Notes on the Knights of Pythias Talisman Lodge #31

Notes on Medford, Oregon Knights of Pythias Talisman Lodge #31

A Very Incomplete Lodge History, 1901-1921

On June 13, 2006, as part of my background research for the Fred Alton Haight diary, I visited Knights of Pythias Talisman Lodge #31 at its current home at 2301 Upper River Road Loop, Grants Pass. Lodge Secretary Bruce A. Stevens graciously allowed me to take notes from the original meeting minutes and Roster of Knighthood for the years between 1901 and 1921. For more on Talisman Lodge events, knights and ceremonies, see the diary.

If anyone should be interested in pursuing research into members of Talisman Lodge, Bruce let me know that these volumes will eventually revert to the state organization.

Following are my notes.

Talisman Lodge Locations:

1906 city directory: “south 7th near A” (Johnson-Childers building at 318 E. Main, marked “lodge rooms” on 1907 Sanborn Fire Insurance map). J-C building reportedly sold to KofP in 1901; they added bay windows 1911. This seems to contradict the Karnes & Ritter references below.

1912 and 1916 Jackson County directory: 123 E Main

A sheet of letterhead pasted into the 1920 minutes gives the lodge address as 125 West Main

On April 18, 1921 the lodge voted 106 to 27 to build a lodge at 6th and Holly (over three other possible locations). The lodge may not have been built at this location.

On July 12, 1927, the Medford Mail Tribune reported that the lodge has sold the 6th and Holly lot and the previous evening accepted a plan "submitted by Knight Carl Fichtner to build a second story of 75x100 feet on his business building at Sixth and Fir streets now housing the Medford Vulcanizing Works and Fichtner's Garage."

Notes from the Newspapers and Minutes

Medford Mail, April 14, 1905, page 5:
Among the new business buildings under consideration is one where the Rialto cigar store is now located. Karnes & Ritter, the owners of the property, are figuring on building a two-story brick, 102 feet in length, with a twenty-five-foot front. . . . The first story of this building will be used by Messrs. Karnes & Ritter, and the second story will have a suite of office rooms in front and back of this, in all probability, will be located the home of Talisman Lodge No. 31, K. of P. There will be a chapel 25x61 in size, a banquet room 18x35 feet and two anterooms, each 11x12 feet.

Medford Mail, January 12, 1906, page 5:
Talisman Lodge K. of P. have moved into their new lodge room in the Karnes & Ritter-Kelly building and the members of the lodge are congratulating themselves and the order over having one of the nicest lodge rooms in Southern Oregon. The main lodge room occupies the full width of the rear of the upper floor of the building and is twenty-eight feet wide by forty-five feet long. In addition there is a commodious banquet room, with anterooms and closets necessary to the work of the lodge. The floor is carpeted with Brussels carpet and nothing has been omitted in the way of furnishings to make it a comfortable and cheery fraternal home. The pedestals for the officers are in keeping with the rest of the fittings and are designed especially for the use of the K. of P. and no other order. They are made of native Oregon oak and manufactured by Weeks Bros.

Medford Mail, January 26, 1906, page 5:
Alf Weeks this week placed in position the new furniture for the K. of P. hall. Five fine native oak pedestals have been put in; also four large, massive officers' chairs. These articles of lodge fittings are unquestionably the best ever put into any lodge room in Medford--and we doubt if there are any better in the state. The design, workmanship and material cannot be excelled by any workmen in any country. The K. of P. lodge room is a place of beauty--and good to look upon. The lodge has expended fully $1000 in fitting up their new home.

Minutes Dec. 31, 1917:
“After some music by brothers Haight and Rader, lodge adjourned with the understanding that we meet Wednesday evening, Jan. 2nd, 1918. . . .”

Minutes Oct. 8 , 1917:
“Brother B. J. Trowbridge reports an opportunity to rent the rooms commonly known as the Armory for $30.00 per month for two years with the privilege of 3 years more at $40.00. Motion was properly made and unanimously carried that we rent the quarters and B. J. Trowbridge was appointed a committee of one to close the deal and fix the lease papers.”

Minutes Jan. 14, 1918:
“In a few well chosen words P. G. C. Brother Wortman, on behalf of Talisman lodge presented brother Haight an official lapel button in token of the esteem and appreciation of this lodge for his services and ability on our behalf.”

Minutes April. 22, 1918:
“M. A. Rader tenders his resignation as K. R. S. as he is to move from Medford soon.”

Minutes April 29, 1918:
Paid to “Pottenger & Amy Hall Rent 3 mo to July 1st 1918 $90.00”

Minutes Jan. 13, 1919:
“Under Good of the Order Brother Haight favored us with several very fine Instrumental Selections.”

