VIRGINIA CITY, MONTANA
First extension of Masonry outside the present boundaries of Colorado was on April 4th, 1867 when Deputy Grand Master O. B. Brown granted a dispensation to brethren at Virginia City, Montana for formation of a second lodge there. The first active lodge in Montana had been granted a dispensation by the Grand Lodge of Kansas on Dec. 7th, 1863 and chartered as Virginia City, No. 43, under Kansas, on Dec. 20th, 1864.
H. L. Hosmer was appointed first Master of Montana Lodge U. D.; L. W. Frary, first Senior Warden; and William Gray, first Junior Warden.
The petition was recommended by Virginia City, No. 43 and also by Union Lodge No.7.
L. W. Frary, Past Master of Golden City, No.1, had been Grand Sword Bearer of the Grand Lodge of Colorado in 1863. He had attended the first installation of the officers of Union Lodge No.7 and was a friend of several of its members.
While under dispensation the lodge initiated five, passed two and raised one. Its records were correct and so it was chartered on November 7th, 1865. Its membership consisted of 17 Master Masons, one Fellowcraft, and three Entered Apprentices.
In 1866, Grand Secretary Whittemore reported “We have been informed by the W. M. of Montana Lodge No.9 of the organization of a Grand Lodge of Montana but nothing has been received from the officers of the new Grand Lodge.”
It had been organized on Jan. 24th, 1866 with Montana, No.9 of Colorado becoming No. 2 in the new grand body.
