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LODGE ROOM SECRETS.- pages 40-41 -
N masculine Norwood there is many a trousered soul who has tiptoed home in the dead hour of night, and whispered softly mellowed, explanatory tones, "I've only been to lodge." There are mortals in the village who have trodden the heated sands of the desert in the marches of the Syrian Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. There are Masons who have never ventured beyond the mysteries of the blue lodge and others who have not stopped this side 32° in the Scottish Rite. You can find Knights Templar, Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, Grand Army men—in fact, representatives of almost every secret order extant, and when it comes down to royalty, there are Princes of the Orient in numbers sufficient to fill the spare rooms in Windsor Castle, if the Queen ever felt lonesome and yearned for blue-blooded company. Although Norwood has no body of Free and Accepted Masons, she is the bone and sinew of Pleasant Ridge lodge, and contributes largely in officering that organization.
The Knights of Pythias were first of the secret orders to gain a foothold in Norwood, and August 15, 1888, with twenty-nine charter members, Cowan Ladge [sic - Lodge], No. 304, was instituted by P. C. Dr. W. G. Hier, of Mistletoe Lodge at Madisonville. William Leser was the father of the lodge and first Past Chancellor. Those who have "passed through the chairs" since that time and now wear the jewel of Master of Work are W. S. Cadman, W. G. Betty, C. H. Gogreve, Geo. Failor, Henry Hoffman, A. D. Hoffman, John P. Zimmerman, Jr., F. E. Zimmerman, W. W. Russell and Frank J. McHugh. From quarters in the town hall Cowan Lodge soon moved into a cozy home of its own, at the corner of Montgomery pike and Harris avenue. Cowan is one of the "live" lodges of Ohio, and the knights have given a series of entertainments that have been features of Norwood's social life. The officers H. P. Smith, C. C.; Chas. J. McQueety, V. C.; John L. Vine, Prelate; Dr. J. C. Cadwallader, M. of A.; E. R. Edwards, I. G.; John Butler, O. G.; J. P. Zimmerman, Jr., M. of E.; Chas. H. Weisenfelder, M. of F.; E. W. Hoffman, K. of R. and S.; W. S. Cadman, W. W. Russell and J. P. Zimmerman, Jr., trustees. The Royal Arcanum is represented by Norwood Council, No. 1331, which was instituted January 3, 1891, by Deputy Grand Regent Edward Buck, assisted by Deputy Grand Regent J. Loveys. There were just two dozen charter members who had been recruited largely by Winfield S. Gwynn. That gentleman was chosen Regent. The Royal Arcanum's growth has been slow, but a net gain shows that the council in moving in the right direction. The present officers are: Past Regent, Harold Ryland; Regent, William S. Cadman; Vice-Regent, Dr. John J. Winn; Orator, John J. Hoover; Guide, Lewis H. Gebhart; Chaplain, George W. Stacey; Warden, Joseph Lammers; Sentry, Ernest Dietz; Secretary, Winfield S. Gwynn; Collector, Chas. H. Weisenfelder; Treasurer, Jacob G. Graf; Trustees, John Franklin, Harold Ryland and William S. Cadman. The National Union is represented by Norwood Council, No. 488, which was instituted with forty-nine charter members, April 10, 1891. They, too, meet at Pythian Hall, and present roll of officers include: President, P. S. Bettinger; Ex-President, Geo. Failor; Secretary, Geo. H. Hindersman; Financial Secretary, W. J. Carey; Treasurer, A. E. Lowry; Speaker, F. A. Zimmerman; Chaplain and Medical examiner, Dr. J. C. Cadwallader, and Usher, Chas. Kerner. ——— – ——— |
