Do You Know This Man?? - beacon190.caDo You Know This Man 1 District News 2 From The Past Paper presented by Bro. Innes 1984 5 Grand Lodge Article 1939 11 Bro. Inne’s Pictures 12

Do You Know This Man 1

District News 2

From The Past Paper presented by Bro. Innes 1984

5

Grand Lodge Article 1939 11

Bro. Inne’s Pictures 12

Masonry Down North 13

St Roch 15

Book Reviews 16

Letters 18

Upcoming District Events 20

Editor’s Page 21

District Lodge Meetings 22

Inside This Issue

January 2008

Do You Know This Man?? • He was a Canadian • He was a member of the R.C.M.P. • He was a Ship’s Captain • He was an Explore • His ship was the 2nd to navigate the

Northwest passage and the 1st to go both ways

• His ship made the 1st voage around the North American continent.

• He is a Mason • He was the Sr. Deacon at the 1st.

Masonic Lodge meeting held north of the Artic Circle, August 30, 1938

He is Henry A Larsen, officer in charge

of the R.C.M.P. schooner “St Roch”

Editorial; The theme for this newsletter is based on a paper pro-vided by WBro. Jim Innes, secre-tary of Beacon #190. It is a paper originally presented to the Breth-ren of Yellowknife Lodge #162 back in 1984. At the time Bro. In-nes was a member of White Horse Lodge #46. As many of our Alberta Lodges celebrate their 100th anniversaries, it is important to remember and

(Continued on page 21)

The Beacon - Central District Masonic Newsletter January 2008 page 2

Correction: Last newsletter I included an article on the “Nomination for the Board Of General Purposes”. It seems I am a couple of years behind he times. Members of the Board Of General Purposes are nolonger elected from the District Meetings. - hey are appointed by Grand Lodge. My error and apologies for mislead-ing the Brethren….The Editor

Congratulations to W Bro. Len Clarke on being elected to D.D.G..M. for Central District for the 2008/09 Ma-sonic year. Bro. Clarke will be in-stalled at the Grand Lodge Communi-cation in June 2008.

Our thanks to WBro. Randall Robin-

son for running for the position of

DDGM. Hopefully he will run again

next year. As you can see from the

photo he is still enjoying his life as

a world traveler. He just forwarded

Christmas greetings from Shabwa

Block 10 Kahrir Yemen .

For the computer enthusiasts, try finding that on Google Earth….


A Member of a certain Lodge, who previously attended meetings regularly, stopped going. After a few months, the Worshipful Master decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening, and the Worshipful Master found his brother at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guess-ing the reason for the Worshipful Master’s visit, the brother welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The Worshipful Master made himself com-fortable, but said nothing. In the grave silence, they contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After several minutes, the Worshipful Master took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth, all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. His host watched all of this in quiet contem-plation. As the one, lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow, and its fire was no more. Soon, it was cold and dead. Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The Worshipful Master glanced at his watch and chose this time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember, and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately, it began to glow once more, with all the light and warmth of the burning coals around it. As the Worshipful Master reached the door to leave, his host said, with a tear running down his cheek, “Thank you so much for your fiery summons, my brother. I’ll be back in our Lodge next meeting.” Author: Anonymous

This story was forwarded from Apollo Lodge #27, at the request of the DDGM. It originated on the internet and is a good reminder not to forget Brethren who have drifted away from the Lodge


Mountain View # at their No-vember 2007 meeting saw RW. Bro. Brian Shimmons presenting Bro. Code Rouke with his newly earned Master Mason’s Apron and Certificate. Pictures left to right; RW Bro Russ Phillips, Worshipful Master, W Bro Hugh Robinson, mentor, Bro Cody Rourke, who proved up in the MM Degree, and RW Bro Brian Shimmons, Sr Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Alberta,. Picture courtesy of Bro. Douglas Godberson of Symbol Lodge.

Bro Rod Day was raised to the sublime degree of a

Master Mason

December 3, 2007.

Pictured are L to R, Rw Bro John Alexander, DDGM of Central District, Rod Day, newly raised Master Mason, and RW Bro Rus-sell Phillips, Worshipful master, Mountain View Lodge # 16.


THEFOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF AN ADDRESS TO THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER AND BRETH-REN OF YELLOWKNIFE LODGE NO. 162 YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, ON MARCH 5TH 1984, by:

BROTHER JIM INNES WHITEHORSE LODGE. NO. 46

WHITEHORSE, YUKON TERRITORY

WORSHIPFUL MASTER, WITH YOUR KIND PERMISSION AND THAT OF ALL BRETHREN, I WOULD LIKE TO READ AN ADDRESS WHICH I HAD PREPARED FOR PRESENTATION TO MOST

WORSHIPFUL BROTHER GORDON D. THOMPSON, GRAND MASTER, GRAND LODGE OF AL-BERTA WHO, DUE TO ILLNESS, IS NOT ABLE TO BE WITH US THIS EVENING.

