HELENA CITY, MONTANA
Dispensation for brethren at Helena, Adgerton County, Montana Territory, was issued in 1865 by M. W. Bro. Archibald J. Van Deren. The fee for dispensation was $40 and was received by Grand Secretary Whittemore on July 10th, 1865.
The application for charter, with its fee of $20, was received on October 25th, 1865.
The charter was granted to Helena City as No. 10 on November 7th, 1865. The lodge had 15 Master Mason affiliates, one Fellowcraft, and one Entered Apprentice. It had initiated three and passed two but “for the want of time” had not conferred the third degree. However, the committee reported it was satisfied the brethren of Helena City were competent to confer the third degree in due form and therefore recommended the suspension of Article 14 of the bylaws and that charter be granted.
M. W. Bro. Andrew Mason reported in 1866 that he had received a letter from Bro. Cornelius Hedges, W. M. of Helena City, No. 10 “informing me of the organization of a Grand Lodge for that Territory, and asking permission to retain the charter granted to them by this Grand Body at its last communication, which permission was not granted.”
At that same session, the Grand Lodge extended fraternal greetings to the new Grand Lodge and it was welcomed into the sisterhood of Grand Lodges.
Helena City No. 10 of Colorado became No.3 of Montana.
