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Show iTElEEimTEK A MctnoraMe Evunt in the History cf tha U.ronie FratfTaity in tlu State of Illinois. C0ENEE STONE LAID AT CHICAGO- The New Sailding Will Pe Eighteen Stories in Eight, tha Largest in tha World and Cost $3,000,000- CltlCAOO, Nov. fl. Special. Since the souud of the masonic gavel was first, heard in Illinois, no event in the history of the fraternity had awakened so much general iulero.-t or awakened so much general enthusiasm as has the ceremonies of laying tho cornerstone of the great masonic temple, which took plaei this afternoon. Tho cornerstone was laid by Grand Master Pearson. All tho lodges turned out and participated in the greatest demonstration that the craft ever made in this city. There are forty-nine lodges in the city, with a membership of nearly S,0('0 masons In good standing, and as every one of these lodges is inturft.ted In the Miceess of the undertaking, the representation repre-sentation at the exercises wus very large. In the line, which was viewed by a multitude of people, there were about 6000 Masons. There were also fifteen commanderles of Knighls Tern-plars.and Tern-plars.and the Oriental consistory (thirty-second (thirty-second degree Masons) of Chicago, with from sixty., to seventy-five swords In line. This grand body of men was In command of Alfred Kussell. The corner stone was a massive block of granite, eoutaluing ou the upper side an oblong aperture in which an Iron box securely sealed was Inserted. The box contained, among other documents, docu-ments, a copy of the proceedings of the grand lodge, grand chapter, grand council and grand oomiuamlory for the current year; coins of various denominations denomi-nations and a brief history of the enterprise enter-prise from its Inception. The temple is located at the corner of State and Randolph streets and will cost M.OOO.OOO. It will be one of the most notable of tho great buildings of the city and among the most notable In the world. Tho project for a great Ma-sonle Ma-sonle temple, which should bn a center where every Masonic body In this country coun-try might gather, had long been an ambition am-bition of enthusiastic Masons. The first positive step towards the realization realiza-tion of the scheme was taken a few months ago. Tho Mock fronting on the east side of State street between Randolph street and Kurtou place was bought, the price paid being IWIO.OOO. The temple will have the distinction of being the highest building In the world. It will liavo eighteen sorles and the roof will be 240 feet from the pavement. The ground dimensions are 170 by 114 feet. The structure will be entirely of steel. Tbe novel feature of the interior is the plan for having retail re-tail shops located on several Honrs. The entrance to the main building will be from State street. It will be forty-two forty-two feet high and thirty feet wide. This will lead into a rotunda having an area of 8700 square feet, and open to the extreme ex-treme height of the building, finished all the way up to the roof with plats glass and marble. Thcro will be eighteen eigh-teen elevators for the use of the public. Tho seventeenth and eighteenth floors will be devoted exclusively to mason lo bodies. There will be a great hall in which tho wholo grand I dge maybe manoeuvred In drill and there will be many lodge rooms. A gallerv will extend ex-tend around the large hall. Tha corner stone bears the inscription "Erected by tbo Masonio Fraternity Temple Association, Asso-ciation, lmio." |