~ Richmond Lodge # 57 A.F. & A.M. began to work under dispensation on June 27, 1842. and was granted a charter from the Grand Lodge on Oct.11, 1842. There were eleven charter members as follows; Charles V. Hearn, John Jackson, Caleb Tompkins, James H. Smith, John C. Richardson, Charles R. Moorehead, David Bullock, Austin A. King, william Berry, William Hudgins, and S. K. miller.

~ Charles R. Moorehead, the first Master of the Lodge, was the grandfather of Ralph B. Hughes, its present secretary.

~ Charles R. Moorehead, was the grandfather of Mrs. J. W. Alexander, whose husband served as Circuit Judge, as Congressman, and as a member of the cabinet of President Wilson.

~ One hundred years ago when this Lodge recieved its charter, John Tyler was President of the United States, Thomas Reynolds was Governor of Missouri, and we were Represented in the National Senate by Thomas Hart Benton, and Lewis F. Linn. Missouri then had a population of less than four hundred thousand, about as many as now live in Kanss City. Ray County's population was 6,553 according to the census taken two years earlier. Richmond was a fifteen year old village containing less than 1,000 persons. Three Churches, Methodist, Christian, and Baptist, had been organized, but no buildings erected. The first church building was erected by the Methodist in 1845. There was no Railroad West of the Mississippi River. Ray county had no free public High School, no bank, and no newspaper.

~ A stage line from the east through Richmond and then over the old state road through Elkhorn to Liberty. Mail was recieved in Richmond about twice a week.

~ Camden was the second town in population in the county. Other settlements or villages were Knoxville, then usualy called Buncombe, Taitsville, Millville, Elkhorn, Old Hardin, Fredericksburg and possibly others which no longer exist.

~ Richmond then had its second court house, a brick structure located where the present court house now stands. It was built about 1837 and stood for about twenty years until the building now occupied by the Miner's Union was erected. The first court house in Richmond was a log building completed in 1829. The first jail was also a log building completed in 1828 on lot 62, Old survey, where the Powell Implement store is now located.

~ One hundred years ago living conditions were far different from those of the present. There were no telephones, electric lights, waterworks, sewer systems, motion pictures, automobiles, or paved streets and few sidewalks. People visited more often and stayed longer than they do now. Camp meetings drew large crowds, as did political meetings. It was not unusual for orators like Benton, Doniphan, Birch, King and others to hold forth for from two to three hours without losing the attention of their listeners. Among the chief sources of amusement were husking bee's, square dances, and shooting matches. Wild game was plentiful and hunting and fishing were not only sources of recreation, but a means of livelihood for many. When circuit court convened men rode into town for miles around and many stayed through the session. "First Mondays" that is, the first Monday in each month, when the County court convened, brought large crowds to town and many farmers brought livestock or farm produce for sale or trade.

~ Land was cheap and money scarce. The main crops were corn, tabacco, barley, and some wheat. A letter written by Richard B. Parsons to a relative in North Carolina in January, 1841, List some prices in western Missouri as follows; tobacco $2.50 to $15.00 per hundred, corn $1.00 to $1.25 per barrel, pork and beef $2.00 to $3.00 per hundred, sugar and coffee ten cents a pound and a good horse was worth more than the average quarter section of land.

~ The records of the Lodge have been twice destroyed, by cyclone in 1878, and by fire in 1895. Such records as we have from reports made to the Grand Lodge. Beyond giving the names and dates of initiation of members, they contain little information.

~ No reports were made to the Grand Lodge in the years 1847 and 1849. The reason for this is not definately known. However, an examination of the rolls disclose that from its organization up to and including the year 1847, the Lodge recieved a total of 64 members, and by dimit or death lost a total of 48, leaving a net membership of 16. Some of the remaining members had gone over the Oregon Trail to Oregon Territory, and some had not returned from service in the army in the Mexican war. One member, Captain Israel R. Hendley, was killed in one of the battles of that war at Moro, which is now in the state of New Mexico. After the war his body was brought back, a largely attended military funeral was held and he was laid to rest in the western part of Richmond. It is quite probable that by the end of 1847 there were barely enough members to fill the necessary offices.

~ By 1850 the Lodge had revived and made reports regularly until the year 1861. That was the first year of the war between the states, the bitterness of which invaded fraternal orders, churchs, and even families. The majority of the members of this Lodge were of southern birth or southern parentage, but a considerable number of them remained loyal to the Union and somtimes close relatives were arrayed on opposite sides in that conflict. No reports were made for the years 1861, 1862, and 1863, and no meetings were held until late in 1863. By that time, the Union forces had pretty firm control in Missouri and the principle theater of war was in the East. Through the efforts of the Grand Lodge the local Lodge was reorganized and, begining with 1864, has made reports each year since. No doubt the bitterness growing out of war continued in the Lodge for some years as it did elsewhere, although an examination of the rolls will show that immediately after the war its membership included those who wore the blue as well as those who wore the gray.

~ When first organized the Lodge met in regular monthly sessions on the Saturday night on or immediately before the full moon. That was to accommodate the many members who had to come frome long distances on horseback. The "Moon schedule" was retained until the early nineties.

~ This Lodge has initiated about 1,000 members. Its members have participated in large numbers in every war this country has waged since the Lodge was organized. Its members have gained prominence in civil life. One of them, Austin A. King, served as circuit judge, congressman, and governor. Several others have served as congressmen, as judges, and in other positions of trust and honor. Its membership has included one governor, one state auditor, one member of the Supreme Court, three circuit judges, three state senators, nine members of the legislature, and between eighty and one hundred county officers. One of its members, John F. Houston, served as Grand Master of Missouri in 1864 and 1865. Both he and governor King are buried in the Richmond cemetery among many of their brethren.

~ Less than half a dozen of its members have been expelled for unmasonic conduct, its present membership contains many who are prominent in the affairs of the community and the state.

~ The origin of Masonry is lost in antiquity. It is founded upon the eternal principles of TRUTH, JUSTICE and BROTHERLY LOVE. On that foundation let us hope, it will continue to live as long as man continues to inhabit the earth.