Julio Diaz Found Guilty in Arson Fires and Murder of Texas Mason

Photo: KRGV-TV5

by Christopher Hodapp

Julio Diaz has finally been found guilty in the arson fires of two Masonic lodges and the subsequent 2023 murder of Past Master Robert Wise outside of McAllen Lodge 1110 in McAllen, Texas. He now awaits sentencing.

From the KRGV-TV website on August 6th:

The verdict came after the jury deliberated for about 30 minutes. Diaz now awaits sentencing.

Prosecutors called more than two dozen witnesses during the trial. They presented surveillance video, cell phone evidence, and videos they said proved Diaz shot and killed Wise.

The defense called only one witness, a woman related to an elderly family member. Diaz was helping care for her, and she testified about a post-it note the defense said Diaz wrote, which reportedly mentioned the Freemasons and the Anunnaki.

Diaz's case dates back to July 2023. Police arrested him two days after Wise was found shot outside the McAllen Masonic Lodge.

Diaz also faced two arson charges. One is linked to a fire at the McAllen Masonic Lodge a year before Wise was shot. The second is linked to a Feb. 20, 2023, fire at the Weslaco Masonic Lodge, which destroyed the building.

Diaz chose to have the judge decide his sentence rather than the jury. His attorney spoke with Channel 5 News about that decision.

"That is largely attorney-client privilege; there are tactical reasons why the biggest reason is the health information did not come out in trial," attorney Lennard K. Whittaker said.

READ MORE: Phone evidence, claims of 'black magic' presented as state rests in McAllen murder trial

The defense said the jury never heard testimony about Diaz's mental state. Whittaker said a court-ordered neurological expert did not finish evaluating Diaz before the trial began.

"Those delusions were put in place in full view before that jury; unfortunately, we had no expert because he hadn't completed his work in time for this date," Whittaker said.

Throughout the trial, the defense repeatedly asked the judge to delay it, citing the unfinished evaluation. The judge denied those requests, noting the case had already been pending for nearly three years.

The defense will use the coming weeks to gather character letters, mental health and medical information, and other materials it believes could help the judge during sentencing. Whittaker said it is too early to know whether the defense plans to call witnesses at sentencing...

Diaz' sentencing is set for September 21st. He faces between just 5(!) and 99 years in prison.

When he was arrested and questioned back in July 2023, Julio Diaz told investigators that  Masons were "devil worshiping Illuminatists." A Facebook commenter said Diaz had previously posted anti-Masonic comments on social media, claiming the lodge "had put a curse on him." A year before the killing, the McAllen lodge was vandalized with graffiti that read: “Sorcery against the Holy Spirit and the human race must all be stoned to death.” Whether or not Diaz painted that message, it was followed by his arson attacks on the lodge and on the nearby Weslaco lodge building. And then he shot Robert Wise in the head at point blank range as members were leaving an officer's installation. 

Diaz was so proud of his actions that he captured the shooting on video and posted it on his Instagram account. The jury saw this video in the course of the trial.

According to the myRGV.com website, he told his attorney that "he didn't see Freemasons as human beings or as being of the human race." He believes Masons are reptilians. "On social media, Diaz had also said that people who are suicidal should kill Freemasons before themselves, saying people could save millions of humans depending on the degree of the witch, sorcerer or Freemason they killed."

It cannot be emphasized enough that Masons must take any and all vandalism and anti-Masonic messaging deadly seriously and report every single instance to local law enforcement. That includes threatening messages mailed to the lodge, stuck in car windows outside of meetings, or posted on lodge doors. Brother Wise's distraught family brought a million dollar lawsuit against the lodge for purchasing security cameras and outdoor lighting equipment and failing to install it in the wake of the vandalism prior to the murder. 

This admonition is not a mercenary one, but one of responsibility to our members, families and visitors. The toxic nature of anti-social media these days helps to percolate this kind of anti-Masonic sentiment, and violence is everywhere. Moreover, the alarming rise in anti-semitism that's sweeping the Western world catches Freemasons in the same net. Religious fanatics have associated Masonry with Judaism for more than two centuries, along with accusing Masons of Satanism and worse. We can ascribe these kinds of insane hatreds to madness, but madmen aren't any less dangerous just because they believe ridiculous things.

Anti-Masonic Texas Murder Suspect Charged with More Arson Attempts

by Christopher Hodapp

Julio Diaz, currently awaiting trial in the murder of a Freemason outside of a Texas Masonic hall, along with prior incidents of damaging that same lodge building, has just been charged in two more arson attacks against a different lodge.

