It was, in the late 19th century, the cement which held the black community together, the single most uniting force of Wichita's black population. The “sick committee” of the lodge called on and cared for the brothers, paid their dues when they were ill, fed and “set up” with them when they were dying and then, in the end, carried them to their graves. Abusive language, sexual indiscretions, and a
busive use of drugs – all meant exclusion from the lodge. From the power of the lodge membership, the community drew strength. In July 1985, the Brothers of Ark Valley Lodge #21, under Worshipful Master, Carl G. Brewer, prepared to celebrate their 100th anniversary. A decision was made to publish the history of the Ark Valley Lodge as part of the celebration. Some of that history is not recorded here for lodge records were destroyed by a storm, leaving little information after 1946. There has been no intent to leave out or minimize the acts of the men of the recent years. The intent was to show why and how they came to be together in 1985. Let it be known then, that from those brothers who first met in Wichita, Kansas in 1885 came a band of men who influenced the life of their community in a manner unlike any other society of Wichitans. In this, the 100th anniversary year of the Brothers of Ark Valley, we look back at those who influenced the flow of their community in the worst of times and then passed on without note. It is to those men whose names still cause light in the eyes of some of the elderly masons that this history is dedicated. It is for us now, having fitted the pieces of lost history together, to pay homage to the Brothers of Ark Valley. Notes: THE BROTHERS OF ARK VALLEY, 100TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
