It seems from the minutes of the meetings from this time period, that rent was being paid to a man by the name of John Elliott.

March 30, 1871:                     It appeared from the minutes that someone had been hired to work on the Lodge at $2.50 per day for 7 days. Bill submitted for $17.50. Lodge approved and paid same. A motion was made to have the lodge room floor scrubbed and some cheap spittoons be purchased. Motion passed.

April 25^th, 1871:   A special meeting was called and it appears that a Masonic trial was to take place at this meeting pertaining to charges against Bro. Geo. Hancock. Further information on this meeting will be continued at our next stated meeting.

On the evening of April 25^th, 8:00 PM, 1871:          A special meeting was called for the purpose of investigating the charges against Bro. Geo. Hancock. After a proper opening the Lodge was called from labor to refreshment purpose of receiving evidence of a profane nature. Mr. Wm Shockley was presented by a appointed committee and being sworn, testified in the case and was duly cross examined by S. L. Lucas for the defense. The Lodge was called back to labor and a number of bothers testified on the evidence submitted by the committee. There being no argument presented, the WM ordered the ballot to be spread pertaining to the innocence or guilt of Bro. Hancock. The ballot resulted in ten for conviction and two for acquittal. The WM then ordered the ballot spread upon the degree of punishment – and first upon expulsion which resulted in two for expulsion and ten against. The ballot was then spread upon suspension as punishment which resulted in nine for and one against. WM W. D. Lucas then declared Bro. Hancock duly suspended from the Lodge.

June 1, 1871:              It appeared in the minutes what looked like may have been some action pertaining to the renting of a different place to meet, but nothing really indicates a location or any other information as to much more than a guess.

July 27, 1871:             The previous year’s annual report was read and approved. Total moneys received for the year was $252.70. Total expenditures were $252.70. It seems that this report had been submitted the previous stated meeting but rejected and send back to be the reason being that it had not been examined and approved by the fiancé committee. The following bills were presented and ordered paid: B. H. P. $3.09, Starns & Bremmon $3.05, W. G. Wright $1.40.

October 26, 1871:      Bills paid at this meeting: Refreshments for installation of  officers $3.00, Lucas & Foster Hardware $2.18.

December 21, 1871:   Bills paid at this meeting: $.35 for washing aprons, .10 for soap

January 25, 1872:      There was mention of rent being paid to a person by the name of John Elliott (this name came up several times in past meetings as well).

March 21, 1872:         `           At this meeting a report from a special committee pertained to leasing the Lodge to the Farmer Grange, who requested the same for a meeting place. In the agreement it specified that the Lodge must be heated and lighted. It was approved by a vote of the Lodge.

June 20, 1872:                        New officers were installed.
The ink used by the new secretary for the minutes from July 18^th, 1872 through January 16^th, 1873 are so faded that it’s almost impossible to read them.

January 1^st. 1874:      At this regular stated meeting, a committee that had been appointed to look into the problems with the stove, reported that the stove was in bad condition and almost worthless. Report was accepted and they were hereby ordered to notify Mr. Body that they would hold him accountable for the stove. On a motion, Bro. Graves & Bro. McFarland were appointed to a committee to make arrangements for a room for the use of this Lodge at the expiration of the lease on the one we are now occupying.

January 29^th, 1874:    The committee appointed to arrange for other Lodge room reported and asked for further time, which was granted. The report of the committee on the stove was accepted and case continued. The stove committee was instructed to get the stove fixed and have it in condition for sale.

March 26^th, 1874:      Bro. Grayson reported having sold the stove belonging to the Lodge for $6.00. Report accepted and committee discharged. Bro. Grayson reported in favor of renting the room now occupied by the Lodge for $6.00 per annum. $5.00 of the same to be donated by the owner. Report accepted and committee commissioned to complete the contract with Mr. Wood. The Lodge was closed at 10 o’clock PM. Peas e& Harmony prevailing.

