Mill Valley Lodge History

Mill Valley Lodge’s Fourth Decade

January 1944 Bulletin

[The Lodge conferred one First Degree and two Third Degrees.] About one hundred and fifty members were present at the Annual Installation dinner and ceremonies on December 18th, 1943. This was a splendid attendance considering the unfavorable weather on that day and the present transportation difficulties. It was especially gratifying to note that by far the largest percentage were members of our own Lodge. P.M. Brother Fred Penn, our Worshipful Inspector, acting as Installing Officer, did splendid work, needless to say. [¶]The new officers from Master down, are all set to go to work for another year. With the great number of candidates awaiting degrees the officers will have a busy year, and are happy to serve. So let’s give them a hand and attend as often as we possibly can. [¶]Several of our brothers in the service inform us that they are already receiving the Life Magazine which they are greatly enjoying. May we take this opportunity to ask you, Brother in the Service, whenever there is a change in your address, to inform our Secretary, or better yet, if you write direct to Life Magazine. This will assure you prompt delivery of your magazine. [¶]The following is an excerpt from the annual oration by Arthur Paulsen, Grand Orator, year 1943. [¶]’And when this war is won, what then? Are we again to lose the peace? Are we to jeopardize the things for which we sacrificed and fought by a selfish and short-sighted course that in the end will bring destruction to the very things it was intended to preserve? Can we then pursue our usual course in the world that will lie prostrate at our feet? Where men are crazed by hatred and a longing for revenge? Where someone must restore the values it has lost? Will ordinary means suffice? Whose business will it be to teach disillusioned men that Justice must prevail: that Truth is mightier than the sword, and that we still believe that brotherly love can prevail and rule the destinies of men? [¶]’What, then, must Masons do? Our first duty is to win this war and to that end we must devote our time, our wealth and every energy that we can muster to support this cause. For the time being, we must give to our high command the power to fulfill the trying tasks we have imposed. Let us be patient and resigned. The small privations here at home are trivial when compared to hardships that must be born by those who represent us at the front. Yes, we must carry on. We started as free men and as free men we must continue to the bitter end. We can not and we will not fail.’

February 1944 Bulletin

[The Lodge conferred one Third Degree and three First Degrees.] During the month of January we have head from quite a number of our Brothers in the armed forces and are glad to know that they are getting along very nicely. Brothers Marty Seaver, Jack Mathews and E.C. Cox are reporting from some islands in the Pacific; Brother L.H. Rubke, from New Caledonia; Brother Case, from somewhere in England; Brother Bob Sandstrom, from Oklahoma; Brother S. N. Parks, from Tule Lake, California; Brother Tanner, from Denver Colorado; Brother Dick Sloan, from Tennessee; Brother Wally Marshall, from Stockton, California; Brother C. McQuillan, from New York; Brothers H.S. Johnson and R.E. Starr, from Washington, D.C. and Brother G.V. Pingree, from Camp Roberts, California. [¶]It is great to hear from you Brothers. Keep on dropping us a line now and then so we know how you are making out. [¶]Two more members of our Lodge have been inducted. Brothers Kenneth Bowman and B.W. Rutherford, which brings the total of our members in the service to twenty-five. [¶]Following the dinner, at our last Stated Meeting, we were given the privilege of listening to a very interesting talk on Midway Island, by Lt. Comdr. Dickie. …[¶]Don’t forget to buy that extra War Bond for the 4th War Loan Drive!!!!

March 1944 Bulletin

[The Lodge conferred one Third Degree, one First Degree, and one Second Degree.] We have been hearing from quite a few of the Brothers who are in the armed forces. Brother Kenn Bowman is a Farragut, Idaho and Brother Ben Rutherford is at San Diego. Most of the Brothers, however, are at ---- or at CENSORED. [¶]We received an interesting letter from Brother Edgar Cox who was raised in our Lodge but who received his First and Second Degrees in Island Lodge No. 5, Corregidor, Philippine Islands. He says in part: ‘We have a Masonic Club established here at ---- for the benefit of all Allied personnel permanently assigned and where Master Masons may gather. To be a member one must be a Master Mason in good standing. Any person can attend our hamburger fries, etc., but only members may attend our meetings. To date the membership is nearly 500, which includes members from every state in the United States, some from Canada, China, New Zealand, Australia, Scotland, England, Fiji Islands, Hawaii, etc. Dues are $1.00 per month and we meet once a week. The personnel turnover is very rapid but a good time is had by all. No Lodge Room Work is done because we do not have a Charter. I thought that you would like to hear of such a club being formed under such conditions as obtain here near the Equator in the South Pacific.’ [¶]Let us all support the Red Cross to the limit of our ability. We owe it to our Brothers in the services and to every other person who may be helped, relieved, or comforted by this great institution. [¶]We are glad to see so many of our newer Brothers attending meetings and degrees. Keep it up, Brothers, and get the habit. You will soon form friendships that will endure for life….[¶]Mill Valley Lodge will visit Fairfax Lodge Saturday, April 15 and confer a Third Degree. Let’s have a big turn out for this event. [¶]Bros. Clint Duffy and Warren Williams will visit us next stated meeting, April 4, to explain the workings of the Marin Masonic Mutual Benefit Association.

April 1944 Bulletin

[The Lodge conferred two Second Degrees, a Third Degree and a First Degree.] Brother Frederick Runyon, who recently passed away [March 15, 1944], was the first member to be raised in Mill Valley Lodge. This was on September 30, 1903. [¶]Mill Valley Lodge is to put on a Third Degree at Fairfax Lodge on Saturday, Apr. 15th. We hope a goodly number of our Mill Valley brothers will be present and lend their moral support. One of the most pleasant, entertaining and instructive of Masonic experiences is the friendly intercourse between different lodges. Only by visiting other lodges and by meeting Masons from other parts of the world do we get a conception of the universality of Masonry. [¶]Speaking of the universality of Masonry; in Henry Allen’s latest book, ‘Bedford’s Village,’ Masonry in the Colonies before The Revolutionary War is given a sincere pat on the back. Much is told of the object and ideals of the lodges, how they were formed, their ritual, etc. The book is well worth reading. [¶]Brother Frank Schaal has been promoted from Lieutenant-Colonel to Colonel. [¶]Bro. Ken Bowman is now attending school at Wright Junior College in Chicago. [¶]Brother Don Burbeck has recently returned from Midway and is recuperating from physical disabilities. He spent a year on the this small island and at our last Stated Meeting told of very many interesting experiences. …[¶]Brother John Monzingo, who has been more or less incapacitated for the last three years, is very fond of music and would appreciate the loan of any phonograph records which you might have. [Among the brethren who passed away in February and March 1944, besides Fred Runyon, was Christopher H. Becker, Raised November 9, 1903.]

