A petition was circulated and after a time the requisite number to secure a chapter had been signed up. The late Dr. Saunders, who had the degrees conferred on him by Robert Morris, founder of the Eastern Star and Charles Edward Keppler had a major part in securing the petition list for the chapter.
Thirty-two degree Masons, charter members and their wives constituted three-tourths of the membership of the chapter. Of the list ofmen, M.G. Davies is the only remaining member. Several years ago the chapter gave to this list of charter members, the honor of life membership.
Mrs. Alma Walker of Galveston, grand worthy matron at that time, spent nearly a week here organizing, installing and holding practice sessions and after working under her dispensation nearly a year, a charter was granted in 1904.
The first officers were Mrs. Eugenia Ford, worthy matron~ Dr. Saunders, worthy patron; and C.E. Keppler, secretary. Mrs. G. w. Ball was the first initiate.
The chapter went to work getting the supplies together, meeting with splendid success. Meetings were held in the old Masonic Hal] on Water Street. Older members report interesting experiences in the early years of the chapter history .There were no street lights except on Front Street and as the majority of the members had to walk, early leaders faced difficulty in keeping up the chapter attendance.
Charter members were: Eugenia R. Ford, James Saunders, Karen L. Mitchell, Charles Edward Keppler, John R. Davidson, Minnie B. Slade, Florence R. Davidson, Helen Ford Epwright, Willie Griffith, Jennie H. Aronson, Lena McFarland Stewart, Sarah Parker, Alex L. Mitchell, Clarence E. Slade, Effie A. Davies, Julia A. Keppler, John w. Parker, John Griffith, Morgan G. Davies, and Walter Clark Stewart.
Life members were Effie A. Davies, Willie Griffith, Katherine Briesnan, Mattie Ball, Mary Kitchens, Karen Mitchell, Julia Miller, Julia Campbell, and M.G. Davies.
Past matrons and patrons in Orange are Effie A. Davies, Lillian Campbell, Corine Schnitzel, Donna Mitchell, Kathryn Glidden, Viola Robinson, Gladys Voss, Edna Harding, Mollie Gunstream, Ola Blanchard, Myrtle Wilders, Messers. W. A. Campbell, M. D. Barbee, W. E. Harding, and W. E. Reynolds. The present worthy matron is Mrs. Elizabeth Garrett and the worthy patron is R. M. Beverley.