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April 2006
From the East
For the past 96 years a lone sentinel has stood as a silent witness to the development and expansion of the city of Seattle. Located in the heart of "Times Square" (the intersection of Westlake, Fifth Avenue, Olive and Stewart streets) the bronze statue of John Harte McGraw has endured almost a century of change and progress. Funded with the voluntary contributions of friends and admirers, it was erected as a lasting monument to McGraw's upstanding character and his several years of distinguished public service.
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Born and raised in Seattle, I've passed this statue countless times. And, up until recently, I hadn't given much thought to the individual rendered in bronze. Certainly, with the least amount of research, one could discover that McGraw was Police Chief of Seattle, King County Sheriff and the 2nd Governor of the State of Washington. But how many would be able to learn that John H. McGraw was a Mason?
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Born on October 4th, 1850 in Penobscot County, Maine, he was made a Mason in Forest Lodge No. 148 in 1872. After his arrival in Seattle in 1876, he soon affiliated with our lodge and remained an active member throughout his life. As governor he supported the efforts of Edmond S. Meany and Thomas Milton Gatch (who were also members of our lodge) to relocate the University of Washington from downtown Seattle to its present location.
Following his first job in Seattle as a clerk at the Occidental Hotel he soon joined the police force. In 1882 he was elected King County Sheriff. The most noteworthy event during his term as sheriff was the Anti-Chinese Riot of 1886. Threatened by their cheap labor, anti-Chinese sentiment had risen to the point of violence throughout the Northwest. Chinese laborers were murdered in the Issaquah Valley and were also forcefully driven out of Tacoma. In Seattle a mob had driven the entire Chinese community to the dock at the end of Main Street with the desire to ship them out of the city. Through the efforts of Sheriff McGraw, the agitators were eventually dispersed and the Chinese left unharmed. Although 350 Chinese were later forced to leave by steamship for San Francisco, it was commonly regarded that the valiant efforts of Bro. McGraw saved lives and prevented the situation from spiraling out of control.
Yet, despite the lofty heights to which he rose in public office, I'd wager he was most proud of his membership in the Masonic fraternity. For as we all know, the things we possess and achieve in this world are temporary. Eventually we will all make the transition from this to a better life. But much like that statue in the heart of Seattle, St. John's Lodge has endured and will remain for decades to come; a vital component of our city's history and an affirmation of man's eternal desire and need to make himself better.
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Mark Campbell, WM
ST. JOHN'S TO HOST SEATTLE YOUTH SYMPHONY REPRESENTATIVES
Junior Warden Jim Wold has arranged for another exciting evening of entertainment prior to our stated meeting on Wednesday, April 19. Representatives from the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra will be offering a short musical program, and we will also hear about the opportunities available to our musically talented young people in the Seattle area. We expect to host three students - a cellist, violist and pianist.
Later in the evening a representative from the Royal Arch Masonic Park in Maple Valley will tell us about the pristine grounds in South King County open to Masons for camping and picnic opportunities.
The Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras program offers a training experience to develop appreciation for classical music, cultivate the musical abilities and provides a path to performance excellence for diverse, talented youth in the Pacific Northwest through participation in youth orchestras, music festivals and outreach programs. It provides opportunities for all qualified music students, regardless of ability to pay. SYSO partners with public schools to acquaint students with less common orchestral instruments such as viola, trombone, string bass, French horn, tuba and bassoon by offering group instruction on those instruments in the classroom.
Worshipful Master Mark Campbell invites all Masons to join us for a full evening of entertainment and business, where we will also be receiving and reading at least one petition for plural membership and balloting on another. Dinner begins at 6:15. Please let the Secretary know you and a guest will be in attendance so we can give the chef an accurate count!
FABULOUS FAMILY APPRECIATION BRUNCH RETURNS IN MAY
St. John's Lodge extends a cordial invitation to you and your family to be its guests on Sunday, May 7, for our 12th annual FABulous Family Appreciation Brunch at Ivar's Salmon House from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Ivar's Salmon House is known throughout the Northwest and beyond for its fine cuisine and alder-smoked salmon. St. John's members have also discovered their FABulous breakfast buffet!
For our Brothers, as the name implies, all immediate members of your family are invited. We encourage the kids to join us. Don't forget Mom!