May 1944 Bulletin

[The Lodge conferred two Second Degrees and two Third Degrees.] Public Schools week in Mill Valley was observed in the Grammar School by holding Open House on Wednesday, April 26, which allowed parents and others interested to see what the pupils are doing. Exhibits of the pupils’ work were displayed in Albert’s Department Store in Mill Valley. [¶]The Tamalpais High School has postponed observance of Public School Week until May 21st, when Principal E.E. Wood retires from the position he has held long and honorably. [¶]Brother Elliott Seymour has arrived home after more than sixteen months with the Navy in the South Pacific area. He has temporary assignment in San Francisco and is now enjoying a postponed honeymoon. [¶]Brother Chas. A. Lemos, who is a Captain on an Army Transport, made his home a short visit and told us some very interesting experiences on his last voyage. [¶]Before our Stated Meeting of May 2nd we had a very enjoyable dinner and were entertained by a talk from Commander D.A. Carson, Medical Officer in the United States Navy. It was a distinct privilege to hear from a man with so many unusual experiences and the ability to tell of them. At the dinner we were also entertained by the orchestra from Tamalpais High School. These young people show marked talent and careful training.

June 1944 Bulletin

[The Lodge conferred three Third Degrees (more than three raised) and one Second Degree.] On Tuesday, June 20th, Marinship Masonic Club Degree Team has been invited to confer the Third Degree on two of our candidates. …[¶]Saturday, June 24th, will be a busy day. Lodge will be opened at 1 p.m., and we will have Third Degrees all afternoon. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. After dinner and a period of relaxation a complete Third Degree will be conferred. We promise you a fine dinner. Make it a date. [¶]Due to the large amount of degree work to be done, it will not be possible to have the Lodge dark during July this year. [¶]Bro. Ken Bowman was recently home for a few days on his way from Chicago to his new station in Seattle. [¶]Brother George Stutzman also visited us on his way to Salt Lake City. [¶]Bro. Olin Kelsey is back from Mississippi. He is now living temporarily in San Francisco. [¶]Bro. Carl Fennema visited us last stated meeting. His 17-year old son, Carl, competed for Compton Junior College at the Fresno Relays. He got a first in the javelin, second in the shot put and third in the discus. The lad has now letters in football, basketball, and track. [¶]Bro. Paul Helmore is seriously ill. He is not having visitors at present. [¶]In Memoriam, Brother John Burt, Raised March 9, 1903, Entered into Rest April 11, 1944.

A special post card notified the brethren that a First Degree would be conferred July 18, 1944.

August 1944 Bulletin

[The Lodge conferred one First Degree, one Second Degree, and two Third Degrees.] …We are gratified to note the increasing number of brethren from all over the United States who visit our Lodge. Most of these visitors are in the armed forces. All Brother Masons who come to our door will be given a hearty welcome. [¶]Be sure to sign the register at each meeting. The number of ration points allotted to us is based on the attendance at meetings. [¶]We have recently heard from Brothers A.E. Cace, Marty Seaver, and Harold Johnson. All are well. Ask our Secretary to show you their letters. [Three brothers passed away: Henry Charles Haake, Raised Feb. 14, 1908, Julius Mackey, Affiliated Jan. 2, 1910, and Courtney Jesse Hamilton, Raised Jan. 12, 1932.]

September 1944 Bulletin

[The Lodge conferred two Third Degrees, one First Degree, and one Second Degree.] Brother George Stutzman is now in the Aleutians. …[¶]Brother Frank Schaal is now a Colonel at Chicago Signal Depot….[¶]We received a message from the ‘Aming Square Club,’ New Guinea, that Brother Randolph Brockoff is now a member of that organization. ‘Aming’ is taken from the first letters of the words ‘American Masons in New Guinea." [¶]In Memoriam Brother William James Thomas, Raised December 11, 1903, Entered into rest August 22, 1944; Brother George F. Watters, affiliated July 3, 1944, entered into rest Sept. 4, 1944.

October 1944 Bulletin

[The Lodge conferred two Second Degrees, two First Degrees and had a Past Masters’ night.] The BIG event of the year, Past Masters’ Night will be celebrated Saturday, October 28. The Stewards are making elaborate preparations for a sumptuous dinner, scheduled for 6:30 P.M. The Chairman of the Arrangements Committee is Junior Past Master Horace Cagwin, so we are assured of an excellent program. [¶]Two Third Degrees are to be put on that night and many of our talented Past Masters will have the opportunities to give us demonstrations of how it should be done. We hear that those on the program are hard at work perfecting themselves in their parts. Not that they are not already good, but they know they will have a critical audience and nothing but perfection will suffice. Mark this date on your calendar and be sure to attend. [¶]We now have thirty-one Brothers in the armed forces and our service flag is now having the necessary stars added. [¶]Brother Lawrence Rubke recently sent our Master a gavel from one of the South Pacific Islands on which he is stationed. It is made of teak wood captured from the Japs. He made it with pocket knife and file. It is a good job. Ask to see it. [¶]We were very glad to see Brother Lieutenant Elliot Seymour, U.S.N.R., at our last stated meeting, after an absence of two years.