Diaz is accused of shooting WB Robert Wise outside of McAllen Lodge 1110 in southern Texas following an officer's installation on July 10, 2023. He is also accused of attempting to set fire to that building in 2022.

Llano Grande Lodge in Westlaco, TX (Google Earth photo)

According to KRGV-TV5, Hidalgo County authorities have now brought more charges against Diaz regarding two additional arson attempts in February 2023 at the Welasco Masonic temple, located about 20 miles east of McAllen. The Welasco hall is home to Llano Grande Lodge 1173.

Fire damage in 2023. (KRGV-TV5)

After his initial arrest, sources familiar with the investigation said that Diaz believed Masons are "devil worshiping Illuminatists." A Facebook commenter said Diaz had previously posted anti-Masonic comments on social media, claiming the lodge "had put a curse on him."

In April, the judge in the case expressed frustration with Diaz' defense attorney regarding the numerous delays they've requested since his initial court appearance. His tentative trial date is now in early August, but they may request additional time now that these new charges have been brought.

Another Courtroom Delay in Texas Mason's Slaying

Photo: KRGV-TV5

by Christopher Hodapp

Julio Diaz (allegedly) shot and killed Freemason Robert Wise outside a Masonic lodge in McAllen, Texas almost three years ago. But the murder case against him has been delayed multiple times, most recently on Monday.

McAllen is a small town right on the Mexican border in the southernmost tip of Texas, just west of South Padre Island.

On the night of July 10, 2023, Brother Wise was leaving an officers’ installation ceremony at McAllen Lodge 1110 (he had just been installed as Junior Deacon) when Diaz reportedly drove into the lodge parking lot, approached him, and opened fire at close range. Witnesses inside the lodge heard gunshots and rushed outside to find Wise gravely wounded; he later died at a hospital. Authorities quickly identified Diaz as a suspect, aided in part by the video he allegedly filmed and posted online, bragging to an acquaintance about it in a text message. 

After his arrest, sources familiar with the investigation said that Diaz believed Masons are "devil worshiping Illuminatists." A Facebook commenter said Diaz had previously posted anti-Masonic comments on social media, claiming the lodge "had put a curse on him."

The lodge was previously vandalized in March of 2022, when an unknown person tagged the location with graffiti reading, “Sorcery against the Holy spirit and the human race must all be stoned to death.” It's not known if Diaz was responsible for that incident, but he also faces a separate arson charge from an incident in September 2022, when he had attempted to set the McAllen Masonic hall on fire. Interior surveillance footage recorded him at that time breaking in by smashing the glass front door, pouring gasoline on the floor, and lighting a piece of cardboard on fire. Diaz admitted setting that fire to investigators after his arrest in connection with Wise’s death. Investigators obtained and examined Diaz’s camera and found evidence that also linked him to a separate February 2023 fire at Llano Grande Masonic Lodge, located about 20 miles west of McAllen in Weslaco, Texas.

The shocking nature of the crime has made the case particularly unsettling within the fraternity. Despite the seriousness of the charges, the case has been repeatedly delayed, prompting visible frustration from the court. During a hearing Monday, presiding judge J.B. "Bobby" Flores sharply questioned why a case now more than two years old has yet to go to trial, demanding, “When do we try this thing?” The latest postponement came after the defense requested more time to review a large volume of newly disclosed evidence and to pursue medical and psychological evaluations, including questions about Diaz’s competency and a reported brain condition. Diaz has also faced scrutiny over prior incidents, including alleged arson attempts involving Masonic properties, which prosecutors may use to establish motive or pattern of behavior. Ongoing disputes over evidence and mental fitness have created a procedural logjam, leaving the court, the victim’s family, the lodge brethren, and other observers still waiting for the case to finally be resolved.

Lodge Facebook page

Robert Wise leaves behind his wife, five children, and eleven grandchildren, along with brothers, sisters, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. 

In a separate civil case, Wise's family filed a lawsuit against the lodge itself for failing to take security precautions that might have protected him, or at least discouraged Diaz. The lodge had purchased outdoor lighting and surveillance equipment months before the shooting occurred but failed to install them. Further, the suit pointed out the rise in recent years of attacks against lodges and individual Masons should have made the local lodge more vigilant and protective of its members' safety. The suit was settled out of court.

The judge in Diaz's case has scheduled his next hearing in August to give the defense more time to examine evidence and medical reports. Maybe then Brother Wise and his family will finally be able to receive the closure that's been so long postponed.

No, Chuck Norris Is Not A Freemason

by Christopher Hodapp

All weekend long Masonic groups and individual Masons on social media platforms have circulated images and text snippits that claim popular actor and martial arts champion Chuck Norris  was a Freemason. One especially detailed image appears to come from the Grand Lodge of Texas paying tribute to the late Norris by falsely claiming he was a distinguished Texas Mason.

