men and true who had entered before,

I knelt at the alter, and there I was taught That virtue and honor can never be bought.

That the spotless white lambskin all Masons revere, If worthily worn grows more precious each year, That service to others brings blessings untold, That man may be poor tho surrounded by gold.

I learned that true brotherhood flourishes there, That enmities fade 'neath the compass and square,

That wealth and position are all thrust aside, As there on the level men meet and abide.

So, honor the lambskin, may it always remain Forever unblemished, and free from all stain,

And when we are called to the Great Father's love, May we all take our place in that Lodge up above.

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Brethren, I subscribed to this Blog sometime ago and it regularly has outstanding articles posted

by several different Brothers. I have decided to include one in our newsletter every month to

share the light they offer. Hope you like them as much as I do.

Midnight Freemasons

Young William

Posted: 24 Jul 2015 05:21 AM PDT

The Most Famous Rider Of Them All

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

By Steven L. Harrison, 33°, FMLR

An autographed picture of Bro. William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody taken around 1875.

"You will raise your arm to a level square and repeat after me. I... do hereby swear, before the Great and Living God, that during my

engagement... I will, under no circumstances, use profane language, that I will drink no intoxicating liquors, that I will not quarrel or fight

with any other employee of the firm, and that in every respect I will conduct myself honestly, be faithful to my duties, and so direct all my

acts as to win the confidence of my employers, so help me God."

With that oath, many rugged young men joined the Pony Expres during its short life from April, 1860 to October, 1861. Alexander Majors

from Golden Square Lodge 107 in Westport, Missouri, founded the organization along with Brother William H. Russell (Lexington Lodge

149) and financier William B. Waddell. Majors was the author of the oath, which, not surprisingly, had Masonic undertones. Although

short-lived, it was an organization that quickly became part of the fabric, folklore and history of the United States.

In its day, the Pony Express offered the promise of untold adventure. To the general population its young riders

were in many respects the equivalent of today's rock stars. Riders garnered fame, if not fortune as well as the favor of young girls. (One

doubtful legend attributes the invention of the donut to a young girl who made pastries with a hole so a rider could scoop them up on a

finger as he whizzed by).

It's understandable then how an energetic young man, even a kid, of that day would want to join the Pony Express. Given the burden on

the horses, Russell, Majors and Waddell were more concerned with weight than with age. Unfettered by today's child labor laws, they

hired some very young riders, all anxious to join this elite group.

One of those young riders was a kid who would grow up to become famous in his own right. William Frederick Cody

was born February 26, 1846 in Iowa territory. Only 14 years old when he became a Pony Express rider, William grew up to be known by a

more familiar name, Buffalo Bill. Cody had worked as a courier for Russell and Majors from the time he was ten and parlayed that into a

job as a rider when they started the Pony Express. His ride ran 116 miles from Red Buttes to the Three Crossings Station in Nebraska.

A born showman, Cody certainly did noting to subdue wild stories of his exploits as a rider. In later life as he wrote of his adventures, he

claimed skirmishes with Native Americans, and other harrowing adventures, including an assertion that he held the record for the longest

ride ever. According to Cody he once rode 384 miles in a single day averaging over 16 miles an hour. While some historians doubt the

full distance, none doubt he made such a run, estimating its length at about 300 miles, an arduous day in the saddle for anyone.

Living in an age of traveling entertainment, he assembled his own traveling entourage, commonly known as "Buffalo Bill's Wild West"

show. The production staged reenactments of Custer's Last Stand, Indian attacks, robberies and, of course, Pony Express rides.

In addition, Cody served as a general in the Nebraska national guard, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry as a scout to the US Army,

served in the Nebraska legislature, fought at the Battle of Wounded Knee and was president of the Shoshone Irrigation Company. A

staunch abolitionist, Cody was years ahead of his time as a proponent for Native American and women's rights.

Three Crossings Station NB

He was also a Freemason. According to Denslow's 10,000 Famous Freemasons, Brother Buffalo Bill Cody was raised in Platte Valley

Lodge 32, North Platte, Nebraska on January 10, 1871. He was also a member of Euphrates Chapter 15 at North Platte, and upon receiving

his Mark Master degree, he selected a buffalo's head as his mark.

