Welcome to Blazing Star Lodge

Blazing Star Masonic Lodge #413

Early Locations and Charter Member’s Efforts to Start the Lodge 

Archie Smith

Member, Texas Lodge of Research

The year was 1870 and Texas had only been a state since December 1845. The charter members of Blazing Star Lodge lived on the frontier near the modern-day Marble Falls location where land was there for the taking. Prior to annexation, the Republic of Texas was not able to maintain law and order because of a lack of funds and manpower. The U.S. government established a line of forts from the Dallas area to the Del Reo area, in an effort to protect settlers from Indians, renegades, and Mexican bandits. The 1870 population census report of Burnet County was 3,607 persons (680 families).

The county was badly in need of good or paved roads up to the early days of the depression in 1929. The roads through the early years had largely been kept in traveling condition by the men of various precincts and communities in the county, and the equipment usually consisted of mules, plows, and scrapers. Not all roads traveled are smooth and easy going and so it was with the efforts of these brethren to establish a new Masonic lodge. [1]

In the spring of 1870, the Brethren of Shovel Mountain were faced with a demised Ruthven Lodge #248 thirteen miles North (3 miles North of Marble Falls), travel to Burnet some 26 miles North or 12 miles North to Smithwick. The Brethren were forever conscious of the water level of the Colorado River in order to ford it and the presents of savage Indians during their attempts to attend lodge meetings. With these obstacles in mind, the Brethren began look toward the establishment of a lodge in a more centralized Shovel Mountain location.

What would be the name of the lodge? There were a lot of names that must have been considered before the final selection was made. The Blazing Star symbol from which the lodge gets its name can be found in the center of the Mosaic Pavement  representing King Solomon’s Temple. A study of the Blazing Star symbol usage back to antiquity can yield a verity of meanings. It is suggested here that the more modern explanation given to the symbol stood out in the minds of the brethren. The star is said to represent the source of light by which we learn. It is also reprehensive of Devine Providence radiating from the center of the universe. The symbol is also said to represent foresight and is regarded as a symbol of omniscience or the all-seeing eye. The five pointed star is often used but it is widely accepted that the ten pointed star is the original design. It may have been Devine providence or just a coincidence that these ten masons, one for each point in the star, were actively working to create a lodge to be called Blazing Star.[2]

Brother Albert Giesecke prepared a petition for signature by the ten Brethren, the signatures included Thomas H. Shugart, W. H. Russell, S. Backus, Sam F. Moore, Charles T. Russell, A. W. Morrow, W. H. Roper, W. N. Hays, and Joseph Giger, and submitted the petition to Henry Thomas Lodge #278 in Smithwick, in an effort to secure their approval and dispensation for the formation of Blazing Star Lodge of Shovel Mountain.[3]

While the Brethren waited for a response to their petition, it became obvious that their personal safety for long travels to meetings were justified. In December 1870, all was reminded of the ever present danger from Indian attacks. Isaac Hail was aware of the Indians use of Fort Mason Crossing on the Colorado River, near Packsaddle Mountain. He laid waiting for them to cross during the night of December 7th. Isaac killed one Indian in cold blood, and without personal provocation, the remainder of the Indians disappeared into the darkness. Isaac retreated to the safety of his farm, not knowing what became of the Indians. The Indians soon attacked and massacred the Whitlock family (father, mother, a baby, two girls, and kidnapped the 7 year old son- who was never seen again). The Whitlock farm was just a few miles from Packsaddle Mountain and Fort Mason Crossing. Even though this attack took place in Llano County it was a Burnet County residence that discovered the massacre and word spread like wild fire.[4]

The Shovel Mountain Brethren submitted a second petition in the spring of 1871 to Henry Thomas Lodge #278, because the first petition had not been acted on and could not be found. The Brethren waited with patients for Henry Thomas Lodge #278 to take action, but their wait was in vain.[5]

