History

History of Centennial Chapter

Prepared for Golden Anniversary Night

March 18, 1953

Compiled by Rose S, Burnett

Presented by Hattie Allen Smith

Under the shadow of Pikes Peak, in the year 1891-92, there were organized three chapters of the Order of Eastern Star; Glen Eyrie, located in what was then Colorado City, Ramona Chapter in Colorado Springs and Ruxton Chapter in Manitou.

The three chapters moved along in a harmonious and prosperous manner for a number of years but in the latter part of 1900, Ramona Chapter Number 9, lost its charter and then Colorado Springs was without a Chapter. This condition prevailed until February, 1903. At that time a small group of former members of Ramona Chapter, being greatly interested, met at the home of Roxie Brown at 114 East Del Norte street to talk over the possibility of organizing a Chapter. Those present at this gathering were: Maud E. Hufferd, Sarah Buchman, Martha Shields, Effie Perry, Nile Noha, Emily Barnes, Mamie Chessford, Louisa Frost, Ida M. Rice, Rose Taylor, Melvina Peyser, Jennie Atkinson, Roxie Holden, Phillip Noha, James W. Atkinson, and A. G. Cessford.

Several names had been mentioned as suitable for the New Chapter, when organized, but Brother George Kennedy suggested that since Colorado was the Centennial state he thought Centennial would be a good name for the new Chapter. The name was unanimously adopted and sent to Grand Chapter with he petition for Dispensation.

On Monday the 17th day of March, 1903, about one month later, Brother Rinker came to Colorado Springs and instituted Centennial Chapter under the following Dispensation: (copy)

To all to whom these presents shall come,Greetings:–

Whereas, it has been represented to us that at Colorado Springs, County of El Paso and State of Colorado, there resides a number of members of the Order of the Eastern Star who are desirous of associating together as a Chapter and it appearing for the good of the Order that the said members should be entitled to work together as a
regular Chapter,

Therefore I, John E. Rinker, Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star of the State of Colorado, do hereby institute and appoint Sister Roxie Brown, Worthy Matron; Brother Edward P Huferd, Worthy Patron; and Sister Maud E Hufferd, Associate Matron, together with all such brothers and sisters as are now or may hereafter become members, a regular Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, by Dispensation, by the title of Centennial Chapter, which shall have full power to confer degrees.

Said Chapter is hereby required to strictly conform to all the Rules, Regulations and Edicts of the Grand Chapter, this Dispensation to be in full force until the next stated meeting of the Grand Chapter and no longer.

Given under the hand of John E. Rinker, Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star of Colorado and the Seal of said Grand Chapter, this 17th day of March, A. D., One thousand Nine Hundred Three.

Signed:

John E. Rinker, Grand Patron

Eliza S. Cohen, Grand Secretary

Those who attended this first meeting signed the Dispensation as follows:

The complete roll of officers for this year (1903) was:

It was not the custom to have Associate Patrons at this time. The initiation fee was Five dollars and the yearly dues One dollar.

The business of the Chapter was conducted very differently then. The finance Committee was made up of three men. One would judge that the sisters were not supposed to know much about finances in those days. The books were audited once a year, and all bills were authorized by the Chapter before being contracted. Then they were presented to the Chapter and voted paid. No member could spend a dollar without the approval of the Chapter before hand.

At last the new Chapter was launched and it was a very happy family that started out to prepare a home. The Opera House at 18-1/2 North Tejon Street was the meeting place of the Masonic Orders of the city so it was only natural that Centennial Chapter should find its haven under the same roof. This building was completed in 1881, boasted three stories and was considered a credit to the city at that time. The rooms occupied by the Masons and Eastern Star were located on the third floor and consisted of a lodge or Chapter room, a banquet room and a kitchen. There were seats along the sides of the Chapter room with slight upholstering and the stations had high backed chairs of solid oak, while the pedestals were small, plain oak tables.

