The dates of February 26, 27, and 28, 1943 are among the most important in the annals of Michigan City Lodge, No. 980, Loyal Order of Moose, and they mark the completion of work that called for united effort on the part of the lodge members generally. And with he burning of the mortgage on the Moose Home, corner of Franklin and Detroit Streets, on Feb. 28 the goal of a faithful band of Moose has been reached in a highly successful and satisfactory manner, All honor and praise to them for this splendid accomplishment.
It was on May 9, 1912, that Moose Lodge No. 980 was instituted at a meeting held in what was then known as the German Odd Fellows' Hall, on the third floor of the building at the southwest corner of Franklin and Fourth streets. The following officers were chosen that night:
Past Dictator - George Peck
Dictator - W. R. Andrus
Vice Dictator - G. C. Miller
Prelate - William Rees
Secretary C. C. Murphy
Treasurer - L. G. Paul
Sergeant-At-Arms - William Baion
Inner Guard - Oscar Ottersen
Outer Guard - Albert Speckien
Trustees - D.M. Hutton, H.D. Ormes J.D. Miller
Physicians - Dr. F.R. Leeds, Dr. T.L. Eads
The initiatory work was put on by the degree staff of LaPorte Lodge, No. 492, Loyal Order of Moose.
Buys Corner Property
For about 12 years after Lodge 980 was instituted the meetings were held in a hall on the third floor of the building at the northwest corner of Franklin and Michigan streets, In 1924 Lodge No. 980 bought the property at the northeast corner of Franklin and Detroit streets, then occupied by a two-story frame house and a one-story frame building used as a dancing academy. With a substantial sum in the General fund of the Lodge and shares of stock in three local building and loan associations plus a loan by a bank of this city made it possible for No. 980 in 1924 to become a real estate owner. And on April 20, 1926, the Lodge held a meeting of more than usual interest in that it burned the mortgage on its property and initiated a class of candidates. The following is the minutes of the meeting of April 20, 1926:
"The burning of the mortgage on the Moose property took place, Brother Dictator A. L. Brinkman applying a match to the document.
"Members present indicated their desire to see a new building on the Lodge site and expressed their wilingness to help put it across."
Approximately 15 years ago the Moose erected a one-story building on their property for lodge meetings and dances, and in the fall of 1936 built a one-story addition to the club part of their holdings.
On Sunday afternoon, June 20, 1937, Michigan City Lodge 980 observed its 25th anniversary at a special meeting in its hall by receiving a class of candidates, with the Degree Staff of Greater Chicago Lodge, No. 3, exemplifying the ritual. The meeting was following by a creamed chicken plate luncheon and dancing. D. R. Glad, Sr., was Dictator of Lodge 980 at that time.
The Moose hall and club were destroyed by fire on Dec 19, 1938. As the flames swept through the frame structure the officers and members of this great lodge felt that their labors thought the years had come to naught. But not for long did they remain in that gloomy mental state. Then went tot work with a a firm determination to create something bigger and better. As a result of their indefatigable efforts, No. 980 now has a fine up-to-date home of brick, steel, and concrete, devoted exclusively to lodge and club activities.
Blessing in Disguise
Thus the fire which seemed a calamity at first, was really a blessing in disguise, for it served to draw all the Moose of Michigan City closer together, and to make them more determined than ever to carry on.
This attractive building covers an area of 90 feet by 50 feet. The south half of its English basement is occupied by an attractive grill, while the north half of the basement is occupied by for Brunswick bowling alleys, installed in 1941. It was during that year that the bowling alleys room was extended to the the alley along the east side of the Moose property in order to afford ample room for this popular pastime.
The finance committee serving during the building operations in 1939 consisted of Walter J. Baut, Robert M. Russell, William F. Leverenz, Attorney Robert T. Wilson, Norman J. Zeese, John Schudorcik, W. L. Foster, Harvey E. Andrews, William H. Marshall, and Alfred Hansen.
On the main floor of the Moose Home is the lodge hall, 51 feet by 50 feet (including stage), the Secretary's office, and the check and rest rooms.
The home was formally opened October 29, 1939, with the initiation of the Mayor Fred F. Parker class of 102 candidates. Paul P. Schmitz of Mooseheart, Illinois, director to the membership enrollment department, delivered the dedicatory address.
Also Owner of House
In the fall of 1940 Michigan City Moose lodge 980 purchased the two-story frame house at 112 Detroit street, just east of the Moose Home, which since has been improved, thus meeting the demands of the Lodge in its expansion program - past (in the enlargement of the bowling alleys room) and the future.
It was in June, 1941, that past Governor Walter J. Baut received a letter of congratulations from Paul P. Schmits, membership enrollment department director of the Loyal Order of Moose, on his attainment of membership in the Moose "25 Club", he having secured 25 new members since July 1, 1940, He was joined in that select group by W. B. West, now Governor of Moose Lodge, No. 980, who also has written up 25 new members up to that time.
With General Governor William A. Anderson as the principal speaker, Moose Lodge, 980, celebrated its 30th anniversary on May 9, 1942, he also having been present when the local lodge was instituted on May 9, 1912. Harvey Pagels was Governor at the time of the 30th anniversary celebration of Lodge No. 980.
Past Governors
Dictators who had been elected and who served Moose Lodge 980 through the years included the following: Alex L. Binkman, William Nash, George L. West, William E. Southhard, George Neulieb, Frank E. Dick, Charles M. Girton, B. J. Moenkhaus, P. F. Spychaiski, Woodford L. Foster, D. R. Glad, Sr., Robert M. Russell and Walter J. Baut. It was while Past Governor Walter J. Baut was the presiding officer of Lodge 980 that the name of the head office of a subordinate lodge was changed from Dictator to Governor, at the Supreme Lodge convention of the Loyal Order of Moose in August, 1939. Those who were formerly Past Dictators have since become Past Governors and the list, besides those mentioned above, includes Harvey Pagels, John Schudorick, and Harvey E. Andrews.
Michigan City Moose Lodge, 980 has had only three Secretaries. C. C. Murphy, who was secretary at the time the Lodge was instituted, May 9, 1912, severed a comparatively short time, for in the same year the late Allen J. Snook was elected to that office and held it until March 28, 1922, when the present incumbent, Alfred Hansen, was installed.
The committee in charge of the arrangements for the burring of the mortgage ceremony - Feb. 26, 27 and 28, 1943 - consisted of the following: Harvey Pagels, chairman: Walter J. Baut, W. B. West, Robert T. Wilson, Robert M. Russell, Henry Cuquel, P. F. Spychaiski, John Schudorick, Ernest H. Orange, Elmer E. Hecht, Harvey E. Andrews, Thomas Bridge, Herbert A. Lundquist, Edward H. Schnick, Edward Andershock, Willard Hall Jr. Charles Berry, and Alfred Hansen,