November 1944 Bulletin

[The Lodge conferred three Third Degrees.] We recently received letters from the following: Brother Lawrence Rupke, who is somewhere in the South Pacific. [¶]Brother Marty Seaver, Lieutenant (J.G.) USN, is somewhere the fishing is good. He recently caught 35 lobsters. [¶]Brother Bill Seaver, who will soon be headed homeward on a 15-day leave. We will be glad to see him. Brother Ken Bowman, who is now stationed in the State of Washington. [¶]Our Past Masters’ Night on October 28th was a big success. The following Past Masters were on hand: Harvey A. Klyce (1903-4); Samuel M. Burt (1907); Frank C. Herrick (1924); Carl F. Fennema (1934); Samuel G. Bagshaw (1938); Norman B. Wehr (1939); Stanley C. Aitchison (1940); Irvine T. Low (1941); Gordan A. Sandstrom (1942); Horace F. Cagwin (1943); by affiliation, Preston Burris. All of these participated in the degree work in which they were '‘past masters.’ [¶]In Memoriam, Thomas Travis Greaves, Raised September 3, 1903, Entered into rest, October 15, 1944.

December 1944 Bulletin

[The Lodge conferred a Third Degree, a First Degree and Installed Officers.] To Our Brothers in the Armed Forces: You probably have by this time received notification of your subscription to Life Magazine. Please make it your duty to notify Life Magazine if there is any change in your address at any time. [¶]Brother Lieutenant Commander E.H. Hildebrand was home over Thanksgiving. He is now stationed at San Pedro. [¶]Brother K. Bowman, Machinist Mate, First Class, was also home over Thanksgiving and visited Lodge on Tuesday, November 28th. [¶]The Walker Brothers are now in the Navy and are stationed temporarily at San Bruno. [¶]Past Master Dwight Merriman, Major in the Air Corps, is now at Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio. [¶] [The Master’s farewell message included,] I particularly wish to commend Brother Jake for his ever faithful and willing services, Brother Forrest for the manner in which he presided over the Banquet Hall, and last, but not least, Brother ‘Nook’ [Leslie Armager?] and his staff of coaches, who have labored long and faithfully.

Installation of Officers, Saturday Evening, December 16, 1944, Dinner at 6:30, Installation at 8:00 p.m. Hugh Elbert Rutherford was installed as Worshipful Master. Installing Officer, Fred Penn, PM, Inspector of 51st Dist.; Master of Ceremonies, Erwin Laurence Egger, Retiring Master; Assistant Master of Ceremonies, Horace Francis Cagwin, PM. Bros. James Isherwood (Baritone) and Bruce Cameron (Tenor) performed six musical pieces: "Thine Alone", "Give a Man a Horse He Can Ride", "Where My Caravan Has Rested", "When the Lights Go on Again", "When I Grow too Old to Dream", "Come Sing to Me". The program concluded with the following prayer:

O God of Hosts, who lovest peace,

Our hearts and minds sustain;

Bring swift the day when wars shall cease

And Peace and Justice reign.

January 1945 Bulletin

[The Lodge conferred three Second Degrees and one Third Degree.] INSTALLATION NOTES: Dinner, always an interesting subject, was thoroughly enjoyed by 175 brothers. This was attested to by their enthusiastic reception of amiable Naomi (wife of Lenny Spalding, S.S.) expert administrator of the culinary department and her capable aids, introduced after dinner. [¶]Brother Kent Seymour, on behalf of the Lodge, then presented Mrs. Egger, wife of our newest P.M., a token of our sympathetic consideration for her lonely pseudo-widowhood while Larry was administering his high office. [¶]And so to the installation of officers appointed and elected for 1945, a ceremony rooted in ancient tradition and beautiful in its simplicity. The gravity of escorting the officers to their stations against this background grips your imagination – think of it, this has been repeated from time immemorial. My Brothers, if you have not experienced this welling up of pride at being part of this work, you have missed one of the intangibles in Masonry. [¶]Now it is Larry’s turn to beam. He was gracefully helped down to the P.M.’s seat in the East by the excellent aid of Brother Frank Herrick, P.M., who presented the P.M.’s jewel. Heave a sigh, Larry, it’s all over now. [¶]Try to suppress our worthy ‘has-been,’ alias P.M., Carl Fennema – try. [¶]Interest Detail: Larry Egger, 41st P.M., and Harvey Klyce, first P.M., congratulating each other. [¶]Special Note: The finest thing that could happen in any Lodge took place in ours. Brother Lt. Barrington on behalf of the visiting Navy Brothers from Tiburon presented to our Lodge several trowels made by Brother Hellwig. [¶]At this time of year we like to especially remember John Monzingo, P.M., and wish him the New Year’s greeting. [¶]Worshipful Master Hugh Rutherford had a pleasure that comes to few, that of administering the first degree to his son, Hugh Elbert Jr. [¶]The Tuesday Night Eating Club will henceforth meet under the auspices of Lenny Spalding, S.S. [¶]Letters from our brethren in the armed service, sending us Holiday greetings and acknowledging receipt of our 1945 subscription of Life to them, are read with avid interest. Write us often, Brothers, we love it.

February 1945 Bulletin

[The Lodge scheduled nights for two First Degrees, one Third Degree and one Second Degree.] SPECIAL MEETING: A special meeting will be held Saturday, February 24, beginning at 1 p.m. for the purpose of conferring five third degrees. Dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. The brethren are urged to be present at dinner and for the final third degree to be held after dinner. [¶]CONGRATULATIONS: No one has yet found it necessary to tell Fred Penn, our Worshipful Inspector, to ‘turn that record over’ when he is called upon to speak. Fred always manages to have a few applicable words of advice and friendship on tap. [¶]Brothers Al Miller, Al Arenz and Lt. Barrington passed their examination for the Master Mason’s Certificate so efficiently that it shamed those of us who have been neglecting this duty just because it isn’t compulsory. …[¶]RECOGNITION: we have been a party to or a witness of many officers’ installations and have come to the conclusion that the candidate coaches are the forgotten men. [¶]It is high time the faithful service of these men is acknowledged – high time we give them proper recognition by including them in the installation program. [¶]Since there are no stations or jewels for them, we suggest that the coaches be assembled as a group at the end of the installation and a Certificate of Proficiency in the Craft be presented to each. [¶]MAIL POUCH: Dear Brothers: We are certain you would like to know what we hear from each of you, so we will start with the overseas letters. [¶]Brother Major Dick Sloan is muddling around France. [¶]Brother Captain Ed Cox – you remember him – received his First Degree in Island Lodge No. 35, P.I., and we administered his Second and Third Degrees, well, he is sloshing around New Guinea with a watchful eye on this home Lodge. [¶]Brother Charlie Lemos, Chief Engineer, is pounding the waves in the South Pacific and making them like it. [¶]Brother Homer Ingermann, Marine Corps, finds himself on a South Pacific island – wondering. [¶]Brother Sergeant George Stutzman is alternately fishing and freezing in the Aleutians. [¶]Then we have Bros. Ted and Bob Walker, the inseparable twins (except when we gave them the Third Degree) and the irrepressible Ken Bowman, of the U.S.N., together with the grounded eagle, Harold Johnson of the Army Ground Force, bouncing around like fleas on a hot griddle with Brother Lt. Col. McQuillan at an army depot in New York doing his best to catch fellows like them on the second bounce. Brother Lt. Al Maynard is also kept constantly on the run by the Navy. [¶]This will be all for now, so good luck, and say, you Brothers overseas, keep your favorite foxhole handy and USE it. We don’t want any Gold Stars if it can be honorably avoided. [¶]As ever, Your Brothers at Home.