The Brethren growing impatient in the spring of 1872, petitioned Blanco Lodge #216 in Blanco Texas, to establish a new lodge, Blazing Star of Round Mountain Blanco County, Texas. The Brethren were well received at the Blanco lodge meeting. The meeting was called from labor to refreshment for the purpose of determining the proficiency of the proposed officers and all were found to be qualified. The meeting was called from refreshment to labor and the petition to form a new lodge was approved by the Blanco Lodge. After a time the Brethren of Shovel Mountain received instructions from the Grand Lodge of Texas that they would need to secure a recommendation from a neighboring lodge. Henry Thomas Lodge #278 in Smithwick, Texas filed an objection to the brothers petition with the Grand Lodge of Texas. It was their contention that the creation of Blazing Star was too close to them and fell within their jurisdiction. Brother Albert Giesecke, having experience with surveying, measured the distance from Shovel Mountain to Smithwick, using a surveyor’s chain, and found the distance to be immense (about 11 miles).[6]

It appeared that on 3rd May 1873, the brethren were on their way to having a new lodge in Shovel Mountain. Albert Giesecke and others submitted their petition at a regular Henry Tomas Lodge #278 stated meeting, and after much consideration the petition for a new lodge was approved.[7]

At the stated meeting of Henry Thomas Lodge on the 7th June 1873 the petition signed by Albert Giesecke and others was erased from the minutes for want of appropriate forms.[8]

At the 5th July 1873, Henry Thomas Lodge stated meeting a written petition addressed to the Grand Lodge of Texas and signed by Albert Giesecke and others requesting the approval to form a new lodge to be called Blazing Star Lodge of Shovel Mountain, was presented and by motion received.[9]

The 1st August 1873, Henry Thomas Lodge stated meeting was called from labor to refreshments for the purpose of examining the recommended officers as named in the petition to satisfy the lodge. The lodge was then called from refreshment to labor and it was duly voted and passed to recommend to the Grand Lodge of Texas, the acceptance of Albert Giesecke and others’ petition to form a new lodge. It appeared to the brethren that they finally had what was needed to establish the new lodge.[10]

If there was any doubt about the need for a new lodge the answer became clear when on 4 August 1873 gun shots were echoing from an area two and a half miles East of Packsaddle Mountain. Captain J. P. Moss and seven of his men engaged in battle with twenty-four Indians in the last Indian battle in this region. The Texas Historical Society in 1936 erected a Historical Marker #9452 located on Texas Highway 71 about sixteen and a half miles East of the intersection of US Highway 281 and Texas 71.

The 5th September 1873, Henry Thomas Lodge stated meeting turned for the worst. The lodge rescinded the action taken to support the petition to form the new Blazing Star Lodge that was approved at their 1st August 1873 stated meeting. The reason given was that the petition addressee was changed after the meeting was closed from “Most Worshipful Grand Lodge” to the “Most Worshipful Grand Master or Deputy Grand Master” and the forms and fee of $25.00 were not collected. The secretary was instructed to copy the resolution to the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, and petitioners.[11]

Letter to Thomas H. Shugart Shovel Mountain dated 24th September 1873.

Dear Sir and Brethren,

It has been some days since I have forwarded your protest of Henry Thomas Lodge’s protest to the Right Worshipful D. R. Gille at Waco. After studying the facts I thought I had no right to grant the petition. There seems to have been great injustice done you from your statement of the facts but it is out of my power under the constitution to afford you any relief, unless you can get the Brethren of Henry Thomas Lodge to reverse their action. The only course I can see for you to precede is to bring the whole matter before the Grand Lodge.