SIR: I EXTEND GREETINGS FROM WHITEHORSE LODGE NO. 46, WHITEHORSE, YUKON TERRITORY. TO PLACE MY FOLLOWING REMARKS IN PERSPECTIVE, IT IS NECESSARY TO INTRODUCE MYSELF FOR THE BENEFIT OF THOSE TO WHOM I AM NOT KNOM. I AM BROTHER JIM INNES AND I AM A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE, PRESENTLY RESIDING AT YELLOWKNIFE. THE FIRST MASONIC LODGE MEETING NORTH OF THE ARCTIC CIRCLE WAS CONDUCTED BY IVANHOE LODGE NO. 142, EDMONTON, ALBERTA, AND WAS HELD ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1938, AT COPPERMINE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, WHICH AT THAT TIME WAS ALSO KNOWN AS FORT HEARNE. THAT MEETING WAS RECORDED IN THE JANAURY 1939 BULLETIN OF THE GRAND LODGE OF ALBERTA. ON SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 1940, A GRANITE MONUMENT WAS ERECTED AT COPPERMINE BY BRETHREN OF IVANHOE LODGE TO COMMEMORATE THE EVENT OF AUGUST 30, 1938. IN THE CAVITY OF THAT MONUMENT, A PHOTOGRAPH OF WHICH HANGS WITHIN THIS LODGE, WAS PLACED A BRASS CYLINDER CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF THE MEETING, TOGETHER WITH BIOGRAPHIES OF THOSE WHO TOOK PART. THE SEPTEMBER 1940 BULLETIN OF THE GRAND LODGE OF ALBERTA AGAIN REPORTED THE MEETING AND PUBLISHED THE TEXT OF THE DOCUMENT IN THE CYLINDER. TWO MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE WERE PARTICIPANTS IN THAT HISTORIC MEETING. THEN SERGEANT HENRY A. LARSEN, MT. NEWTON LODGE NO. 89, SAANICH, B.C., AND JOHN D. NICHOLSON, UNITY LODGE NO. 51, EDMONTON, ALBERTA. IT IS NECESSARY AT THIS POINT TO DIGRESS MOMENTARILY FROM THIS SUBJECT.



MANY BRETHREN ARE UNDOUBTEDLY FAMILIAR WITH THE HISTORIC VOYAGES OF THE RCMP SCHOONER "ST. ROCH" THE FIRST SHIP TO CIRCUMNAVIGATE THE NORTH AMERICAN CONTINENT, AND HER CAPTAIN, THE LATE RCMP SUPT. HENRY A. LARSEN (RTD.). NUMEROUS VOYAGES WERE MADE BY THE "ST. ROCH" BETWEEN 1928 WHEN SHE WAS LAUNCHED IN VANCOUVER AND 1958 WHEN SHE WAS BEACHED, ALSO IN VANCOUVER, IN PREPARATION FOR HER FINAL ROLE AS A CENTRAL ATTRACTION AT THE MARINE MUSEUM IN THAT CITY. ONE OF HER MANY VOYAGES COMMENCED AT VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, ON JUNE 23RD, 1940, AND TERMINATED AT HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, ON OCTOBER 11TH, 1942. DURING THAT VOYAGE, WHICH SAW HER SPEND TWO WINTERS LOCKED IN HIGH ARCTIC WATERS, A MEMBER OF THE CREW, CST. A.J. CHARTRAND, DIED IN FEBRUARY 1942 AND WAS BURIED AT PAISLEY BAY, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. A FIFTEEN-FOOT HIGH STONE CAIRN WAS ERECTED BY HIS CREWMATES TO MARK HIS RESTING PLACE. AS IS THE CASE OF ALL ISOLATED GRAVE SITES OF FORMER MEMBERS OF THE NORTHWEST MOUNTED POLICE, ROYAL NORTHWEST MOUNTED POLICE, AND ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE, CST. CHARTRAND'S GRAVE SITE HAS BEEN ANNUALLY AND, WITH ONE EXCEPTION, ROUTINELY INSPECTED AND MAINTAINED. THE INSPECTION WITH A DIFFERENCE OCCURRED ON JULY 10TH, 1983, AT WHICH TIME CPL. W.M. (WAYNE) BODIE AND CST. W.A. (WAYNE) LOWREY OF SPENCE BAY DETACHMENT PA-TROLLED TO PAISLEY BAY. DURING MAINTENANCE OF THE GRAVE, CST. LOWREY'S ATTEN-TION WAS ATTRACTED TO THE TOPMOST PORTION OF THE CAIRN WHERE THE SUN HAD RE-FLECTED OFF WHAT WAS BELIEVED TO BE A PIECE OF GLASS. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE GLASS TO BE A SEALED "ENOS FRUIT SALT" BOTTLE WHICH, WHEN OPENED, WAS FOUND TO CONTAIN A NUMBER OF DOCUMENTS APPARENTLY PLACED THERE BY THE LATE SUPT. LARSEN IN 1942. AMONG THOSE DOCUMENTS WAS A COPY OF THE PREVIOUSLY REFERRED TO SEPTEMBER 1940 BULLETIN OF GRAND LODGE OF ALBERTA, UPON THE FRONT PAGE OF WHICH WERE BELIEVED TO BE PERSONAL WRITINGS OF LARSEN.

(Continued from page 5)



THOSE WRITINGS WERE AS FOLLOWS:

PLACED IN THIS CAIRN BY SGT. HENRY A. LARSEN R.C.M.P. IN CHARGE OF R.C.M.P. SCHOONER "ST. ROCH".

PAISLEY BAY BOOTHIA PEN. N.W.T., NEAR THE MAGNETIC POLE. LAT. 70 0 40' N. LONG. 96 0 32'W.

JULY 18TH 1942.

R.C.M. POLICE SCHOONER "ST. ROCH" WAS FORCED INTO THIS BAY AND FROZE IN FOR THE WINTER SEPTEMBER 10TH 1941. MAY THE WORLD SOON ARISE FROM DARKNESS AND AGAIN LET FREE MEN RECEIVE THE GREAT LIGHTS OF FREEDOM.

GOD BLESS OUR KING AND COUNTRY.

ALSO ENCLOSED WAS A PHOTOGRAPH OF MT. NEWTON LODGE WITH WHAT WERE AGAIN BELIEVED TO BE PERSONAL WRITINGS OF LARSEN ON THE FRONT AND BACK. ON THE FRONT WAS WRITTEN:

MY MOTHER LODGE

ON THE BACK WAS WRITTEN: TO ALL BRETHREN. MOUNT NEWTON LODGE! GREETINGS FROM BROTHER HENRY A. LARSEN. SGT. R.C.M. POLICE "ST. ROCH". WINTERING AT PAISLEY BAY BOOTHIA PENINSULA N.W.T. NEAR THE MAGNETIC POLE WHILST ATTEMPTING TO MAKE THE N.W. PASSAGE FROM WEST TO EAST. FROZE IN SEPT. 3RD, 1941. HOPE TO LEAVE AGAIN JUST PAST AUG 1942. THE ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE RECEIVED AUTHORI-ZATION FROM DR. EDWIN WELCH, DIRECTOR, PRINCE OF WALES NORTHERN HERITAGE CENTRE AT YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, TO AUTHENTICATE THESE DOCUMENTS, ALL OF WHICH WERE TO BE RETURNED TO DR. WELCH.



