Early Days in Fort Worth, Much of Which I saw and Part of Which I Was

by B. B. Paddock

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.

The first meeting held to perfect an organization of a Lodge of Knights of Pythias was on July 23d, 1877.

Queen City Lodge No. 21 was organized August 17th, 1877, with G. M. Otten, P. C.; T. S. Levy, C. C.; Max Elser, V. C.; Chas. Gay, M. of A.

Red Cross Lodge No. 14 was organized February 26th, 1881, with S. Rosenfield, P. C.; W. R. Gause, C. C.; C. K. Fairfax, V. C.; H. P. Purnell, M. of A.

The lodges at once took up the matter of the erection of a Castle Hall. Committees were appointed and subscriptions obtained as far as possible and a bond and mortgage placed on the property for $12,000, bearing twelve per cent interest.

The corner stone was laid on the sixth day of June, 1881, with impressive ceremonies under the direction of Supreme Chancellor Justin H. Rathbone, of Washington City.

The lodges formed in procession at the corner of Fourth and Main streets and marched to Weatherford street, thence to Houston, thence to Fourth, thence to Main, thence to Third at the corner of which the Castle Hall was to be erected.

C. K. Fairfax was the Grand Marshal. Sir Knight Rathbone rode in a carriage handsomely decorated with the colors of the order and on either side of the carriage rode two knights in full armor. These were Knight Louis J. Elser, of Corsicana, and Knight E. M. Alvord, of Red Cross Lodge.

Arriving at the site the ceremony of laying the corner stone was had by Knight Justin H. Rathbone. Knight R. E. Beckham of Queen City Lodge delivered the oration.

The following articles were placed in the corner stone: Roster of Queen City Lodge; Roster of Red Cross Lodge; Names of Officers of Supreme Lodge; Names of Officers of the Grand Lodge; Pieces of gold, silver and paper currency and copies of the papers printed in the city.

At night an interesting and instructive lecture was delivered by Knight Rathbone at the Presbyterian church.

Interest on the bonded debt was met promptly and at their maturity were taken up by a new bond for a much smaller amount at a lower rate of interest. This was the first Castle Hall built in the World.