September 24^th, 1874:            It seems that a committee had been formed for an investigation of some kind. The committee reported to the Lodge that they had found $15.60 in the hands of the Treasurer, and had received it them from him & paid out to the treasurer elect. They also found a balance of $23.00 in the hands of the Secretary R. B. Taylor, which he refused to account for. Report was accepted and the committee was discharged. A committer was formed to investigate the removal of some items from the Lodge by R. B. Taylor also in regard to his deficiency as Sec. of the Lodge, with instructions that if no settlement is obtained from him that they prefer charges against him at the next regular communication.

March 18, 1875:      The committee working on the settlement with Bro. Taylor reported progress and were continued. Upon a motion, a demit was ordered granted to Bro. Taylor upon payment of dues and a satisfactory settlement with the committee.

July 17, 1875:  At the stated communication. A motion was made and passed, to form a committee to look into the feasibility of building or renting a new Lodge quarters. Committee so formed.

After reading of meeting minutes of this period, it seems a number of the meetings were called at 9PM with some being called as late as 10PM.

August 12, 1875:   The following is a good example of a not so unusual meeting. Lodge opened on a first degree at 9PM. Lodge called from labor to refreshment. Lodge opened on 2^nd degree. Lodge called from labor to refreshment. Lodge opened on 3^rd degree. A rather lengthy business meeting held, including several votes on applications, several voted affirmative, one rejected, several found bright and proficient, one rejected. Lodge called from labor to refreshment. Labor resumed on 2^nd degree. Closed on 2^nd degree. Labor resumed on 1^st degree. A candidate received his 1^st degree. Lodge closed on first degree.

September 9, 1875:    after opening on all 3 degrees, one at a time, the business meeting took place.

The committee on procuring rooms for the use of the Lodge reported having made some arrangements with (some names that are hard to make out) & asked for power to conclude such arrangements as they deem best for the Lodge. Report accepted & the committee empowered to act with full powers for the Lodge.

It’s surprising how many petitions were rejected during this time in Lodge history & the number of individuals that were turned on proceeding to the next degrees.

October 14, 1875:      The committee for seeking rooms for the use of the Lodge reported having failed in procuring rooms for Lodge use. Report accepted & committee was further empowered to procure the use of the Grange Hall on the best terms that they can arrange.

January 21, 1877:      Bill was submitted and approving to be paid in the amount of $3.01 for washing, ironing and making of a number of aprons for the Lodge.

Tidbits from the past 1878 thru 1881

January 17, 1878:      Bro. L. F. Hoggatt presented a bill for wood used in 1874 & 1875 to heat Lodge in the amount of $5.00. Bill was approved and ordered paid.

March 14, 1878:                     In this stated meeting charges were filed against a number of members who hadn’t paid their dues, some dating back to as far as 1872.
May 16, 1878:                        Committee on new hall reported progress and received authority to contract refreshing and furnishing the same.

March 10, 1881:                     Communications from Nevada #99 asking for assistance in building a Masonic Hall as they had lost theirs in a fire. Motion made and approved to assist

Nevada with a check in the amount of $25.00.

May 12, 1881:                        (The following included mainly because of the wording). Ballots were had on advancement of Bro. Frank Boddy to the degree of a Master Mason. They coming up bright in the East, he was declared Elected.

August 4, 1881:                      A committee consisting of Bros. C D Norseman, Frank Liddle & W G Wright was appointed and empowered to cleanse the hall.

Noted in minutes book:   Arcadia Lodge received dispensation to meet Oct. 15, 1868

Arcadia Lodge was chartered June 2, 1869.

Arcadia Lodge’s Articles of incorporation Dec. 9, 1886

The dues at that time were $2.50 per year (at least in the late 1870s & early 1880s).
Average wages for the time were $1.85 per week

Almost every meeting during this time it seemed that at least one of the petitions voted on were rejected

December 1, 1881:     Bros. French made a motion to resolve that the By laws of Arcadia Lodge #249 A.F. & A.M. be so amended so as to read----That Stated meetings be held on Saturday nights on or before the full moon of each month.

April 1, 1882:              During this stated meeting Bill of Wm. Elsy’s for drayage .50 cents was read and referred to finance Com.  Bill of Mrs. W S Brady for .75 cents was read and referred to finance Com.

