Excerpt from The Law of Free-Masonry in North Dakota: Containing the Ancient Charges and Regulations, Constitutions, by-Laws, Standing Resolutions, Approved Decisions, Masonic Code and Appendix of General Forms of the Grand Lodge A. F. And A. M. Of North Dakota

In June, 1889, after the formation of the states of North and South Dakota from the Territory of Dakota, the members of the various lodges, situated in what became the State of North Dakota, deemed it advie able to segregate themselves from the territorial Grand Lodge and form a Grand Lodge of their own. This act was done with great reluctance on the part of our brethren; because of many ties of fraternal friend ship and love which bound the brethren of the large territory so closely together. Yet the necessity of such a division seemed so ap parent that the proposition was made in the territorial Grand Lodge communication, June 1889, and readily granted by the territorial Grand Lodge, but not without a pang of regret on the part of all who partici pated in that memorable session.

It might not be out of place in this preface, for the purpose of illustrating how closely the ties of fraternal regard bound the brethren of the territory together, to give the scene enacted at the final separa tion. After authority had been granted for the northern brethren to form'a Grand Lodge, they repaired to the room adjoining that in which the territorial Grand Lodge, was holding its session. Our Grand Lodge then proceeded to organize and elect its first officers. We were invited by the Grand Lodge of South Dakota to join in the installation ceremonies, and accordingly the officers and members of our Grand Lodge were seated on the north side of the lodge room in which the territorial Grand Lodge was convened, while the officers and brethren of the south were seated opposite. The officers of each Grand Lodge were installed as it were, in pairs; i. E., the Grand Masters of North and South Dak ota were installed together and so on down the list. The Grand Lodge of what was then designated South Dakota presented to the Grand Lodge of North Dakota the beautiful territorial jewels, which, by virtue of the division of property, remained in possession of the Grand Lodge of South Dakota. After the installation, all the brethren stood up in their respective places, and, at a suggestion all took of one another a final parting. The north and the south came together with extended hands, and such a demonstration of affection between man and man of so large a body, we believe, was never seen before. Many \broke down entirely and sobbed aloud, 'and a dry eye was not in the room. How long it took for the brethren to compose themselves sufficiently to be called to labor, no one knows.

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