                                                           Yours truly fraternally

                                                           James F. Miller

                                                           Grand Master[12]

The 2nd January 1874, Henry Thomas Lodge stated meeting found Albert Giesecke and others submitting the revised petition for recommendation to the Most Worshipful Grand Master for a new lodge to be named Blazing Star Lodge, near Shovel Mountain, Burnet County, Texas. The petition was presented and received.[13]

On 7st April 1874, the brethren listed here gathered at Brother Albert Giesecke’s in Shovel Mountain to discuss and plan for meeting the objections of Henry Thomas Lodge #278, and securing a charter from the Grand Lodge of Texas in Houston, thereby eventually establishing Blazing Star Lodge #413 of Shovel Mountain. Ten brethren gathered from as far away as Burnet and Blanco, who eventually became the charter members and are listed here:

· Thomas H. Shugart of the demised Ruthven Lodge #248 now Llano Lodge #242

· W. H. Russell of the demised Ruthven Lodge now known as Llano Lodge #242

· S. Backus of the demised Ruthven Lodge now known as Llano Lodge #242

· Sam F. Moore of Henry Thomas Lodge #278

· Charles T. Russell of Henry Thomas Lodge #278

· Albert Giesecke of Henry Thomas Lodge #278

· A. W. Morrow of Valley Lodge #175

· W. H. Roper of Valley Lodge #175

· W. N. Hays of Valley Lodge #175

· Joseph Giger of Beach Lodge #240 in Tennessee

The meeting resulted in the final petition to Henry Thomas Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Texas, along with forms and the collection of funds to meet the expense and fees for filing the petition.[14]

By this time Brother Giesecke owned two partials of land 640 (60, B-266 ptd) and 354 (58, B-263 ptd) acres in the Shovel Mountain community. Brother Albert Giesecke donated a lot to be used for the location of the new lodge building. The brethren purchased a two story building from Mr. O. Gerstman and had the building moved to their new lot. The building was remodeled and furnished to make it suitable for a Masonic lodge room.[15]

More problems arose at the 2nd May 1874, Henry Thomas Lodge #278 stated meeting. The secretary confirmed with a list of lodge actions dated from May 1873 through January 1874, that no action has been taken on the petition to create a new lodge called Blazing Star Lodge.[16]

The same day, Albert Giesecke and others wrote an eight-page letter to the Grand Lodge of Texas, protesting the resending of their petition by Henry Thomas Lodge, and appealing for a favorable consideration of their petition. The letter outlined the event happenings dating from the spring of 1870 through 1874. The letter includes a list of twenty-six masons located within a one to eighteen mile range of Shovel Mountain, who were considering joining the new lodge.[17]

This protest prompted the Secretary Protem W. W. Hasting of Henry Thomas Lodge #278, to write a letter dated 30th May 1874, to “Whom it may Concern” regarding first the approval and then later the resending of their approval of the said petition for just cause. Henry Thomas Lodge #278 solemnly protested any action on this petition until a just and legal Masonic investigation of the facts could be completed.[18]

Finally, on 18th June 1874, all was settled between Henry Thomas Lodge and the petitioning Blazing Star Brethren of Shovel Mountain. A charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of Texas establishing a new lodge to be called Blazing Star Lodge #413 of Shovel Mountain.[19]

On Saturday 1st August 1874, the Deputy Grand Master Brother E. Smith traveled to Shovel Mountain to install the first set of officers of Blazing Star Lodge #413. Brother Smith’s travel expenses and room and board were provided for by the new lodge. The officers installed were:

· Worshipful Master               Tom Shugart

· Senior Warden                     Sam Moore

· Junior Warden                     Charles Russell

· Secretary                               Albert Giesecke

· Treasurer                               Joseph Giger

· Senior Deacon                     Mash Morrow

· Junior Deacon                     W. H. Roper[20]

