![]() W.M. Alfred Metcalf Belt |
Less than three weeks after the forming of the Grand Lodge AF&AM of Oregon, John Elliott, Deputy Grand Master, on October 4th 1851, issued a dispensation for a Lodge at Salem to Alfred Metcalf Belt and others. It took a longer time for the dispensation to reach Salem and the Lodge to get oorganized, for six weeks later, on November 28th, 1851, the first meeting of Salem Lodge was held. This was attended by two members of the lodge, four who was accepted into membership by motion and vote at the second meeting, December 12th, 1851, and one visitor. The two members were A. M. Belt as Worshipful Master and Jas. A. Bennett as Senior Deacon. The four accepted into membership Dec. 12 were A. W. Ferguson as Senior Warden, J. W. Kalfus as Junior Warden, John Howell as secretary and treasurer and A. B. Carter as Steward and Tyler. |
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The visitor was J. C. Avery, a member from Willamette Lodge No. 2. A farmer and merchant and founder of the town of Marysville, the name of which was, at his request, later changed to Corvallis by the state legislature. Alfred Metcalf Belt was a physician and a Past Master of Weston Lodge No. 53, Boonville, Mo. He was born in Kentucky July 23rd, 1804. In 1850, with his wife and six children he joined an emigrant train for Oregon. Besides his general practice in and around Salem he was a professor in the medical department of Willamette University. He was the first Master of the Lodge. When the lodge was chartered he became Treasure for two years and again as Master in 1854 and 1859. He became active in the Grand Lodge. In 1852 he was elected Junior Grand Warden, in 1853 Senior Grand Warden, 1854 and 1855 Deputy Grand Master, and in 1856 Grand Master. From 1862 and 1864 he served as Grand Treasurer. He was active in his Lodge until his death, August 18th, 1881. Evidently Dr. Belt carried the petition to form the Lodge with him when calling on his patients as six of the ten who signed the petition lived in Polk county and later were instrumental in forming Jennings Lodge No. 9 at Dallas. At the first recorded meeting Lodge was opened on the Entered Apprentice degree. No business appearing, Lodge was opened on the Fellow Craft degree. No business appearing, the Lodge was opened on the Master Mason degree. Two petitions for initiation were read, that Charles Bennet and D.R.S. Daley, a farmer who was the first man raised by the new Lodge. This occurred January 3030th, 1852. He demitted in 1855 to assist in forming Laurel Lodge No. 13 at Roseburg. |
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![]() Schlussel and Cohen Building, the upper store of which was the first place of Salem Lodge No. 4 (November 28, 1851 to October 1852) the location now would be 890 North Liberty Street. |
![]() Rector Hall, the second story of which the second meeting place of Salem Lodge No. 4 (October 1852 to August 12, 1853) This is now 255 South Commercial Street. |
![]() McCornnack Building, Third floor of which was the meeting place for Salem Lodge No. 4 from December 7, 1900 to December 1912. This is now Miller's Department Store, corner of State and Liberty Streets. The wooden Awning over the sidewalk long ago was removed. The ramps shown from sidewalk to street are now concrete. |