A TEXAS HIGH TWELVE CLUB IS CHARTERED

San Antonio High Twelve Club No. 656 was chartered and formally instituted on June 11, 1987, in San Antonio, Texas. During the 1987 Grand Masters Conference in Calgary, Canada, Past International President Arthur Buss, and the then International President Clifton O. Bingham, Jr., met with John S. Henderson, then National President-Elect of National Sojourners, regarding High Twelve International and its purposes. Henderson relayed the briefing to Grand Master of Masons in Texas, John E. Jack Kelly. Correspondence between Grand Master Kelly and International President Bingham resulted in Texas Grand Master Kelly's approval of High Twelve International, and that he would "be pleased to be a Charter Member of the first High Twelve Club in Texas--if invited."

Grand Master Kelly invited his Grand Orator, Reese L. Harrison, Jr., and John S. Henderson to form a High Twelve Club in San Antonio, Texas. Between April 20 and April 24, 1987, Harrison and Henderson secured twenty-seven other Freemasons in San Antonio, Texas, to become the Charter Members of the High Twelve Club in Texas, for a total of twenty-nine Charter Members. On April 26, 1987, Harrison delivered the Application for Charter to then International President Bingham at the Annual Session of the International Supreme Council Order of DeMolay in Anaheim, California.

San Antonio Club held an organizational meeting on May 21, 1987, at which time it selected its Charter Officers. Among the twenty-nine Charter Members is Hugo Alfred Bourdeau, who was then a current member of High Twelve International in Massachusetts, and Jack E. Burton, a former member of High Twelve International, along with Reese L. Harrison, Jr., an Honorary Member of Kansas City Club No. 3 in Kansas City, Missouri.

On June 11, 1987, then International President Clifton O. Bingham, Jr., presented the Charter and installed the Officers of San Antonio Club No. 656 of High Twelve International. The Charter Officers are as follows:

Directors:

Other Charter Members not already named included:

Artur Willi Aders
James Ozie Bass
Alexander Edward Blue
Hugo Alfred Bourdeau
James L. Bruner
Jack Edmond Burton
Earl Dean Carlile
Frank Earnest Draper, Jr.
John Samuel Henderson
Milford Nat Jacobs
Julius V. Joseph
Thomas Clarence Levine
Arthur Ethan Mathes
Thomas Allan Mote, Jr.
Bryan Anthony Naylor, Jr.
Gerald Franklin Nowotny
Orval Richard Rose
Herbert Marvin Uecker

Present at the Charter presentation ceremonies was Freemason Robert Wagner, who indicated his desire to be a member of High Twelve. The Club meets on the third Thursday of each month at the noonhour in downtown San Antonio, with the place of its meeting varying among downtown restaurants. The Club is attempting to secure as members those Freemasons who work in the downtown district of San Antonio.

The membership of the Club includes Grand Master of Masons John E. Jack Kelly, Past Grand Master of DeMolay and Grand Orator of The Grand Lodge of Texas Reese L. Harrison, Jr., National President of National Sojourners John S. Henderson, District Deputy Grand Master Grand Lodge of Texas Jack E. Burton, Alzafar Shrine High Priest and Prophet James W. Todd, Alzafar Shrine Oriental Guide Raymond A. Fuller, York Rite District Deputy Grand Master Cecil W. Bain, Sovereign of St. Anthony Conclave Red Cross of Constantine Harry Sinco, Treasurer of the San Antonio Scottish Rite Bodies Sidney Shaenfield, Thrice Illustrious Master of San Antonio Council No. 14 R&SM James L. Bruner, Recorder of San Antonio Commandery No. 7 and High Priest of San Antonio Chapter No. 381 Royal Arch Masons Frank E. Draper, High Priest of Army Chapter No. 393 RAM Julius V. Joseph, York Rite Secretary-Recorder Gerald F. Nowotny, Ft. Sam Houston Chapter National Sojourners President Thomas A. Mote, Jr.

In the above picture are the Charter Officers of San Antonio High Twelve Club No. 656. Sitting with the Charter are from left to right then International President Clifton O. Bingham and President of Club 656 Reese L. Harrison, Jr. Standing in the first row from left to right, Grand Master John E. Jack Kelly, Masonic Representative; James Walker Todd, Second Vice President; holding the Club bell First Vice President Cecil W. Bain; Treasurer Robert L. Jett; and Sergeant at Arms Harry Sinco. Standing in the back row from left to right, Jesus A. Garza, Director; Larry G. Wallis, Secretary; Marshall A. Dodge, Chaplain; Raymond A. Fuller, Director; and Sidney Shaenfield, Director.

In the above picture, newly installed President of Club 656 Reese L. Harrison, Jr., receives the gavel and bell from then International President Clifton O. Bingham, Jr.

In the above picture, John E. Jack Kelly, Grand Master of Masons in Texas and Charter Member of Club 656, receives his membership certificate and card from then International President Clifton O. Bingham, Jr.

In the above picture, John E. Jack Kelly, Grand Master of Masons in Texas and Charter Member of Club 656, and President of Club 656 Reese L. Harrison, Jr., receive the Charter from then International President Clifton O. Bingham, Jr.