Brother Davy Crockett — The Rest of the Story

It has long been a well-known historical fact Brother Davy Crockett (1786–1836) was a patriot and hero who gave his life in defense of freedom at the Alamo in 1836.  By the late 19th century, however, Crockett was largely a forgotten figure.  The events leading to Texas' independence and eventual statehood were long in the past and very few remembered the names of the brave soldiers who helped bring it about.  The situation changed when, in the mid-1950s, Brother Crockett transcended all that and became an American icon with the release of Walt Disney's television series about his life, as well as the movie, "<i>Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier.</i>"  Since that time the series has been replayed to the point that every kid learns about Crockett's heroism at an early age.

Interestingly, Crockett's rise to the level of superstar almost didn't happen.

In 1946, famed Missouri artist Thomas Hart Benton (related to two famous Masons with the same name, but not a Mason himself) briefly worked for Disney, and came to him with an idea for a show.  He presented Disney with an outline for a musical about Crockett's life called "<i>Hunter From Kentucky.</i>"

To be generous, Disney (a Missouri DeMolay) thought Benton's concept was poor and he quickly shelved the project — with the intention it would never be used.  However, in 1954, the weekly TV series known today as <i>The Wonderful World of Disney</i> premiered.  Less than a year later, the Disneyland theme park opened, TV ratings skyrocketed and Disney started a daily show, <i>The Mickey Mouse Club</i>.  Producing a minimum of six shows per week, Disney's appetite for material became voracious.  So he went back to his "dead ideas" file and there he found Benton's mercifully forgotten manuscript.

Disney handed the project to his staff, which reworked the idea into something that, in reality, bore little if any resemblance to the outline from Benton.  The product Disney's talented writers came up with arguably might be the most popular show ever to emerge from the Disney studios — but one thing is certain: the series almost instantly catapulted Brother Davy Crockett from obscurity to rock star status.

The Father of Yellowstone

Cornelius Hedges (1831-1907) had an outstanding Masonic career.  Master of Helena Lodge 3, he was active in the York Rite and served as Grand Secretary of Montana.  Brother Hedges was an attorney who became a state senator, was an editorial writer for the Helena Herald and founded the Helena public library system.  He is best remembered, however, for being a part of the first expedition to Yellowstone and for suggesting the US make Yellowstone a national park.  Today, he continues to be known as "The Father of Yellowstone."

Border Lodges

Golden Rule Lodge 5, Stanstead, Quebec was originally located on the border between Quebec and Vermont, with the Canadian/US border splitting the Lodge room.  Similarly, today, the International Peace Garden Lodge of Freemasons is situated in a square and compasses shaped building near the border between Manitoba and North Dakota, located north of Dunseith, ND. The Lodge was formed in 1993 with Warrants granted by the Grand Lodges of Manitoba, North Dakota and Minnesota. The Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan became a chartering Grand Lodge in 2000.  Membership in the International Peace Garden Lodge of Freemasons is open to any Master Mason in good standing.

Fort Masonic, 1814

At the height of the War of 1812, as the British closed in on New York, DeWitt Clinton, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New York, called Masons together to redoubt Fort Green in what is now the Bronx.  The Brothers completed the work in a single day and then continued to support the stronghold, now known as Fort Masonic.  Because of its existence, the British army skirted New York City and attacked the state at Plattsburgh a month later, where it was badly defeated. Doubtless, Fort Masonic and the Freemasons who fortified it contributed to saving the area from a destructive battle.

The Most Wonderful Thing I Have Ever Experienced

Brother Arthur Sullivan was a noted 19th century composer (of Gilbert & Sullivan fame), author of "Onward Christian Soldiers," and Grand Organist of the Grand Lodge of England.  Upon hearing his music played on one of the earliest recordings, the amazed Sullivan told Thomas Edison, "I can only say that I am astonished and somewhat terrified at the result of this evening's experiments: astonished at the wonderful power you have developed, and terrified at the thought that so much hideous and bad music may be put on record forever. But all the same I think it is the most wonderful thing that I have ever experienced, and I congratulate you with all my heart on this wonderful discovery."

