C. Ross Hume Interview #8532

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HUME, C. ROSS
MASONIC LODGE, VERDEN

Interview # 8532

Field Worker’s name: Lillian GASSAWAY

This report made on: September 13, 1937

Name: C. Ross HUME

Post Office Address: 503 West Central Boulevard

Residence address: Anadarko, Oklahoma

DATE OF BIRTH: April 30, 1878

Place of birth: Tonogany, Ohio

Name of Father: Dr. Chas. R. HUME

Place of birth: New York

Name of Mother: Annette ROSS

Place of birth: Ohio

Landmarks and Fathers

M. W. G. L. Officers, Worshipful Master, Officers, and Brethren of Verden Lodge No. 329, and Friends:

In the Great Light of Masons, we find that our first G. M. uttered the following words of wisdom:

"Remove not the ancient landmark, which the fathers have set." Prov. 22, 28.

Some days ago my boyhood friend, John R. OSBORNE, asked me to prepare a sketch of this lodge for its thirtieth anniversary, and I have chosen two words from this proverb "Landmarks and Fathers."

An All-wise father set in this locality ages ago a landmark consisting of from 100 to 200 giant cottonwoods in a swale by the Washita. The Cottonwood Grove became a landmark and meeting place for the wild tribes of the prairie.

Here in August, 1859, Major Neighbors brought the Texas Reserve Indians, stating in his report We arrived at Major Steen’s crossing of the False Washita on the 16th." He was joined by Agent Blain and the temporary camp was established about four miles up the river. It was described to me by William SHIRLEY, as "Massey’s Ford," more than thirty years ago in relating the trip.

When the war closed in 1866, it was designated as Camp Napoleon, and here a firm treaty of peace was made between the wild tribes of the prairies and the civilized tribes of Indian Territory, as the splendid monument on your school square states.

In the seventies I am told a stage stand stood here on the route from Reno to Sill, and famous Half-Moon Ranch stood not far across the river.

In the eighties James N. JONES settled near here, and the Grove became the half-way station between Anadarko and Chickasha when we went to the railroad for any purpose. Later, in 1900, he took an allotment surrounded by eight of the family stretching to the east. And here he surveyed and platted the town of Verden.

In recent years the Ancient landmark of that magnificent grove has been removed by the ravage of man, and with the fathers I, too, mourn its loss. In such a rich historical setting on May 8, 1906, a dispensation was granted to John R. OSBORNE and fifteen craftsmen to found a lodge and labor for the craft. The minutes show that on May 19th the first communication was held, when dues were fixed, by-laws established and petitions accepted for the following, James N. JONES, Harry J. BUTTERLY, James H. TEMPLE, Adelbert PIERSON, Milton H. EDENS, and Chas. S. RUSK, and referred to Committees.

Stated meetings were held every two weeks, and after a lunar month on June 16th the first degree was conferred upon Harry Joseph BUTTERLY, followed by the initiation and affiliation of many worthy men of the community. Andres MARTINES was one of whom I speak in particular for the story of his life reads stranger than any fiction, and no finer character ever was handed a lambskin than he.

The records show almost seven months of extreme activity while the lodge was U. D.; in which you were careful of those who trod the tiled recesses of the lodge. The charter was issued to No. 157 of the Oklahoma Territory Grand Lodge thirty years ago this 13th day of February, 1937. Under it you worked until later statehood and the union of the two grand lodges into the Oklahoma State Grand Lodge when you became No. 329, under which you still labor in the community. Minutes show that the officers of those days were faithful in their attendance, careful in the selection of craftsmen, and zealous for the order. All the early officers but the Master have gone to their reward, in the Grand Lodge above; and we revere their memories as the fathers whom I speak of above.

You brethren, their sons and successors, have cause to be proud of those pioneers who watched over the destiny of this lodge in its infancy. Every thirty years a generation comes, labors, moves on, and is succeeded by another. This is a time we may well pause and pay a fitting tribute to those pioneers whose conception of true brotherhood is so wholesome that this age of unrest and strife may well emulate their true faith in their fellow men.

From records available the record of your temple here which was reared with great struggle and sacrifice was not gleaned, but in the memory of many of you it is well-known and we recall when its walls were raised and you proudly entered your lodge home.

It is fitting that you pause to pay tribute to your first master and his son, who have guided more than one-fourth of your lodge life, and in whose veins flows the blood of leaders of both white and red pioneers of this great Southwest; and so to John R. and Frank OSBORNE, this tribute of faithful service is dedicated.

Submitted by Sandi CARTER
Granddaughter of Jonathan Richard "John" OSBORNE
Niece of Frank Gerard OSBORNE
If you have questions, you can email Sandi.

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