CHAPTER XXVIII
SEARCHLIGHT LODGE NO. 31
Searchlight NVThe territory located in the extreme southern portion of Nevada remained virgin territory long after Mexico was conquered, long after Alarcon and Coronado had broken trail out of Mexico and across the southern portion of what is now Arizona and New Mexico, and carried their explorations through that country adjacent to the south side of the Colorado river, eastward to what is now the Utah state line.
That these explorers ever penetrated the present confines of Nevada is doubtful, nor have we any authentic information leading to the identity of any white man having visited that section of the country where is located the town of Searchlight much before the late 50's and early 60's of last century. According to nomadic bands of Indians who in the eighteenth century, occasionally wandered through those desert wastes, white trappers had come up that route "many moons before," but there is no historical record of these men, nor the extent of their activities, if any, in that part of Nevada. "Eldorado" canyon, lying 22 miles north of Searchlight, produced some very productive mines and was worked as early as 1857, but it was forty years later before Searchlight was discovered and its mines were developed even on a small scale. That country remained practically unknown so far as its mineral values were concerned, and there is no authentic record available that it was prospected, even by the most daring prospector to brave its desert wastes. But, if it was penetrated at all, those who were brave enough to dare its arid sands and forbidding hills passed hurriedly on to other more promising and less dangerous fields.
It is claimed, however, that the first recorded name of a white man to enter the limits of what is now Clark county, Nevada, was Francisco Garces, a member of the St. Francis order of the Catholic clergy, who left Sonora, Mexico, in the year 1775, and by a winding, devious course, apparently crossed what is now the state of Nevada at its extreme southern end, traversing that part of the state somewhere in the vicinity of the present settlement of Searchlight, and continuing on his way into California.
There is also some evidence that this priest entered the state on that same journey, at a point somewhere between what is now Pioche and Las Vegas, but his trail was so erratic that to define an accurate course he pursued would be uncertain and more or less conjectural.
But at any rate Garces is known to have been in what is now Clark county, near its extreme end and, according to old tradition camped somewhere near the present site of Searchlight, and in all probability over the spot where, more than 130 years later, a rich ore bed, yielding several million dollars in bullion was uncovered. The first discovery of Searchlight was made in 1898 on Searchlight claim, afterwards becoming a part of the Duplex Mine, and created quite a furore, but the boom was short lived and, although the camp never degenerated into a deserted village, yet for a number of years the population was only a handful, compared with the number it boasted after the revival of mining following the discovery of a rich lode near the old camp in 1905.
Although the mining camp of Searchlight which lies in the Opal mountains has no relation to Rhyolite, yet the discovery of the new ore deposits of unusual richness near the old camp of Searchlight was the result of an unemployment condition existing in Tonopah in 1903-04 when a horde of miners and prospectors swarmed out of that camp and spread over the southern section of Nevada in search of new mining territory.
Far to the south of Tonopah lay a stretch of country hot, arid and desolate, the home of the semi-tropic Yucca and Joshua trees, and infested with crawling vermin, poisonous snakes, an occasional gila monster, and plenty of grief and hardship for the venturesome prospector who dared the unknown dangers of those arid places when he headed his burro into that far off desert country.
Toward this territory late in July, 1904, some wandering prospectors headed their outfits and after an intensive exploration of the country, finally uncovered what proved to be a rich deposit of metal near the site of old Searchlight camp.
News of the new discovery spread over the desert with the usual rapidity common to unusual finds of precious metal, and in the month that followed a motley assemblage appeared on the site of the new discovery adjacent to the old camp. A great deal of virgin territory was staked off, and the usual excitement and agitation common to a new strike was in evidence. Gradually, however, the excitement waned and the camp settled down to the business of developing the rich territory. By the beginning of the next year, it was conceded that the new Searchlight was more than an experiment in the mining world, and would give a good account of itself. However, cost of production was terrifically high, and this discouraging feature was instrumental in curtailing development, and in some instances, in discouraging investors. It is of interest to note, however, that during the active period of production, Searchlight produced $4,000,000.00 before the slump came, and the mines "petered out."
