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

by B. B. Paddock

Fort Worth Lodge, Number 148, A. F. & A. M., is the largest and wealthiest Masonic lodge in the state. It was constituted April 14th, 1854, “Under Dispensation” issued by M. W. Grand Master Wm. M. Taylor on the 18th day of March, 1854, and chartered January 18th, 1855. Julian Feild was the first Worshipful Master and John Peter Smith its first Secretary. Its first home was a two story brick structure which stood in the middle of Belknap street, at the intersection of Elm street. The lower story was used for school and church purposes. The writer of these pages is the Senior Past Master of the Lodge at this time. W. H. Feild, the present Secretary has filled that position for about thirty years, the last twenty-five of which have been consecutive.

There was a small lodge of the I. O. O. F., but no record of its official roster is accessible to the writer at this time.

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.