Facilities for serving refreshments or banquets were very meager but these important functions were accomplished just as faithfully and no doubt enjoyed as much as they are today with more modern equipment. The other furnishings were very plain, the floor piece being a star cut from pieces of felt in appropriate colors. The signet was a framed picture and rested upon an easel. The Conductress pointed out the emblematic colors as the Worthy Patron gave his discourse. The Altar was very small and was not illuminated.

After some months of all work and no play the Chapter voted to give a social evening to entertain the Masons. The Worthy Matron appointed a committee including every lady who was a member. (so say the minutes) The social was held on June 1st, 1903 and there was a splendid crowd and a good time.

It seems that until June 13, 1903, the Chapter had no by-laws. On Motion, the Worthy Matron appointed a committee to draft a code of by-laws. Under Dispensation there could be no election of officers, so if an office was vacated the Worthy Matron filled it by appointment.

There were no automobiles and very few telephones among the membership at this early time but there were horses and bullies and we must not forget the humble bicycle. Many times the members took their reins or their bicycles in hand and drove or pedaled about to solicit food for banquets. A sewing circle was organized for the purpose of earning funds and to stimulate a friendly and social feeling among the members. This was the foundation for the Social Circle of today.

Then the Charter was taken from Ramona Chapter, all members automatically became members of the Grand Chapter. On August 10th of this first year, twenty former members of Ramona Chapter petitioned the Grand Chapter to recommend them for membership in Centennial. These were referred to the various committees and were elected to membership at the next regular meeting, August 24, 1903. From March 23rd to August 10th, or the first five months of this first year, thirty-two members were initiated.

On September 23, 1903, when Grand Chapter convened in Denver, the Worthy Matron, Worthy Patron and Associate Matron with a number of other members of the Chapter were in attendance to apply for a Charter. It was a very interesting session and when the Jurisprudence Committee reported, the Chairman recommended that while the books and records of the Chapter were in good condition and it had complied with all requirements, it should be continued for another year Under Dispensation. Imagine the disappointment of the members when this decision was made known to them. It discussed pro and con in the meeting on September 28th. But there was nothing to do but go to work and work harder than before so that when the request was again made for the charter it could not be refused.

At a regular meeting on October 13th, Sister Eliza Cohen, Grand Secretary and Sister Mary Barry, Past Worthy Grand Matron of Colorado, visited Centennial Chapter. Sister Cohen in a talk offered the use of the Paraphernalia from a defunct Denver Chapter. This was largely robes. They were in colors and the robe of the Worthy Matron was in royal purple, trimmed with bold braid. Sister Barry gave the Chapter an interesting talk and much good advise and ended by offering her services for the Floral Addenda work. This entertainment was made up of drills, marches and various formations. Sister Barry came to Colorado Springs later and worked faithfully preparing for the occasion, which was presented on December 15th. Invitations were sent to Chapters at Colorado City, Manitou, Goldfield, Victor and Cripple Creek. The latter part of the evening was spent in dancing and refreshments were served. Music was furnished for the dancing by William Peyser’s orchestra. Admission was twenty-five cents each and the receipts for the evening were
$97.50. At the next regular meeting Sister Berry was given a silver candelabra, the presentation being made by the Worthy Patron, Brother Hufferd.

On December 28th, 1903, resolutions were offered that the meetings of the Chapter be changed from the first and third Mondays of each month to the first and third Wednesdays. These resolutions were adopted and have remained in force ever since.

When March again rolled round Centennial Chapter was one year old. After the business of the evening had been taken care of an announcement was made that there was something good to eat. An excellent banquet was served with a birthday cake topped with one candle providing the chief decoration. The cake was large enough to give every one present a piece.

The members of El Paso and Tejon Lodges, A. F. & A. M., were invited to join Centennial Chapter for a picnic at Stratton Park. August 31^st, in celebration of Robert Morris Day.