Masonry in Searchlight appeared shortly after the first big strike was made, when five brethren hailing from different jurisdictions appeared on the scene, and were quick to discover their presence and their affiliations to one another. This was in 1905. A Masonic club had already been started by the brethren in Rhyolite and the brethren in Searchlight hoped to imitate their zealousness and establish a like organization in the town of their adoption. However, their number was small and the expense of organizing and outfitting suitable quarters was found to be far beyond their means so the project was dropped for the present, but the desire and the intention to institute Masonry in the camp remained, and from time to time the subject was discussed, with the avowed intention of establishing a lodge at their earliest opportunity.
An informal meeting of all sojourning brethren was arranged early in 1907 at which time it was found that twelve Masons were residing in and near Searchlight, eight of whom signified their desire and intention of demitting from their parent lodges and requesting a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Nevada to institute a Masonic lodge.
That their intentions bore fruit is evidenced by a reference in the report of Most Worshipful W. J. Harris, Grand Master of Nevada Masons, at the 43rd annual Grand Communication, held in Masonic Hall in Reno June 11 and 12 H. L. 5907 which reads: "April 22, 1907, I granted a dispensation to eight brethren at Searchlight, Nevada, to form a new lodge, to be known as Searchlight Lodge No. 31, and appointed Benj. W. Smith Worshipful Master; Chas. H. Lund, Senior Warden and Walter M. Brown, Junior Warden."·
That the brethren at Searchlight had been active, and that interest in Masonry had been aroused among the profane, is proved by an additional paragraph in the report of Most Worshipful W. J. Harris, which is given in full: "April 23, 1907, I granted a special dispensation to Searchlight lodge at its first regular meeting after organization, to receive such petitions as may be presented, not exceeding five, refer them to a committee, and upon the report of such committee, ballot on said petitions all at once, and the same communication to make immediate report to our Grand Secretary.
"I took this action in order that Searchlight lodge should not be delayed by a possible lack of quorum."
The zeal, ambition and integrity of the brethren of Searchlight lodge likewise prompted the presentation of necessary books and papers to the Grand Lodge at the 1907 Communication for examination in support of their petition asking for the perpetuation of their lodge U. D. by authority under a regular charter. So carefully had these records been kept that the Grand Lodge Committee on Charters to whom was referred the petition and supporting books and documents were prompted to recognize and comment in their report upon the very capable and efficient manner in which these records had been made, and recommended the adoption of the following resolution : "Resolved, that a charter be issued to Searchlight Lodge, at the town of Searchlight, Lincoln county, to be called Searchlight lodge and numbered 31, and that the following brethren be named in the Charter as its first officers, viz: Bro. Benj. W. Smith, W. M.; Bro. Chas. W. Lund, S. W.; and Bro. Walter M. Brown, J. W.
Fraternally submitted,
J. C. Doughty
E. H. Beemer
Thos. Dolf
Committee"In his official report made at the 44th annual Grand Communication of Nevada Masons, held in Reno Hall June 9 and 10, 1908, Most Worshipful Robert Lewers, G. M., makes the following statement, viz: "My first official visit was to Searchlight lodge No. 31, in the extreme southern part of Nevada, necessitating a trip of eleven hundred miles in going by Los Angeles, and nearly six hundred in returning overland. I found in Searchlight lodge many earnest Masons, but none more zealous than Bro. Walter M. Brown, the present Master of that lodge. I constituted the lodge with full ceremony and firmly believe that the Grand Lodge acted wisely in giving the brethren in this somewhat isolated place a charter in order that Masonic light might be spread."
Interest in Masonry had quickened in Searchlight, for it is noted in the proceedings of the 1907 Grand Communication, that No. 31 had 13 members in good standing, the 1908 proceedings show a membership of 27, a gain of 14 during the Masonic year ending June 30, 1908.
This interest in Masonry continued in Searchlight during the entire period of its affluent days and around a nucleus of the original eight members there grew a lodge, strong and powerful for the community in which it existed. It was noted for its splendid fellowship, for its quiet, unobtrusive charities, for its practice of hospitality, and was a popular mecca toward which every Grand Master and his staff took delight in paying their official visits. As an evidence of the reputation this lodge had built up, may I quote from the official report of Most Worshipful Chas. L. Fulstone, made to the Grand Lodge at the 45th Grand Communication held in Carson June 8, 1909: "November 8, 1908, I visited Searchlight Lodge No. 31, and witnessed the conferring of the Master's degree by W. M. Brown. Later in the evening he displayed his ability as toastmaster at the banquet which was greatly enjoyed by all. None of my successors should miss going to Searchlight, for although far distant, a person is well repaid for the arduous journey. The auto trip from Nipton to Searchlight through the Joshua trees and other varieties of cacti, is highly enjoyable, to be crowned at the destination by such loyal hospitality as was extended by the brethren."