Minutes, Aug 18, 1919:
“Our committee on entertainment surprised us with a musical treat of rare Excellence consisting of Instrumental Solos by Miss Elizabeth Gore & Vocal Solos by Mrs Scudder.”

Minutes, Feb. 23, 1920:
“Brother A. J. Vance gave us a two hour talk on his observations & experiences in the Service of his Country & after the Armistice was Signed. Covering travel through France Italy & Belgium. The Subject was so Interesting to all that an Invitation was extended Brother Vance to give us another chapter of his experiences at a near future date.”

Minutes, March 22, 1920:
“Short talks on Good of the Order. Some choice musical Selections & the Eats occupied the time till the small hours of the morning. All expressed themselves as having been well entertained & voiced the hope that they might be permitted to attend many Roll Call meetings of Talisman Lodge.”

Minutes, March 29, 1920:
“This Meeting was the Occasion of a visit by Grand Chancellor Julian A. Hurley also an Open Meeting about 250 Knights & Wives Sisters Daughters & Sweethearts. Grand Chancellor Hurley made the talk of the evening. The Programme consisted of Readings – Music – Stunts – followed by Ice Cream & Cake.”

Fred Alton Haight’s Membership Notes

From the Roster of Knighthood:

F. A. Haight, occupation: Musician
Ranks conferred: Page 2/22/1915, Esquire 5/10/1915, Knight 7/19/1915

From 2/22/1915 minutes: (handwritten into preprinted form) “By special dispensation application recd. & rank given [to Haight] same date." This was unusual. The only other candidate afforded this honor during these years was architect Frank Clark.

Suspended 6/25/1923, for non-payment of dues

1916 Lodge Roster

According to Nov. 13, 1916 minutes, as part of a membership drive the lodge membership was divided into two teams; “each contesting side will be entitled to one point for each new member.” “It is understood that the losing side is to furnish free of cost to the winning side a solid gold official lapel button K of P. to each member of the winning side who has brought in one or more members.” The teams consisted of the following Knights, comprising presumably a complete membership roster for November 1916:

[Team One]
Allenderfer, O. O.
Anderson, Bert
Barkdull, J. E.
Beal, Asa
Brown, S. I.
Brownlee, J.
Butler, J. H.
Cherry, George W.
Danielson, Vic.
DeArmond, H. L.
Erickson, M. L.
Estes, Rankin
Gardner, G. A.
Garretson, A. R.
Gilbert, Van R.
Godlove, J. C.
Gould, G. G.
Haight, F. A.
Hale, J. F.
Haney, B. E.
Harrison, J. H.
Harrison, J. T.
Haswell, H. T.
Hinman, L. E.
Isaacs, W. F.
Jaqua, E. W.
Kelly, E. E.
Kershaw, J. L.
Lunge, F. N.
McKee, E.
McMurtry, Clyde
Molony, J. P.
Mulkey, B. F.
Olmstead, J. E.
Palmer, John
Perl, John A.
Phipps, I.
Porter, E. H.
Putney, G. H.
Rader, M. A.
Reynolds, O. E.
Rinabargar, C. A.
Saunders, C. E.
Schmidt, E. F.
Singler, W. H.
Smith, J. C.
Sowers, R. H.
Steel, Will R.
Thayer, F. G.
Thomas, C. M.
Trowbridge, Ben J., Chmn.
Trowbridge, E. G. Jr.
Vance, A. J.
Watkins, C. B.
Weeks, Alf
Welch, E. A.
West, George H.
Wold, Jonas
Woods, W. W.

[Team Two]
Allen, W. D.
Arnspiger, Olen
Baker, W. P.
Baldwin, C.
Beach, R. G.
Bliss, David
Borden, N. W.
Boyd, C. R.
Branham, H. M.
Bunch, R. A.
Collins, B. M.
Conrad, John T.
Cunningham, A. B.
Damon, L. L.
Dent, J. E.
Dodge, John
Earhart, W. C.
Earl, R. J.
Ebel, R. R.
Ewing, R. L.
Flynn, T. K.
Gates, C. E.
Gifford, T. J.
Gore, E. E.
Harper, G. R.
Harrison, C. W., Chmn.
Henselman, J. H.
Hubbard, A. C.
Klien, E. J.
Klocker, A. J.
Lane, C. J.
Lindley, F. G.
Loder, F. F.
Macky, H. C.
Manning, O. A.
McGraw, N. L.
Mego, L. P.
Moffat, Thomas
Neff, P. J.
Newman, F. J.
Offutt, William N.
Pearson, Carl
Phlegar, John
Pierce, George E.
Purdin, M.
Ray, C. R.
Rice, E. C.
Roads, C. F.
Roberts, George M.
Schulz, W. H.
Sherman, F. L.
Staub, William N.
Stearns, R. W.
Stewart, James
Trautfether, Charles
Trowbridge, H. G. Sr.
Van Horn, J. G.
Wilson, E. W.
Wortman, H. G.

