Indian Creek Lodge
The town we know as Greenville was known as Centerville until the later part of the 19th century.
Laurel Creek empties into Indian Creek nearby. Saltpeter was produced in caves in the area, and was important for making gunpowder
during the War Between the States.
The first building lots for the town of Centerville were sold in 1846. The Indian Creek post office had been
located in the mill at the foot of the hill for many years and it retained its name even though the town was came to be called
Centerville. According to research by Dr. Margaret Ballard, the Indian Creek post office is the oldest post office in the
County of Monroe in continuous operation. The name of the town and the post office was officially changed to Greenville June
7, 1890, but the town was still referred to as Centerville in the 1892 lodge minute books.
Indian Creek Lodge Starts Work
It is indeed unfortunate that two or three Indian Creek Lodge minute books are missing. We have to do a lot
of reconstructing and rely on the few other records that are available. We do know from Monroe Lodge records dated October
15, 1866, that it was "unanimously resolved that it be recommended to the Grand Lodge of Virginia at Richmond to grant a dispensation
authorizing Bros. Elliott Vawter, John D. Shanklin, Elkanah Wilson and such other brethren as may be associated with them
to form a new lodge at Centreville in Monroe County West Virginia agreeably to the prayer of their petition now presented
to this lodge."
The Indian Creek Charter Mystery
The 1972 proceedings of WV Grand Lodge state that on December 10, 1867 the Grand Lodge of Virginia refused
to grant a charter to Indian Creek Lodge due to the formation of the Grand Lodge of WV, and the location of this lodge being
in territorial jurisdiction of another Grand Lodge (Letter from Gr. Sec., VA 8/10/1966). Indian Creek obviously got a charter
from Virginia around 1868, even if Virginia Grand Lodge won't admit it. In Monroe Lodge #12 minutes, Sept. 16, 1867, it mentions
a visitor from Indian Creek Lodge, U. D. In May 17, 1869 minutes, a visitor from Indian Creek Lodge #145 is recorded. Until
1876 we see Indian Creek Lodge #145 in the Virginia Grand Lodge proceedings, although Virginia Grand Lodge can’t explain
it.
In April 1919, the minutes show "… that Indian Creek Lodge No. 72 AF&AM (will) undertake to celebrate
in an appropriate way the 50th anniversary now passed (emphasis added)…" This shows that a charter
was given before April 1869. The lodge was therefore chartered early in 1869, or more likely, at the 1868 Virginia
Grand Lodge annual communication. We may never know. Furthermore, note the information in the next paragraph where it states
that the Grand Lodge of West Virginia will allow them to keep their Virginia charter.
Indian Creek Lodge Changes Allegiance
By 1876 there were only three lodges remaining within the borders of West Virginia which still gave allegiance
to the Grand Lodge of Virginia; Indian Creek #145, Greenbrier #49, and Monroe #12. This was soon to change. We read in the
minutes of August 28, 1876 "Having written a letter of inquiry to the most worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of West
Virginia and received a reply from Wor. Bro. O. S. Long Grand Secretary of said Grand Lodge, apprising us that our Lodge will
be heartily welcomed by their Grand Body, and that we will be permitted to retain the charter under which we are now working,
together with all our property, furniture, funds, jewels &c. and that a new charter will be issued us by said Grand Lodge
at its annual communication is November next, free of expense, and that we may continue to work under our present charter
until said new charter is received, thus causing no interruption in our work…"
The 1876 Proceedings of West Virginia Grand Lodge, page 435 & 436 tell the story.
At a stated communication of Indian Creek Lodge No. 145, AF&A Masons, held in their hall in the town
of Centreville, Monroe County, West Virginia, on Monday evening, the 28th of August, A. D. 1876, AL 5876, the following resolution
was presented to the lodge and ordered to lie over until the next Stated Communication, and the Secretary was ordered to notify
each member to be present for the purpose of taking action on the same.
Resolved, that although we deeply regret to separate ourselves from the venerable Grand Lodge of Virginia,
yet being located within the geographical limits of the State of West Virginia, and in accordance with the general regulation
passed by the Grand Lodge of Virginia, we feel it to be our duty to connect ourselves with the Grand Lodge of West Virginia
at its next Grand Annual Communication to receive our Lodge into that body as a regularly constituted Subordinate lodge, and
to issue a charter in the names of our present officers, to wit: J. Z. Ellison, Worshipful Master: S. K. Boude, Senior Warden;
and James M. Johnson, Junior Warden.
On page 427 of the same proceedings Grand Lodge WV, we read,
I take pleasure in communicating to you that on the third day of October last, Indian Creek Lodge No. 145,
located at Indian Creek, Monroe County, West Virginia, and heretofore reporting to the Grand Lodge of Virginia, in accordance
with the terms of agreement between this Grand Lodge and that of the parent State, voluntarily transferred its allegiance
to this body. In your name I extend to the brethren of Indian Creek lodge a hearty and fraternal welcome.
