The first meeting held to perfect an organization of a Lodge of Knights
of Pythias was on July 23d, 1877.
Queen City Lodge No. 21 was organized August 17th, 1877, with G. M.
Otten, P. C.; T. S. Levy, C. C.; Max Elser, V. C.; Chas. Gay, M. of A.
Red Cross Lodge No. 14 was organized February 26th, 1881, with S.
Rosenfield, P. C.; W. R. Gause, C. C.; C. K. Fairfax, V. C.; H. P.
Purnell, M. of A.
The lodges at once took up the matter of the erection of a Castle Hall.
Committees were appointed and subscriptions obtained as far as possible
and a bond and mortgage placed on the property for $12,000, bearing
twelve per cent interest.
The corner stone was laid on the sixth day of June, 1881, with
impressive ceremonies under the direction of Supreme Chancellor Justin
H. Rathbone, of Washington City.
The lodges formed in procession at the corner of Fourth and Main streets
and marched to Weatherford street, thence to Houston, thence to Fourth,
thence to Main, thence to Third at the corner of which the Castle Hall
was to be erected.
C. K. Fairfax was the Grand Marshal. Sir Knight Rathbone rode in a
carriage handsomely decorated with the colors of the order and on either
side of the carriage rode two knights in full armor. These were Knight
Louis J. Elser, of Corsicana, and Knight E. M. Alvord, of Red Cross
Lodge.
Arriving at the site the ceremony of laying the corner stone was had by
Knight Justin H. Rathbone. Knight R. E. Beckham of Queen City Lodge
delivered the oration.
The following articles were placed in the corner stone: Roster of Queen
City Lodge; Roster of Red Cross Lodge; Names of Officers of Supreme
Lodge; Names of Officers of the Grand Lodge; Pieces of gold, silver and
paper currency and copies of the papers printed in the city.
At night an interesting and instructive lecture was delivered by Knight
Rathbone at the Presbyterian church.
Interest on the bonded debt was met promptly and at their maturity were
taken up by a new bond for a much smaller amount at a lower rate of
interest. This was the first Castle Hall built in the World.