March 1945 Bulletin

[The lodge scheduled nights for one Third Degree, one First Degree and one Second Degree.] SUCCESS: The special meeting held Saturday, February 24, was a great success. Bros. Leslie Armager, Lt. Barrington, Hellwig, and Pier, assisted materially in administering the Third Degree to five candidates, which help was thoroughly appreciated by our Worshipful Master and his officers as was the attendance of those hardy brethren who came early in the afternoon and stayed late. It inspired us to do our best continuously. [¶]Dinner was served promptly and, as you eighty brothers who attended know, our girls have done it again – served a fine dinner. It must be love, yessir, it must be love that makes Naomi Spalding and her expert help, namely Nona Springett, Betty Donlon, Edna Hobson, Nellie Armager, May Giescke, Harriette Gist, and Frances Gist slave all afternoon in the kitchen (probably it would be better to use the shipboard term galley – more fitting, judging by all the work attached to it). The girls were aided and abetted by our stewards Lenny Spalding and Dick Huntoon as best they could under the handicap of seven bosses. We will let down our hair and confess to the many brethren who have inquired that the good coffee was not made by Roy (now when I was a steward) Springett, but our friend and worthy major domo of the kitchen, Mr. Giesecke. [¶]FATHER AND SON: We have enjoyed an unusual number of Brothers’ sons becoming candidates for Masonry and, to make it more interesting, we now have a father and son traveling together through the degrees. [¶]Masonry isn’t quite the family affair that this would indicate. Far from it, it is not so restricted. Masonry is universal, a welding of all temperaments and ideals into one strong desire for righteous living. [¶]These fathers and sons, in a way, are symbolic of Masonry. For it is through the youthfulness of our candidates that Masonry will ever be young and progressive, tempered by the mature judgment of elder members to keep it on a rational basis. [¶]MUSIC: Worshipful Master Hugh Rutherford has made a very excellent choice in appointing Bro. Johannes C. Raith as organist of our lodge. This has been borne out by the very expert renditions during our degree work. It is inspiring to have music so closely timed to the floor work. [¶]CANDIDATES: The officers’ meeting, February 28, emphasized the sponsors share of the responsibility in recommending a candidate for the degrees. [¶]The by-laws of the Grand Lodge are specific on the qualifications that a candidate must have. Sometimes these may seem strict – but bear n mind that regulations are for the overall good of Masonry based on a long period of time. A century or more means nothing to an organization that has existed from time immemorial. …[¶]In Memoriam, Brother Leslie Jacob Gardiner, Raised June 6, 1908, Entered into rest, February 11, 1945.

April 1945 Bulletin

[The Lodge scheduled nights for two Third Degrees, one Second Degree and one First Degree.] …Congratulations to our newly raised brothers Hugh Rutherford, Jr. and Albert R. Teather. [¶]W.M. Hugh Rutherford, Sr. said a few words of congratulations to his son which were exceptionally appropriate in that they also expressed the feeling of Brother Albert W. Teather, Sr. at seeing his son raised. [¶]We are again indebted to the Navy, in the persons of Bros. Lt. Barrington, Hellwig, and Pier, for the assistance in convoying Hugh Rutherford, Jr., Chief Pharmacist Mate, on his ‘shake down cruise.’ To say the Navy came through in fine style is putting it mildly. Even Les Armager, head Coach, was satisfied. [¶]To Martin Seaver who is now honeymooning in Carmel with his bride, former Lillian Fitzgerald of Sausalito. [¶]Wedding bells have rung for Hugh Rutherford, Jr. His bride was formerly Mary Ann Seelow. They are now ‘strolling the lane together’ in Mill Valley. [¶]To Brother Ivan Kompf and his wife on the arrival of a bundle from heaven, a 9-lb. 4-oz. Girl. Don’t worry, Ivan, those wrinkles will disappear in a few weeks. [¶]To Brother C.D. Sandow on his excellent examination for the Master Mason’s Certificate of Proficiency. [¶]Bud Ewing, son of our genial tiler, Roy Ewing, is now on the high seas heading for home on the ship of a buddy, Commander Harold DeLasaux, after being confined to Los Banos prison in the Philippines for three years by the Japs. After Bud is thoroughly rested we hope to have him speak at the Lodge on his experiences. [¶]SINKERS: During the course of a few words Hugh Rutherford spoke to his son, he likened the First Degree to the laying of a ship’s keel, completing and launching the hull; the Second Degree to the outfitting of the hull; and the Third Degree to the sending of the completed ship on its journey. [¶]I guess the Stewards weren’t duly impressed for they proceeded to founder the newly launched by loading them with sinkers. [¶]STRANGE MINDS: For several days an article taken from the Christian Science Monitor and written by Mr. Gordan Walker, has been attached to the Bulletin Board which is of great interest to all Masons. It reveals the tortures inflicted on Masons by the Japanese, laboring under the strange delusion that we, of Masonry, are a military organization seeking world domination and endeavoring to force them to reveal these non-existent plans. Strange minds!

