The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
‘I am a Freemason and as long as I live I will be one’
Pardon for boxing hero celebrated by Dundee masons
Dundee Freemasons are celebrating a posthumous pardon granted to a heavyweight boxing hero.
The son of former black slaves, Jack Johnson was born in Texas in 1878 and held the world heavyweight title from 1908 to 1915.
But in 1913, he was convicted by an allwhite jury of taking a woman across state lines for “immoral purposes”.
Johnson, whose consensual relationship with a white woman was seen by many at the time as taboo, fled to Europe but returned in 1920 and spent a year in prison. During his spell on the run, he fought in exhibition matches in Newcastle in 1911.
Army officer Sydney McLaglen was also boxing there and told Johnson about his masonic lodge.
He told Johnson he was due to travel to Dundee to have his second degree conferred and asked if it would be possible to go with him and join the lodge.
The heavyweight champion travelled up from Newcastle, and on October 13 1911, became a Freemason in Forfar and Kincardine, No. 225 Lodge, in Dundee.
Past Master Graham Letford said: “Grand Lodge sent a telegram to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Forfarshire ordering them to stop the initiation.
“However, the door was locked during Jack Johnson’s initiation and when the telegram arrived, the deed had already been done. This cost the master at the time a two-year suspension.
“Two other past masters received oneyear suspensions, and the lodge had its charter lifted for 18 months.”
Johnson left by train for Newcastle after the ceremony.
A reporter from the Dundee Advertiser spoke to Johnson, who told him he was proud to belong to the craft.
Johnson said: “All I want is fair treatment, and I don’t want nothing bestowed on me I don’t deserve, if there is anything to say well it’s for the Lodge and other people.
“But there is no doubt about it you are a Mason?” asked the reporter. “Oh, certainly,” said Johnson. He denied that there was any “squabble”.
“You have a high opinion of Freemasonry then?” he was asked.
Johnson replied: “I am proud I can tell you. I am a Freemason and as long as I live I shall be one. Only God almighty can undo that”.
Mr Letford said: “Johnson’s pardon is great news for the lodge and great news for the masons of Scotland.”