A similar membership drive was conducted in 1920:

“ELECT E. E. GORE COMMANDER OF K. OF P. LODGE

    “There was a very large attendance at the regular meeting of Talisman Lodge Knights of Pythias Monday night, it being the occasion of the election of officers for the ensuing term. E. E. Gore, one of Medford’s most popular business men was unanimously elected chancellor commander as a fitting tribute and recognition of his loyalty and untiring efforts in the cause of Pythianism. The other officers elected were: W. R. Gaylord, vice chancellor; J. T. Perry, prelate; Ben J. Trowbridge, master of exchequer; C. W. Harrison, master of finance; E. F. Robinson, keeper of records and seals; Carl Fichtner, master of arms; C. B. Watkins, inner guard; L. L. Damon, outer guard, and George Gould, trustee.
    “After the election of officers the following candidates were found in waiting and were duly introduced and initiated into the mysteries of the rank of page: George Gates, George W. Laidley, Glenn Laidley, A. W. Lewis, and George W. Maddox.
    “In keeping with the principles of the lodge to put sunshine and gladness into the hearts of men, and in order that the children of this community might be the recipients of a practical exemplification of that principle, the lodge has decided to hold a public reception with a Christmas tree for the children of Medford at its Castle hall on December 24th at 2 p.m.
    “In view of the fact that the lodge membership is increasing very rapidly, it was decided to hold a membership contest by dividing the present membership in two teams, and the losing team to treat the winning team to a banquet the latter part of January. Ben J. Trowbridge and John Palmer were elected as captains of the opposing teams. The proceedings of the evening were concluded by a short recital by the efficient kitchen patrol consisting of Messrs. Cooper, Perry and Reed.” [Medford Mail Tribune, December 8, 1920, p. 1]

Reconstructed Talisman Lodge 1920 Roster

I compiled a list of all lodge members mentioned in the "Roll of Officers" and minutes for Jan. 7, 1918 through July 25, 1921—the dates covered by the Haight diary. A comparison with the 1916 list confirms my suspicion that many names are misspelled.

This is not a complete membership roll, and many of the names below are applicants or transfers, a few of which may have been rejected or withdrawn.

