Daviess County, Indiana - Secret Societies, 1915

Secret Societies

Charity Lodge No. 30, Free and Accepted Masons, of Washington, has a history covering ahnost the entire period from the heginning of the town, if thL- claims of its members can he relied on. It is concetled that much of this claim to anticjuity of origin is foumJed on tradition, hut tliere are some reasonalile grounds for credibility of tlie claim. At tlie meeting of members and friends of the order, December 27, 1895, Charles G. Sefrit gave a histurical sketch, entitled, "The Story of Charity Lodge," in which some interesting matters pertaining to the origin and history of the lodge were presented. The following quotations from Mr. Sefrit's sketch are given as the most rehable history of the lodge obtainable:

"The story of the early years of Charity Lodge is but little more than tradiliiju. Upon two occasions tire found the records unprotected, and each time some of them became part of the ashes of the building wherein the lodge had its home. The lirst of these fires occurred in 1S60. The loilge room was then in a building that stood where the Washington National Bank now is. This lime most of the lodge pajjers were saved. But six years later the disastrous Commercial row fire came, and the entire belongings of the lodge, together with the records, dissolvetl in smoke. The most serious lo-s lo iIr- loili^c as a result of the .-ecoud tire was the loss of the records which contained the proceedings of the earl_\- meetings. The pecuniary loss was trilling, as compared with the disappearance of these records.

"When it is known that the organization of Charity Lodge antedated by a score of years the time when ihe oldest member of this order now living first obtained the right to sit in the lodge of master Masons, the difficulty of obtaining any delinite information will be readily understood. There is no .scratch of a pen, except the meager statements which appear in (he reports of the grand lodge, and a small blank book, used- in larlv times to keep an account of the amounts due from members, that gives anv light (17) on the alYairs nf the loilge for the first tliirty-rixu _\cars nl' its life. The grand lodge reports state that an application was made on the 3(1 of October, 1826, for a charter for Charity Lodge, located at Washington, Indiana, and then working under a dispensation. The application was granted, the issue of ;i charter was authorized, and the nuinher assigned to the lodge was thirty. The (iriler also ])r(ivi(led that the three principal officers of the new lodge shmild l)e, Jose])h Warner, worshiptul master; Nathan Bascom, senior warden; Cornelius llerkshire, junior warden.

"In 1833 an ofticer of the grand lodge \'isiled Charity Lodge and found that, owing to the remii\-al from this place of some of the uriginal members, llie organization had been suflered to go down, and no meetings had been held for many months. This officer seized the charter and lodge effects and returned them to the grand kjilge, which boil\- sustained his action. Matters remained in thi.-^ condition for nearly ten years. In 1S4J, Jo>eph Warren,- who was the first worshipful master, a]ipe;ired before the grand bidgc and a^ked for the second dispens.ation, which was gr.anlcd. The following \'ear the charter of the Washington lodge was restored, the old number and name gi\-en it, and Charity Lodge No. 30 again hail an existence.

"'1 he new organization began with the same worshipful master, Josejih Warren, who presided o\'er the first lodge. The senior warden was James Calhoun, and the junior warden was Stei>heu llelding. The little lilank book, all that is left of the early records, shows that the lodge first began Working under a dispensation some time in the fall ol i^i-'^^. I he lirst name on that book is that of Joseph Warner. CJther names in the book appear in the following order: Nathan llascom, Cornelius l.V-rkshire, James G. Read, William AlcCormick, John Whalloii, James Calhoun, Lawley Scott, all under date of i8_'3. hi iX_>() the following names were entereil : George A. Waller, Arniorv Kinney, James Whitehead, William 11. Routt and rhili]) l!arloii; in |S_7, ."^leplicii I'.eldiiig, William <Juigle\, William borster, William \'eale, l\e\ . 1 lezeki.ah Molland, biliii \'aii 'frees and Michael Ivuport ; in iXjS. l\e\'. ilir;iin Hunter, Henry Diiliois aiul 'flK.inias f.emiiig; in 18J9, William Kelty.

"i'Tom the time of the reorganization the lodge continued to grow in numbers, slowl)- and steadily. luich year saw it more closel\' interwox'cn with tiie social faljric oi Washington. In 11864, Joseph Cruse, a wealthy member of the lodge, died, and in his will liecpieathed to the lodge nearly all his estate, consisting of valuable town lots and a siun of money. The aggregate gift was nearly eighteen thousand dollars. Tlie money was used

There are three nieml)ers of the lodge now li\ing who iia\e been members of the order for over fifty years, namely: Stansel Cosby, .\. \i. Johnson and W. I'. I'dlis. dlie present meiiibership of Liverpool Lodge is two hundred and seventy-live. The present officers are: G. KHngingsniith, noljle grand; Clay McCurniick, vice-grand; Artluir Greenwood, recording secretary; K. E. Horra!, linancial secretary; W. P. Elhs, treasurer.

A few years ago the lodge purchased a piece of resilience property on East Main street, which was remodeled and made into a beautiful home for the order, at a cost of about iifteen thousand dollars. This home is provided with all modern conveniences, with a commodious hall for lodge metings, reading rocmis, dining roums and appuintments for social gatherings. Oak Grove cemetery, west of the city, is the property of Liver])ool Lodge. The ground for the cemeter\' was i)urcliase(l in 1870 and contained twenty acres. Thirteen additional acres were purcliased by the lodge in 191 5, which will l>e imprtived and platted for cemetery purposes. The affairs of the cemeterv are under the present management of George E. Reeves, president; Dr. G. W. Russell, secretary; J. W. Dillard, Ijoard of trustees.