Joseph-Ignace Guillotin

Brother Joseph-Ignace Guillotin (1728-1814), a French physician, was a founding member of the Grand Orient of France, a member of the famed Lodge of the Nine Sisters in Paris and Master of Concorde Fraternelle Lodge in 1719.  He also founded the French Academy of Medicine.  Legend has it he invented the guillotine and was eventually executed by the device.  Neither is true.  Brother Guillotin did, however, suggest death for the condemned should be as speedy and painless as possible, leading to the machine's invention and name.  By coincidence another doctor, J.M.V. Guillotin from Lyons, met his death by guillotine and the similarity of name and profession led to the confusion with Brother Guillotin, who died of natural causes at home in Paris.

Brother Shakespeare?

Brother Shakespeare?

Thought to have been born about April 23, 1564, William Shakespeare seems to have known something of Freemasonry:

"Whence come you?" (Merry Wives of Windsor, Act 4, Scene 5)

"Let's part on the word." (Love's Labor Lost, Act 4, Scene 2)

"Guard the door without. Let him not pass." (Othello, Act 5, Scene 2)

"The singing Masons building roofs of gold." (Henry V, Act 1, Scene 4)

"You made good work, you and your apron men." (Cariolanus, Act 4, Scene 6)

"Where is thy leathern apron and thy rule?" 

(Julius Caesar, Act 1, Scene 1)

"I will, as 'twere a Brother of your Order." (Measure for Measure, Act 1, Scene 4)

"They never meet, but they do square." (A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act 2, Scene 1)

Brother Roy Clark

April 15 is birthday of Brother Roy Clark, Hall of Fame country singer.  Brother Clark once related this story about Masonry in action:  "We were on tour in Regina, Saskatchewan.  Our guitar player, Frank Sandusky, had a blood vessel suddenly rupture in his neck, was rushed to the hospital, and the doctor's report was grave. When local brethren found out he was a Mason they sent for his wife. They took her in, saw that she got back and forth to the hospital, and saw to her needs. It didn't cost her anything, and made an unpleasant situation more bearable — and that is what Masonry is all about. Frank is with us today, as my 'right arm' in the band...  I know of no other organization where you have a friend all over the world. It gives you peace of mind, especially traveling as much as we do."

"Lucky" Teter

Brother Earl "Lucky" Teter was an American stunt driver in the 1930s and 1940s who was the first to use the label "Hell Drivers."  A member of Noblesville Lodge #57 in Indiana, Teter left his job as a pump jockey to form his stunt driving team, which barnstormed the country with its repertoire of automobile thrills and spills.  On July 4, 1942, 41 year old Teter announced it was his last show prior to closing for the war effort.  He made 3 jumps over a panel truck that day, each attempting a world record, beginning at 135 feet. His 4th and final jump was 150 feet and was dedicated "to all servicemen everywhere." Some reported they could hear the engine missing in his bright yellow 1938 Plymouth as he accelerated onto the launching ramp.  He lost his life as the jump fell short.  Unfortunately on that day, Brother Teter wasn't so "Lucky."

The Greatest Leader Upon God's Earth

Ernest Shackleton, a member of Wooster Lodge No. 79 and Siloam Lodge 32 in Connecticut, was a pioneer Antarctic explorer.  During an expedition in January, 1915, Shackleton's ship "Endurance" became locked in an ice floe.  Eventually the pressure of the ice crushed the ship's hull, rendering it useless except for shelter and provisions.  Shackleton and his crew set up camp on the huge chunk of ice as it wandered aimlessly in the sea until this date in 1916, when the men spotted land and rowed their lifeboats to the safety of Antarctica's Elephant Island.  All had survived after nearly 16 months of isolation.  Shackleton's ability to maintain calm, ration supplies and care for the men during the ordeal led one reporter to call him, "the greatest leader that ever came upon God's earth, bar none."

Robert Peary in Greenland

In order to prepare for exploring the north pole, Brother Robert Peary first made an expedition to Greenland.  During this training expedition Peary, a member of Kane Lodge 454 in NY, experienced the same grueling conditions he knew he would face in his Arctic adventure.  In the process he discovered Independence Bay, explored the entire frigid northern coast and reached Greenland's northernmost point, Cape Morris Jessup.  Amazingly, Peary's pregnant wife Josephine accompanied him on the trip.