Thus, the lodge became Indian Creek #72.
John Dove Lodge, now in Peterstown, was not located in Monroe County at the time. The minutes of Indian Creek
for December, 1878 tell us "…John Dove Lodge, No. 104, working under a charter from the Grand Lodge of Va., and located
at Grey Sulphur Springs, just beyond the border of the State of West Virginia, ..." It seems the border was changed because
John Dove Lodge was previously listed as being in Monroe County.
Furthermore, we read in the 1879 Proceedings of West Virginia Grand Lodge, page 552:
Indian Creek Lodge, in December last (1878), addressed me a communication, enclosing a copy of a resolution
adopted by her, complaining of the action of John Dove Lodge No. 104, working under a charter from the Grand Lodge of Virginia,
in initiating, passing and raising citizens of this State, who lived within the jurisdiction of Indian Creek Lodge. The resolution
was forwarded to the M. W. Grand Master of Virginia, and he at once directed the D. D. G. M. of the district in which John
Dove Lodge is situated, "to admonish the Lodge that her jurisdiction was limited by the State line, and that the jurisdiction
of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia must be respected." No further complaints have been made by Indian Creek Lodge; and John
Dove Lodge has applied for direction as to how to transfer her allegiance from the M. W. Grand lodge of Virginia to this Grand
Lodge.
Indian Creek Lodge Buildings
We don’t know where the lodge first met. Our first indication is from the minutes of August 16, 1875,
stating the lodge had an "open account with the trustees of the Presbyterian Church for permanent improvements and repairs
of the Lodge building." We note that the lodge paid rent to the Presbyterian Church annually at least through January, 1894.
The records for a period after this date are missing.
Newman Wickline feels that the lodge then rented the upper floor of a local store, the Ballard & Thomas
(later Ballard & Arnott Mercantile Co). They stayed in this store until the fire of 1896.
Fire Destroys Indian Creek Lodge Building
On May 30, 1896 Indian Creek suffered a tragic loss in that their lodge hall was destroyed by fire. A new
charter was issued in 1896 to replace the old. It is likely that the Virginia charter was also destroyed in the fire. What
a pity.
We know that the lodge met in three or four different buildings - the building rented from the Presbyterian
Church, the Ballard & Arnott Mercantile store, a temporary location after the fire and while their new building was under
construction, and finally, their new building.
The trustees of Indian Creek Lodge purchased a lot "adjoining the town of Greenville" containing twenty two
poles (approximately 1/8 acre) from P. D. Henshaw and his wife, C. W. Henshaw. The price was $15. The deed is dated June 21,
1897 and was recorded on page 298, Deed Book 152, July 13, 1897.
From the minutes of Monroe Lodge #77, dated February, 1897, we find that Indian Creek Lodge requested aid
in rebuilding its lodge hall. In March of 1897, Monroe Lodge donated $5.00 toward the building fund. Similarly, the minutes
of Rocky Point #61 show that the same request was made of them in January 1897. Rocky Point contributed $5.00 in March 1897.
The lower room of the hall was rented for various purposes over the years. In May, 1916 we find reference
to renting the lower floor to Greenville Odd Fellows Lodge No. 405.
In March 1919 "… use of the lower room of the Lodge building was granted to the local troop of Boy Scouts…"
Two years later, (December 1921) the lodge was "making lower rooms a community house." Water was installed in the community
hall portion of the building in March of 1951.
In October 1945, a committee met with the school board for the purpose of renting the lower floor for a hot
lunch room. There are no further references to this so it may not have materialized. In November 1935 we find the lodge renting
the community hall to Miss Glover.
In May 1938 a committee was formed to have the lodge wired for electricity. A new porch was added in August
1952, and in April 1976, the west end of the lodge (the kitchen) was sold for $33.
Hardy Pioneers Form Indian Creek Lodge
Copies of two Resolutions of Respect follow. These were copied from the minute books and are very instructive,
clearly demonstrating the type of men who founded Indian Creek Lodge.
The first was occasioned by the death of J. P. Shanklin in December 1924
John P. Shanklin was a charter member at Indian Creek Lodge #72 AF&A Masons, having previously taken
the degrees at Union Lodge. He therefore ranked among the oldest masons in the country, and he certainly ranked among those
most skilled in the work of the degrees and most devoted to the high principles on which the order rests.
