Crescent Man Only Living One to Attend Initial Session Here.

None of the eight charter members of Guthrie Lodge No. 35 A. F. and A. M., the first to be formed after the run for territory in 1889, is alive today.

However, there is a man living who attended that first meeting when the chapter was born.

He is Frank Bonner, for years city clerk at Crescent, and past worshipful master of Crescent lodge No. 64.

Mr. Bonner said he was not only present for the initial session, but also witnessed the presentation of the charter.

Under the Masonic law, a minimum of seven members is necessary before a charter can be granted. Eight organized the Guthrie lodge and applied for its inception into Masonry. But as soon as a charter was granted, the number rapidly increased.

James A. Riling, of Oklahoma City, is the lodge's oldest living member at present. He joined the lodge August 14, 1891 - more than 48 years ago.

When the lodge held its reunion 10 years ago in observation of its fortieth birthday, two of the eight founders were present. They were Henry Strough, of Oklahoma City, and W. E. McClung, of Colorado Springs, Colo.

The first officers under the charter were A. J. Spengel, worshipful master; B. F. Perkins, senior warden; W. R. Meadows, junior warden; Henry D. Todd, treasurer; J. F. Ayres, secretary; W. E. McClung, senior deacon; Thomas J. Hart, junior deacon; J. R. Weir, senior steward; A. A. Stowe, junior steward; H. C. Stowe, Tyler, and Rev. Stevenson, chaplain.

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