American Gothic

Brother Grant Wood (1892-1942), of Mount Hermon Lodge 263, Cedar Rapids, painted the acclaimed "American Gothic." Released in 1930 the painting caused a scandal when Wood said it was a married couple, due to their apparent age difference.  Wood eventually said the woman represented the man's daughter, but would change that story and say she was his wife, depending on how he perceived the audience would react.

The Lodge Of The Arts

St. Cecile Lodge 568, New York, "The Lodge of the Arts," boasts a membership consisting of world famous artists, past and present.  Among its membership are Brothers William Paley, Paul Whiteman, Al Jolson, Harry Houdini, Bert Williams, D. W. Griffith, Louis B. Mayer, Vincent Lopez, Otto Kruger and others, too many to name.

Lodge Fines

The 1765 bylaws of Joppa Lodge 1, Maryland, state, "Any Brother who shall misbehave himself in Lodge, either by unbecoming language, cursing, speaking obscenely or apparently intoxicated with liquor shall pay a fine of two shillings and sixpence for each such offense."  Adjusting for inflation and currency changes, this amounts to about five of today's US dollars.

Disney's Body - The Cold Facts

Urban legends abound that former DeMolay Walt Disney's body was cryogenically frozen in anticipation of reviving him one day.  The fact is Disney's body was cremated.  His ashes are interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Los Angeles.

Washington's Masonic Courtesy

When the British retreated after a skirmish in the revolutionary war, American troops found Masonic regalia and a book of constitutions left in the encampment the British had abandoned.  General Washington himself returned the Masonic artifacts to the British troops, under a flag of truce, accompanied by an escort and a guard of honor.

The Star And Garter

In the Entered Apprentice degree we instruct a candidate that his apron is "more honorable than the Star and Garter."  That award or, "The Most Noble Order of the Garter" is a British order of knighthood generally reserved for the gentry.  Its membership is limited to the monarch, the Prince of Wales and no more than 24 others.  Its badge is an eight-pointed silver star surrounding the cross of St. George, the order's patron saint.  Below the knee, the recipient wears a garter bearing the order's French motto “Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense,” or “Shame on he, who thinks evil of this.”  Only the reigning monarch of England can bestow the order.  Although reserved for a select few members of the upper class, it is considered the pinnacle of the honors system in the United Kingdom.

Mickey Mouse, DeMolay

Walt Disney (1901-1966) was not a Freemason, but he was always supportive of the fraternity sponsoring, among other things a Magic Kingdom Mason's club for the employees in his parks.  Disney was, however, an enthusiastic DeMolay.  He was the 107th young boy initiated into the order, was a member of the Mother Chapter, had a lifelong relationship with Frank Land and was ultimately inducted into DeMolay's Legion of Honor as well as its Hall of Fame.  Walt endorsed making the iconic Mickey Mouse an honorary member of DeMolay - the only such use of Mickey he ever allowed - and then, in the 1930s a mysterious set of comic strips appeared depicting Mickey organizing a Barnyard DeMolay Chapter for publication in the DeMolay magazine.  No one ever determined who created the comics, but speculation includes the fact it may have been Walt himself, who personally signed them.

Women Freemasons

Elizabeth Aldworth (1693-1772) of County Cork, Ireland and Catherine Sweet Babington (1815-1886) of Shelby, NC both became Freemasons under similar circumstances.  Each overheard the conferring of degrees.  The members of the Lodges involved, upon discovering the women, determined the best course of action was to initiate them, so as to protect the secrets by obligation.  Mrs. Aldworth had (possibly inadvertently) overheard a Fellowcraft Degree and was initiated in the second degree in 1712 at Lodge 44, Doneraile Court.  Ms. Babington had repeatedly hidden in Lodge, had heard all degrees and was initiated as a Master Mason at the age of 16.  Details surrounding Ms. Babbington's situation are sketchy, but generally thought to be true.  Elizabeth Adlworth (Hon. Elizabeth St. Leger) most certainly became a Fellowcraft, and her grave marker recognizes her as the world's first regular female Freemason.