He is to be classed among the fathers of Indian Creek Lodge. In character he was one of nature’s noblemen,
an exemplar of the manly virtues. As a soldier in the War Between the States he met hardships and danger with fortitude and
courage, winning the love and admiration of his comrades. As a citizen he was public spirited and patriotic, rendering important
service both in a public and private capacity. As a friend he was wholehearted and unselfish. As a Christian he was earnest
and sincere. His life well illustrated the truth that a man may walk with God and yet keep a most delightful hold upon his
fellow man and that the Divine touch but renders the humane touch the warmer….
In January 1934 J. Z. Ellison died and received the following tribute.
Brother Ellison was a charter member of this Lodge, and throughout its history has been one of its most faithful
and zealous supporters. He was regular in his attendance upon its meetings, as long as his strength permitted and never lost
interest in its welfare.
Brother Ellison was descended from a pioneer family which before the Revolutionary War settled on the lands
which now constitute the Ellison farm on which he was born and where his life was spent.
The unwritten history of the family is deeply interesting. Their contest with Indians for occupancy of the
soil, the hardships and privations of pioneer life and the heroic effort to bring religion and social order to their little
community and to spread it to outlying settlements commands our highest admiration. In a man with such an ancestry behind
him one would naturally look for strength of character and Brother Ellison fully justified our expectations. He was always
on the right side of any moral question. His heart was formed for friendship and he was greatly loved in the circle of his
intimate acquaintance. He had the happy facility of seeing all that was good in the lives and characters of those with whom
he came in touch, to which he added the ability to overlook their shortcomings.
Editor’s note: The minutes of June 1888 show that J. Z. Ellison had been struck by lightning (46
years before he died).
Indian Creek’s Fiftieth Birthday
Indian Creek Lodge celebrated its fiftieth birthday in 1919. In preparation for the celebration, the April
1919 minutes show "… that Indian Creek lodge No. 72 AF&AM (will) undertake to celebrate in an appropriate way the
50th anniversary now passed of the formation of the Lodge and take occasion at the same time to honor in a suitable
way our three remaining charter members."
Indian Creek celebrated its fiftieth anniversary on June 7, 1919. "… the W. M. presented medals to Bros.
A. P. Miller, J. Z. Ellison, and J. P. Shanklin, they being the remaining charter members of the Lodge, with appropriate address…"
Wouldn’t be nice if we were able to locate photographs of this event?
Indian Creek At War
In January of 1919 "… the dues of all members of this lodge in the Army and Navy were remitted to the
beginning of 1919…"
Tragically, we read in the minutes of September 2 1944, that Indian Creek Lodge paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Pvt. John H. Miller died in France.
Dispensation was granted "to examine Walter Jackson Dunn, a fellowcraft, and ballot upon his proficiency and
advancement and to confer upon him the MM degree at a special communication held on Jan 29, 1954, he being in the Armed Services
and under orders to transfer outside the continental limits of the US."
Indian Creek Merges With Monroe Lodge
In July, 1976, Master Russel G. Hazelwood appointed a committee consisting of Borthers Donnie Hazelwood and
Fleet W. Lively to investigate merging with Monroe Lodge #77. A proposal for consolidation was presented in August and laid
over for one month. In the September meeting the proposal for consolidation was voted on and approved.
A fine old lodge came to an end but, as in the case of Rocky Point lodge, Monroe lodge gained some valuable
members and fine Masonic brethren.
Miscellaneous Information
The following information was gleaned from the minute books for general interest.
In March 1894, the lodge paid the ladies of the M. E. Church for dinners at the rate of three dinners for
$1.00. The lodge room was carpeted for 35 cents per yard in July 1894.
On January 21, 1889, dispensation was granted to elect & install all officers. "Owing to high water no
election could be held at the proper time."
In April 1890, the lodge ordered one dozen spittoons.
In 1890 - 1892 The lodge was lending money @ 6% to "any responsible party." This lodge didn’t have a
bank account until around time of First World War.
On December 27, 1911 we read, "On motion, Bro. H. N. Ballard was appointed a committee to have stepping stones
placed across the street in front of the lodge."
In February 1921, the lodge purchased 18 chairs @ $30 per dozen.
In September 1923 ? F. Vass donated (upon his death) a collection of Indian relics to Indian Creek Lodge.
The lodge bought glass and molding to display these relics in the Community Hall.
In 1936, Government bonds (4 @ $100) belonging to Indian Creek Lodge were stolen from the Bank of Greenville.
July 1955 The Grand Master of West Virginia was present.
According to Newman Wickline, there is a story around Greenville the Peter Larew rode his horse to Greenville
Lodge from his home in Hans Creek. One night, he forgot his horse and walked home, a distance of seven miles. He had to return
for his horse the next morning.
Newman Wickline also remembers Bill Dunlap walking to Greenville Lodge across Ellison’s Ridge, carrying
a lantern. One could watch his progress across the fields as he was taking his shortcut.
By 1894, only 6 cents had been collected in charity box; five cents one time and one cent on another occasion
