Bannack masons obtained the lodges original dispensation on april. Apr 14, 2009 the masons built the building in 1874 with the bottom story donated as the towns school and the upstairs used as the masonic lodge. The numerical symbol 3777 has long been associated with montana vigilantes. It was incorporated into the uniform patch of the montana highway patrol mhp in 1956. The worshipful master, wardens, and brethren of bannack historic lodge no. There will be bannack merchandise and raffle items to purchase and win saturday in bannack. Scots in the north american west by ferenc morton szasz. Oct 28, 2010 looking back at this article some years later, i had read some more interesting things regarding the meaning of 3 7 77.
The history of vigilante justice and the montana vigilantes began in 1863 in what was at the time a remote part of eastern idaho territory. Even to this day, the number appears on the patch of the montana highway patrol patch as a nod to the first organized crimefighting group in the territory. Brother woodward is also a member of bannack lodge no. Amazing photo of the bannack masonic lodge building with the night sky at. The first masonic meeting in bannack, montana took place march 7, 1877. The original dispensation was issued on april 27, 1863 by the grand lodge of nebraska. Or it might be a reference to the first masonic meeting in bannack, montana took place march 7, 1877. In 2000 bannack historic lodge 3777 was organized through the grand lodge of montana. They are also the ones who decided to put an end to henry plummer.
Bannack historic lodge 3777 annual meeting this weekend, see the schedule. Vigilantism arose because territorial law enforcement. People who found the numbers 3777 painted on their tent or cabin knew that they had better leave. The lodge was then chartered on october 3, 1871, as bannack lodge no.
May 15, 2009 here is pic of the mt highway patrol patch with the numbers 3777 on it. The numbers were found painted on cabins and scraps of paper with the number scribed onto it were left on hanged corpses. He is a past prior of the knights york cross of honor. Bannack and virginia city, montana a landing a day. Blog about art, writing, beauty, nature, life, relationships, philosophy, painting, authors, marketing, and goals.
Vigilantes are an often revered part of montanas history. But the shoulderpatch worn by the state highway patrol of montana is. In a decent, orderly lynching, frederick allen found that superintendent of montana highway patrol alex stephenson personally designed the existing logo that incorporates the 3777 code. But as the grand lodge of montana was formed in 1864, the brethren reapplied in 1871 and became bannack lodge no. The whole mason connection to the 3777 is also explained this way. On june 23, 2000, the grand lodge of masons officially chartered bannack lodge 3777 as the first historic lodge in the state to help preserve the building and the heritage of masonry. It is said that the ones coming up with it were masons. A complete listing of the most worshipful past grand masters of the most worshipful grand lodge of free and accepted masons of utah starting in 1872 until 2016. Governor john bohlinger, linda mazejkabannack association, art noonan former deputy director fwp, chas van genderenmontana state parks, pam gosink montana office of tourism. In 2005 brother woodward was given an honorary life membership in the demolay legion of. In 2000 bannack historic lodge 3 7 77 was organized through the grand lodge of montana. But perhaps the greatest tribute montana has given them is the symbol 3777 on the patch worn by montana highway patrol troopers across the state. For years, historians have been at a loss as to the exact meaning of the mysterious 3777.
As the population moved away, the lodge was forced to consolidate with dillon lodge in 1921. He rose through the masonic ranks to become an ambassador for the fraternity earning the accolade of being the first poetlaureate of the lodges. To this day the numbers appear on the shoulder patch of the montana. Vigilantism arose because territorial law enforcement and the courts had very little. Sunken graves gallows hill the lost graveyard dogford. The dimensions of a grave 3 feet by 7 feet 77inches. Vigilante activities continued, although somewhat sporadically, through the montana territorial period until the territory became the state of montana on november 8, 1889.
After a very well conducted meeting the brethren joined their wives for fabulous dinner and excellent entertainment. Vigilante activities continued, although somewhat sporadically, through the montana territorial period until the territory became the state of montana in 1889. The masonic apron of meriwether lewis and the legacy of masonry in montana by ellen baumler. This is the symbol for the lodge of perfection within the scottish rite of freemasonry. Evolution of an environmentalist senator frank church and the hells canyon controversy by sara e. The grand lodge of montana chartered bannack historic lodge 3 7 77 on june 23, 2000 as the first historic lodge within the jurisdiction. The shoulder patch worn by members of the montana highway patrol bears the numerals 3777, the mysterious warning the vigilantes posted on doors or tent flaps when they wanted to drive someone into exile. What they can agree upon is 3777 struck fear into thieves, armed robbers, claimjumpers, and cutthroats. Robert burns 175996 who is renowned as the prince o poets an o ploughmen2 was also a bard of the freemasons. The numbers are used on the shoulder patch of the montana highway patrol, who claim they do not know the original meaning of the symbol, though the association of montana troopers web site says regardless of its meaning, however, 3777 is emblematic of the first organized law enforcement in montana.