Albright, Melvin Jackson
Anderson, Karl E.
Anderton, D.
Angle, O. E.
Arnspiger, Olen
Baker, Chester
Baker, R. Chester
Barber, W. E.
Barkdull, J. E.
Barney, Clarence O.
Barr, Orville E.
Barrows, Walter E.
Barton, Harold E.
Beach, R. G.
Bedingfield, J. A.
Beeson, Elton E.
Benedict, Fred R.
Billings, Ivin I.
Blasing, Walter E.
Blore, Frank S.
Bodenhamer, Lester
Bodenhammer, F. E.
Bodenheimer, Lester
Bonar, D. A.
Bonney, George M.
Borden, Newton W.
Bowman, Carl D.
Boyd, C. R.
Bradley, William
Brewster, Delbert O.
Bross, Frank W.
Brown, E. J.
Brown, E. O.
Brown, Edward E.
Brown, Harry B.
Brown, Hugh E.
Brown, John O.
Brown, Louis
Brown, Ray
Brown, Thomas R.
Brown, Wesley
Brownlee, Jess
Bryant, Harry
Burkland, Dr. A.
Campbell, Charles
Canaday, Hamil A.
Cate, Claude C.
Chaney, Charles
Chaney, Ira
Childers, G. A.
Childs, Harry W.
Clark, Frank L.
Clark, Herbert B.
Clark, W. J.
Clark, W. J. H.
Clemens, Cecil A.
Close, R. V.
Clough, C. A.
Coiman, Nick A.
Cole, C. S.
Collins, George H.
Combes, S. E.
Cones, James C.
Conrad, J. T.
Corman, Nick A.
Cormany, George O.
Corwin, W. H.
Craig, Thomas B.
Cross, G. W.
Crowson, W. F.
Crowson, W. J.
Crowson, W. W.
Cunningham, W. B.
Currie, John A.
Daley, Victor H.
Damon, Lloyd L.
Darby, John H.
Darneille, Everett G.
Davenport, William
Davis, Dana M.
Dawson, Harry M.
Dean, Lee
DeArmond, H. L.
Denzer, L. A.
Devore, C.
Dickey, Walter
Dodge, J. M.
Dodge, John
Douglass, George W.
Duff, D. D.
Dunaway, J. H.
Edsall, Thomas L.
Egan, Thomas S.
Elwood, L. R.
Erickson, O. F.
Erskine, W. M.
Farmer, R. F.
Fehl, Earl H.
Fichtner, Carl
Fields, W. C.
Fifer, B. F.
Fifer, R. D.
Finley, Clemma
Finley, Everett
Finley, J. A.
Fisk, George N.
Flaherty, R. D.
Flynn, D. L.
Flynn, Diamond
Flynn, Tom
Forgey, Albert P.
Foster, C. W.
Fredericks, Delmer O.
Frey, O. E.
Fridiger, Fred
Fullerton, H. L.
Ganettson, A. R.
Gardner, G. A.
Garnettson, A. R.
Garrett, W. O.
Gates, George E.
Gaylord, W. R.
Gentry, Will G.
Giem, Harry L.
Gilbert, Van R.
Gillespie, Robert
Gillman, George
Gillmore, Charles W.
Gilmore, Charles M.
Glasgow, C. W.
Gleeson, Walter G.
Goble, Dean
Godlove, J. C.
Goold, G. G.
Gore, E. E.
Gore, Jay I.
Gore, W. H.
Gould, George
Gray, Merle C.
Griffin, Charles C.
Grover, H. G.
Haney, B. E.
Hansen, J. P.
Harmon, R. W.
Harrell, Joe
Harrison, C. W.
Harrison, P. B.
Harrison, Renard R.
Harrison, Robert M.
Haswell, H. T.
Haswell, Harry
Haswell, Henry
Hauser, James P.
Haymond, Benjamin
Heimroch, C. R.
Heine, Bliss
Heine, T. G.
Hemstreet, J. W.
Henderson, L. W.
Hendrickson, J. L.
Henry, R. J.
Henselman, Charles F.
Herring, J. C.
Hicks, E.
Hicks, J. E.
Hinman, L. E.
Hodgeman, K. E.
Hogg, F. W.
Holibaugh, F. C.
Howard, George L.
Hubbard, B. F.
Hubers, F. J.
Hulsie, Roscoe
Isaacs, W. F.
Jacobs, Edward F.
Jaqua, E. W.
Johnson, George Edgar
Johnson, M. S.
Johnston, J. F.
Jones, Capriel
Jones, John H.
Joy, B. F.
Judy, John W.
Judy, Torrence T.
Keizur, Clarence A.
Keizur, Walter
Kinz, Dr. George J.
Kirkpatrick, J. W.
Klein, E. J.
Klocker, A. J.
Kunzman, George J.
Laidley, Glenn
Laidley, George W.
Laidley, W. G.
Laison, William C.
Lamb, Milo E.
Lamb, W. R.
Langwill, Frank
Larned, Walter C.
Launspach, Herbert G.
Lednicky, Thomas
Lenney, J. A.
Leonard, Morris B.
Leonard, Paul M.
Lewis, A. W.
Lindas, Benjamin F.
Lindley, G. F.
Locke, William H.
Loder, Frank
Longwill, Frank
Loomis, Gailord M.
Low, J. D.
Lowe, D. M.
Lowe, L. D.
Lozier, John W.
Luman, Charles Wesley
Luman, Will A.
Lundberg, Ed
Maddox, George E.
Madson, James
Maloney, J. P.
Mansfield, George A.
Matney, John M.
Maule, John W.
Maust, O. C.
McCorkle, J. A.
McCredie, Clatons
McDannel, Dennis M.
