48 STATE Episode 1 - Bisbee

The transcription describes the history of Arizona Freemasonry, focusing on the establishment of Bisbee and the unique annual Masonic communication held in a cave. The Grand Lodge of Arizona gathered in Bisbee in 1897, exploring the illuminated cave filled with exquisite formations resembling King Solomon's Temple. The event was made possible by the Williams brothers and the Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Company, for which the Grand Lodge expressed gratitude through a resolution. The historic communication was documented and preserved by the George Rushcrooge and S. Barry Casey Masonic Memorial Library and Museum. Masonry in the 48th State, celebrating the rich history of Arizona Freemasonry. In 1877, copper was discovered in the Copper Queen Mine in Bisbee, Arizona, and the town quickly became known as the Queen of the Copper Camps. The town of Bisbee was formally established in 1880, and it was named after Judge DeWitt Bisbee, who was a partial owner of the Copper Queen Mine and invested heavily in mining infrastructure for the area. In 1885, the Phelps Dodge Company merged with Judge Bisbee's efforts and formed the Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Company. They built a stately headquarters for their mining operations on Tombstone Canyon Road in Bisbee. In 1897, a newly formed Masonic Lodge began meeting on the second floor of those headquarters, Perfect Ashlar Lodge No. 12. That year, the Grand Lodge of Arizona held their annual communication in Bisbee. The year is 1897. Masons from around the state are traveling to southern Arizona for the annual communication. Phoenix was 200 miles away, Flagstaff over 300 miles. The territory was rough, roads were unimproved, and outlaws were abundant. Travel would have included long, arduous, and dangerous days on trains, horseback, coach, and even wagon. Travel from the farthest parts of the state could have taken days, even a week or more. On Tuesday, November 9th, 1897, the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Arizona commenced its 16th annual communication in the town of Bisbee. Our story begins on its second day, November 10th, as written in the official proceedings. In accordance with the resolution adopted yesterday, the Grand Marshal formed the procession, preparatory to taking up the line of march to the cave, and the following from the able pens of Brothers N. A. Morford of Arizona Lodge No. 2 and Herbert Brown of Tucson Lodge No. 4. Clothed in white gloves and aprons, the 200 men in line made an imposing appearance as they marched from the lodge to the hoisting works, from which they were to descend into the mines and cave. In the line of this march, the Grand Lodge were in the rear, but on reaching the works, the column halted, opened ranks, and the Grand Lodge passed through, and were, of course, the first to enter the mine. They were scientifically stood on the cage a half dozen at a time, when down they went about 200 feet in a second to the level by which the cave was reached. Then began the long march in single file through the winding, angling tunnel, which was illuminated the entire distance by candles set about 10 feet apart, at each turn and crosscut, carefully guarded by masons who were employed in the mine, till at length an individual passed through a temporary door into a scene of inexplicable splendor and beauty. The illuminated cave, the figure, the strength, the symmetry, the polished alabaster, the glittering wealth of gold, and jewels of King Solomon's Temple were dazed and dimmed into insignificance by the brilliancy, the abounding wealth of exquisite forms of beauty, the majestic splendor of huge abutments, literally covered by the most delicate tracery, the flash of a million jewels, the bold outline, forms of grandeur and strength, clothed in glittering, delicate chiseling, such as no human hand has ever wrought. The stupendous dome of the mountain above, borne upon those noble and beautiful pillars, and all fresh from the hand of the supreme grand architect of the universe, filled one with the overwhelming emotions of surprise, of delight, of adoration. Stalactites from the size of a drop of water, to that of the giant tusks of some antediluvian monster, hang suspended from the roof, and beneath the white glare of the electric light, they danced and shimmered like icicles in the sun. Singly and in cluster, some in blue and some in white, of all lengths and shapes, these stalactites cover the roof, while among them, in labyrinthine irregularity, glitters the crystal ooze. On the north side, almost opposite to where the cave was first broken into the line, God has created the fairest creatures of his handiwork, and what King Solomon wrought in years, was here fashioned in a single night, but a night that knew no day, nor the sound of axe, hammer, or tool of iron, till the operative