Norris died suddenly on Thursday after being hospitalized in Hawaii with a medical emergency. He was 86 years old.

It IS true that Norris was granted the title of Honorary Texas Ranger in 2010 by Texas governor Rick Perry after playing a Texas Ranger in the movie Lone Wolf McQuade. He went on to star as ranger Cordell Walker in the TV series Walker, Texas Ranger. In 2017, he was also made an "Honorary Texan" in part, because he owned a Texas ranch near Navasota. 

But Chuck Norris was not himself a Mason, no matter what the Intertubz may have told you. Not a single lodge or grand lodge has legitimately acknowledged Norris' Masonic membership - traditional, honorary, or otherwise.

It IS true that Norris is described in many circles as a 'grand master' in the martial arts world, which is likely the source of confusion that set off this silliness in the first place. But that term has been around for a very long time, pre-dating modern Freemasonry, appearing in ancient craft guilds and medieval orders of knighthood. We Masons don't have a corner on the term.

Grand Lodge of Texas 1945 Mural Created...At Last

Image: Sean Starr

by Christopher L. Hodapp

UPDATE: THIS STORY WAS UPDATED 10/2/2025 WITH A NEW COMPOSITE IMAGE PROVIDED BY THE ARTIST.

When the Grand Lodge of Texas built their magnificent art deco/Egyptian-revival grand lodge building in Waco in the 1940s, a mural was designed originally to be installed behind the auditorium's Grand East. It was never completed, for reasons lost in the mists of time. Cheapness, laziness, changes in taste, or never getting around to it. The point is, it was never put in place.

According to PGM and Grand Secretary Brad Billings, it was included in the building committee meeting talks up until 1945. An architectural model was created when the building was proposed by architect Raoul Jossett, and it was built almost exactly as the model specified. But the mural itself was never installed. A look at the immense size of the auditorium stage gives you some idea of just how huge this would have been.

"Speculation is cost or they likely couldn't find a local artist to make that size painting," says Brad.

Fast forward to this past year.

An artistic Texas Brother named Sean Starr got hold of the original proposed artwork and has painted a scaled-down version for the Grand Secretary's office in three 5-foot by 5-foot panels. (Composite image above provided by the artist.)

It appears to depict Hiram Abiff (or perhaps King Solomon?) flanked by art deco depictions of the Holy Sts John, combined with the circle and parallel lines of our symbolism.

GS Billings says the mural will be projected behind the Grand East at the next annual communication of Grand Lodge. He adds, "We plan to make prints to help offset the cost of the artist to make it! I’m happy to answer any questions or give a quote. Such a cool thing to be a part of!"

Texas PGM Reese Harrison Passes Away

by Christopher Hodapp

UPDATED: Texas Past Grand Master Reese L. Harrison has passed to the Celestial Lodge Above. A post on the Grand Lodge of Texas Facebook page from Grand Master Reader this afternoon says he actually passed on August 29th, and was laid to rest at a private ceremony today, September 4th.

It would be nearly impossible to accurately recount the vast Masonic resumé of PGM Harrison. His longstanding devotion to the fraternity and its many appendant bodies over the decades is unmatched.

It can often be thought that Freemasonry is the be-all and end-all for someone whose private and professional life is somehow empty or unfulfilling. Reese Harrison was not one of those men. His obituary appeared today after the private service, and I reprint it here. What we see as Masons is but a tiny portion of a man's life, and many may not have known Reese's complete background. (Details and other information may be seen on his obituary page HERE.)

Reese Lenwood Harrison, Jr. quietly passed away at his home on August 29, 2025, at the age of 87 following a short illness. Reese was born on January 5, 1938, in San Antonio, Texas, to Ruth Fischer Harrison and Reese L. Harrison, Sr.

Reese graduated from San Antonio’s Breckridge High School in 1956. He attended Baylor University and graduated in three years with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1959 and later with a Master of Science degree in Economics in 1965. He attended law school at Southern Methodist University where he received a Juris Doctorate degree in 1962.

Reese married Judith Karen Scott on October 9, 1964. They made their home in San Antonio where their two daughters, Judith Karen Scott Harrison, Jr. and Tiffany Farrah Lynn Harrison, were born. While being an attorney, Reese, with his sister Janice, operated the Bar H Ranches Partnership, Ltd., a cattle ranch in Bexar, Wilson, and Caldwell Counties, Texas. Active in the community, Reese was selected Outstanding Young Man in San Antonio for 1973, receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the San Antonio Junior Chamber of Commerce of which he was not a member. He was a Life Director of the San Antonio Livestock Exposition and Rodeo, a former Vice-President of the San Antonio Charity Horse Show, and a Director of the Miss Rodeo Texas Pageant among many other civic activities too numerous to mention. Over the years, Reese held a number of leadership positions in the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the Alamo Area Council of Governments. He was active in the Democratic Party at the County, State and National levels.

