The Grand Parade of the Corner Stone Lodge

The officers of Most Worshipful Corner Stone Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons, were installed with appropriate and impressive public ceremonies last Tuesday evening at Hanke’s Hall. Most Worshipful Grand Master of Colored Masons W. D. Matthews, of Kansas, conducted the ceremonies and installed the officers. In the afternoon, a grand parade was held through the streets of Seattle in which all of the officers participated. This parade was headed by the Queen City band and by carriages. In the evening, the hall was filled with colored people to witness the installation ceremonies. The officers installed included Samuel Burdette as most worshipful grand master; C. A. Ridout, deputy grand master; and others including P. F. Ford, J. W. Grant, and Rev. U. H. Flakeuey. Grand Master Matthews delivered an inaugural address upon the origin and history of Masonry among the white and colored people of the United States, noting that the members of Corner Stone lodge were Prince Hall Masons. On the wall were displayed banners with the pictures of Prince Hall, master mason; Thomas Sanderson, senior warden; and Boston Smith, junior warden, of the colored lodge of Masons organized in this country in 1775. Corner Stone Grand Lodge was organized last June.