workmen, agreeably, to the designs drawn upon the trestle board, revealed its hidden treasures. Here are the steps, the pot of incense, the beehive, the hourglass, and waterfall. The steps, whiter than Parian marble, led upward and into an unexplored beyond. The beehives, apparently made from the great coils of alabaster rope, are from two to ten feet in diameter, and six feet high. East of these, is the waterfall, is the waterfall, stayed midway in its descent, by some hypnotic hand, white and awe-inspiring, in its silent grandeur, is the seemingly still torrent of foaming waters, that, ere it slept, had dashed its spray, on hummocks of ice, in a thousand fantastic shapes, sparked in the light. There are curtains and veils, beyond which no man may enter, woven white and transparent, in the Cimmerian darkness. The whole aspect of the cave, is one of entrancing and bewildering loveliness, and he who can gaze, without awe, upon the grand scene, has no beauty in his soul. The cave, which is probably 150 by 250 feet, in dimensions, and an extreme height of about 100 feet, from the lowest point to the highest point, was lighted by electricity. 18,000 feet of wire had been used for the purpose, and 135 lamps were used, some of them 100 candle power. In the east, hung a brilliant letter G, three feet in height, and studded by 35 electric lights, of 16 candle power, a thing of beauty and joy in itself. In the vast space overhead, the lights formed a great square and compass, the distance between the points of the extended compass being 100 feet, and the length of each leg being 130 feet. A sufficient portion of the cave, for the use of the masons, had been floored and seated, and there, beneath that great dome, 70 feet overhead, and surrounded by such glitter, such beauty, such strength, such overwhelming sense of location, such nearness, and such a dependence upon the immediate handiwork of the Grand Master Mason of All, the Grand Lodge of Arizona was called on by the Most Worshipful Grand Master. The next day, when the Grand Lodge reconvened, thanks were given to those who had made this event possible, most notably, Ben and Louis Williams. Ben and Louis were prominent figures in the early development of Bisbee. It is said that Louis started the Copper Queen Mine, and Ben served as the general manager of the mine from 1882 to 1889. Morning Session, Thursday, November 11th. The Grand Lodge was called on again at 10 o'clock a.m., the Most Worshipful Grand Master presiding. The minutes of the preceding session were read and approved. Brother Anthony A. Johns, from the committee appointed to draft resolution of thanks to Perfect Ashlar Lodge No. 12, Brothers Ben and Louis Williams, and others, presented the following. Whereas, the Grand Lodge of Arizona, now convened in the town of Bisbee, and about to close the most eventful communication ever held in this jurisdiction, with hearts full of gratitude for the brotherly love and good cheer extended by Perfect Ashlar Lodge No. 12, Brothers Benjamin and Louis Williams, the Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Company, as well as by the citizens of Bisbee, one and all. And, whereas the holding of a Masonic communication in a vast and beautiful cave in the depths of Mother Earth, a handiwork of the great architect of the universe, is an event startling and unique in the history of Freemasonry, and destined to become known worldwide, be it resolved that the thanks of members of this Grand Lodge and visiting brethren are due. And are hereby tendered to Perfect Ashlar Lodge No. 12 for the use of their beautiful hall during this communication, and to Brother F. A. Sweet, Worshipful Master, and the Brethren-at-Large of Bisbee, for their unbounded hospitality in so amply providing us with the comforts of life during our sojourn. Resolved that special thanks and praise be given to Brothers Benjamin and Louis Williams for the courtesy and generosity with which they anticipated every desire of this Grand Lodge, and for their zeal and fidelity. May the blessing of heaven forever rest upon them. Resolved that we also tender our thanks to the Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Company for the liberality and opportunity given in the privilege of meeting in the wonderful cave, and for the interest which was taken in the visitors by the company and their employees. Resolved that engrossed copies of these resolutions, under the seal of this Grand Lodge, presented to Perfect Ashlar Lodge No. 12, to Brothers Benjamin and Louis Williams, and to the Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Company, fraternally submitted Anthony A. Johns, Frank Cox, George J. Rushcrooge, committee. On motion, the report was unanimously adopted. This historic presentation of proceedings from the Grand Lodge of Arizona is brought to you by the George Rushcrooge and S. Barry Casey Masonic Memorial Library and Museum.