Excelsior Springs, Mo. – Having family in Clay County, I was pleased to read The Excelsior Citizen news article entitled: “Plans take shape for new Masonic Lodge building in Excelsior Springs near U.S. 69” (Jan. 26 issue). Several of my family were members of the Masonic Lodge in Excelsior Springs, including Dr. Marcus DeLafayette Isley who died in 1932. My great grandmother was Hannah Jane Isley and she was born in 1840. In 1857 at Richmond, Mo., she married Charles Marples. They moved eventually to Blue Springs, Nebraska where she died in 1931. Her brother John W. Isley was likewise a Mason.
I joined Masonry at age 18, when I was still a Senior in high school in 1982. I am a fifth-generation Freemason myself.
I joined the basic three-degree Masonic Blue Lodge, plus the York Rite, Scottish Rite, Shriners, Grotto, Knight Masons Royal Order of Scotland, Robert-the-Bruce Association, Masonic Rosicrucians, Heroes of ’76, Red Cross of Constantine and other Masonic-affiliated groups. Freemasonry isn’t a secret society. It is well-known. I call it a “friendship-society.”
I always enjoy seeing old Masonic Halls. However, now that I am age 62 and coping with my own health-issues having been hit by a car when I was a pedestrian years ago, I have a more mellow feeling toward newer, ground-floor lodge-halls that I can more easily navigate. I can no longer do the ancient chair-lift in my similar Knights of Pythias lodge hall. While it was initially good, it breaks-down or is so clunky that it is jerky to ride up the stairs.
I wish the best for the new Masonic Lodge hall to be built at Excelsior Springs. I do hope some of the historical artifacts and ambiance will be transferred to the new building, once completed.
JAMES A. MARPLES
Longview, Texas (with family in Clay County)
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