Blazing Star Lodge #413 prospered in the first and second year, taking in a goodly number of members. Later some of them moved away and the majority of them lived so far away that the lodge was not attended properly. In the summer of 1888 the attendance was so low that the charter was forfeited for a few months. Soon, through the efforts of Brother Norton Moses, the charter was reinstated the same year by Most Worshipful Grand Master Anson Rainey. As most of the members then lived nearer to the new town of Marble Falls than Shovel Mountain, Shovel Mountain being located about seven miles south of town, permission was granted the same year (1888) to move to Marble Falls. In 1988 the lodge purchased the lot at 604 N. Hwy US281 (Lot #2, Block 34) in downtown Marble Falls, and moved the Shovel Mountain lodge building there. This building and location was occupied about eleven years, serving the community. The original building and lot were sold in 1899 to St. Johns Collard Baptist Mission. The lodge rented the second floor of the First National Bank of Marble Falls for some ten years after the sale until the growth of the lodge justified the building of a stone building that still stands today on Highway U. S. 281. The growth and prosperity continued resulting in the construction of the current lodge building at 319 Avenue G.[21]

After such a rough and halting beginning, it is good to know that Blazing Star No. 413 has preserved in the more than 186 years since their charter was received. Like the charter members, Blazing Star No. 413 never gave up, and has weathered good times and bad in the intervening years. As the town of Marble Falls has grown and prospered, so has Blazing Star.[22]

APPENDIX 1

Map showing modern-day towns and important areas around

the final location of Blazing Star Lodge No. 413.[23]

Foot Notes
 

[1] Darrell Debo, Burnet County History, A Pioneer History 1847-1979, 31, 72, 89, vols in 2(Burnet: Eakin Press, 1979), Marble Falls Library, Marble Falls, TX

[2] Jewel P. Lightfoot, Lightfoot’s Manual of The Lodge Texas, 27, 219-221, Copyright 1934, Department of Printing Masonic Home & School, Fort Worth, TX

[3] A. Giesecke, letter to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas, May 1874, unpublished, Grand Lodge Library and Museum, Waco  TX

[4] Darrell Debo, Burnet County History, A Pioneer History 1847-1979 vols in 2(Burnet: Eakin Press, 1979), Marble Falls Library, Marble Falls, TX

[5] A. Giesecke, letter to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas, May 1874, unpublished, Grand Lodge Library and Museum, Waco  TX

[6] Ibid.

[7] Linda Giesecke Researcher, Giesecke Family History 1580-1993, 118a-121, Marble Falls Library, Marble Falls, TX

[8] Marble Falls Library, Marble Falls, TX, 118a-121.

[9] H. L. Hensel, Extracts of the minutes of Henry Thomas Lodge #278, 2 May 1874, unpublished, Grand Lodge Library and Museum, Waco, TX

[10] 278, 2 May 1874, unpublished, Grand Lodge Library and Museum, Waco, TX.

[11] Ibid.

[12] Ibid.

[13] Ibid.

[14] .James F. Miller, Letter to Thos H. Shugart, 24 September 1873, unpublished, Grand Lodge Library and Museum, Waco, TX

[15] H. L. Hensel, Minutes, Henry Thomas Lodge #278, 2 May 1874

[16] Joseph Giger, Recollections of early efforts to establish Blazing Star Lodge #413 of Shovel Mountain Burnet County Texas, 22 June 1914, unpublished, Blazing Star Lodge #413, Marble Falls, TX

[17]Ibid

[18] H. L. Hensel, Minutes, Henry Thomas Lodge #278, 2 May

[19] A. Giesecke, letter to the Grand Lodge of Texas, May 1874 T. R. Bonner Grand Worshipful Master, Blazing Star Lodge #413 Charter, 18 June 1874, Grand Lodge of Texas, Waco, TX

[20] George W. W. Hastings, Letter to whom it may concern., 30 May 1874, unpublished, Grand Lodge Library and Museum, Waco, TX Walter

[21] T. R. Bonner Grand Worshipful Master, Blazing Star Lodge #413 Charter, 18 June 1874, Grand Lodge of Texas, Waco, TX

[22] Giesecke and A. W. M. Crowenover History Committee Report to Blazing Star Lodge #413 AF&AM, no date given, Grand Lodge Library and Museum, Waco, TX