The Texas Traveler

On May 16, 2011 Trey and I attended Colorado Lodge #96 in Webberville, TX. This was not our intention. We were attempting to make it to Austin Lodge #12, but my work caused us to leave so late there was no way that we were going to make it to Austin. Instead of calling the night of Masonic activities completely off, we decided to take a detour and travel to Webberville. Man, I am glad we did. This was a special night for the lodge and a mason dear to my son’s and my hearts.

This lodge was chartered on January 12, 1853. I am researching the history of the lodge and will add it as soon as I have it.

First of all, this lodge is not the easiest to find. I passed the lodge at 50 miles an hour while attempting to miss a black Chihuahua that was running down the middle of Hwy 969. In this split second, neither of us saw the sign showing that the Lodge was located about 50 yards off the road through the trees. After driving on for a couple of miles we made a U-turn and discovered our mistake. If you ever go to this lodge, it is in the town of Webberville. Since the town is only about 100-yards long, if you make through town without seeing it, turn around and watch the south side of the road. It is on the southwest side of town off the road through some trees.

We arrived during the dinner. The food being served included a very good meatloaf, baked beans, corn, Jell-o, doughnuts and pies. We found someone we knew and sat down. John David Smith was there with his entire family. We discussed the lodges we come from and began a history discussion. Lately many of my conversations turn to history of masonry in the area from 1850 to 1900 due to a paper I am writing for the Texas Lodge of Research.

At 7:30 p.m. sharp everyone walked upstairs to attend the lodge meeting. It was a little strange at first because Bro. Smith brought his family upstairs. It was then I understood that we had the opportunity to attend an open meeting. After a very short opening it was announced that Bro. John David Smith was being presented with the Golden Trowel Award. Wow! Through an accident of fate, we had been given the honor of attending the Golden Trowel Award for the Master that raised my son Trey. It was a very nice ceremony with speeches from the Worshipful Master and Bro. Smith. There were 28 people in attendance for the open meeting.

The open meeting was closed and the guests left the lodge prior to opening the stated meeting.

The stated meeting was run with precision. There was not a single error in the work in the opening. The business of the lodge was handled with the expertise of a Worshipful Master at the end of his Masonic year. The lodge had 20 of its 109 members and 3 visitors present for the meeting. The third visitor was District Deputy Grand Master Brian Vance from Austin.

One interesting change in tradition was the draping of the altar. I have been in several local lodges where the Charter is draped with black sash in memory of a brother that has moved on to the celestial lodge above. Colorado Lodge does a little different twist on this tradition. They draped the entire top of the altar with a black cloth. The Bible, square and compasses were placed on top of this drape. This was done in memory of Brother James Earnest Snowden. Bro. Snowden had been a member of this lodge for over 50 years.

Another interesting tradition of the lodge was the giving of a travelling pin to first time visitors. Trey and I were escorted to the altar and presented with very nice pins in the shape of Texas. It was enameled in red with square and compasses and the lodge’s name. It was a nice welcome that I hope all readers of this blog will take advantage of in the near future.

After the meeting’s business was completed, the Worshipful Master closed the Lodge with equal expertise. If anyone ever tells you that Lodge meetings have to be long and boring, you should take them to visit Colorado Lodge #96. The open awards meeting lasted a total of 15 minutes. The stated meeting took a total of 45 minutes. We walked out of the Lodge at 8:30 p.m. sharp. Short, Sweet and Well Done!

One Last Remark: Congratulations Brother John David Smith! You are very deserving and a very special person in our Masonic journey.