Brothers Diaz and Juarez

Masonic Brothers, Benito Juarez (1806-1872) and Porfino Diaz (1830-1915) were comrades in arms who had fought together during the French intervention in Mexico.  Afterward, however, when Juarez became President of Mexico, they became bitter political enemies and Diaz unsuccessfully attempted to unseat Juarez in what some historians term a revolt.  The relationship between the Brothers eased gradually and eventually Diaz became President.  When Juarez died, Diaz erected an elaborate monument in his honor, despite the strained relationship they had once shared.  The monument, Hemiciclio a Juarez, is considered one of the most magnificent in metropolitan Mexico City and serves as a gateway to Alameda Central Park.

John Jacob Astor

John Jacob Astor, (1763-1848) one of the richest men of his time, was one of the first members of Holland Lodge 8, New York City, and served as its Master in 1788.  He was also the Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of New York from 1798-1801).  Brother Astor was so wealthy he partially funded the War of 1812 by making huge, profitable loans to the US Government.

Napoleon's Funeral

Napoleon (1769-1821) was so fanatical about Freemasonry that, in his own bombastic way, he threatened to outlaw it if the separate hostile factions of the Craft in France did not unite under one body.  Even Josephine supported his enthusiasm of the fraternity by joining and becoming active in adoptive Freemasonry in the Lodge Les Francs Chevaliers at Paris in 1804, along with several ladies of her court.  When Napoleon's body was returned to France in 1840, the Grand Orient of France summoned all Freemasons to attend the funeral procession.

Highest Masonic Lodge

The highest Masonic Lodge on earth is Roof of the World Lodge 1094 in Oroya, Peru.  It's elevation has been measured to be approximately 14,167 feet.  The next highest Lodge is thought to be Corinthian Lodge 35, at 10,152 feet in Leadville, Colorado.

Remembered For A Flower

Brother Joel R. Poinsett (1779-1851) had a successful diplomatic career as US Secretary of War, US Congressman and Minister to Mexico.  Additionally, he was instrumental in the formation of the Grand Lodge of Mexico, served as Deputy General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, Master of two of his Lodges, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina and Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of South Carolina.  Even with impressive credentials like that, however, he is best remembered for a plant he brought back from Mexico, the Mexican Fire Plant.  After cultivating it and introducing it in the US, the plant was named in his honor.  Today, the Poinsettia is the traditional Christmas flower.

Ringling Brothers

The minutes of Baraboo Lodge 34, Baraboo Wisconsin, from April 8, 1891 — 120 years ago today — read as follows: "A special meeting was called to hear a report of a committee relative to the purchase of a lot where the temple now stands. The meeting was opened by the regular officers, after which the following assumed the chairs: WM, Alf T. Ringling; SW, August Ringling; JW, Al Ringling; SD, Charles Ringling; JD, Otto Ringling; and SS, Henry Ringling."  The Ringlings, along with their other brothers and father were ardent Masons.  Together, the brothers owned a business you may be familiar with — The Ringling Brother's Circus.

William Rufus DeVane King

Born April 7, 1786, William Rufus DeVane King, 13th Vice President of the US under Franklin Pierce, served virtually his entire term as VP on foreign soil. A member of Phoenix Lodge 8, Fayetteville, NC, Brother King contracted tuberculosis prior to the election of 1852. After the campaign was over, his doctors advised him to go to Cuba to recuperate. He took the oath of office there by special act of congress. His health continued to fail. He returned home and died the following day, April 18, 1853, having served just 45 days in office.

Harry S. Truman's Signature

Harry S. Truman had no middle name.  He explained the "S" stood for a combination of both his grandfathers' names (Shippe/Solomon) and he once joked that his middle name was S.  Unfortunately, when you're the President of the US, people take you seriously.  From that offhand remark a controversy developed that continues today, with many contending there should be no period after Brother Truman's middle initial.  Truman, no doubt amused by the ruckus, said he had no preference about this, but actions speak louder than words.  Virtually every time Brother Harry signed his name or initialed something, he used a period after the letter "S" in the middle.  He also used the period in all typewritten documents and even had a signature stamp made which included the period.  Although the controversy continues, it seems Truman himself has settled the issue.