News Notes From Milan

NEWS NOTES FROM MILAN

Milan, Mich., Dec. 11.--Milan Lodge No. 323, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized in 1874 by some of the earliest settlers of Milan.

As early as 1872 some men who were already Masons talked of organizing a lodge here, but as there was no hall in the village suitable for a lodge room, the matter was dropped for the time being, although those most interested kept the matter in mind.

Within a few months, Gauntlett and Allen, who owned the old brown two-story building on River street, made a offer in connection with the Odd Fellow order, whereby they could build a third story on their building for a lodge room.

A committee was appointed and after many conferences with the Odd Fellow committee, it was decided that they should accept the offer of Gauntlett and Allen and build the third story so soon as possible. A subscription paper was circulated and the men interested subscribed liberally in cash, labor and material.

The grand lodge gave them a dispensation dated January 29th, 1874, under which they worked for one year.

The organizers of the lodge were the following men: Nathan M. Stuart, Stephen V. Hitchcock, Ishan Hitchcock, Charles H. Wilson, Henry M. Burt, Richard Callis, Henry B. Bessac, John Burnham, Chilson Philips, Nathan Phillips, Alonzo Mead, Lemuel D. Teall and E. P. Smith.

Nathan M. Stuart was the first worshipful master.

Under the dispensation the lodge grew and prospered and the notes given by the individual members for $600 were paid off.

On Jan. 27, 1895, the grand lodge chartered the Milan lodge and it was instituted by Grand Master William L. Webber, with the following charter members: Nathan M. Stuart, worshipful master; Henry M. Burt, senior warden; Stephen V. Hitchcock, junior warden; Henry B. Bassac, Ihan S. Hitchcock, James Doyle, Chilson Phillips, Charles H. Wilson, Nathan Phillips, Richard Callis, Alonzo Mead, E. P. Smith, John Burnham, L. Wells Sprague and Lemuel D. Teall.

As the lodge grew in numbers larger and more commodious quarters were needed, and it 1892 they secured a lease to build a temple on the third floor of Susan M. Gay's block, which together with the furnishings cost them about $2,500, all of which they have paid excepting $400, which with the lodge prospering as it is will probably be paid off during the next two years.

The new temple was dedicated on Oct. 12th, 1892, by Worshipful Grand Master William P. McKinnes, with fitting ceremonies.

There have been 189 members of the lodge, and at this time there are 135 active members. Of the original number 11 have died.

Herewith is a list of the worshipful masters that have served the lodge with their terms: Nathan M. Stuart, 1874-75; Ishan Hitchcock, 1876-80-81; Henry M. Burt, 1879-82-89; Charles H. Wilson, 1886-87-88-90-91-92; Orin A. Kelley 1893 to 1899 and year 1903; Thomas W. Barnes, 1900 to 1902.

G. W. Hitchcock has served as junior deacon twelve years.

At their annual meeting reports read shows the lodge to be in excellent condition in every way and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:

Worshipful master, Cassius M. Debenham; past master, Orin A. Kelley; senior warde, Dr. William R. Calhoun; junior warden, Fred G. T. Wilson; secretary, George A. Dennison; treasurer, Charles H. Wilson; senior deacon, G. W. Hitchcock; junior deacon, Eddie Warner; senior steward, Sayre W. Reeves; junior steward, Walter B. Redman; marshal, Joel L. Marble; pianist, Prof. George E. Ganiard; tyler, John M. Steidle.

A number of young men are entering the lodge and it is prospering. Recently they went to visit the Tecumseh lodge where they conferred the third degree in a very credible manner.

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The Baptist Young People's society held their semi-annual business meeting at the home of Rev. T. D. Denman, and elected the following officers for the ensuing year: President, Walter B. Redman; vice-president, Prof. A. D. Jones; secretary, Miss Edna Whaley; treasurer, LeRoy Throop; organist, Miss Abbie Kelsey; asst. organist, Miss Buelah Richards; chorister, Miss Florence Chapin; asst. chorister, Mrs. Wirt Cook.

Ernest Smith of New Lothrop, Mich., has purchased the Milan dray line of William Beaubean and will take it over Monday.

David Baker of Delray, is visiting his mother, Mrs. August Batdorf, until after the holidays.

Beginning next Monday the stores will keep open late until after New Years to take care of the holiday trade.

The bell for the Methodist church at York has arrived and will soon be put in position.

Hehbert Sanford and family have moved from Hurd street into their new residence on North street.

Ira Bortles and family have removed from the C. L. Ferman house on North street, to Mr. Lewis' house on Hurd street.

U. G. Rockwell, who has a position with Hunter & Hunter in Detroit, is here on account of the serious illness of Cecil Lockwell.

Frank E. Jones drove down from Ann Arbor yesterday to visit his father-in-law, Osborne Sase.

Thomas Fulcher of Scofield, is visiting his son, Mile Fulcher and wife, on First street.

Harry Loveland, son of John Loveland, and Miss Lillian Day, were married at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Kelsey, north of town. Rev. T. D. Denman, pastor of the Baptist church officiated. They had wished to be married before, but as the girl was not eighteen and had no legal guardian, could not do so.

Miss Cecil Lockwood, who has been ill for ten weeks, and whose condition was precarious yesterday, is better today.

George Chapman and wife and son of Chelea, are visiting their cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Blackmer.

Homer C. Sill and daughter, Marivill, were in Ann Arbor last evening.

Miss Susie Hitchcock of Azalia visited her sister, Mrs. William C. Reeves and family, last evening.

The Presbyterian church society have adjourned their annual business meeting to next Thursday evening, Dec. 17th.

Robert McLachlan, a mail clerk on the Ann Arbor railroad, returned to his home here earlier than usual on account of the critical condition of his wife's sister, Miss Cecil Lockwood.

Bruce B. Pullen, who has been holding a position as bookkeeper and timekeeper with a sugar company at Caro, is visiting his parents, Postmaster Charles W. Pullen and family.

Mrs. Rosina Redman is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Fred H. Knaggs and family east of town.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Campbell of Belleville, are visiting the home of Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Day on west Main street.

H. A. Steinbach of Ann Arbor, a solicitor for the Michigan Telephone Co., is working in the rural territory, preparatory to establishing farmers telephone lines, connecting with Milan.

Some Ypsilanti parties are opening up a five and ten cent novelty store in the Mrs. Easterly building.

Mr. and Mrs. M. Moon are entertaining an out of town guest.

The Baptist church will have a Christmas tree for their Sunday school exercises.

Edward Crane is now a fireman on the Ann Arbor railroad.

Mrs. Fred G. T. Wilson, who underwent an operation at Ann Arbor, is recovering rapidly.

Miss Millie Hitchcock who has been very ill, is getting along very favorably.