The Gazette
April 27, 1904

Laid Saturday afternoon a large number of people assembled about the new court house, now in course of construction, to witness the laying of the corner stone of the edifice. The exercises were conducted under the auspices of the Masonic order. Capt. Delahoussaye of New Orleans, grand master, L. C. Allen, of Shreveport, grand senior warden, John S. Alfred, of New Orleans, grand tyler, were present to assist the fraternity of the parish in the ceremony. Hon. L. E. Thomas, of Shreveport, was the orator of the occasion, and he made a very pretty impressive talk concerning Free-Masonry. His speech elicited the closest attention of the audience throughout. On the north side of the corner stone is engraved in gilded letters. “Erected A. D. 1904. Members of Police Jurors: Benjamin Taylor, president, S. W. Taylor, J. D. Hamilton, W. O. Bearden, D. W. Hollis, J. B. Clark. A. J. Bryan & Co., architects, M. t. Lewman & Company, contractors.”

East side of stone bears the following inscription: “Land by Grand Lodge, F. & A. M., April 23, 1904. L. P. Delahoussaye, grand master.”

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