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You might not believe it, but the storied Kentucky rifle figures not only tangentially in Masonic history, but also directly. But first, the current events: William O. Ware Lodge of Research in Kentucky is conducting a raffle of such a firearm. From the publicity:
Raffle Tickets Cost Only $50 Each
No limit on quantity of purchases
This year’s annual raffle item is a Kentucky Long Rifle. The stock of this .45 caliber rifle is an attractive hard maple with curly grain that extends to muzzle with brass cap and fitted four-inch heavy brass butt plate. A hickory ramrod mount through two beaded pipes and matching thimble. Bore is bright and shiny. Triggers and locks operable.
The raffle drawing will be held November 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Walt’s Hitching Post, 3300 Madison Pike in Ft. Wright during the William O. Ware Annual Festive Board.
One hundred percent of all proceeds support Masonic research at the William O. Ware Lodge of Research. Please note, purchasing a raffle ticket does not include a ticket to the Festive Board. Separate invitations will be sent for this event later in the year.
William O. Ware’s Kentucky Charitable Gaming License No. EXE0002699.
The Masonic Society hosted its 2017 conference in Lexington, where a similar raffle was conducted. I didn’t buy a ticket, not imaging how I possibly could get the beast home, but there were two winners. Two, because Tom Jackson forgot to bring his raffle tickets to the dinner and consequently a second ticket had to be drawn. I can’t remember who won. (Hell, I’m just realizing now that I never wrote about that conference here on The Magpie Mason! How did I neglect that? I swear I have the attention span of a puppy.)
Anyway, in a look at American history, we see Kentucky rifles were credited with major military victories. First, troops under the command of future Tennessee Grand Master Andrew Jackson were armed with these when they defeated the British at New Orleans in 1814. That battle was relived in song whence comes the rifle’s nickname. Excerpted:
But Jackson, he was wide awake,
And was not scared of trifles;
For well he knew what aim we take
With our Kentucky rifles;
He led us down to Cypress swamp,
The ground was low and mucky;
There stood John Bull in pomp,
And here was old Kentucky.
Then, the same model rifle was instrumental in winning independence for Texas where Freemasons were key in the fight against Mexico.
Later in U.S. history, during the First World War, Kentucky Grand Master J.N. Saunders granted dispensation to Kentucky Rifle Lodge, the second of that Grand Lodge’s army lodges. He opened this lodge September 25, 1917 and installed its officers at Camp Stanley. If I understand correctly, this lodge was at labor only for that year.
So buy a raffle ticket! Just don’t ask me how you’ll get that bazooka home.