About this time, a report came to the Worthy Matron that a visiting Sister living in Stratton Part had a tuberculous Son who was in critical condition. This Sister was in need of financial aid and after conferring with her Chapter in Iowa and consulting with the other two Chapters in the region, it was deemed best to take up an offering at the Robert Morris Picnic to help this good Sister and her Son. It was well this was done for in a short time the Son passed away. Centennial Chapter with the aid of the other two Chapters then took charge of arrangements and with some help from the
Sister’s home Chapter the body was sent back to Iowa for burial. With the lack of funds there was always a way to carry out the obligation and traditions of our Beautiful Order.

The next event of moment was the meeting of Grand Chapter in Denver, September 23 and 24, 1904. Since this was a gala occasion for Centennial, it might be well to include the minutes of the stated meeting following Grand Chapter. (copy)

“Centennial Chapter, O. E. S., met in stated session with all officers present except the Associate Matron and the Sentinel, and was called to order by the Worthy Matron, Sister Brown.

Having been granted a Charter at the session of Grand Chapter in Denver, September 24^th. The Right Worthy Grand Matron, Sister Hoffman being present for the purpose of Constituting the Chapter and Installing its officers, with the assistance of Worthy Grand Patron Brother McCoach; Ister Potter a Past Grand Matron of Glen Eyrie as Grand Marshall, Sister Eliza Cohen as Grand Secretary; Sister Reddibaugh as Grand Warder and Sister Godfrey as Grand Organist. The Chapter was duly Constituted under the name of Centennial Chapter, No. 58 and the following officers installed:

After installation remarks were made by Grand Officers and others. A vocal solo was given by Mrs. Gough and a drama, “Ruth and Naomi” was presented by Sisters Mathews and Wilbur of Glen Eyrie Chapter, all of which were very fine. No further business appearing the Chapter closed in regular form.”

There were sixty members who signed the Charter and the names may be found thereon as follows:

N. Walter Northway	Roxie Brown	Emily Barnes
A. G. Cessford	Sue Denny	Lucie Carson
G. M. Edmondson	Louisa Frost	Edward P. Hufferd
Allen M. Holden	Amy V. Henry	Mabel Hunt
Alice H. Hartz	Thomas Reece Jones	Frank M. Keith
Orad A Kippe	Harry J. Newton	Philip Noha
George Peyser	Effie Perry	Frank Rickey
S. H. Rodney	Sarah Buchman	Charles B. Briggs
Mamie Cessford	Caroline Clancy	Edward J. Denny
Edward W. Frost	Robert D. Graham	Maud E Hufferd
D. D. Hunt	Milton P. Hartz	Ima I. Hartz
Sarah Coslow Jones	Jennie M. Keith	May J. Lonergan
Carrie Newton	Nile Noha	Cemantha F. Page
Melvina Peyser	Ida M. Rice	Lillian Rickey
Nelie Nickerson	Martha Shields	Elizabeth Weare
Laurent S. Snell	Thomas Sheideler	Charles H. Wyman
Amelia Weichman	W. V. Weare	Robert Swarz
Ella E. Skinner	Maude H. Slaght	Rose Taylor
Marry A Wyman	Henry Weichman	Florence Holden

On December 7th there was election of officers and on December 28th at a special session these officers were installed for the year 1905

Today the old Opera House has passed away and is no more. But the years have only added to the grace, charm and staunch loyalty of those who wrote history for Centennial Chapter in the small, inadequate quarters of the old Opera House. Like the new and modern building that now replaces the old, the new and more modern Centennial Chapter has known many changes and now has its home in the beautiful Masonic Temple erected in 1908.

Just as the new and larger Ferguson building rests upon the same plot of ground as the old Opera House, So our beloved Chapter is still firmly anchored to the same solid foundation of Charity, Truth, and Loving kindness. May her members all be fired with zeal to ever keep her steadfast and true in every time of storm or stress.

Material gathered by: Roxie Brown Wiley

Written by: Anna S. Caldwell

At the request of the Worthy Matron: Annabelle Sims

_{^{Transcription of History of Centennial Chapter Number 58, Order of Eastern Star circa 1903 to 1905 prepared by J. F. Kramer WP 1996-97. November 6, 1994 and revised June 1, 1997}}