Reese was admitted to the practice of law in September 1962 and would spend his career practicing law. Reese was appointed an Assistant US Attorney in the Western District of Texas and served from 1964 through 1972. He entered private practice in 1972 as a partner in the firm of Oppenheimer, Blend, Harrison, and Tate. Reese continued to practice law as senior counsel when the firm merged with Clark Hill and its predecessor firms in 2011 until his passing.

Initially admitted to the bar in Texas, Reese was also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the four US District Courts of Texas, several US Courts of Appeals, and other US Courts including Armed Forces, Federal Claims, International Trade, and Tax Court. He was an active member of numerous professional organizations including the San Antonio Bar Association, Texas Bar Association, American Bar Association, International Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, and Judge Advocates Association. He was an Adjunct Professor of Law at St. Mary’s University School of Law and was a frequent lecturer in continuing legal education courses and seminars on topics related to litigation matters. Over the years, Reese has been recognized by various legal organizations in recognition of his valuable and meritorious service to the community, state, and nation.

Reese enlisted into the Texas Air National Guard in June 1963 and received his basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base. He would serve as what was then known as an “Air Policeman” with what is now the 149th Fighter Wing in San Antonio, Texas. In 1966, he was granted a direct commission into the US Air Force and received an appointment as a Second Lieutenant in the Texas Air National Guard where he became the commander of his Air Police unit. As a licensed attorney in 1968, then Second Lieutenant Harrison, was appointed as a Captain in the Texas Air National Guard and began twenty-five years of service as the Staff Judge Advocate for the 149th Fighter Wing. He was promoted to Colonel in 1994 and served as the Staff Judge

Advocate for Headquarters Texas Air National Guard and was assigned to the Judge Advocate General’s Department Reserve with the US Air Force until his retirement on January 3, 1998. The governor of Texas promoted Colonel Harrison to Brigadier General (Brevet) in 2005.

Reese served on active duty during Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and was assigned as the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas. He received the Major General Paul D. Straw Trophy in 1991 as the Airman who best exemplified overall unit excellence and outstanding civic participation and in recognition of superior contribution to the community and to the nation. Reese’s distinguished military career is embellished by numerous awards including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal, Texas Outstanding Service Medal, Texas Medal of Merit, the Adjutant General's Individual Award, and the Texas Faithful Service Medal.

At the age of 16, Reese joined San Antonio’s Albert Pike DeMolay Chapter in January 1954, where he served as an officer. His service to DeMolay continued as an adult on the local, state, and national level. Active in Freemasonry, Reese petitioned Albert Pike Masonic Lodge No. 1169 at the age of 21 where he received the degrees of Freemasonry and served as Worshipful Master in 1969-1970. He affiliated with several other Masonic Lodges where he served as an officer. He served on several committees of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas. He was elected to serve as the Grand Master of Masons in Texas during 2004.

Reese was active in the appendant Masonic Bodies on the local, state, and national levels including the Scottish Rite, York Rite, and Shrine and the invitational or honorary bodies of each. He has served as the presiding officer of most of his local Masonic bodies plus the presiding officer of at least four major state and eleven national organizations. In the York Rite, he was a Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas and a Past Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas. In the Scottish Rite, Reese was coroneted a 33rd Degree Inspector General Honorary in 1979 and was invested with the Grand Cross of the Court of Honour in 2013.

Reese was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Janice Lee Harrison Tipton. He is survived by his wife, Judith Karen Scott Harrison, and his two daughters Judith Karen Scott Harrison Brown (Scottie) and husband Dr. Jared Brown of Aurora, Colorado, and Tiffany Farrah Lynn Harrison of Houston. He is also survived by his grandson Hadyn Brown, granddaughter Poppy Brown, and nephew Neal Tipton.

In accordance with his wishes, Reese was laid to rest in a private graveside service at Mission Burial Park South in San Antonio on September 4, 2025. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Grand Lodge Library and Museum of Texas, P.O. Box 2366, Waco, TX 76703.