Bill of W G Wright of .15 cents was read and referred to finance Com.

Feb.17, 1883: At the stated meeting a motion was made to change meeting night to Thursday night on or before full moon was made and vote was affirmed at the March 17^th meeting.
January 17, 1884:      At a called meeting of Arcadia Lodge # 249 which was called for trial of a number of members who where guilty of the charge of non-payment of dues which had been filled previously in accord with the laws of Masonry, which ended in most of them being expelled from the Lodge.
The following also being taken from the minutes of said meeting.
To the Worshipful Master, Wardens & Brethren of Arcadia Lodge #249 A.F. & A.M.
The undersigned, a M.M. & a member of this Arcadia Lodge, charge Brother Frank Liddle with being guilty of Grand Larceny. In this : That on or about the 5^th day of August 1883 did feloniously & willfully rob the United States Mail of two hundred dollars in money which was grossly un-Masonic. Thereby bringing this Lodge and Masonry generally to be disrespected, for which he should & ought to be expelled.
Undersigned by: L. Hoggatt M.M. & the following members of Arcadia Lodge: D.A. Bigalow, G.D. Lowd, C.E. Taylor, Wm.D. Lucas, Joseph Qweal & Hattie Lucas. April 10, 1884: At a regular meeting on this date a resolution was read to reduce the annual dues from $2.50 to $2.00

July 31, 1884:   Item from this regular meeting: A committee of Bros. Wright, Graves and Bosworth were to visit Bro. Meridith to reclaim the Brother from his intemperate errors.
October 2, 1884:  Item from this regular meeting: Bro. Tayler presented a bill for Sec. fees for duties form May 17, 1883 to May 17, 1884 in the amount of $17.84. $17.75 was allowed by a vote of the Lodge.

January 29, 1885: Item brought before the brothers at this regular meeting; the widow of Bro. Brocksome, Mrs. Brocksome was determined to be in want and in destitute circumstances. On a motion by the S.W.  and affirmative vote of the Lodge, the Secretary was ordered to draw an order on the Treasurer for $5.00 to help the wanton Widow. A bill from Maxwell & Sons in the amount of $2.75 for 11 oyster Stews was approved. A bill amounting to $.70 for postage was submitted and approved.

February 26, 1885:  At this Regular meeting which was rather lengthy, the Lodge was called from Labor to refreshment to open on the first degree to so that E. A. N B. Jacobs be examined on the first degree. He was found proficient. There being no business remaining in the 1^st degree, the Lodge was closed on that degree and opened on the  Fellow Craft degree. F. C. Bro. Hamilton , being present was examined on the F. C. degree. Lodge was closed on the F. C. degree and reopened 3^rd degree. Bro. Hamilton, being in waiting was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. Their being no further business, the Lodge was closed 11PM peace and harmony prevailing.   

At the March regular meeting it appears that the Lodge was looking into finding different quarters in the upcoming fall. No mention of location except that negotiations were going on for renting space in a new building owned by Giles Cook. It appears that their lease at the present location expires Oct. 20^th, 1885.

October 30, 1885:  It was reported that a receipt had been received from the Grand Lodge for $10.00 being the total installment of a special tax ordered by Grand Lodge June 5, 1884 to make the library building fireproof.

November 9, 1885:  A committee from Republic Lodge #68 of Jewell Junction, Iowa visited the Lodge in regard to encroachment on their Jurisdiction in the case of Will W. Allen of Story City. He having sent in his petition having accepted and elected, further action on his case postponed until Republic Lodge has reported back.
December 17, 1885:  (Evidently the matter of Jurisdiction had been settled, as in the minutes of this meeting was the following entry.) Will W. Allen having been duly elected to receive the three degrees of Masonry, being in waiting, was introduced and duly obligated as an entered E. A. Mason in due and ancient form.

Note of interest: This night being the Stated meeting night, the Lodge was first opened on a 1^st degree and above candidate initiated. Lodge then went to refreshment to open on 3^rd to conduct regular business etc., followed by Bro. J. T Gray receiving his 3^rd degree.