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From the files of June E. Tuck, who does not validate or dispute any historical facts in the article. Written by T. P. Griffith and dictated by J. T. Arthur, assisted by J. H. Clifton - 1938
History Of The Masonic Lodge At Sulphur Bluff
By J. T. Arthur of Saltillo
The Masonic Lodge was organized in 1859 and the charter was granted in 1860, naming the following officers: Charles G. Lyon, W.M.; James P. Hargrave, S. W.; and Josiah Gregg, J.W.; B. W. Bray, Dist. G. M., organized the lodge.
The charter members were John K. Logsdon, Josiah Gregg, Jacob Gregg, David Hopkins, J. H. Woods, William Brinton, Ben S. Leewright, J. P. Hargrave, Robert Hargrave, and T. C. Clark.
This lodge continued to function up until about 1863 at which time the records show it to be dormant until about 1866 or 1867, during days of the civil war and reconstruction. There are no available records to indicate the new officers at the lodge’s reorganization after the civil war. There are no records of what building the lodge was organized in and met. In the early 1860's the lodge built a two-story frame building in northeast part of the town near where the Methodist Church now stands. The lodge continued at that place until 1923 when they built a new and modern meeting place, a two-story frame building near the center of the business part of town, which they still occupy. Earl Mead, an energetic young man, son of the late Dr. E. L. Mead, conducts a drug business in the lower story of this building.
Masters have been A J. Hargrave, L. L. Shoffit, L. F. Chester, L.M. Welch, J. F. Sanders, C. B. Kirkbride, B. H. Pearson, S. A. Alexander, O. H. Mahaffey, H. L. Patty, J. E. Clifton, F. W. Patterson, G. S. Barker, W. A. Barker.
The following have been wardens: W. A. Palmer, J. E. Young, W. H. Gardner, J. C. Brewer, Jeff Worsham, J. W. Clifton, R. D. Sanders, C. B. Kirkbride, J. F. Long, J. W. Gregg, W. F. Moore, G. S. Barker, H. D. Miller, and O. L. Jobe. Perhaps other officers, whom we could not find as matter of record.
The present personnel of officers: P. T. Flippin, W. M.; Littleton Welch, S. W. ; L. F. Chester, J. W.; N. J. Wells, Treasurer; Chas. S. Dawson, Secretary; and L. M. Skidmore, Tiler.
This lodge now has about seventy-five members and a very enthusiastic group. During the lodge’s history it has had a very colorful career. From 1901 to 1937 there have been 180 members received into Masters degrees, besides those who only reached EA and FC degrees. All Master Masons prior to 1901, no record available to ascertain their names nor numbers.
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