May 1945 Bulletin

[The Lodge scheduled nights for two Second Degrees, one First Degree and one Third Degree.] …HOME: We are happy to have Brother L. Elliiot Seymour, USN, with us again and hope that it is permanent. [¶]We were surprised, and agreeably so, to learn that Brother Bob Russell is home. [¶]CONGRATULATIONS: To Arthur Harry Hart (on whom it was a pleasure to confer the Master Masons Degree for his home Lodge, Imperial No. 390) and Vernon Babcock and to Jim Egger and Seth Evans on being raised to Master Masons. We know you lads will enjoy Masonry and will reflect honor on our institution. [¶]To Larry Egger, P.M., on his excellent memory. Larry had the pleasure of conferring the 2nd Degree and then one week later the 3rd Degree on his son, Jim, which meant his memory had to really function. We fully understand and appreciate the pride welling up n Larry when you congratulated Jimmie. [¶]To Brother Al Miller on being appointed to the Visiting Committee by Dick Huntoon, Chairman. Keep them laughing Al, and they’ll never get sick. [¶]To another P.M., Stan Aitchison, who was very active in conferring the 3rd Degree, which proves there is still plenty of life in the P.M.’s. [¶]To our hardworking brothers Al Arenz, Lt. Barrington, Hellwig and Reed H. Gross on their excellent performance of the intricate duties of the floor team. Brothers, your aid in the Degree Work is really appreciated on these busy Degree nights. It is through this cooperation of the officers and membership that our present high degree of success is obtained. [¶]To Brother Al Babcock on his successful passing of the examination for the Certificate of Proficiency of a Master Mason. [¶]Happy Tiler: Roy Ewing is one large smile now. His son, Bud, returned April 24 from the Philippines and is in good health.

June 1945 Bulletin

[The Lodge scheduled nights to confer one First Degree, one Second Degree and one Third Degree.] THE BELLS YOU HEARD on May 9 were announcing the happy union of Elizabeth Johnson and our W.M. Hugh Elbert Rutherford. Hugh, you know, without each of us personally telling you, that we wish you and your bride the best of everything. [¶]Greetings! Brother Leonard Spalding, S.S., recently mentioned that he had passed his physical and, practically the same breath (or so it seemed to us the time between being so short) announced that he has been inducted into the army. Good luck, Lenny, and may the duration be short so that you and all the other handsome ‘gay young dogs’ can be returned – you to go home to your wife and they to increase the temperature and heart throbs of the lonesome lassies. [¶]BROTHERS AT WORK: This has been a busy month for the brothers on the sidelines to whom the officers owe much for their attendance and, especially we thank Bros. Stan Aitchison, P.M., Larry Egger, P.M., Les Armager, Head Coach, Walt Hostetler, Al Miller, C.J. Bush, John Helwig (whom we are sure is missed by his home lodge Evening Star 75, Watervelt, N.Y.) and Hugh Halleck for their participation in the degree work, and to Ray Jordan for his excellent singing. [¶]CONGRATULATIONS: To Bill Muller (Junior) on his attaining the Master Mason’s Degree and to you Brother Bill Muller, Sr. on becoming a member of our Father and Son Fellowship. …[¶]Home Visiting: Brother Kenneth Bowman (former head coach and now in the Navy) was a welcome visitor to Lodge. [¶]Mail Bag: The last time we heard Bro. Brigadier-General R.E. Starr was still globe trotting. [¶]Bro. Major Dick Sloan was tramping around Germany. [¶]Bro. Lt. Charles R. Brockhoff was in the Philippines, as was Bro. Captain Ed Cox – ‘liberating’ Japanese souls (or whatever it is the Nips call them). [¶]Bro. Ben Rutherford was on his way to inspect Berchtesgarden. [¶]Bro. Gordon Pingree was in the isolation ward at Fort Sam Houston. [¶]Bro. Lorne Al Tanner was stationed at Lowry Field near Denver, Colorado. [¶]Bro. Bob Sandstrom was recently graduated as a pilot at the Enid army air field, Enid, Oklahoma, and now proudly sports wings. [¶]We are always pleased to hear from you, brothers, and hope you will continue to write as often as possible, on he least provocation and about anything you are permitted to write on. Remember, what is commonplace to you is of great interest to us. – Your Brothers at Home.

July 1945 Bulletin

[July was declared dark for vacations.] CHARLES WILLIAM SPURR: Charlie to the old-timers, enjoyed a visit to the Lodge and a First Degree the other night thrown in for good measure. Now that you have become a man of leisure, Bro. Charlie, we hope to see your smile in Lodge more often. [¶]ADVANCEMENT: Wes Smith, J.D., has been carrying on nicely as Senior Deacon for ‘Doc’ Piercy, S.D., while he was ill. A pat on the back to you, Wes, on your excellent working of the Third Degree the other night. [¶]CONGRATULATIONS: To our newest brothers, L.J. Marion and E. A. Barber on becoming Master Masons. [¶]To Bros. Dick Huntoon and Walt Hostetler on their successful passing of the examination for the Master Masons Certificate of Proficiency. [¶]BROTHERS STILL AT WORK: Frank C. Herrick, P.M., Les Armager, Head Coach, ‘Tiny’ (Heh-Heh) Ross, Jack Hellwig, Hank Schrage, who helped in the administering degree work; Ray Jordan, baritone, and Jim McCourtney, Irish tenor, who furnished us with excellent background singing. Recognize them? So do we and appreciate theirs and your willing help.

