By T.S. Akers
One item I seem to continue purchasing is Masonic Templar swords. Whilst I can recall at least one sword I should have bought; I tend to only acquire swords with a unique history these days. Such was the case in 2023 with a sword I purchased out of Duncan, Oklahoma. The sword in question is a typical Oklahoma regulation sword in silver for a Sir Knight below the rank of Eminent Commander. This sword belonged to an Oklahoma Mason by the name of Dr. James L. Patterson, Sr.
Dr. Patterson was born at Union Star, Missouri, on the 20th of March 1884. He studied medicine at the Ensworth Central Medical College of St. Joseph, Missouri, and then conducted post-graduate study at the Rush Medical College of Chicago, Illinois.[1] Patterson came to the Oklahoma Territory in 1906, establishing his first practice at Mutual, Oklahoma. He saw service as an Army surgeon, initially with the 1st Cavalry Regiment as tensions rose due to the raids executed by Pancho Villa. When the 17th Cavalry Regiment was formed from that and other regiments in 1916, Patterson was transferred. With the 17th Cavalry, he served along the Arizona border as disputes with the IWW in the copper mining districts escalated. The 17th Cavalry remained in the southwest throughout the Great War. Upon returning from military service, Patterson made his residence at Woodward in 1919.[2]
It was at Mutual that Dr. Patterson took the degrees of Freemasonry in Mutual Lodge No. 317, becoming an Entered Apprentice on the 15th of April 1908. He was passed to the degree of Fellowcraft that July and raised to the degree of Master Mason on the 5th of August. Patterson served Mutual Lodge as Worshipful Master in 1916. Returning from the service, Patterson demitted to Woodward Lodge No. 189 in 1920.[3] Along the way, he was exalted to the degree of Royal Arch Mason in Woodward Chapter No. 72. Patterson served that chapter as High Priest in 1920.[4] He took the degrees of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry at Guthrie in May of 1920.[5]
Dr. Patterson left Woodward for Elk City in 1925 to take a position at the Tisdel Hospital and then took a position at the Ruth Hospital of Duncan in 1926.[6] When the opportunity arose, Patterson purchased the Ruth Hospital in August of 1926 from Dr. G.H. Wallace.[7] Though the Ruth Hospital was just four years old in 1926, it was simply inadequate to meet the needs of Duncan. For this reason, Patterson constructed his own hospital in the fall of 1928 at a cost of $90,000. The new Patterson Hospital, located at the intersection of 10th Street and Willow Avenue, boasted fifty rooms for patients, two operating rooms, an x-ray laboratory, and a training school for nurses.[8] What was state of the art in 1928 was obsolete by 1950, at which time Patterson sold his hospital to Dr. W.R. Cheatwood. The Patterson Hospital then became the Duncan Convalescent Center.[9]
Dr. Patterson married Mary Ward of Woodward in 1908 and the family appears to have enjoyed an active social life in Duncan.[10] Their home was the site of frequent parties, including a holiday musical tea on the 26th of December 1929 with nearly one hundred guests in attendance.[11] It appears that it was at Duncan that Patterson became involved with Templary, joining Duncan Commandery No. 46, which had been chartered in 1923. It does not appear that Patterson ever progressed through the officer line of Duncan Commandery.
Dr. Patterson and his wife Mary left Duncan in 1953 for California. Unfortunately, Mary passed away the following year in Santa Monica.[12] Patterson returned to Duncan at that time, and he married Mattie Kelly in 1955.[13] He continued to practice medicine in Duncan with an office in the Perkins Building on 9th Street. In June of 1964, at the age of 80, Patterson announced his retirement, though he claimed he was just “slowing down a bit.”[14] Patterson passed away the following month on the 3rd of July. He was laid to rest with his first wife Mary at the Duncan Municipal Cemetery.[15]