Brother Cody died in Denver January 10, 1917, at the age of 70. He is buried on Colorado's Lookout Mountain in Golden, Colorado, west

of Denver.

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Brother Corky writes an article in his publication called “Surviving the Big Ones” which is a very interesting walk through life through the eyes of one who is a member of what is called “the greatest generation”. Whether you are young or old I think you will enjoy his writings. Here is one:

Surviving The Big Ones

The Old Folks Section By John “Corky” Daut

The “Big Ones” for me started with growing up during that period between the Great Depression and World War II. The “Big Ones” continued with marriage, 4 children, going to the army, a career, moving to the country and just plain old living for 74 years. In the last column I wrote a little about Settegast Park and the old neighborhood. The park and little neighborhood surrounding it was located in Houston’s old near east side, between Harrisburg Blvd. and Canal St. and between Sampson Street and the eastern edge of downtown. I didn’t mention anything about the house we lived in. Actually, it was a duplex apartment, one half of a big house. It was almost a “shotgun house”, but not quite. It had a nice size living room, behind it a dining room, behind it a kitchen with a small breakfast room and a tiny screened porch with just enough room for a washing machine on one side and a set of double rinse tubs on the other side of the back door.

And, behind the kitchen, was a small hall, a bedroom, bathroom and a closet. We moved there when dad was a druggist and went to work for the Lubbock Drug store located at Sampson and Harrisburg. The drug store was only 6 blocks from our house and dad could walk to work. In the “Good Ol’ Days” many people tried to live within walking distance of their job. Even though we and most of our neighbors had a car, it cost money to use it on an everyday basis and any money for anything other then the real necessities was hard to come by in the 1930s. After paying $22.50 a month for rent, the utility bills and buying groceries and a few other necessities there wasn’t much left.

The other half of the house was an exact mirror image of ours. Mr. Henry lived in that half of the duplex with his wife and 3 daughters. He was a city fireman and worked at the station on Sampson Street. It was a block closer then the drug store. Our duplex was just the right size for mom and dad with a 5 year old son when we moved there in 1933. It got a little crowded a few years later when mother’s brother, Harry Wesley “Sonny” Milam, lived with us for a while after he graduated from Allen Academy. Dad helped him get a job at the Walgreens Drug Company warehouse. I thought it was great, having Uncle Sonny living with us. He got to sleep on a cot in the dining room. I remember him taking me to see the “Gulliver’s Travels” movie when it came out in 1939. I also remember that he would come home every once in a while, long after our supper was over. He would cook himself a ham steak and some fried potatoes. Of course I had already eaten supper, but he would always share a little with me. That meant a lot to an 11 year old kid. Uncle Sonny lived with us for about 6 months or so. He did so well at work, that the company

offered to give him a promotion if he would move to Dallas and work at their warehouse there.

Being young and single, he jumped at the offer and moved to Dallas. He did extremely well at the Dallas branch and soon got married and later went into business for himself. Letting younger family members live with you until they got a start in life and letting the older, infirm members live with you until they passed on was a part of life back then. I also remember when the Henry’s in the other side of the duplex had Mrs. Henry’s brother Clinton living with them for a while until he got a start. That made 3 adults and the 3 preteen girls living in a small 4 room duplex apartment for a while. There wasn’t any such thing as nursing homes and when the elderly members got too old to take care of themselves, either the youngest kid or kids continued to live at home or the elderly member moved in with one of the children.

It wasn’t too unusual to see an aged grandmother and grandfather or even an aunt or two living with a family in the good ol’ days. After Uncle Sonny left it was just three of us again until 1943 when mama announced I was going to have a new little brother or sister. I turned 16 years old, 3 months after my new little sister, Neila was born. I was no longer an only child and our little house was never the same after that. I was very happy when she came into the family however, because mama and dad made their bedroom in the old dining room because it was bigger and made more room for the new baby. Plus it was separated from the living room with glass French doors and could be kept warm for the baby with the living room gas heater. Then I had their old back bedroom all to myself. A young boy having a private room of his own was a little unusual back then, when most families had at least 3 or 4 kids.

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Your 2015 Davy Crockett Officers