August 1945 Bulletin

[The Lodge scheduled nights for a Second, a First and a Third Degree.] Dinner: We have just mentioned how the officers expect to advance and the first concrete example of this is the excellent dinner our Stewards sponsored under the able guidance of Fodie Voigts with the help of such Past Masters of this art as Betty Rutherford, Mary Rutherford, Mae Hudtloff, Charlotte Lambrix, Ida Kahler, Millie Mason, Betty Donlon, Norma Egger, Fannie Gist, Hetty Gist, Thelma Weller, Jo Smith, Nona Springett, Marge Emmett, Maud Zec, Maybelle Ahrenz, Helen Seymour, Della Waters, and Gladys Springer. [¶]Following dinner Walt Boland, Western Region manager of the electronics department of General Electric Company, gave us a most interesting talk on television, punctuated with witticisms that caused much laughter because of their striking so close to home. The illustrating film that followed wetted our appetites for more of the same. [¶]…Chet Seeley, W.M. of Fairfax Lodge, has a tendency to challenge us to a battle of ping pong balls at 50 paces to anything we can get together. … [¶]CHAUNCEY MONTGOMERY: A friendly Montie, and brother to all of us, passed away August 4th. Montie, alias Santa Claus at Christmas; alias Uncle Sam’s helper at War Bond drives; sparkplug in Rotarian affairs; a past director of Marvelous Marin; member of the Mill Valley Chapter of Order of Eastern Star; of the Oriental Lodge of Masons of San Francisco; and frequent visitor to our Lodge. Busy Montie – active in civic affairs, active in lodge affairs to the end – a swift, peaceful end. His funeral, like his life, was in the midst of friends, at the Robert F. Russell Company chapel under the auspices of our lodge, Worshipful Master Hugh Rutherford conducting. [¶]REV. GEORGE MAXWELL, BROTHER: A friend to all and our brother. Sausalito well remembers him and his gentle activities as will the boys that have camped with him. The welfare of the younger generation was always uppermost in his mind. He recognized the necessity of molding their characters while young. He loved his work and he loved people. No greater tribute can be paid him. [¶]CHURCH: There is a definite apathy toward attending church. Excuses, aside from plain laziness or lack of early training, in which we have no valid reason to persist, range from dislike of the rector or minister to resentment against the condescending manner of the persons furnishing the main support of the church. These are petty and should be overlooked. The principal thing is the prayer we offer, in all humbleness, to the ever living God. [¶]Bro. Major Dick Sloane, according to his last letter, seems to be enjoying a mailman’s holiday – sightseeing some of the country he overran, including Hitler’s former residence Berchtesgarden. [Nb. Three small photographs from his letter are appended to the scrapbook. One looks down on the Hitler’s "Eagle’s Nest" and out across the Alps; One is a close up of Bro. Major Sloane along side the ruined shell of the "Eagle’s Nest"; and one is taken out of the picture window of the Eagle’s Nest at a breath taking view of the Alps.]

October 1945 Bulletin

[The Lodge scheduled nights for a Second Degree, First Degree, Third Degree and Past Masters’ Night (including 3rd Degree).] OPEN LETTER TO FAIRFAX LODGE: Dear Bro. Chet, Have patience! We have the Brothers out in the hills beating the brush in an earnest endeavor to drive home our mighty men of the hunt. In the meantime we might have to take you up on the invitation to play hearts and flowers, pinochle, poker or some equally innocent pastime until our athletic committee can trap enough players to pin your ears back. In the meantime you and the brothers are invited to put your feet under our "groaning board" on Past Masters’ Night and enjoy life with us for the evening. See the notice. Yours, H.E.R. [¶]PERSONALS: …Brother Lenny Spalding, US Army, visited lodge October 2, and during the course of kidding admitted he had four points toward his release. Just enough points to buy a third pound of butter, remarked Jake Uhrig. [¶]Brother Major Dick Sloan is still sightseeing in Europe, although he insists he is working. Read his letter to Brother Jake and verify this. [¶]CONSTITUTION NIGHT: OCTOBER 2: We have been under the impression that during our school life we had garnered about every scrap of information concerning our Constitution, but Brother Samuel Gardiner convinced us with his enlightening talk that such was not the case, that what we did have were cold facts. His talk brought home to us that the Constitution is a living, flexible guide to our proper association with each other and the world. [¶]Dinner as usual, well planned and served by our Stewards Al Arenz and Dick Huntoon, with the able assistance of our lovely ladies of the range, Betsy Rutherford, Betty Donlon, Maude Zec, May Geisecke, Jo Smith, Myrtle Merle, Mrs. Blackmon, Harriette Gist, Frances Gist, Nona Springett, Edna Hobson, and Thelma Miller. [¶]RESOLUTION: …The dues of each member of this Lodge shall be $12.00 per annum, payable quarterly in advance on the first day of January, April, July and October. This resolution is to be voted upon at our next stated meeting. [Nb. This would reduce dues by $3 per annum.]

November 1945 Bulletin

[The Lodge scheduled nights to confer the Second Degree and Third Degree.] PERSONALS: Bro. Marty Seaver, Lt., USNR, would like to know if we have any Ensigns around looking for foreign duty. Marty has seen enough of Japan and now wants to come home. [¶]Bro. Harold S. Johnson, Col., USA, is stationed at Presidio, San Francisco. This will afford you ample opportunity to visit with your friends, Harold, and become acquainted with the new lads in the Lodge. [¶]Bro. Kenny Bowman, ex US boy-in-blue, is now at home. After you are settled, Kenny, we hope to see you often. By the way, do you play baseball? Diogenes Gist still has he lantern out. [¶]Bro. Jack Mathews is receiving treatment for a bad hand infection which developed overseas. He is at present at Camp Shoemaker Hospital. Bro. Capt. Thomsen visited Jack and his wife. It is rumored that Capt. Dan is threatening to visit lodge with Jack. [¶]Bro. Jack Helwig is about to be returned to his home town by the Navy preparatory to discharging him from active duty. This will come as a great surprise to many of us for we have somehow come to believe, after seeing him working so diligently around the lodge, that he was one of our active members. Well, such is not the case. Jack is a member of Evening star No. 5, Watervliet, New York. Good luck, Jack, and please remember us occasionally. [¶]Bro. Major Charles John McQuillan (raised in 1913) visited lodge on Past Master’s Night for the first time since being raised in 1913. [¶]Bro. Walter Stein made an excellent candidate for the P.M.’s to practice their art upon. Congratulations, Walt, on attaining the Master Masons Degree on so auspicious a night and by the best. [¶]Congratulations to Kent Seymour on being elected as president and to Jake Uhrig on being elected secretary of the Officers’ Association. [¶] Bro. Cassius Wily Gilliam, a traveling Navy man, received his First Degree by us, his home lodge, and his Second and Third Degrees in Charity Lodge No. 23, Hope Island, Rhode Island. [¶]Bro. Bob Pierce was transferred East to New York by his company….[¶]HONORED: On October 19, 1945, the following brethren received the highest award of Masonry, the 33rd Degree, conferred on them in Washington: President Harry S. Truman; General H.H. Arnold; Lt. General James H. Doolittle; Lt. General Ben Lear; Secretary of Agriculture, Clinton P. Anderson; General Douglas MacArthur will receive the 33rd Degree on his return home. [¶]PAST MASTERS’ NIGHT: A huge success! Starting with dinner – or better yet – before dinner. On entering the kitchen, we found Jack Helwig whipping a bowl of stuff to a frenzy into which Dick Huntoon was patiently pouring vinegar. Vinegar Dick, no less. Anyway, what came out was good. …Dinner was topped with one of the most enjoyable, light-hearted community sings it has been our pleasure to witness in a long time. The lads really whooped it up under the waving finger of Jim McCourtney, assisted by Kenneth Agee at the piano. [¶]Now for the piece de resistance. The Past Masters did well by themselves, that is, all except Stewards Cagwin and Weir, P.M’s. No refreshments – new, different, or indifferent. The P.M.’s conferring the degree on Candidate Walt Stein were as follows: …Third Section: W.M. – Sam Bagshaw; Charge, Harvey Klyce, Dean of P.M.s. [¶]Ray Jordan, baritone, favored us with several selections. We certainly enjoyed the seadog’s predicament, Ray. Jim McCourtney, the Irish tenor (or will you settle for five, Jim) performed during the Second Section…[¶]RESOLUTION DEFEATED: The resolution presented at our October Stated Meeting to amend Article IX of the By-Laws reducing our annual dues to $12.00 per annum effective January 1, 1946 was not carried.