THAT AUTHENTICATION HAS BEEN FINALIZED AND THERE NOW APPEARS TO BE NO DOUBT ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS HAD BEEN PLACED IN THE BOTTLE AND THE CAIRN BY SUPT. LAR-SEN AND HIS CREW IN 1942. ALL DOCUMENTS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN RETURNED TO DR. WELCH AT YELLOWKNIFE. IT IS UNDERSTOOD COPIES OF ALL DOCUMENTS ARE ALSO TO BE MADE AVAILABLE BY DR. WELCH TO THE DOMINION ARCHIVIST, PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CANADA, TO ENABLE THEM TO BE ADDED TO THE H.A. LARSEN PAPERS IN HIS POSSESSION. WORSHIPFUL MASTER, ON BEHALF OF THE COMMISSIONER OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE, I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT TO YOU AND THROUGH YOU, TO THE GRAND LODGE OF ALBERTA,, AND ALSO TO YELLOWKNIFE LODGE NIO. 162, COPIES OF THE DOCU-MENTS TO WHICH I HAVE REFERRED.

1st page of Grand Lodge Bulletin found in Cairn. To see the full original Bulletin visit the Newsletter web page. www.mastermason.com/Beacon190/newsletter


Mt Newton Lodge Hall as it looks today. Sidney #143 & Mt Newton #89 amalgamated as Sannich Peninsula #89 in Nov. 2004

Larsen & Chartrand, fishing to feed dogs

Chartrand & Dog on Hershel Island

Larsen Chartrand & Others at Herschel Island

The following pictures were not part of the above report, but were obtained via the internet and other sources.


Pictures from the documentary film of the Voyage of the St Roch

as depicted by The National Film Board


MASONRY IN THE FAR NORTH

By C. E. GARNETT, P.M. ~

THE spread of Masonry throughout, the World by means of Traveling Lodges and Military Lodges at-tached to the British Regiments forms one of the most interesting chapters in the history of our ancient frater-nity. We have just celebrated the 200th Anniversary of the founding of Masonry in Canada at Halifax, which led to the establishment of the Order throughout Canada. Practically coincidental with the Bicentennial, another interesting event, which pushed the frontiers of Masonry one thousand miles North, took place August 30th, 1938, when Ivanhoe Lodge No. 142, G.R.A., of Edmonton, Al-berta, held an emergent meeting for the purpose of initiat-ing a candidate. The ceremony, authorized by Dispensa-tion of the Grand Master of Alberta, Most Worshipful Brother Archibald West, was conducted at the Anglican Mission at the extreme east end of the settlement. The small wood frame hall devoted to Church Services and Meetings and used, incidentally, as a Post Office, was utilized as a Lodge Room, the windows being covered with blankets and the lighting being fairly efficiently done by Coleman Gasoline Lamps suspended from nails in the ceiling. The Mission kitchen was used as prepara-tion room. The furniture of the Lodge consisted of kitchen chairs and grocery boxes. The dispensation from Grand Lodge named Wor-shipful Brother C. E. Garnett, Past Master of Ivanhoe Lodge, as Acting Worshipful Master and the expedition left Edmonton by aeroplane on August 25th, 1938, gath-ering some of the Brethren en route and arriving on the Arctic Coast towards the end of the month. In addition to the Brethren originally scheduled to take part in the ceremony, a number of Masons who were in the Territory for various purposes were invited to participate, with the result that nine members in good standing assembled on August 30th to attend the first Ma-sonic Lodge Meeting ever held in the Canadian Arctic regions. The candidate was Emil John Walli, General Superintendent of the Eldorado Gold Mines Ltd of Labine Point, Great Bear Lake, (about thirty miles south of the Arctic Circle, where radium is produced in the form of pitchblende), who has been a continuous resident of that camp for the past five years and who, in-cidentally, is the only man occupying such a position in the English speaking world. Bro. Walli, the son of a Finnish family originat-ing within the Arctic Circle, was born in Sudbury, Ont., and educated at Queens University, Kingston, Ont. and by reason of origin and residence eminently qualified to

become the first, initiate in such a unique setting. Coppermine, or as the Hudson’s Bay Company call? it,, Fort Hearne, is located at, the mouth of the Coppermine River on Coronation Gulf and is about, 1,200 miles directly North of Edmonton and, being actually on the Arctic Ocean and about 150 miles North of the Arctic Circle, formed an ideal location for the cere-mony, particularly as the visit, of the Brethren coincided with the arrival of the R.C.M.P. Patrol Ship St. Roeh and the annual visit of the. Hudson’s Bay Company supply ship Ft. Ross with a consequent influx to the settlement of a larger number of Eskimos than usual. The following were the Acting Officers who took part in the ceremony: Worshipful Master-W. Bro. C. E. Garnett, P.M., Ivanhoe Lodge No. 142, Edmonton. Senior Warden-Bro. A. K. Muir, Burford Lodge No. 206, G.R.C., Brantford, Out. Junior Warden-Bro. C. R. Harrison, Marquis of Tichfield Lodge No. 3350, Nottingham, Eng. Senior Deacon-Bro. Henry Larsen, Mt. Newton Lodge No. 89: Saanich, B.C. Junior Deacon-Bro. (Capt.) W. R. May, Unity Lodge No. 51, Edmonton.

Editor’s note: Article copied from the Grand Lodge Bul-letin, January 1939; Vol. 4 No. 5


I have heard of pull starting a lawn mower or an out board engine, but Jim tells me that in this picture they are pull start-ing an airplane, after the plane’s battery died.