His column is broken and his Brethren mourn. RIP

Grand Lodge of Texas Issues Disaster Relief Message for Central Texas Floods

Photo: BatesvilleTribune.com

by Christopher Hodapp

The scope of the death and destruction from the horrific floods in Texas over the weekend continues to grow as recovery and relief efforts increase in the region. In the wake of this disaster, Grand Master Rayborn Reader of the Grand Lodge of Texas AF&AM has issued the following appeal for donations on social media:

Brethren, Family and Friends,

In the wake of the devastating floods that have struck Central Texas, our hearts are heavy with sorrow. Lives have been lost, homes destroyed, and entire communities upended. The loss of young children, families, and neighbors has touched us all deeply. 

To those grieving, know that you are not alone. The thoughts and prayers of the entire Masonic family are with you. We mourn with you, and we stand ready to help. 

As Masons, we are called to be men of compassion, action, and hope. Now is the time to lift our hands to help, open our hearts to give, and stand together as Brothers, united by faith, fraternity, and charity.

I encourage all who are able to contribute to the ongoing relief efforts. I ask all Texas Masons and those who support our work to stand together in aid of our fellow Texans.

 To support relief efforts, donations can be made to the Texas Masonic Charities Foundation:

Online: https://txmcf.org/donate Or go to www.txmcf.org

 Checks may be mailed to:

Texas Masonic Charities Foundation

P.O. Box 2156

Waco, TX 76703

Let us demonstrate that the Masonic spirit of Brotherly Love and Relief is not just words—it is action. May the Great Architect of the universe watch over us all, and may He bring comfort and strength to those in need.

Fraternally,
Raborn Reader Jr.
Grand Master 2025
Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. & A.M.

Note that, as of this time, this is the only officially-operated relief charity of the Grand Lodge of Texas – they have NOT requested a disaster relief appeal through the Masonic Service Association. The Texas Masonic Charities Foundation is a 501c3 organization, and, like the MSA, donations to them are tax deductible.

Masonic Quest: Escape from the Masonic Temple!

by Christopher Hodapp

No, I don't mean ducking out to avoid cooking the monthly breakfast. Not that kind of escape. 

I'm always looking for unique ways to bring the community into our Masonic halls and get the public interested in just who and what our fraternity is all about. Sometimes you have to think outside of the usual pattern of pancake breakfasts, chili cook-offs, and other typical events that lodges have been doing for the last 100 years and get more creative. So, here are a couple of ideas:

The Grand Orient de Belgium's Belgium Museum of Freemasonry in Brussels regularly hosts “Escape From The Masonic Temple” in its magnificent, historic temple. 

"A mysterious backpack has been found in the Museum…"The Belgian Museum of Freemasonry invites you to embark on a truly immersive experience: Masonic Quest, a thrilling escape game that takes place throughout the entire museum. Each puzzle you solve will bring you one step closer to uncovering the hidden treasure.

Succeed in your mission, and you’ll be rewarded with a photo alongside the treasure, an exclusive badge, and a certificate of investigation to commemorate your adventure.

Step into Masonic Quest, the captivating escape game at the Belgian Museum of Freemasonry! Dive into a world of intrigue, where mystery, symbols, and riddles intertwine. Follow in the footsteps of a historian who once hid a treasure deep within the museum’s walls.

Work as a team, explore every corner, crack codes, and solve puzzles to discover what’s been concealed.

This is a great idea. It's a fun way to get people into your Masonic building and interest younger people who haven't the first clue about who and what we really are. We have unique spaces that most people never give a second thought to. And everybody everywhere wants to know what's behind closed doors. So, let them in, guide them around, make them feel like explorers, let them see some unique artifacts.

The event also gives them the opportunity to hold guided tours and to open up their beautiful museum.

*  *  *

Lots of lodges also do haunted tours of their buildings, like this one in San Antonio, Texas.

They managed to get a few minutes on a local TV station to promote the event.

*  *  *

Then there' a children's  'treasure hunt' this coming weekend at Mount Zion Lodge 135 in Metuchen, New Jersey:

The Freemasons of Metuchen (Mt. Zion Lodge #135),
in conjunction with Wolfe Ossa Law and What's the Scoop are sponsoring a ​Children's Treasure Hunt following the style of "National Treasure", "Indiana Jones", and "Tomb Raider".

This is a chaperoned Treasure Hunt that will challenge children to solve puzzles leading from one location in Metuchen to another. Each clue will bring the children progressively closer to the final treasure!

The Treasure Hunt will start at the Mt. Zion Lodge on Saturday, June 14th, 2025 9:30 am sharp.
** You MUST pre-register ** (we will fill up, do it now)
​Address: 483 Middlesex Ave. Metuchen, NJ 08840

2025 U.S. Masonic Cons and More

by Christopher Hodapp

Grab your Masonic Calendar as the Masonic conference season kicks into full swing. Freemasons are organizing fun and educational events all over the country. 