For the Widow of our departed Brother, we invite you and your family members to share in this springtime celebration. We encourage the grandchildren to join us.
Reservations are mandatory and are limited. Enclosed is a reservation card. Please print your name and that of your guests on the pre-addressed card and mail it to Jim Russell, secretary, postmarked by April 27 or fill out the form below and click "submit." (Once you click "submit" click the "back" arrow on your browser to return to this page) Or you can e-mail stjohns9@seattlemasons.org. Late reservations after this date cannot be honored
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BORN IN APRIL: Brother Burl Ives was born April 14, 1909 in Jaspar County, Illinois. He learned songs and ballads from his grandmother and by age 4 was singing in his grandfather's church. He attended Eastern Illinois State Teacher's College but dropped out in 1930, becoming a wandering minstrel singer. Ives settled in New York in 1937 and in 1938 appeared in | |  | the musical, "The Boys from Syracuse." In 1940 he had his own CBS radio program, "The Wayfaring Stranger."
Burl Ives died in Washington, on 14th April, 1995.
Brother Ives become a DeMolay on December 5, 1927. After moving to California, he petitioned Magnolia Lodge No. 242. He joined Scottish Rite of Santa Barbara, California in 1977 and became a dual member in the Valley of Bellingham, Washington, in 1990. He was invested with the Rank of Knight Commander Court of Honor in 1985, coroneted an Inspector General Honorary in 1987, and elected a Grand Cross by the Supreme Council in 1993. |
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Coming Events
- April 19 (6:15pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated
- April 26 (7pm): Officers meeting or degree
- April 26 (7pm): District 5 LOMA meeting (Greenwood)
- April 28: Quarterly meeting of Masonic Service Bureau
- May 7 (8:30-10:30am): Family Appreciation Brunch Ivar's Salmon House
- May 10 (5pm): St. John's Lodge No. 9 Trustees
- May 17 (6:15pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated
- May 25 (6:30-8:30): Cedar Way Elementary Literacy Night (Accelerated Reader check presentation)
- August 13 (11am): Lodge picnic at Nile (Sunday)
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FREEMASONS FOR DUMMIES
 | | Your Secretary has found a book that he recommends to every brother. It's available in bookstores for $19.95, but a better deal can be found on Amazon.com at $12.95. It's titled "Freemasons for Dummies," written by Christopher Hodapp, a Past Master and 32° Mason. |
This book is humorous and enlightening, and when picked up is hard to set aside. It's must reading for the Mason and anyone who is curious about the Masons.
Can't seem to find the words to explain to your son or friends what Freemasonry is all about? This book goes a long way to answer those questions without spoiling the beauty of the symbolism of the three degrees. Get a copy for yourself and one for your friend. |
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FOUR JUNIOR GRAND WARDEN CANDIDATES TO SPEAK AT MAY STATED
Four candidates for Junior Grand Warden have announced their availability to stand for election at this June's annual Grand Lodge Communication, June 8-10, at Ocean Shores. Two of the four are members of St. John's Lodge No. 9. All four will be presenting their credentials at our May communication.
Resolutions to amend the Grand Masonic Code will also be reviewed.
VWBros. Ashley Brinkley and Gale Kenney are members of St. John's. VWBro. John Lunt is a Past Master of Riverside Lodge No. 112 in Wenatchee. WBro. Andy Olson is a Past Master of Ellensburg Lodge No. 39.
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Spring Training and a new baseball season:
An annual time for renewal and eternal optimism This time of the year, when we were young men, most of us brought out the Louisville Slugger, the old Rawlings ball, and headed for the local sandlot, full of energy and eternal optimism that this was going to be our year to drive in the winning run or make the perfect pitch. That year, also, our favorite team would win the pennant! It could happen. We have that same enthusiasm in St. John's. This will be another big year!
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Contact Us Here
Worshipful Master: Mark Campbell (425) 398-1398
Senior Warden: Charles Tupper (206) 406-8670
Junior Warden: James A. Wold (425) 357-6867
Secretary: Jim Russell (206) 623-0261 stjohns9@seattlemasons.org
Webmaster: Charles Tupper (206) 406-8670 webmaster@seattlemasons.org
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