Bro. Innes flanked by fellow officers Hershel Island NWT

One purpose of the Hershel Post was to raise and train sled dogs - before the days of snowmobiles. To raise dogs you have to provide them with food. Arctic Char was the main staple - a very expensive deli-cacy on our tables in the South. Jim tells us they had up to 56 dogs on site.

Jim & Friend examining what is probably the full arsenal of weapons in the North.


MASONRY DOWN NORTH

In these columns for January, 1939, was reported an interesting Masonic gathering, the first Masonic Lodge held north of the Arctic Circle on August 30th, 1938. That meeting has been permanently recorded by the erection of a monument at Coppermine. The monu-ment consists of a three foot granite pillar, weighing 445 lbs., supplied by the Alberta Granite, Marble and Stone Company, and bears a copper plaque with the following inscription: HERE THE FIRST REGULAR MASONIC LODGE WAS HELD North of the Arctic Circle, August 30, 1938, By IVANHOE LODGE No. 142 of Edmonton, Alta. E. J. Walli of Eldorado Mines was initiated by Special Dis-pensation of Grand Lodge of Alberta. Chas. E. Garnett, M.E.I.C……………... Wor. Master A. K. Muir, M.Sc.. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .Senior Warden C. R. Harrison, D.S.O., M.C., D.F.C… . Junior Warden J. B. Tyrrell, LL. D.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...Chaplain H. Larsen, R.C.M.P.. . . . . . . . . . . . ….. .Senior Deacon W. R. (Wop) May, O.B.E., D.F.C., ….. .Junior Deacon A. Copland, H.B.C.. ............…………. .Junior Steward J. W. Nichols, H.B.C.. ............…..…... .Secretary J. D. Nicholson, R.C.M.P.. ............…... .Tyler

Lat. 6P48‘ Long. W 115“15‘ In a cavity in the pillar was deposited a brass cylinder containing the story of the meeting and of those who took part and the memoranda regarding the monu-ment itself. Since much interest was evinced in the report of the meeting itself, we are glad to publish the data con-tained in the brass cylinder, which information was

kindly supplied by Wor. Bro. C. E. Garnett, who acted as Worshipful Master at the original meeting.

--Editor.

THE DOCUMENT IN THE CYLINDER

June 22, 1940 This monument was erected in 1940 by Ivanhoe Masonic Lodge No. 142 of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and by the officers who took part in the initiation ceremony de-scribed on this monument and in the minutes, which were placed In this cylinder with this document. The monument, consisting of a pillar of granite, was carved in Edmonton, Alberta, and transported to Wa-terways, Alberta, by the Northern Alberta Railway and from there to Great Bear Lake by Diesel powered boat by the Northern Transportation Company. From Port Ra-

dium, on Great Bear Lake it was flown by aeroplane to its, final resting place at Coppermine, by the Canadian Airways Limited, and erected adjacent to the Anglican Church Mission Building. Coppermine, also known as Ft. Hearne, at the time of the ceremony was a trading post consisting of the following wood frame buildings: Mounted Police Barracks. Wireless Station operated by the Department of

Hudson’s Bay Company Trading Post. Roman Catholic Mission Buildings. Anglican Church Mission Building.

The following is a brief history of those who took part in the ceremony: Allan Kenneth Muir, B.Sc., M.Sc., who acted as Senior Warden, was born in Burford, Ontario, and graduated from McGill University in Mining Engineer-ing. At the time of the ceremony he was Manager of the Camlaren Gold Mines Ltd., Gordon Lake, about fifty miles east of Great Slave Lake. He had a distin-guished career as a Mining Executive and was a member of the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy of London, Eng-land. He was a member of Burford Lodge No. 206, Bur-ford, Ontario, Canada.

Squadron Commander C. R. F. Harrison, D.S.O., M.C., D.F.C., Croix de Guerre, who acted as Junior

Warden, was a member of the Marquis of Tichfield Lodge No. 3350, Nottingham, England. At the time of the ceremony he was acting as Accountant at the Camlaren Mines Ltd., Gordon Lake. In the World War of 1914-18

he was an Officer of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Air Force, and received the decorations which ap-pear against his name. He continued in the Royal Air

Force until 1926 when he was retired to civil life with the rank of Squadron Commander. At the outbreak of War on September 3, 1939, he returned to England and became Captain in the British Tank Corps. J. B. Tyrrell, LL.D., M.A., was born November 1, 1858,

at Weston, Ont. Educated at Weston High School and Upper Canada College, Toronto University (B.A. 1887,

M.A. 1889) and Victoria University (B.Sc. 1889). He served with the Canadian Geological Survey for a num-ber of years and carried out geological surveys through-out the North West Territories. In 1892 he crossed the Barren Lands From Lake Athabasca to Chesterfield Inlet, a distance of 3,200 miles, 1,650 miles of which was previ-ously unexplored. He traveled to the North East of

Great Bear Lake, Reindeer Lake, and across to Hudson’s Bay in 1894. In 1898 he was practicing as a Mining Engi-neer in Dawson City. He was the author of many works of travel and exploration. At the time of the ceremony he was President and Managing Director of the Kirkland


Editor’s note: Article copied from the Grand Lodge Bul-letin, September 1940; Vol. 6 No. 1. See a picture of the cairn on page 11 of this newsletter