The Grand Lodge of New York started off the year with their Masonic Con back in mid-January, but as the weather warms up, other jurisdictions are announcing their own similar events. Please alert me if yours isn't listed below and I'll add it to this list.

Montana Masonic Con April 25-26, 2025 – Great Falls, Montana

NOTE! This event has been cancelled as of April 15th.

Esotericon 2025 in Virginia has been postponed
www.esotericon.net

Midwest Conference on Masonic Education – May 2-4, 2025 – Indianapolis

http://www.mcme1949.org/

Hudson Valley Masonic Con – June 7th, 2025 – Middletown, New York

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hudson-valley-masonicon-2025-tickets-1298075571979

Masonic Con Kansas – July 18-19th, 2025 – Kansas (FREE this year!)

www.MasonicConKansas.com

John Skene Masonic Conference – August 23rd, 2025 – Plainfield, New Jersey

https://www.facebook.com/events/1005564854738595/

Texas MasoniCon – November 14-15, 2025 – Texas
www.TexasMasoniCon.com

Camp Cornerstone – August 22-24, 2025 – Arizona
www.flagstaff7.org

Masonic Con South – October 18-19, 2025 – North Carolina

www.MasonicConSouth.com

San Antonio Esoteric Summit - June 7, 2025 – Texas
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E44ADAB2FA2FB6-51446264-lodges#/

AMD/Masonic Week 2026 - February date not yet determined – Alexandria, Virginia

https://amdusa.org/wp/masonic-week-2025/

San Antonio Scottish Rite Forms Partnership With City's Philharmonic Orchestra To Preserve Cathedral

Article and photos by Christopher Hodapp

On Saturday, September 7th, the San Antonio (Texas) Philharmonic Orchestra and the San Antonio Valley of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite (SJ) announced the formation of a new 501(c)3 partnership to preserve and modernize the city's beautiful downtown Scottish Rite Cathedral. Under the terms of the agreement, the two organizations will share ownership of the 100-year-old Cathedral, providing the orchestra with a magnificent (and permanent) new home, and the Scottish Rite the opportunity to raise sorely needed money for improving and preserving their landmark Cathedral.

The two organizations took the opportunity to announce their fundraising goal of $50 million.

 

According to the Valley's website:

Several Masonic lodges, the Scottish Rite Masonic Bodies, all major York Rite Masonic Bodies, the Grotto, Eastern Star; Job's Daughters, Order of Rainbow for Girls, the Order of DeMolay, and other associated Masonic fraternal organizations meet in the Cathedral. The magnificent auditorium is acclaimed by experts as one of the most acoustically perfect rooms of its size in the world. Constructed as a Greek amphitheater it produces the effect of an open-air theater, the ceiling being equipped with twinkling stars and blazing planets, creating the atmosphere of a clear summer sky. The proscenium, or opening to the stage, is 60 feet wide and 32 feet high. The auditorium seats 2,062.

I had the opportunity to tour the Cathedral many years ago, and this announcement is an outstanding case of Masons thinking outside of our narrow little boxes when it comes to protecting these irreplaceable temples. All too often Masons get overwhelmed by maintenance costs of these massive buildings, supported by an ever-shrinking membership base. Time after time, they deteriorate while their trustees throw their hands up in despair. We don't seem to believe that the communities around us might see value in preserving them and making them into venues enjoyed by the public.

UPDATE: Accused Shooter of Texas Mason Deemed Competent For Trial

Photo: KRGV-TV5

by Christopher Hodapp

(NOTE: This story has been updated.)

A quick update on the trial of 36-year-old Julio Diaz of Alamo, Texas, the accused murderer of Past Master Robert Wise outside of a Masonic lodge in McAllen, Texas in July 2023. (McAllen is a small town right on the Mexican border in the southernmost tip of Texas, just west of South Padre Island.) 

Last November, Diaz' attorney Lennard Whittaker Molina asked the judge for a psychological investigator, saying more time was needed to go through his client's medical records because he wasn't sure if Diaz was mentally competent. According to KRGV-TV5, the attorney claimed his client had an untreated cyst in his brain, discovered in medical documents obtained from Mexico. The judge subsequently appointed a neurologist to evaluate Diaz, and those experts found he is capable of going to trial, according to a court filing that was signed on Friday, May 3. At a hearing next week, it is expected that a trial date will now be named.

As reported here last July, WB Robert was leaving McAllen Lodge 1110 following their officers' installation when he was confronted in the lodge parking lot and shot. Security video showed a man resembling Diaz pull into the parking lot in a Chevy SUV, approach Wise, and open fire. Holding the gun in one hand and a phone in the other, Diaz recorded the incident and posted it on his social media account.

