ORDWAY, COLORADO
Original brethren of No. 135 rejoiced in the often repeated declaration of R. W. Bro. Wm. W. Cooper that Ordway was “his” lodge. His affection originated because it was the first non-metropolitan lodge, after he became Grand lecturer, to receive instruction from him necessary to chartering.
Dispensation was granted February 3, 1910 by M. W. Bro. George W. Musser to thirteen petitioners. Twelve petitions for initiation were accepted at the first communication February 21, 1910 while two were rejected, one presumably because of character and the other due to failure to qualify under residential requirements.
The three stations were filled by James R. Thomas, W.M.; Ernest F. Greene, S.W.; and Milton E. Bashor, J. W. Their devotion is demonstrated by their personal signatures to a bank loan for $300 that the lodge might have furniture and paraphernalia to function. They initiated, passed, and raised eleven candidates while under dispensation and accepted one brother by affiliation.
Twenty-five members were named in the charter granted September 20, 1910 and signed by J. M. W. Bro. Albert B. McGaffey. Ordway Lodge No. 135 was constituted October 22, 1910 by Grand Secretary Charles H. Jacobson, Acting Grand Master.
Allen H. Thomas, first Junior Deacon and Master in 1913 was the lodge’s early authority on ritualistic work. “When questions arose, all were willing to accept Brother Al’s interpretation, he being a Michigan Mason and Colorado work being taken from Michigan.”
Prized possessions are the Master’s gavel, Altar, and Tiler’s sword. The gavel was presented by Bro. Fred K. Fields, who while attending a Grand Army of the Republic reunion near Gettysburg cut a small hickory from Little Round Top from which the gavel head was “turned.” The handle was made from a walnut tree near the Jefferson Davis home.
The altar was made of cherry wood brought from New York state by Bro. Greene. The sword was handmade, hammered out by a blacksmith.
George A. Walker, Master in 1925, conferred all three degrees upon his father, Norris A. Walker.
One of the last official acts of Grand Lecturer Charles L. Young was installation of No. 135’s officers on December 12, 1949. Since 1918 he had visited the lodge twenty-seven times.
Membership November 30, 1960 101