December 1945 Bulletin

[The lodge scheduled nights to confer a Second and a First Degree.] …THIS YEAR: Has been both the most depressing and at the same time exciting. We have witnessed the ending of the World War, the introduction of the possible use of the atom as a source of energy, peace and now the aftermath of restlessness which we hope to guide into proper channels so that our peace will be long lived. [¶]BARE FACTS: We have had an excellent year from the standpoint of candidates and have had the pleasure of conferring courtesy degrees for lodes in and out of this jurisdiction. [¶]To date we have had nineteen First Degrees, twenty-three Second Degrees, and twenty-seven Third Degrees, six affiliations and four restorations. [¶]We now have a lusty membership of 333 members after making all necessary deductions for death and suspensions, and Old Timers. These new members of our Lodge are as fine a group of lads as it has been our pleasure to extend our hand to. [¶]Judging from the Annual Reports of the Treasurer, Secretary, and Auditing Committee, we have also had a very successful year financially. [¶]PERSONALS: Brother George Stutzman who has been measuring Attu for its possibilities as a winter resort finally gave up the idea (not for lack of fishing) when Uncle Sam moved him over to the mainland, Anchorage, Alaska, to be exact….[¶]Brother Bill Dreyer is now happily at home with his family after having served in the navy on active duty, not to mention what the waves (water) can do to you. Good luck, Bill. [¶]Tuesday, November 27th, at the making of Brother William Joseph Madden, a Master Mason, we were ably assisted by Tiny Ross as First R., Charlie Cobb as Second R., and Nook Armager as Third R. Brother Bill is about 6 feet 3, and I guess him at 215 pounds. Heh, heh. Come to think about it, Tiny, Charlie, and Nook are not exactly small. Congratulations Bill Joe on your becoming a Master Mason. [¶]Laurence Rubke is stationed in the land of the wilted cherry blossoms, Japan, and thinks constantly of home sweet home. [¶]Those inseparable twins, Ted & Bob Walker, do pop up in the most unexpected places. This time it is in Guam where they met Bro. Lieut. Barrington on his way to duty in the Philippines. Ted and Bob hope to be home in about six weeks. …[Nb. This Bulletin contained an Honor Roll listing the forty-five members of Mill Valley Lodge who had served in the Armed Services during the war.]

Installation December 15, 1945: Kent Osborn Seymour was installed as Worshipful Master by Frank C. Herrick, Installing Officer; Master of Ceremonies was Hugh Elbert Rutherford, Retiring Master; Assistant Master of Ceremonies was Samuel G. Bagshaw, P.M. The musical quartette was Brothers Andrew Sessink (First Tenor), Clinton S. Gillmore (Second Tenor), Norman Anderson (Baritone), and John H. Patrick (Bass). They performed the following seven numbers: "Hunting Song" (King Arthur), "The Blind Ploughman," "Into the Night," "My Friend," "The Spirit Flower," "All Day on the Prairie," "Hark the Herold Angels Sings." An address was given by Rev. Lynne T. White, Masonic Brother and member of the Lodge. The Past Master’s Jewel was presented by Stanley C. Aitchison, P.M.

After the substantial influx of new Masons in Mill Valley Lodge following World War II, it was apparent that the increasing availability of television was starting to affect lodge attendance. One of the main attractions at the time, the Milton Berle program, was on Tuesdays, the meeting night for Mill Valley Lodge.

From the Minutes

June 4, 1946, an after dinner speech was given by Col. Carl E. Englehart on his experiences in a Japanese prison camp.

November 9, 1946, Harvey Klyce, now age 77, delivered the third degree charge at the past Masters’ night.

May 24, 1947, the Lodge was opened at 1:00 P.M. to confer a third degree. Dinner was held at 6:30 P.M., followed by another third degree, conferred by a team from PG & E.

In 1947, life membership cost $312.50.

June 29, 1948, Everett Klyce Bryant, grandson of Harvey Klyce, received his third degree. The marshal, L.H. Spalding, conducted Harvey Klyce to a seat in the East and later Klyce delivered the charge.

June 7, 1949, Clinton Duffy, Senior Grand Deacon and Warden of San Quentin State Prison, gave a talk on his experiences with prisoners on condemned row.

August 16, 1949, the San Quentin Masonic Club conferred a third degree on Pete Silveira.

October 29, 1949, a third degree was conferred and Harvey Klyce, age 81, delivered the charge. T.F. Bagshaw introduced and presented gifts to the only two remaining charter members, Harvey Klyce, 1903-1904, and Samuel Bert, 1907.

