Masons Celebrate 50th Anniversary

1948 - May 26 - Masons Celebrate 50th Anniversary; Receive Gift from the Culvers

The fiftieth anniversary of the granting of the charter to Henry H. Culver Lodge, No. 617, of the Masonic order was observed Monday night in the Community Building with about 200 in attendance. The evening's impressive celebration was climaxed by a gift of $5,000 from the Culver family to the lodge's charitable and benevolent fund. Not only was the local locate out in full force, but Masons were present from Plymouth, Argos, Bourbon, South Bend and other nearby lodges to join the Culver group in celebrating its golden anniversary. Miniature Masonic aprons were given each person present as a momento of the occasion. After dinner, Worshipful Master Jess Pettis acted as master of ceremonies and after a few introductory remarks presented the past masters of the lodge and Clarence Behmer, the only charter member present. Mr. Behmer has been a Mason for 54 years and the group tendered him an ovation.

An interesting history of the lodge was given by Henry L. Henning, after which several visiting Masons of distinction were introduced.

The featured address of the evening was given by Robert Hall, chaplain of the Indiana State Prison at Michigan City, who used as his theme "The Last Word." His interesting remarks were based on unusual epitaphs he had garnered from cemeteries in various parts of the world and he held the close attention of the group throughout his forceful talk.

The Shrine Choir of South Bend, generally recognized as one of the best in the midwest, sang several selections with skill to close the program.

The members of the Culver lodge adjourned to their lodge room to pay special respect to Henry H. Culver, founder of Culver Military Academy.

He was one of the original petitioners of the local organization and the moving force in establishing a lodge of Masons in the town which bears his name. E. R. Culver, Jr., of St. Louis, Mo., was present to represent the Culver family, and after expressing appreciation for the fitting observance and the outstanding work the lodge has done through the years, he presented a letter from Mr. B. B. Culver to Worshipful Master Pettis. In the letter Mr. Culver made a presentation in behalf of the Culver family of a check for $5,000 to be applied to the lodge's charitable and benevolent fund.

Mr. Pettis accepted the gift and expressed the lodge's appreciation for the interest of the Culver family in the welfare of the Masonic fraternity and the community as a whole. It was voted to convey these sentiments to B. B. Culver by letter.

In Mr. Culver's letter it was pointed out that not only was Henry Harrison Culver a Mason, but five sons, five grandsons and one great-grandson were members of the order. W. 0. Osborn paid a stirring tribute to the founder of the Academy and the Culver family's influence on the life of the community throughout the years.

The entire observance will go downo in history of the Culver ladge as a climactic occasion that will long be remembered by all who attended the celebration.