Lake Gold Mines, President of the Northern Canada Min-ing Corp., a Director of Gold Dale Mines Ltd. He was a Fellow of the Geological Society of London, a Fellow of the Geographical Society and the Royal Society of Canada, a Member of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the Association of Profes-sional Engineers of Ontario. He was a member of Uni-versity Lodge No. 496 of Toronto and at the ceremony acted as Chaplain. Sergeant Henry Larsen, who acted as Senior Deacon, was in command of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police supply ship, St. Roch, which makes an annual voyage from Vancouver to the posts in the Western Arctic, with supplies for the Mounted Police posts. Sgt. Larsen was a

member of the Mount Newton Lodge 89, Saanich, B.C. Captain Wilfred Reid May, O.B.E., D.F.C., who acted as Junior Deacon, generally known as “Wop” May. He was Superintendent of the Mackenzie District for the Ca-

nadian Airways Limited and was one of the pioneers of aviation in Western Canada and the North West Territo-ries. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for

his services in the first World War and the Order of the British Empire for his contribution to civil aviation ,in the development of flying in the North West Territories. He won the McKee Trophy for the most outstanding contri-bution to civil aviation in Canada in 1929. A member of Unity Lodge No. 51, Edmonton, Alberta, he was also a member of the Scottish Rite and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. John William Nichols was Secretary of the meeting. He was born in St. Johns, Newfoundland, and served with the Hudson’s Bay Company for twenty-seven years. At the time of the ceremony he was Manager of the Hud-son’s Bay Post at Coppermine and previously had been in charge of posts at Wolstenholm, Ponds Inlet and other posts in the St. Lawrence Ungava District, for the Hud-son’s Bay Go. He was a member of Avalon Lodge No. 776, Newfoundland. Alfred Copland, who acted $8 Junior Steward, at the time of the ceremony was District Manager for the Hudson’s Bay Company, Western Arctic District, his headquarters in the summer being in Tuktuk, East of the mouth of the Mackenzie River and, in winter, at Edmonton, Alberta. A native of Peterhead, Scotland, he had been in the Hud-son’s Bay Company employ for over twenty years and formerly was Inspector for this Company in the Eastern Arctic Regions. A member of St. James Lodge No. 256 of Peterhead, Scotland. John D. Nicholson, who acted as Inner Guard, was born in 1864 and joined the Royal North West Mounted Police (later changed to Royal Canadian Mounted Police) in 1885 and became Staff Sergeant Major and Chief Detec-

(Continued from page 13) tive for the Alberta Division. On the formation of the Alberta Provincial Police he became Assistant Commis-sioner of that body and continued in that position until the Royal Canadian Mounted Police again took over the policing of the Province. On the outbreak of the War in 1939 he again joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He belonged to Unity Lodge No. 51, Edmonton. Charles E. Garnett, born April 21, 1887, in ManChester, England, who acted as Worshipful Master, was a Past Master of Ivanhoe Lodge No. 142, of Edmonton, Alberta; President of Gorman’s Limited (Mining and Industrial Machinery merchants in Edmonton, Alberta.) He gradu-ated in Electrical Engineering from the Manchester Col-lege of Technology and was a Past President of the Asso-ciation of Professional Engineers of Alberta, member of the Engineering Institute of Canada and member of the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Emil John Walli, who was initiated at this meeting, was a native of Sudbury, Ontario, his parents having emi-grated to Canada from Finland. He graduated in Mining Engineering from Queen‘s University, Kingston, Ontario, and at the time of the ceremony was Manager of the El-dorado Gold Mines Limited, Port Radium, Great Bear Lake. The Eldorado Gold Mines Ltd. mined silver and pitchblende from which radium, uranium and other de-rivatives were produced at their Port Hope, Ontario, Re-finery. He resigned from that position in 1939 and be-came Manager of the Macalder Mines Ltd., Kisumu, Kenya Colony, British East Africa. The aeroplane used to transport the party from Edmonton to Coppermine was a Noordyne Norseman monoplane, on pontoons, seating eight passengers and two crew, powered by a single 550 h.p. Pratt & Whitney H Wasp gasoline, 9 cylinder, radial air cooled motor with fixed pitch, two blade, aluminum alloy propeller. The co-pilot was Rudolph Heuss. The aircraft speed on floats cruised approximately 125 miles per hour with approxi-mate payload of 1,600 Ib. with full tanks. It was 2-way radio equipped. This was the standard commercial type used in 1938. With this document there was deposited in the tube inside the monument a copy of the front page of the Edmonton Journal, a copy of the notice of Ivanhoe Lodge authorizing the meeting, upon which the signatures of most of the members were inscribed, and a copy of the Minutes of the meeting.

Editor’s note; The full version of the 1939 and 1940 Grand Lodge bulletins are available via a link on the News Letter web page. Have a look and see what it cost to publish the Bulletin back in those days.

http://mastermason.com/Beacon190/newsletter.htm


The Force in the North

http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Force/en/adventures/adventures/roch/

RCMP detachments along the arctic coast needed annual supplies and provisions. In the early 20th century, no other effective method was available to deliver those supplies other than by ship. The St. Roch was built in 1928 for that purpose. The St. Roch served from 1928 to 1948 along the coast and the Yukon River, acting as a beacon of Canadian sovereignty in addition to her practical supplying and policing duties, including patrol-ling the countryside using the dog teams she carried aboard.

The ship was commanded by Sergeant Henry Larson who joined the Mounted Police explicitly for that oppor-tunity. In June of 1940, the St. Roch set out to navigate the Northwest Passage from West to East. She was only the second ship to traverse the Northwest Passage (the Gjoa, captained by Roald Amundsen was first).

During the first navigation of the St. Roch, between 1940 and 1942, she sheltered in Pasley Bay in the winter of 1941. Here, Constable Albert Chartrand died suddenly from a heart attack. Captain Larsen and Corporal Hunt traveled 800 miles by dogsled to find a Roman Catholic priest to deliver a service for him.

In 1944, when the St. Roch completed the trip from East to West, she became the first ship to have traveled in both directions. Her second voyage would be faster. It took a mere 86 days, from July to October, 1944, via the more northern route through Lancaster Sound.

In the winter of 1947-48, she stayed in the protected harbour at Herschel lsland. This detachment had been closed in 1933 with the end of whaling but was re-opened.

Class: Auxiliary Police Schooner Launched: May 7, 1928

At: Burrard Shipbuilding & Drydock Company, North Vancouver, B.C.

