John (Jack) Dreaper *
Illustrious Sir John "Jack" Dreaper
Potentate - 1939
Officially it was Noble John Dreaper who became Potentate of Arabia Temple in 1939. Unofficially and certainly more widely known and beloved it was “Jack” Dreaper. Making no promises, Potentate Dreaper acknowledged that he was responsible for the fortunes of the Temple, but that success in any undertaking rests, to great extent, upon those who do the work—the membership.
A marvelous pageant and floor show followed by three orchestras providing dance music at the Coliseum on Washington’s Birthday (all for $1.00) proved to be a very successful Crippled Children’s Ball.
The stated meetings throughout the year featured dinner and entertainment and were very well attended. The bowling alleys, Club Rooms, and the dining room continued to be well patronized by the Nobility. In March a “Days of 49” dance at the End-O-Main Dance Hall and a formal dance in April at the Mosque inaugurated a full year of activity for the membership and their ladies.
For the first time, Station KTRH broadcast a description of the ceremonial parade held on May 13th. The annual picnic for the under-privileged children was held at Sylvan Beach. A special train took Arabia Temple troops to the All-State meetings in Fort Worth where it is recorded “they took the town by storm.” The units performed superbly well, the Drum & Bugle Corps brought home the coveted 1st Place Trophy.
Noble Walter Deaning Cline of Maskat Temple, in Wichita Falls, was elected Imperial Potentate at Baltimore, Maryland. Also in June, the Colorado Valley Shrine Club was organized in Columbus, Texas.
As the vacation season approached, the Temple was saddened on May 30th by the passing of Illustrious John S. Bonner, Sr., the first Potentate of Arabia Temple.
A special notice in the August Arabian stated that the 1940 dues cards were available and that Potentate Dreaper had card No. 1.
In October, Shrine Day was celebrated in Lufkin, and a special train took a large delegation of Arabia Nobles for this all-day event. The units performed and participated in the parade; the Band held a concert and all enjoyed a fine barbecue dinner.
Again, the Temple was saddened by the loss of another Past Potentate when Illustrious Walter J. Wingate, Potentate in 1936, passed away on October 22.
A beautiful hand-carved cane was the incentive for obtaining a candidate for the Fall ceremonial held on November 11.
To complete the atmosphere of the big top, the Circus this year was held under canvas instead of the Coliseum. Again, for a wide variety of animal and circus acts, the tickets sold for 40-cents each.
Activity for the year closed with a big Christmas Party for the Nobility and their families at the Mosque on December 22.
The year ended with no gain or loss in membership. The net membership reported by the Recorder was 3,012.
