Page 24 - Sojourner Newsletter FALL 2022

24 THE SOJOURNER

It is known is that he was a member of the Paducah Commandery
#11 and that he was Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery
of Kentucky from 1893 to 1894. The historical account left to us
informs us that before his death, Edward Beach Jones gave a copy
of the Heroes ritual to Brother Flournoy. This was not a capricious
act, as Brother Flournoy was an accomplished ritualist and had the
Masonic stature and ritualistic capability to carry the degree
forward as Brother Jones had intended.

Brother Flournoy proceeded to spread the degree by moving it out
of Kentucky and conferring it on selected Masons from many states
including Tennessee, Illinois, Iowa, and Georgia. It also seems
obvious that both Jones and Flournoy considered the degree
essential to preserving the memory of the gallant Masons who
founded this Nation rather
than simply as a reward for
meritorious service to
Masonry. Sometime before
Brother Flournoy passed
away, he gave a copy of the
ritual to his nephew, Brother Christopher Van Deventer.

The host hotel for the weekend’s festivities was located in Clarksville,
Tennessee. Except for a few lead vehicles, two vehicles carrying the Color Guard
and their equipment, and another vehicle transporting the wreath, the remainder of
the Heroes and their ladies boarded two 15 passenger vans for the 60 or so mile
trip to Princeton. The solemn memorial ceremony for Brother Flournoy was then
conducted, and 45 people were in attendance, including the Mayor of Princeton,
the Honorable Dakota Young.