Length: 104 feet, 3 inches Beam: 24 feet, 9 inches Depth of Hold: 11 feet Draft: 12 feet, 6 inches Displacement: 323 tons

Rig: Originally schooner, now ketch

The RCMP St. Roch is on display at the Vancouver Maritime Museum.

http://www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com

http://www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com/page216.htm


MORALS & DOGMA that is EASY to read! Morals and Dogma for the 21st Century is a modern interpre-tation of Albert Pike’s Greatest Work. We have taken the entire original book and translated it into modern English, streamlined the ideas, organized the flow of thoughts, updated many of the historical examples, and clarified many of the points that are eas-ily misread. Now is your chance to rediscover the single most important book in Freemasonry presented in a new, easy-to-read format. For the first time ever, Morals and Dogma for the 21st Century brings every Mason the opportunity to expand his understanding of the

craft, its values, and his brother Masons. It will serve to deepen the commitment each Mason has to his broth-ers and, more importantly, reaffirm the values that bind them together. Once again, this book demonstrates the timeless nature of the lessons of Freemasonry. These lessons need to be repeated to every generation again, and again, and again, because they are so vital to our everyday lives. They are as relevant today as they were 136 years ago. This treasure chest of morality, charity, and Masonic education has been opened, its content has been restored, and it is now offered to you. Masonic conversations may once again dive deeply into the philosophy and teachings of this book, making a greater understanding possible for everyone. It is with an absolute reverence for Albert Pike and the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite that we have en-deavored to make Morals and Dogma more approachable and accessible to the modern reader. In no way do we intend to displace (or replace) his work from its exalted position, so rightly and fully deserved. Rather, we hope to inspire our audience to read Morals and Dogma in its entirety and in the original language. This work is our gift to the Greatest Fraternity in the history of man.


Book Review: Solomon's Builders

Freemasons, Founding Fathers and the Secrets of Washington DC By Christopher Hodapp Sometimes online he'll refer to himself as a 'Dummy' but his "Freemasons for Dummies" book has received the acclaim that belies that moniker. With this work, Chris shows that he's not a one-trick pony either. With this book, he again takes the lead and addresses - in advance - the 'buzz' that surrounds the presumed topics of Dan Brown (DaVinci Code) in his forthcoming work of, potentially, the same title and rumored to be cen-tered around Freemasons and Washington DC.

He begins with an easy-to-understand history, reviewing how Freemasonry came to be. Never allowing himself to be swayed by theories, he nevertheless presents 'all the options' so that the reader will understand 'whence we came'. In particular, I found his simplified explana-tion of the Middle Ages to be thoughtful and well-applied. It's amazing how so many of the ba-sic things we learned in school so long ago can be given sharp focus with the pen of the right author. When I first picked up this book, I flipped through it observing the chapter titles and the way the content was laid out. It seemed jarring and oddly spastic. However, when I actually started reading, the book moved from topic to topic with a beguiling ease. When Chris would hit a topic that I'd studied and written on here, I was pleased to find additional 'tidbits' that built on what I'd found. There's no 'tip of the hat' to this site in the book so I'd like to think that 'great minds run along the same channels' or something. Regrettably, that would be a delusion on my part as Bro. Hodapp has so effortlessly proven. He is practiced in brevity with under-standing. I must also add that this is the first book about Freemasonry I've ever encountered

with the word "smackdown" in the text. It's refreshing - and it will cer-tainly appeal to a younger generation new to the fraternity as a result of its comprehensive, easy-reading style. Unlike so many of the cur-rent 'Hiram Key-style' books, this one has facts rather than the author's opinions and assumptions. In the rare cases when an opinion is of-fered, it's noted as such and explained. I didn't see one single instance where it was used (as some others have done) to build further hy-potheses.

There's only one problem with this book: it won't do what it's supposed to do! The hype that will surround a Dan Brown novel will, likely, totally overshadow the facts that Chris has presented in this excellent work. Nevertheless, all Masons should get this book and read it now. They'll find that they will be better able to talk about Freemasonry and will be ready with answers when their friends and neighbors ask about all of Washington's generals being Ma-sons. Review courtesy of Rural Lodge, MA, Newsletter http://www.rurallodge.org/2NEWS/071123_Newsletter87.pdf

Chris Hodapp at Stonehenge

This book is included in the Reviews, even though it’s point of reference American rather than Cana-dian, because Bro. Hodapp is to be the Theme Speaker at the Masonic Spring Workshop in Kananaskis this April.

http://www.masonicspringworkshop.ab.ca/


Dear Sirs: Re: Order Of The Eastern Star (O.E.S.) It would be most appreciated if you would read this letter at your next regular meeting. It has come to our attention many Masons are not fully aware of what the Order of the Eastern Star is, nor who is entitled to be-come a member. The O.E.S. is the largest fraternity in the world to which both men and women may belong. Membership is open to men who are Master Masons and their female relatives in the persons of their daughters, widows, spouses, sisters and mothers, and de-scendants of Master Masons. Like Freemasonry, a belief in a Su-preme Being is required. Its principal symbol is the inverted five-pointed star representative of the Star of Bethlehem in the East that led the wise men to the birthplace of Christ. It is upside down and is said to point down to Bethlehem. Each star point represents a different heroine of the Bible and degree of the or-der, each representing a different virtue. It is important to note that without membership by Master Ma-sons no meeting can be held. In fact the two elected positions of Associate Patron and Worthy Patron can only be occupied by Masons. Like Freemasonry we contribute to our own charities which we support as well as contributing to Masonic charities. The General Grand Chapter, O.E.S. is headquartered in Washing-ton, DC. States and Provinces constitute Grand Chapters. In Al-berta the Grand Chapter of Alberta is headquartered in Calgary. The Grand Chapter of Alberta consists of 49 chapters. Venus Chapter No. 2 located in Red Deer is the second oldest chapter in the province. Like Freemasonry our membership is getting older and while we do occasionally receive pe-titions for initiation they are infrequent. We are asking your members to consider bringing our organization to the attention of their spouses and to consider membership themselves. Should anyone require further information they may get in touch with me at 343-3086. Sincerely, Jim Innes, Worthy Patron, Venus Chapter No. 2