Past Master’s Night Trestle Board and Program – 46th Anniversary of the Lodge – October 29, 1949

“The birth of our Lodge came about in a somewhat casual way.

On a beautiful spring morning in 1902 – while chatting about how up and coming this town of Mill Valley was, two commuter steam trains a day, board sidewalks practically everywhere, new businesses springing into existence overnight – Arthur McLoud told Harvey Klyce that he thought, all things taken into consideration, Mill Valley was now large enough to support a Masonic Lodge. Neither they nor their friends were Masons but strongly desired to be so.

The suggestion struck Harvey as a brilliant idea and he, with his usual energy, proceeded to put it into action. He accordingly rounded up their mutual friends and placed the suggested plan before them. They accepted it with much enthusiasm and immediately began organizing. Imagine their surprise when, on contacting Past Grand Master Stevens, who was living in Mill Valley at the time, they learned that they had to be Masons in order to start a new lodge.

This little stumbling block did not daunt them nor dull their enthusiasm. Not at all. They forth with applied to Marin Lodge in San Rafael for membership. Came a time of waiting and worrying. You know how that is. Applicants and their applications were treated no differently then than they are now. But, joyful day, they were accepted. The “they” consisted of Louis L. Janes, James Newlands, Jr., Samuel Burt, Arthur McLoud and Harvey A. Klyce.

When the petitions were sent into Marin Lodge it was with the understanding that, if accepted, the new members would be allowed to immediately demit to form the new Lodge. So it was, in 1902, that George Murray, Master of Marin Lodge, and his Lodge conferred the Degrees of Masonry on the brothers who now are a part of our charter members. Thus it was that Marin Lodge became our parent Lodge and gave us the beautiful jewels we now wear.

In due course of time the Lodge was formed received its dispensation and finally its charter from Grand Lodge.

At the time of forming, notice was sent out to all Masons residing in Mill Valley inviting them to join in forming the new Lodge and it was at the time of this meeting that Brother Harvey A. Klyce was duly elected as its first Master.

Brother A. F. Thomas, at that time Auditor of the North Shore Railroad and a Past Master of Durant Lodge in Berkeley, coached Harvey in the Master’s work and found him to be an apt student.

Harking back a little – Harvey was coached in the degrees by Brother Thos. Bonneau, P.M. of Marin Lodge, on the ferry boats. The first in our Lodge to be a Paddle Wheel Mason. This name was derived from the fact that from the inception of the Lodge the new members were usually coached on the raised portion of the upper deck over the paddle wheel where the seating capacity was limited and always filled with Brother Masons. In fact, Brother Stan Aitchison, P.M., if memory serves me well, was the last of the Paddle Wheel Masters who learned their work there. Oh how we loved those old ferry boats.

The hall available at the time of the formation of the Lodge was Grethel’s Hall located over Mr. Grethel’s bakery shop and adjoining the town saloon. Very convenient. This ideal situation did not last very long, however, because during a practice session a brother standing in front of the old railroad station across the street was surprised to hear the First Degree work being performed. In alarm and in great haste he rushed across the street – up into the hall – and stopped the work. A close shave for the denizens of Mill Valley. They were about to be made Masons gratis by the unsuspecting but diligently practicing officers. Anyway the hall was not acceptable to the committee sent by the Grand Lodge to investigate it.

The Lodge then moved into the Recreation Room located in the basement of Harvey Klyce’s home which was properly prepared to receive it and outfitted with Masonic furnishing purchased from the Pacific Lodge when it moved into the Grand Lodge building at about that time. Mrs. Klyce was prevailed upon to make all the necessary aprons.

Meeting in Harvey’s Recreation Room the membership consulted as to what further steps they would take in procuring a lodge room satisfactory to Grand Lodge and to their needs, present and future. They soon learned that the present site was for sale and proceeded to purchase it. Brother Harvey placed the proper amount in escrow in order to hold it. A stock company was formed and the stockholders consisted of Louis L. Janes, Samuel Burt, Charles Bunker and Harvey Klyce. The dream of a building to house the lodge was now to become a reality.

By the time the Lodge was completely organized and properly functioning the lodge building was ready for use.

Space does not permit of a complete historical outline, but it is interesting to note that soon after the dispensation from Grand Lodge was given the serious business of conferring degrees became the first order of business. Ten petitions were received on the first stated meeting. It is also interesting to note that the first brother to receive his degrees in our Lodge was Fred F. Runyon who later succeeded, as Lodge Secretary, Brother Seamen, then principal of Mill Valley Schools. Brother Runyon’s fine work as secretary still receives Brother Harvey Klyce’s praise.

When the Lodge’s books were surrendered to the grand Secretary we had initiated ten candidates, passed ten and raised three to be Master Masons.

On the communication of Grand Lodge in October, 1903, our Lodge received its charter and was congratulated on the excellent work it had accomplished.

You will agree that our Lodge’s first officers and brethren were indeed very industrious and the compliments of Grand Lodge were earned the hard way.

A final word – Brother Harvey A. Klyce and Brother Samuel Burt, charter members, are our only two living connections to this wonderful past.” [Nb. Pictures of Bros. Klyce and Burt taken in 1949 were reproduced in the program.]

April 11, 1951, Horace Coffin died.

April 15, 1951, Harvey A. Klyce died. Funeral services were conducted for him April 17, officiated by Roy Springett.

December 4, 1951, Fred Penn retired after 11 years as inspector of 314th Masonic District. Kent O. Seymour was appointed his successor.

November 4, 1952, Masonry celebrated the 200th Anniversary of initiation of George Washington.

February 3, 1953, application for membership was received from Richard Knowles Mills. Ultimately, Mills received his third degree June 16, 1953.

April 20, 1953, after the first section of Ben Hartwell’s initiation, the marshal was instructed to conduct Inspector Kent Seymour to the East for the purpose of presenting a 50-year button to the last remaining charter member, Samuel M. Burt. Assisting in the presentation was Leon P. Van Atta, Master in 1922.

October 3, 1953, a roll call dinner began at 6:30 P.M. to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Mill Valley Lodge.