And so, Searchlight lodge continued to grow and shed its beneficent influence, extended its hospitality, practiced its charities, and obeyed the ancient landmarks and traditions of the craft. At the peak of its success, its roster reflected the names of 47 members, and its finances were well regulated, as well as well budgeted. It was housed in comfortable, well arranged quarters, its meetings were well attended, its officers were enthusiastic and efficient, and the lodge gave promise of steady growth, and consequent long life.
At best, however, the life of this lodge, organized under such favorable circumstances, and evidencing such activity and progressiveness, was very short. With the decline of the ore supply which by 1914 had almost entirely given out, production ceased, and Searchlight took its place among so many other Nevada mining camps, which from discovery rapidly rose to affluence, produced their millions, and as rapidly dwindled away to mere nothingness and finally into almost oblivion.
During the period of its greatest activity it was the arena not only of a mushroom mining activity, but became the center of considerable commercial and industrial effort. In 1906 the Barnwell and Searchlight Ry. was organized with a capital stock of $500,000.00 under the laws of California, for the purpose of building a railroad between those two towns. This company later acquired the possessions of the Searchlight and Northern Ry. The road was completed into Searchlight on April 7, 1907, being later acquired by the A. T. & S. F. Ry. Both lines have long since been abandoned and the rails removed.
With all this, and further activity in Searchlight, Masonry kept pace, but as the future of all mining centers depend upon their supply and yield of metal, so in Searchlight, with the exhaustion of mineral supply, production ceased, and the doom of the camp was sealed. With the exodus of those who depended upon the mines for their support and livelihood, Searchlight lodge was disrupted. With a sadly reduced membership and a badly depleted population in the once thriving community, it was found that not only was it impractical, but impossible to continue the lodge, and upon their petition to the Grand Lodge asking permission to transfer their membership and charter to Vegas lodge, to which the Grand Body readily acquiesced, authority was given to make the transfer, and on October 5, 1914, Searchlight lodge became a memory only, among the constituent lodges of the state.
From a membership which at its peak numbered almost 50, Searchlight lodge had by October, 1914, declined to 27 members. The list follows: Walter M. Brown, H. A. Perkins, R. J. Stone, H. A. Walbrecht, Austin H. Smith, Edgar W. Smith, Wm. Schroff, Lloyd H. Walbrecht, H. W. Smith, E. C. Burlingame, Wallace W. Blair, H. A. Dunseath, Henry C. Detmers, Frank E. Dewey, I. L. Foreman, L. L. Franch, L. W. Godin, Chas. B. Huff, Gustav Haverly, E. P. Jeanes, John W. King, L. J. Kaiser, Chas. W. Lund, G. D. Mortimer, R. P. McChan, F. E. McGhan, A. D. McGhan.
However, such is the decree of fate, the leveling hand of Time, that of the above members, at this writing (1944 - ed.), 22 years after Searchlight lodge merged with Vegas Lodge, but one, Bro. Wm. Schroff, remains a member of Vegas lodge, in good standing. The others have passed to the Great Beyond, demitted, or disappeared from our ken.
There is still a settlement in southern Nevada, which goes by the name of Searchlight, but long since it has been shorn of its glory; long ago the glamor and excitement of discovery attendant upon the uncovering of a new strike has been forgotten; long since the picturesque miner, the flamboyant gambler, and the reckless gunman, have disappeared. Long ago the tin pan music of the hurdy gurdy, the strident voice of dance hall entertainer and the raucous laughter of painted women, and their dissipated companions have been quieted. Searchlight lives in memory only of the days when such things contributed to the excitement of the camp, when the cost of ore production was excessively high; when capital was baited by the finding of fabulously rich strikes, and invested in an almost wildcat community. When after seven years of active production, the mines finally petered out, they left behind a record of operating expense almost equal to total productivity.
Of its Masonic career, the record speaks for itself. Its influence was far reaching, and while many years have passed since it performed its Masonic work and extended its broad charity and hospitality, yet the memory of its accomplishments and the good it performed, still lingers in the minds and hearts of those few who once were enrolled upon its roster, like the perfume of a fragrant rose, or the stirring strains of divine music.