Upon hearing the shots outside, members came running out of the hall and spotted Diaz leaving the scene.  Police were immediately called, and Robert was found in the parking lot next to his truck, with multiple gunshots wounds. He was rushed to a local hospital where he later died.

WB Wise is survived by his wife, five children, and eleven grandchildren. 

According to one source who spoke with me after his arrest last summer, Diaz told investigators that he believed Masons are "devil worshiping Illuminatists." A Facebook commenter said Diaz had previously posted anti-Masonic comments on social media, claiming the lodge "had put a curse on him."

Brother Robert Wise, 55, killed last July following officer's installation

(Photos: McAllen Lodge 1110 Facebook page)

The lodge was previously vandalized in March of 2022, when an unknown person tagged the location with graffiti reading, “Sorcery against the Holy spirit and the human race must all be stoned to death.” It's not known if Diaz was responsible for that incident, but he also faces a separate arson charge from an incident in September 2022, when he had attempted to set the McAllen Masonic hall on fire. Surveillance footage recorded him at that time breaking in by smashing the glass front door, pouring gasoline on the floor, and lighting a piece of cardboard on fire. Diaz admitted setting that fire to investigators after his arrest in connection with Wise’s death. Investigators obtained and examined Diaz’s camera and found evidence that also linked him to a February 2023 fire at Llano Grande Masonic Lodge, located about 20 miles west of McAllen in Weslaco, Texas.

It bears repeating that all Masons need to be extremely cautious regarding security in and around our buildings. That means monitored surveillance cameras located at all entrances and in the parking lot, locked outer doors during events, and vigilant Tylers who remain outside of the lodge room for the whole duration of the meeting.

Online anti-Masonic conspiracism and open hostility has grown at an alarming rate ever since COVID summer, but police departments and individual officers can't be automatically expected to realize that anti-Masonic hatred is a very real syndrome lurking out in the general population. Law enforcement officials need to be informed by us whenever there are any threats or acts of vandalism and violence directed at Masons. Even cases of minor property damage to our buildings like anti-Masonic or gang-related graffiti should be reported to police, if only to build up a database of these kinds of incidents and identify repeat attackers. 

In another sad development, Brother Wise's family filed a lawsuit against McAllen Lodge last November, alleging negligence in the case. The lawsuit alleges that the local lodge should have known ahead of time about growing anti-Masonic sentiment across the country. . .  and done something else to prevent the attack.

Masons of Texas Turn Out in Force For Annual Meeting

Photo: Don Comedy

by Christopher Hodapp

Note: This story was updated Monday, January 22nd at 1:00 AM to reflect corrections passed along to me by Texas brethren. Corrections include: a revised list of grand officers who were reelected to the Grand Officer's lineup and retained from last year; addition of GM Chapman's photo; more detail added to summarize what led up to these events over the weekend. Errors in the previous version of this story were mine alone. My apologies to all, and my thanks for those who offered corrections. CH

Revolutions are normally noisy and bloody things, but the Masons of Texas managed to stage their revolt in a remarkably calm and measured manner. The Grand Lodge of Texas AF&AM held its annual communication in Waco over the last three days, culminating in their grand officer elections this afternoon. Attendees eligible to vote – collectively known in Texas as the "Grand West" – numbered more than 3,400 rumored to be their biggest assembly so far in this century. After all the controversies taking place in Texas over the past year, it’s not surprising that events unfolded the way they did. 

Voting members approved a resolution permitting the consumption of alcoholic beverages in a Masonic building after a lodge meeting. In a normal year that would be seen as an almost cataclysmic event, but it was a mere footnote to the drama of choosing whose vision will lead Texas Freemasonry into the future.

In a major upheaval and repudiation to "the Old Guard" of grand lodge officers, last year's Deputy Grand Master H. Bart Henderson was passed over for advancement by voters in favor of electing MW Tommy F. Chapman, Past Grand Master from 2018, whose name was placed into nomination from the floor. 

The new officers of the Grand Lodge of Texas for 2024 are:

Grand Master: Past Grand Master Tommy Frank Chapman
Deputy Grand Master: Raborn Reader
Grand Senior Warden: Jim Rumsey
Grand Junior Warden: Justin Duty
Grand Treasurer: Rick Townsend
Grand Secretary: Brad Billings

Officers remaining and advancing from last year's line were: Raborn Reader (last year’s GSW), James Rumsey (last year's GJW), and Grand Treasurer Townsend. 

