W. J. Sanders, Jr. was a Past Master of Tullahoma Lodge #262 and Past Grand Master of the State of Tennessee. The following are his words detailing the history of the Lodge at 104 South Jackson Street in Tullahoma, TN.
November 27th, 1931
Having had some connection with the building of this Masonic Temple, and feeling that at some future date some of the citizens of this city may find some items of interest in some of the facts in connection with the work, I am constrained to set forth the following-
The idea of remodling (sp) the building was conceived several years ago, on the receipt of a bequest from Brother George Illingsworth, resulting in some $1000.00 being placed in a building fund. At that time the Lodge was still in debt from the original purchase of the building. However this indebtness (sp) was retired about 1927. Yearly thereafter any surplus from the yearly activities of the Lodge were passed to the building fund. Consequently the end of the year 1930 found us with $3000.00 in this fund.
Early in the summer of 1931, due to the much reduced prices of building materials and lower labor wage scedudles (sp), it was decided to modernize and enlarge the building.
This plan included enlarging the building to cover an additional twenty feet, being the southern extremity of our property. In the main the second floor plan was designed by Granville V. Elmore (Worshipful Master) and the writer.
Abuilding committee composed of B. H. Wilkins, Sr., A. L. Davidson, E. I. Hitt, G. V. Elmmore and Sam L. Cook was appointed by the Lodge, and this committee deemed it wise to secure the services of an architect. Consequently Mr. George D. Waller of Nashville was employed to draft plans and write specifications for the building. Mr. Waller used the above mentioned second story plan and designed the front elevation, roof and many features of the lower story. However economy and changing conditions caused some modification of the plans and specifications, as can be seen from examining the plans deposited herewith. The changing of the remodeled old McGee Hotel to the building as built at this time can also be seen.
In connection with my former reference to finances, it should be added that the building should be erected by force of day labor and that the Lodge would purchase the material. The writer being connected with the Builders Supply Company, Inc., at that time Tullahoma’s leading material dealers, volunteered his services to help look after the construction. This offer was accepted and he was also instructed to furnish such materials as might be needed for the work, at a reasonable price, and was directed to superintend or supervise the work under the direction of the committee.
Work was begun in August. Below is a list of names of workmen and their trade for the work.
Masonry-
W. H. Jones, Lee Ragan, Ab B. Jones, Hubert Uselton, Lon Turner, N. W. Custor, Paul Kimbro, Taylor Fagg, Earl Fagg, and Denny Rogers.
Plumbing-
Grady Edens assisted by Lee Bobo.
Electrical-
D. A. Daniel, Fred Hammers and James Hammers.
Painting and Paper Hanging-
J. P. Silver, W. T. Fulmer, James Nelson, and Leonard Nelson.
Carpenter-
R. C., Clyde, Paul, Wib, and Arthur Ledford, Bob King, Norman Ward, Comer Stafford, Wm. McGee (Col) and Walter Davidson (Col). L. Monroe Ware (shop foreman for the Builders Supply Company) also worked on the job, principally on the front glass work. The steel stairway was erected by Grover Hatfield and his workmen.
The sheet metal work was done by C. R. Cawthon and his son, Leonard, and a Mr. Lawson.
The electrical supplies were sold by T. D. Lawson.
Steel fabrication was by Geo. L. Mesker & Company of Evansville, Indiana, and was shipped to Tullahoma in car with steel for Lynchburg High School. This explains the name of D. D. Blythe on part of the steel. Mr. Blythe built the Lynchburg School.
The wages paid on the job ranged from 20c per hour to 65c per hour top for carpenter, $1.00 top for mason, 75c for electrician, 30c to 40c for painters and paper hangers and $1.00 to for plastering. The plastering was done by T. May and his sons Floyd and Lois.
The job was not without its mishaps. Earl Fagg had to have an operation for appendicitis. The writer lost his right forefinger at the second joint while unloading steel for the job, and Wib Ledford sustained a broken nose and other painful injuries when he fell from a scaffold while applying wood ceiling in the Lodge Room.
Some of the current material prices at this time were-
Face Brick —— $25.00 per M
Common Brick —–$14.50 ”
Portland Cement — $ .60 per Bag
Framing Lumber — $2.50 & 3.25
Sheathing Lumber – $2.25
Oak Flooring —– $3.50 & 4.50
The building was covered with a seven course Carey built up roof, and the ornamental roof with Carey Asbestos shingles. Brick were made in Corinth, Mississippi and Nashville, Tennessee. Hardwood floors made by Campbell & Dann Mfg. Company.
During the alter part of the work a fire at the rear of the property in a building occupied by the U. C. Cabinet Company did some damage to the building. However this was covered by insurance, and did little (to) impede the progress of the work.
Brother A. L. Davidson is writing of the history of the Lodge, giving some of its past officers and other items for this deposit.
A bronze tablet is being made as a memorial to Brother Illingsworth (than whom there was no truer mason). This tablet shows the officers of the lodge and the building committee.
Tullahoma citizens were atune to the low building costs this year as the following improvements and additions were made in the city and near it. Wilkins Court Building on rear of Atlantic Street lot below Post Office. Old A. Y. Smith house remodeled by Mrs. Henry Wilson. S. S. Blackman modernized Drug Store Building and built clothing store building after fire. Ray jean building remodeled. The following built residences – Jake Barnes, Shirley Cobb, Robert Golden, Tom Chapman, W. H. Crick, and Claude Pollock. As this is written it is reported that W. G. Batey will build two houses.
For fear that some earstwhile (sp) material dealer may read this during some subsequent depression, truthfulness would necessitate the statement that the writers firm did not sell the material for all the buildings.
This record should not come to light for at least 100 years, but at such time as it may, the admonition of the writer to that generation is “To Fear God, and Keep His Commandments, for this is the whole duty of Man.”
W. J. Sanders, Jr.
