1,000 BLACK MASONS GATHER IN CAPE

Receptionists at the Holiday Inn front desk looked more than a little frazzled Tuesday, trying to accommodate hundreds of convention-goers from across the state.

The scene was much the same at some of Cape Girardeau's other motels off Interstate 55 that are totally booked for the week.

The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F&AM, is conducting its state convention in Cape Girardeau this week, and the busiest part of it begins today. The Mason organization expects between 1,000 and 1,500 members to descend upon the city before the convention ends late Thursday.

Grand Master Lucas Lowery said his group picked Cape Girardeau this year because the African-American social and philanthropic group hasn't met here since 1976. Businessmen and residents were nice to them that year, so the lodge decided to do it again, he said.

In addition, Cape Girardeau has grown a lot in the last 10 years. Lowery said the city's large selection of shops, restaurants and entertainment helped in the decision. While not in session, some of the Masons have been going to nearby floating casinos.

Lowery expects members to spend at least $500,000 in city stores and restaurants during their stay.

The men and women from Missouri's 65 black lodges fall under the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, established in this state in 1865. Prince Hall was the first black Mason initiated into a white lodge in Boston, Mass., in 1775.

There are currently 250,000 black Masons in the United States and more in Canada, Germany, Greece and other countries.

Working side-by-side with what Lowery calls their "Caucasian brothers," the Masons donate to scholarships, health organizations and disaster victims. They also conduct Christmas parties for underprivileged children.

People from all walks of life are attending this year's convention. They are young and old, men and women, doctors, preachers and schoolteachers.

"We portray an image they like," Lowery said. "If you are a good role model, you will have someone follow you. In this day and age, with so much turmoil and strife, we need good role models for our young men and women."

Keeping with that philosophy, it is difficult to become a Mason. Prospective members fill out applications and are interviewed in their homes by organization leaders.

If the prospective member doesn't believe in God or his spouse doesn't want him to become a Mason, his application is automatically denied. Also, if one member feels the applicant shouldn't be a Mason, the application is denied.

"We tell people that we like to take a good man and make him a little bit better," Lowery said.

Cape Girardeau doesn't have a lodge that falls under the Prince Hall Grand Lodge's jurisdiction. The closest one is in Sikeston, and Cape Girardeau members attend meetings there.

Next year's state convention will be in Jefferson City.