To this day, the men who banded together and killed the sheriff are revered as great heroes in montana. Looking forward to seeing each of you in bannack or in our masonic travels. The bannack masons applied for a charter for a masonic lodge in 1863. See more about the lodge at master masons of lodges recognized by. The number set may have something to do with the date march 7, 1877. The masons built the building in 1874 with the bottom story donated as the towns school and the upstairs used as the masonic lodge. Theres ever the notion that the numbers relate to the first masonic meeting in bannack, montana, which supposedly took place march 7, 1877. Scottish rite freemasonry degrees are advanced freemason degrees in the united states which a freemason may choose to attain once he has obtained his master mason degree. Bannack masons obtained the lodge s original dispensation on april 27, 1863 from the grand lodge of nebraska. The bannack association sells the patch for a small profit, which goes towards supporting the park. Tomahawk and i have been to bannack mt where plummer was hanged and here is a pic of the mosonic temple in bannack. The vigilantes traditional posted the cryptic message 3777 on the shacks of suspected crooks, which translated rough to leave now or youre next. The meaning behind the numbers is the subject of debate even now.
The grand lodge of montana chartered bannack historic lodge 3777 on june 23, 2000 as the first historic lodge within the jurisdiction. The origin of 3777 has been debated by montanans ever since it became publicly known in the late 19th century, but its meaning is clear. The montana vigilantes and 3777 ghost towns and history. Traviled far montana 3 7 77 freemason masonic art freemasonry. There are those who say many of the members of the vigilante committee there were masons and members of that lodge. Usa montana vigilante code 3 7 77 tourist travel souvenir 3d resin. The whole mason connection to the 3 7 77 is also explained this way.
Sunken graves gallows hill the lost graveyard dogford studios. Checks should be payable to bannack historic lodge no. Later in 1871 bannack lodge 16 was chartered and remained open until 1921, when it consolidated with the dillon masonic lodge. The numbers were added to the patch in 1956 and added a final gloss of. Johns lodge no2, ancient free and accepted masons of. The story of montana 3 7 77 in the summer of 1862, nathaniel pitt langford of minnesota, was one of dozens of men. Vintage montana highway patrol 3 7 77 patch mt law en. Of course just mention the word vigilante in montana even today, and you would be surprised how many people there still think of men taking the law into their own hands, men with torches, guns in hand, a hangmans noose, midnight lynchings, henry plummer, and the numbers 3 7 77. An excellent example of this is the masonic symbol, above. The bannack historic masonic lodge 3777 holds their annual meeting at bannack on the second saturday of september each year, with typically over 20 delegates from various states in attendance. Join facebook to connect with brandon eli dickey and others you may know. Bannack historic lodge no 3 7 77 afam of mt posts facebook. Full text of an illustrated history of the yellowstone.
Many members of this lodge were also the original vigilantes. The lodge in bannack remained dormant for many years until 2000 when the grand lodge of montana rechartered it as a historical lodge. In 1871 bannack lodge 16 was chartered and remained open until 1921, when it consolidated with the dillon masonic lodge. Montana vigilantes and the origins of 3777 by frederick allen.
Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. Jun, 2018 the number set may have something to do with the date march 7, 1877. Montana vigilantes and the origins of 3777 by frederick allen a very exclusive party a firsthand account of building the union pacific railroad by ernest haycox, jr. Full text of an illustrated history of the yellowstone valley. Saturday sept 9 in bannack with a gathering at 10 am in the shelter history program at 10. Mhp administrator alex stephenson designed the insignia and explained, we chose the symbol to. In november 1863, conrad kohrs traveled to bannack from deer lodge.
The lodge in bannack remained dormant for many years until 2000 when the grand lodge of. Here is pic of the mt highway patrol patch with the numbers 3777 on it. It is our honor to have you as a brother in bannack historic lodge no. Of course just mention the word vigilante in montana even today, and you would be surprised how many people there still think of men taking the law into their own hands, men with torches, guns in hand, a hangmans noose, midnight lynchings, henry plummer, and the numbers 3777. The beacon central district masonic newsletter june 2008 page 1 june 1, 2008 red deer masons enjoying the sun during a break at the masonic spring workshop in. The undersigned certifies that he is a master mason in good standing and a member of. Bannack masons obtained the lodges original dispensation on april 27, 1863 from the grand lodge of nebraska. The numbers are used on the shoulder patch of the montana highway patrol, who. People who found the numbers 3777 painted on their tent or cabin knew that they had better leave the area or expect to be on the receiving end of vigilantism.
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