(In days past, the local Masonic Lodge had some very interesting newspaper articles pertaining to their activities. Today we have three articles that are of note. The first article was a surprise presentation from the lodge to Mr. J.W. Vance. Mr. Vance was Grenada’s foremost photographer of that time period. Next is an article relating to Col. Levin Lake, one of the early settlers of Grenada who became a Mason in 1839 when around the age of 22 and was made Templar when he was 92 years old. The last article relates the story of a historic gavel presented to the Grenada Lodge in 1909.)
Grenada Sentinel
Saturday, February 11, 1899
Monday afternoon Mr. J.W. Vance was taken by surprise, as a delegation of about twenty gentlemen, headed by Mr. J.W. Lee, entered his photography gallery and demanded his attention for a few moments. Opening a case which contained a chaste and elegantly designed Masonic badge symbolizing the compass and square, Mr. Lee, Past Master of the Lodge, presented it to Mr. Vance, Worshipful Master of Grenada Lodge A.F. and A.M., asking him to accept the testimonial of the high regard in which he was held by his brethren. Mr. Vance accepted the gift, giving expression of his profound gratitude for this evidence of fraternal feeling. He is the delegate from Grenada Lodge No. 31 to the Grand Lodge, which assembled at Vicksburg this week, and left Tuesday, accompanied by Dr. W.H. Whitaker, to attend the session.
Grenada Sentinel
Friday, July 2, 1909
On Monday night, June 28, there was a convocation that occurred at Masonic Hall that was unique to the Masonry. The Orders of the Temple were conferred on Col. Levin Lake, a man 92 years old and H.J. Ray. Quite a number of visitors were present, a list of which appears below.
Garland D. Brown, Grand Commander, Water Valley; H.M. Romerger, P.G.C., Winona; Wm. H. Joiner, P.E.C., Memphis; R.P. Lake, Memphis; B.J. Smith, E.C., Jackson; R.J. West, Okolona; Rev. R.O. Brown, Indianola; L.W. Dikle, Water Valley; E.G.S. Alverson, Fulton, Ky; J.B. Talbert, Scobey; H.S. Gunn, Como.
Splendid talks showing a lofty appreciation of the teachings of the order were made by a number of the visitors, as well as the home members.
Dr. A.H. Bays acted Eminent Commander, a duty he performed most efficiently. The Doctor is thoroughly at home as presiding officer. The candidates were knighted by G.D. Brown, Grand Commander, and Harry Romberger. The event will be long cherished in the history of Yalobusha Commandery, No.28.
Grenada Sentinel
November 12, 1909
A gavel with a historic history was presented last Monday night to Grenada Lodge No. 31 by Mr. William Reid, who is a traveling architect for the Illinois Central Railroad. The gavel was made from the studding of the bedroom of Abraham Lincoln at Springfield, Illinois. The house, which Mr. Lincoln lived in, is now being remodeled by Mr. H.O. McGrew, who sometimes visits Grenada, and inasmuch as Mr. Lincoln took the degrees of Masonry in Temperance Lodge No. 16, at Vandalia, Illinois, Mr. McGrew was seized by the beautiful sentiment of making gavels out of the studding of the great rail splitter’s bedroom.
The gift was gratefully accepted by Grenada Lodge and the meeting Monday night will go down to posterity as one of the memorable ones in the history of Grenada Lodge. The gavel will be bound with a silver band, upon which will be carved its unique history.