There are 7 OES Chapters in Central District Area Mountain View #1 (Olds) 1st Tuesday Venus #2 (Red Deer) 2nd Monday Alexandra #4 (Lacombe) 2nd Tuesday Victoria #14 (Stettler) 3rd Monday Innisfail #37 (Innisfail) 1st Thursday Battle River #47(Ponoka) 3rd Thursday Lochearn #129 (RMH) 1st Thursday

This letter was sent to the 3 Red Deer Masonic Lodges. I thought it should be of interest to all Masons in the Dis-trict and hope you would consider it, share it with your significant others and if interested contact the nearest Chapter


November, 2007 To: - All Lodges in Central District To: - DDGM Central District To: - Grand Lodge of Alberta Re: Kenilworth Lodge No. 29 Centennial Celebrations

On behalf of all members of Kenilworth Lodge, I wish to advise the Brethren of Cen-tral District of the 100th Anniversary of Kenilworth Lodge No. 29, on Saturday, May 3rd, 2008 at the Red Deer Freemason Hall, 4811 - 52nd Street, Red Deer, AB. The Reconsecration Ceremony will be conducted from 2:00PM to 4:30PM The purpose of this letter is to alert everyone to this auspicious occasion and to allow for sufficient planning by those who wish to participate with us. Further information will be forthcoming as planning progresses. The social aspect of this celebration will take place at the Black Knight Inn. A social hour will run from 5:30PM to 6:30PM. Dinner will commence at 6:30PM and will consist of table service. Entertainment is yet to be arranged. Tickets will be avail-able in advance at a cost of $40.00 per person. Negotiations are underway to arrange for a block of rooms to be set aside at the Black Knight Inn for those who intend to overnight in Red Deer. Further advice will follow. Would you be kind enough to read this letter at your next regular meeting, and en-courage your Brethren to participate with us. Fraternally, WB William (Bill) Douglas WM, Kenilworth Lodge No. 29


Red Deer #12 to host Saturday Coffee Drop-in Jan 5th, & 19th, Feb 2nd & 16th - 9 am to 11 am

Freemason Hall, 4811 - 52 Street, Red Deer

• an informal opportunity for fellowship and solve the world’s problems

• to meet Masons from other Lodges

• An opportunity for potential candidates to meet members and ask questions

• Friends and members of Concordant Bodies welcome

Cost - Free Scheduled to be a bi-weekly event - Confirm dates via contacts

Jeb Carroll (Sec) Mitch Thompson (WM) 403-357-8915

Kenilworth #29 100th Anniversary Celebration

May 3, 2008 Details and tickets to be available in the

near future

Beacon #190 - 44th Annual Burns Evening Monday January 28th 2008

Red Deer Freemason Hall 4811 - 52 Street

Address to the Haggis - RW Bro. John Alexander Cocktails 5 pm ($2.50), Dinner 6 pm ($15)

Lodge Tyles at 7:30 pm

Contact: Bro. Stalter 403-341-3646 or Bro. Cantwell 403-314-4850

Apollo #13 100th Anniversary Celebration

May 31, 2008 Details and tickets to be available in

the near future


My Father Was a Mason Picture Book created by Lochearn #151 - now available as a calendar covering the Masonic Year from July 1st 2007 to June 30th 2008. This calen-dar includes meeting dates for all craft Lodges in the District plus the AASR in Lacombe, Royal Arch in Stettler and the Red Deer Shrine Club. Cost $20.00 US - Proceeds to Masonic Charities. To purchase a calendar go to the DDGM web page and click on the orange “Lulu Buy Now” button

www.mastermason.com/Beacon190/ddgm.htm

Editor’s Comments:

• This newsletter is not an official Masonic publication

and does not express the policies or opinions of any spe-

cific Masonic Lodge, District or Grand Lodge.

So go ahead and enjoy it as my gift to you. If you have any ideas or

suggestions to improve it let me know - I will always listen, I may

not do anything about it, but I will listen. I would love to publish

some of the stories from around the District or even Alberta. Sto-

ries about individuals, Lodge happenings or histories of Lodges.

This newsletter will not be published in paper format, but feel free

to print it out and pass on to a brother.

The subscription list for this newsletter came from the CDMEL

(Central District Masonic Email List). If you would rather not

receive this Newsletter, let me know and I will remove your

name - Your name will not be removed from the CDMEL unless

you specifically request it.

W. Bro. Clark Johnston

Beacon #190

[email protected]

Are you your brother’s keeper? Several Masons in the District do not have access to computers &/or the Internet. If you know of such a Bro. And you think this newsletter is worth while, why not print off a copy to pass on. Another idea—if you would like a copy, but do not have a com-puter, ask your son or grandson to print it for you—he may get an idea of what it is you do at that secret Lodge!

A Beacon never goes anywhere

It’s just helps points the way

celebrate Alberta and Canadian Masons and to highlight their contributions to this great country. To often we feel we have to resort to American or European Masons to show how strong and worth-while our organization is. Not so. There are many Masons in Alberta and the rest of Canada which show the value of being a member of this great fraternity. The resent Grand Lodge publication, celebrating Alberta’s first 100 years, listed the top 100 Freemasons. Only 3 were Canadians and none were Alber-tans. What message does this send to the general public. We celebrate our first 100 years in Alberta by telling the world that Alberta has no Masons of in-terest? But come join us anyway! But I digress. Bro. Larsen was briefly mentioned in the above publication. He may, however, turn out to be a very important Canadian Explore and an im-portant link in the future of Canada. The continuing controversy of “Global Warming”, the possible opening up of he “Northwest Passage” - due to Global Warming and the increased interest in the utilization of natural resources in the Artic could make his historic voy-ages the basis for Canada’s northern land claims.