McDonald, Paul B.
McGraw, N. S.
McIntyre, William B. M.
McKee, F. E.
McKeown, Robert Bruce
McLaughlin, Charlie M.
McMahan, A. T.
McMann, W. S.
McMurtrie, Clyde
McNeff, Fred L.
McReynolds, C. B.
Mee, Charles
Menell, Norman J.
Merrick, E. P.
Miller, Charles H.
Mittelstaedt, A. C.
Mochel, Charles F.
Moffatt, Thomas
Moore, Rawles
Moran, T. L.
Mulkey, B. F.
Murray, Floyd
Myers, O. V.
Neilson, George W.
Noe, C. T.
Nordwick, Arthur R.
Nordwick, Harry F.
Norris, T. C.
O’Brien, J. A.
Offenbacher, Fred
Offenbacher, Leon
Olson, Hans
Palmer, J. B.
Palmer, John
Perry, H. J.
Perry, Jesse T.
Petty, J. T.
Petty, R. A.
Phipps, W. E.
Piche, Albert
Pierce, William G.
Pierson, Carl
Pierson, W. E.
Pollnitz, R. W.
Puhl, Louis
Purl, Henry B.
Pursel, George Henry
Pursell, Charles W.
Pursell, Charles W. Jr.
Rader, M. A.
Rasmussen, H. C.
Ray, Dr. C. R.
Reed, H. J.
Reed, Homer J.
Renard, Charles
Renshaw, Eustace
Rice, E. C.
Richardson, E. J.
Rinabarger, Harry
Robinson, E. F.
Robinson, James C.
Robison, E. F.
Rohrer, W. W.
Root, Edward C.
Rouse, Fred L.
Rouse, T. G.
Ryan, Fred
Salter, R. E.
Sasnett, J. Randolph
Saunders, J. B.
Schell, C. D.
Schmidt, E. F.
Schulz, William H.
Schwartz, Herman
Scutte, C. E.
Seaman, Lloyd E.
Sears, William
Sebreau, F. W.
Sheldon, Ben C.
Shelley, C. W.
Silts, Dave S.
Simonds, Malcolm H.
Sitts, Dave S.
Smith, Aubrey G.
Smith, Roland
Smith, Winfried L.
Snider, E. W.
Snidley, Frank
Snyder, O. S.
Sollar, Levi Oscar
Sowe, D. M.
Springer, D. S.
Sprinkle, L. G.
Sprinkler, L. L.
Stamper, H. G.
Steel, Will G.
Stephenson, R. O.
Stewart, James
Stolz, Harry C.
Stripp, Fred S.
Styles, R. V.
Sullivan, Bert M.
Sunderland, L. K.
Sweeney, Charles T.
Swem, T. M.
Talbert, L. Ray
Talent, Charles P.
Tedrick, Clarence C.
Temple, T. I.
Temple, Thomas T.
Tengwald, Carl Y.
Thomas, C. M.
Thomas, Fern W.
Trautfether, Arthur
Triautaples, Harry
Trowbridge, B. J.
Trowbridge, Ed
Trowbridge, Everett
Trowbridge, Ray
Trowbridge, Ronald
Truax, W. W.
Tuautaples, Harry
Tunnell, E. L.
Turner, A. B.
Turner, Fred G.
Turner, Fred J.
Vance, A. J.
Vance, Borden A. J.
Vance, Winston C.
Verback, Robert
Vilas, Edward Platt
Vilas, J. S.
Vilm, E. N.
Voorhies, Gordon Jr.
Wait, F. Wilson
Wakefield, E. W.
Wakefield, J. W.
Wakefield, Ray
Walker, A. W.
Walker, Clark J.
Walker, Clay E.
Walker, Cleveland F.
Walter, George
Washburn, Howard H.
Watkins, C. B.
Watson, F. J.
Webber, C. K.
Webber, E. L.
Webber, E. S.
Welch, William M.
Wendt, Chester H.
Wendt, George W.
Westerlund, J. A.
Wheeler, Sidney A.
Whillock, C. W.
Whisenant, W. K.
White, Andrew E.
White, Ed M.
Whiting, Louis W.
Williams, H. H.
Williams, Lloyd A.
Willits, Merle M.
Winningham, John
Witcher, Brennon
Woodford, J. R.
Woods, Wallace
Wortman, H. G.
Wortman, Harry G. Jr.
York, Earl H.
York, Fred
Yost, Ray C.
Yothers, W. A.
Young, Paul A.

“K.P. COMMANDER GORE ANNOUNCES 1921 COMMITTEES

    “The following committees are announced by Chancellor Commander E. E. Gore for the coming six months term in Talisman lodge, Knights of Pythias:
    “Entertainment—Bliss Heine, F. A. Haight, H. H. Williams.
    “Banquet committee—Homer Reed, E. C. Rice, Jess Brownlee.
    “Reception committee—R. G. Beach, W. G. Laidley, Jr., J. B. Palmer.
    “Relief committee—Aside from standing committee, Earl Webber, J. W. Wakefield, B. J. Trowbridge.
    “Publicity committee—N. W. Borden, Jas. Stewart, W. R. Gaylord.
    “Members are especially reminded of the lecture next Monday evening by Frank Grant of Portland, in connection with the initiation of the class of seventy-five new men into the first rank.” [Medford Mail Tribune, January 8, 1921, p. 6]