[NOTE: A previous version of this story said there had been a major shakeup in the Grand Lodge Trustees, as well. I've since been informed that these six elected grand officers actually make up the Trustees in Texas, which is quite different from many U.S. jurisdictions in which the Trustees are a completely separate group of brethren, that sometimes may include the current grand master. Apologies for my misunderstanding.]

At the heart of this year's tensions were previous attempts by PGM G. Clay Smith's administration to isolate, suspend or otherwise blunt the popularity of 2023 Grand Master Brad Billings and other brethren who were seen to be his allies and supporters in order to prevent a major change in the leadership's direction of the Grand Lodge. Even before Billings left office last January, clashes arose between him and what Jim Tresner used to refer to as Masonry's "mossback turtles" who disapproved of his younger, brasher style. 

An attempt had been made last January to prevent James Rumsey from being installed as Grand Junior Warden after his election and immediately after the installation of the new Grand Master, but mere moments before Rumsey's installation as GJW. The installation was halted and charges were read out against him by the GM, but the assembled brethren made such an uproar over the obvious ploy to scuttle Rumsey that the charges were deferred to a later time. Rumsey was subsequently suspended by Grand Master Smith the week after the annual meeting. The Grand Secretary at that time, Justin Duty, was also seen to be allied with PGM Billings last year, and GM Smith suspended him last month after Grand Trustees had voted against his making such a move. The political machinations and the misuse of the Grand Lodge rules became repugnant to the rank and file Masons in the state (along with countless Masons outside of Texas who watched events unfold via social media posts), which is what led to this weekend's proceedings.

This year, the voting brethren had their say all weekend long. A resolution was adopted forbidding the grand officer elections from taking place until the completion of all other business in order to prevent last minute shenanigans once the bored crowd left town (something that is extremely commonplace during previous long sessions in years past).

In a brief moment of online embarrassment, the internal Grandview website of the Grand Lodge of Texas was updated Saturday morning with 'the new Grand Lodge officers for 2024' showing Bart Henderson as GM, along with the slate of officers who had been expected to advance normally through the line. But as the election began to unfold, it was hastily removed. (That page fortunately never went onto the public website.)

Similarly, the Grand Lodge booth in Waco selling "H.B. Henderson 2024 GM" commemorative coins, belt buckles, pins and more was immediately shuttered when elections concluded, making those items truly rare and unusual collectors' items.

In his acceptance message, GM Chapman addressed the subject of appointed District Deputy Grand Masters, committee members and others by inviting them to remain in those positions for his administration if they wished to continue serving the grand Lodge. Otherwise, they could turn in their officer aprons and a new appointment would be selected. 

On Friday, a resolution (Resolution 10/24) was passed that had a huge effect on the activities and elections that followed. It immediately moved that all charges against anyone making themselves available for a grand office be openly tried under jurisdiction of Grand Lodge, and not behind closed doors in a subordinate lodge. It specified that all charges had to be handled by the Grand Lodge prior to the upcoming elections. This was why the order of business was such an important issue this year. Despite the Grand East's attempts to force the elections to take place earlier in the session, the Grand West insisted on the completion of all business (including the disposition of this resolution) before the elections were to be held. Passing the resolution made it effective immediately, which led to an immediate trial for RW Brad Billings on Saturday morning where they would have to explain everything to the Grand West. In a major development, negotiations went on between Billings and the Grand Lodge in which he dropped his defamation lawsuit against the GL in return for the dropping of all charges brought against him. By Saturday morning all parties had settled all charges, and Billings was permitted to run for grand Secretary - a position he subsequently won.

In other action, the Grand West also shot down a resolution to permit "one day classes" and the power to create a "Mason at sight" by grand masters. Other resolutions that passed:

• Approved the printing and display of lodge minutes an hour before opening a meeting for inspection by members for correction, and dropping requirement of the actual reading of the minutes;
• A special session of the Grand Lodge may be called by 50 or more lodges (this is a constitutional change that must hold over until 2025 meeting for final vote);
• Lodges may sponsor and permit the Boy Scouts to meet in their buildings;
• Restoration of the charter of Austin Lodge 12.

Ben Franklin was famously asked by a lady outside of the committee meeting in which the U.S. Constituution was drafted, "Well Doctor, what have we got? A republic or a monarchy?" His classic response was, "A Republic, if you can keep it." Texas Masons seem to have taken that job of keeping their republic over a monarchy quite seriously this week.

Photos: My apologies for some missing photo credits. These were grabbed from various Facebook posts and text messages I was following all weekend, and I was unable to notate the sources at the time. Tough to do while driving. If I've used one of your images, let me know and I'll either credit you or take it down.