Henry A Larsen



District Lodge Meetings

January 2008

2nd Monday - Jan. 7th Mountain View #16

• 6 pm Happy Hour

• 6:30 pm Dinner

• 8 pm Lodge Tyles

Stated Meeting:

Thursday - Jan. 3rd** ** Note change of date

Kenilworth 29, Red Deer Regular Meeting: Research & Education Meeting

1st Wednesday - Jan. 2nd Britannia 18, Ponoka Stated Meeting: topic “The Canadian Rite: Differ-ences, Similarities, History” & “Visiting Lodges outside of Canada”, by; W Bro. Ramdin

2nd Tuesday - Jan. 8th Red Deer #12, Red Deer Stated Meeting:

2nd Tuesday - Jan. 8th Kitchener #95, Rimbey Stated Meeting:

2nd Thursday - Jan. 10th Lochearn #151, Rocky Mountain House

Stated Meeting:

3rd Thursday - Jan. 17th Innisfail #8 Stated Meeting:

3rd Thursday - Jan 17th Apollo #27 Stated Meeting:

4th Monday - Jan 28th Beacon #190, Red Deer Regular Meeting: 44th Annual Burns Dinner - see details on page XXX

4th Tuesday - Jan. 22th Eureka #10, Lacombe Stated Meeting:

February 2008

1st Monday - Feb. 4th Mountain View #16

• 6 pm Dinner

• 8 pm Lodge

Stated Meeting:

1st Tuesday - Feb. 5th Kenilworth 29, Red Deer Regular Meeting:

1st Wednesday - Feb. 6th Britannia 18, Ponoka Stated Meeting:- topic: “Masonic Music”, by RW Bro. Roy Barrett

2nd Tuesday - Feb. 12th Red Deer #12, Red Deer Stated Meeting:

2nd Tuesday - Feb. 12th Kitchener #95, Rimbey Stated Meeting:

2nd Thursday - Feb. 14th Lochearn #151, Rocky Mountain House

Stated Meeting:

3rd Thursday - Feb. 21st Innisfail #8 Stated Meeting:

3rd Thursday - Feb. 21st Apollo #27 Stated Meeting:

4th Monday - Feb. 25th Beacon #190, Red Deer Regular Meeting: 2nd Degree

4th Tuesday - Feb. 26th Eureka #10, Lacombe Stated Meeting:

Curling Bonspiel ???????



March 2008

1st Monday - March 3rd Mountain View #16

• 6 pm Happy Hour

• 6:30 pm Dinner


Stated Meeting:

1st Tuesday - March 4th Kenilworth 29, Red Deer Regular Meeting:

1st Wednesday - March 5th Britannia 18, Ponoka Stated Meeting: topic “Islam - Guest Speaker” + “TVOTSL What is it’s role in the Lodge”

2nd Tuesday - March 11th Red Deer #12, Red Deer Stated Meeting:

2nd Tuesday - March 11th Kitchener #95, Rimbey Stated Meeting:

2nd Thursday - March 13th Lochearn #151, Rocky Mountain House

Stated Meeting:

3rd Thursday - March 20th Innisfail #8 Stated Meeting:

3rd Thursday - March 20th Apollo #27 Stated Meeting:

4th Monday - March 24th Beacon #190, Red Deer Regular Meeting:

4th Tuesday - March 25th Eureka #10, Lacombe Stated Meeting:

April 2008

1st Monday - April 7th Mountain View #16

• 6 pm Dinner

• 8 pm Lodge

Stated Meeting:

1st Tuesday - April 1st Kenilworth 29, Red Deer Regular Meeting:

1st Wednesday - April 2nd Britannia 18, Ponoka Stated Meeting:- Step-up Night

2nd Tuesday - April 8th Red Deer #12, Red Deer Stated Meeting:

2nd Tuesday - April 8th Kitchener #95, Rimbey Stated Meeting:

2nd Thursday - April 10th Lochearn #151, Rocky Mountain House

Stated Meeting:

3rd Thursday - April 17th Innisfail #8 Stated Meeting:

3rd Thursday - April 17th Apollo #27 Stated Meeting:

4th Monday - April 28th Beacon #190, Red Deer Regular Meeting: 3rd Degree

4th Tuesday - April 29th Eureka #10, Lacombe Stated Meeting:

April 11th - 13th Masonry In The Mountains Masonic Spring Workshop

www.masonicspringworkshop.ab.ca/



May 2008

1st Monday - May 5th Mountain View #16

• 6 pm Happy Hour

• 6:30 pm Dinner


Stated Meeting:

1st Tuesday - May 6th Kenilworth 29, Red Deer Regular Meeting:

1st Wednesday - May 7th Britannia 18, Ponoka Stated Meeting:

2nd Tuesday - May 13th Red Deer #12, Red Deer Stated Meeting: Past Master’s Night

2nd Tuesday - May 13th Kitchener #95, Rimbey Stated Meeting:

2nd Thursday - May 8th Lochearn #151, Rocky Mountain House

Stated Meeting:

3rd Thursday - May 15th Innisfail #8 Stated Meeting:

3rd Thursday - May 15th Apollo #27 Stated Meeting:

4th Monday - May 26th Beacon #190, Red Deer Regular Meeting:

4th Tuesday - May 27th Eureka #10, Lacombe Stated Meeting:

June 2008

1st Monday - June 2nd Mountain View #16

• 6 pm Dinner

• 8 pm Lodge

Stated Meeting:

1st Tuesday - June 3rd Kenilworth 29, Red Deer Regular Meeting:

1st Wednesday - June 4th Britannia 18, Ponoka Stated Meeting: Installation Night “Contributing One’s Stone”

2nd Tuesday - June 10th Red Deer #12, Red Deer Stated Meeting:

2nd Tuesday - June 10th Kitchener #95, Rimbey Stated Meeting:

2nd Thursday - June 12th Lochearn #151, Rocky Mountain House

Stated Meeting:

3rd Thursday - June 19th Innisfail #8 Stated Meeting:

3rd Thursday - June 19th Apollo #27 Stated Meeting:

4th Monday - June 23rd Beacon #190, Red Deer Regular Meeting: Installation Of Officers

4th Tuesday - June 24th Eureka #10, Lacombe Stated Meeting:

Documents

Do You Know This Man?? - beacon190.caDo You Know This Man 1 District News 2 From The Past Paper presented by Bro. Innes 1984 5 Grand Lodge Article 1939 11 Bro. Inne’s Pictures 12