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The original society organization at Radersburg was Mount Hope Lodge No.4, I.O.G.T. (Independent Order of Good Templars), organized April 12, 1868 with 12 members— H.C. Powers, Lodge Deputy. Jefferson Lodge No. 52, A.F. & A.M. (Ancient Free & Accepted Masons) was chartered November 1, 1870. The Past Masters and Master Masons of this Lodge in 1883 were: Charles Hossfeld, P.M., Frank Wells, P.M., H.E.G. Winters, P.M., Ben Townsley, P.M., A.F. Bright, George Behrenger, J.C. Blacker, James Bullard, J.M.D. Taylor, Joseph E. Hassel, William Jewell, B.F. Lowry, Alfred Myers, Isom Prewitt, Philip Roberts, E.E. Warden, A.W. Sederberg, John Johnson, and Robert Hossfeld. On August 18th, 1870 a Grand Masonic Ball was held in the Masonic Hall attended by many prominent Helena members. Supper was served in the courthouse. A real find in this search of Radersburg history was the original deeds whereby the present I.O.O.F. Hall, formerly the Masonic Hall, was acquired: John H. Ming, of the County of Lewis and Clark, Territory of Montana, sold a parcel of land and appurtenances in the town of Radersburg, County of Jefferson, Territory of Montana, described as follows: Lot 2 in Block 3, situated on the corner of Main and Ella Streets, on the east side of Main Street for the sum of two hundred dollars. This property was sold to John Johnson and Albert W. Sederberg on June 9, 1870. On May 1, 1873 J.R. Weston sold to Johnson and Sederberg Lot 19, Block 9 on the east side of Main Street, signed by J.R. Weston, Probate Judge. On Oct. 27, 1896, A. W. Sederburg and Mrs. John Johnson sold to Radersburg Lodge No. 61 of the Independent Order Of Odd Fellows (James Wood, Robert Hossfeld, and Winslow Williams were Trustees of the Order and acting on behalf of same), Lot 19, Block 9, one two story house and appurtenances of $175. The deed was signed by George B. Easterly, notary public. On March 1, 1904 Thomas J. Smith sold to Radersburg Lodge, No. 61 I.O.O.F. (John Sitton, Will George and Olaf Berg, Trustees), Lot 19, Block 9), for $150. Radersburg Lodge No. 61, I.O.O.F. was chartered June 26, 1896, the charter members being E. Wenstrom, W.H. Hadley, A.B. Rosman, John Hossfeld, E.M. Lamb, John Doughty, Chas. Holling, Robert Hossfeld, James Wilder, W.S. Williams, James Williams, Bismarck Williams, Walter Holling, Sam Y. Perce, F.M. Pyle, and George B. Easterly. Their first report of June 26 to Dec. 31, 1896 shows that George E. Edwards, Fred Smith and Olaf Berg were initiated and all charter members were admitted by card. The report of Jan. 2 to June 20, 1897 shows Wm. F. Hamper initiated. Between July 1, 1897 and June 31, 1898 J.S. Hargrove, R. Hargrove and John Hargrove were initiated. From July 1, 1899 through June 30, 1903 Theo. A. Hargrove, Beecher K. Beatham, John Sitton, Wm. P. George, Wm. Nitsch and G.F. Ramspeck were initiated and V.T. Patterson was admitted as A.O.F. July 1 to Dec. 31, 1903 no one was initiated, but Otto Allbrecht, J.H. Bacon, M.L. Cavenaugh, Jas Duncan, Andrew Dalin, C.H. Erickson, Fred H. Krueger, Jas. Koltenbronn (this is difficult to read, but it appears that this is the spelling), John Neville, Matt Quinn, John Thompson, J.G. Warren, T.J. Whalen and E.C. York were admitted by card. These men, apparently, were members of the Hassel Lodge, because a notice was found whereby Radersburg Lodge No. 61, and Radersburg and Broadwater Lodge No. 64— Hassel, were granted permission to vote on consolidation by resolution adopted by the Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F., Montana, at their 25th annual session. (Quote:) “Done at the City of Butte, Montana, this thirteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and three, and of the order the eighty-fifth year,” and was signed by David J. Charles, Grand Master. The report periods of Jan. 1, 1904 through June 30, 1907 shows that F.L. Williams, J.L. Wood, Jr., W.E. Spangler, W.F. Poe, George Lyons, W.B. Townsley, A.F. Smith, Orlando Allen, Wm. Sitton, F.L. Rothmel, A.G. Berg and Willis Smith were initiated, and L.E. Marshall was admitted by card. By 1918 the following had been initiated into the Lodge here: John Fallis, Harry Garside, James Garside, H. A. Hewins, Andrew Stuart, L.C. Temple, Daniel Faringer, John Winner, Charles Eybel, Steve Freshern, Thos. McMullan, J.A. McDonald, Leslie Smith, F.B. Johnson, Chester Gordy, C.E. Fox, Jesse B. Roote, Jr., R.P. Spangler, C. Oblesky, Arthur Smith, E.R. Abbott, W.F. Boulware, J.F. Olsen, E.A. Olsen, John Aldrich, R.C. Holgate, M.D., E.E. Parker, Thos. Logan, John Conta, Wesley Bucklin and A.M. Kimpton. Many more were initiated in the years to follow, but during the years of World War II, when the mines closed and the population of Radersburg dropped to almost nothing, the members dropped out until there were not enough left to conduct the meetings, and so the charter was picked up Jan. 1, 1945 and there was no more Odd Fellows Lodge. However, the Bluebell Rebekah Lodge No. 52 is still active, but meets in Three Forks. One member, Jean E. Ralls, in 1992 became state wide President of the Rebekah Assembly of Montana. The building which contains the hall has virtually been unchanged for 140 plus years— it even has the original beautiful Masonic wall paper gracing the upstairs. The building deserves to be listed on the National Registry of Historical Places. . .  |
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