Pike County  Georgia Newspapers - New Courthouse 1895
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Lynn Cunningham  lcunnin1@bellsouth.net 

Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/pike.htm
Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm


The Pike County Journal.
Zebulon, Pike County, Georgia, August 16, 1895

The Corner Stone
of the New Court House Laid Last Friday

One of the largest crowds that ever assembled in Zebulon on any occasion
was that which came together here last Friday to witness the laying of
the corner stone of the new courthouse. There were perhaps 2,500 people
present, and they were here from all the adjoining counties.

At 10:30 o'clock a.m. Hon. John P. Shannon, Grand Master of the Masonic
Lodge of Georgia arrived via Griffin accompanied by H.C. Burr and about
fifteen members of the Griffin lodge. They proceeded at once to the
Montgomery lodge room and a occasional grand lodge was opened by the
grand master. The officers appointed for the occasion were as follows:
H.C. Burr, Deputy G.M.; B.M. Owen, G.S.W.; J.H. Howell, G.J.W.; J.D.
Carriker, G.Treas.; W.M. Hartley, G.S.; J.L. Reid, G.Mar.; C.A. Cooper,
G.Architect; J.B. Ball, G.S.D.; C.C. Owen, G.J.D.; J. Lowenstein, bearer
of three great lights; J.M. Martin, G.S.S.; J.B. Mathews, G.J.S.; E.K.
Akin, G.O.; J.W. Ford, G. Tyler.

After opening the lodge, the grand Marshall formed a procession and the
members marched to the new court house where a platform had been
constructed for the use of the grand officers. The beautiful Masonic
ceremony was then begun. The stone was halted three times as it was
lowered to position and the grand honors were given three times.

J.H. Howell, Master of the Montgomery lodge placed an organ on the
platform and Mrs. A.H. Rawls of Harralson furnished excellent music for
the occasion. In lowering the stone to it's position it was accompanied
by sweet and wonderful music.

Then a list of the articles for depositing in the corner-stone were read
and deposited as follows:
Holy Bible.
Names of County Officers.
Roll of Members of Montgomery Lodge No. 31 Free and Accepted Masons.
By-laws, square and compasses.
List of Ministers and Religious Denominations of Pike county.
Pictures of the Old Court House.
Seven Bills of Confederate, State and County Money.
Pike County Journal, Home Journal, Barnesville Gazette, Towaliga
Messenger, Gospel Messenger, Christian Advocate, Christian Index and
Christian Observer.
List of Pioneer Settlers of Pike county.
Roll of Members of Mt. Olive Lodge No. 122 F. and A.M.
List of Officers of Pinta Lodge No. 88 F. and A.M. Barnesville, Ga.
List of Officers of Hollonville Lodge No. 70 F. and A.M.

Hon. Robt. L. Beruer of Forsyth consented to deliver the oration, but a
telegram announcing his illness consequent inability to be present
explained his absence. The grand master was called upon to act as a
substitute and his address was one of the happiest and best ever heard
in Zebulon. He won the admiration and goodwill of all who heard him.

After the address dinner was spread on tables that had been arranged in
the shade of the large oaks and the large crowd was fed.

The masonic lodges at Hollonville and Molena contributed their almost
entire membership to the procession and they brought big baskets full of
eatables.

It was a great day in Zebulon and one that will be remembered.

Those who examined the plans of the new court house and the workmanship
and material that have gone into the building are delighted with the
prospect that Pike is to have one of the best and prettiest court houses
in the state.

(Transcribed 11/08/02 Lynn Cunningham