Knights Of Pythias

Pythagorean Lodge No. 118, Knights of Pythias, was organized on May 20, 1884, by a delegation from Dioscuri L(jdge, of X'incennes. The charter members were: L. 1'. Beitman, 11. 11. Hyatt, Charles P. Seudder, C. S. Slayback, A. C. Barber, C. 11. Jones, Harry Pray, J. \V. Clark, George Geeting, O. E. Bon Durant, John T. Neal, Nathan Beitman, VV. P. Hoffman, Gus Levy, Isadore Beitman, W. W. iMarmaduke, P'rank Colyer, Louis Hess, Clifford Markle, E. J. Yeager and J. P. Mathew.

The lodge started out with a large and active roll of members and has maintained a steady growth during all the years since. Tiie present membership is two hundred anil tiiirty-four, all active and working for the good of the order. The Kidge does not ciwii any building, but has a commodious and well-appointed hall in which meetings are held. The regular meetings are characterized It)' marked intere^l and efficiency; the method and manner of work conferred has recei\ed fa\'(>raljle comment by comi^etent critics.

Di\'ision No. i, .\ncient (Jrder oS ] lihernians, was organized on St. J'atrick's day, in the year 1870, by the county delegates of Clay county. The lirst meetings were held in the old city hall building, on East Second street, opposite Cabel & Cejmpany's coal oftice. This division was the second Ancient Order of Tlibernians lodge instituted in the state (jf Indiana, the first divisicjn in the state being instituted at Brazil, in Clay county. The object of the society is to teach patriotism and devotion to the Stars and Stripes, an<l to foster a love for the "Little Green Island, far o"er the Sea." The societ}' also extends to its members ])raise\vnrlliy l)enevolent features, ])}- i)a\ ing generous sick and funeral benetits.

The first officers were: James K. Maher, count}' ijelegate; P. T. Garaghan, president; Patrick Grimes, vice-president; ^lartin Cahill, general secretary; luigene t^'lirien, assistant secretary; Stephen Maloney, treasurer.

l^ivi.sion Xo. 1 now has se\enty members in good standing, has a strong JKUik account and is in a i)rosperons condition in e\ery wa\'. The meetings are held on the fonrtli Sunday ;ifternoon of each ninnth in the K^nights of Columbus hall.

The insiallatiiin cerenitinics of l'\-l>ruar\' 9, i()02. were held in the spacious lodge room of the IndepeiideiU Order of Odd l'"ellows, corner of .Main and Ivisl Third streels. The lirst husiness nieetiiigs of Conncil Xo. 630 were held in the Alasnnic teinple. In the year nf 1907 the heanliful threest(M-y hnilding of hrick and sli'iie. at the southwest corner of h'ourth and Ivist Main streets, was completed. (Inniiid was lirst hroken for the erection of this >inu;ture. jnl_\- 5. njod. d'lie |)urcliase price of this huililing site was eighl tliDusand dollars; the contract price for the erection of the liuikling was two thousand .si\ hundred dollars, to which li\e thousand dollars has heen since addeil tor changCN and improx'cments. The huikling is well heated, lighted and \'eiUilateil, particular attention having heen given to comf(jrt and sanitarv' details, ddie ilimensions of the huikling are sixty feet frontage on Main street and one hundred feet south on k'ourlh street. The huikling co\ers the entire lot owned h\' the order. There are ihree large store rooms on the lirst lloor of the luiildiug. d'he second lloor comprises thirteen w ell-a]ipointed suites of ofllce rooms, the third lloor heiug used as the Council home. Alau)- educatioual eniertamineuts of \arious kinds have been given here, to which the general public is alwaj's invited.

The lirst officers of Washington Council were: Arnold J. I'adgett. grand knight; Thomas 1'. Walsh, deputy grand knight; .Matthew 1'". Durke, chancellor; Albert M. Kocher, warden; Julius I'. Mc(.ira\el, financial secretarv; Oharles .\. Kidwell. recorder; L'yril j. Ward, treasurer; John W. McCarty, lecturer; Rev. John W. Doyle, chaplain; Josejih J. Keller, orgaiii>t; John P. Cavanaugh, Thomas U. Walker and John Dosch, trustees.

The present membership ni the local council is si.\t_\' insurance members and one hundred and forty associate members. The regular meetings are held e\er_\- 'fuesda)' night at eight (I'clock.

At the cluse of the Civil War tliL- armies that liad funglit in that war t(j its successful cniiclusion, were disliaudeil and ihe soldiers returned to their several hduies and resumed the xncatious <<{ civil life. lUit the fraternal tie that had been welded in the lire of hattle was not severed by the disbanding of ciimpauies ami regiments. There was a sjiiril of comradeship infu.sed in the hearts and lives of tlmse wlm had t(Xiched ellnjws in the lire and smoke lit battle, ami wlm shared the prixatitms and hardships of the camp and the weary march - a spiirit that was not dispelled by the disbanding of companies and the laving aside nt militar\ ei|uip!nents. 'Jdiere was a desire to maintain this fraternity and ciimradeshi]i, and this desire sddn fi ivmd expression in a movement lur an organizatiMii of \eterans to accomplish this purpose. Many organizations ol companies and regiment> were formed and reunions held in various localities, and the enjoyment found by conn-ades in these associations suggested a larger and more, ])ermancnt organizatiim of state and national character. I'>om this suggestion the Grand .Army of the l^epublic had its origin.

The founding of the (Irand Army of the Repulilic was iirimarilv due to Dr. 1!. I'. Stephenson and < haplain W. J. Rutledge, of the b'ourleenth Illinois InfaiUry, who. in l''ebruar\-, iS(i4, conceived the idea of its formation. I)oclor .steplieUMiii li\ed ill ."^priii- tield. Illinois, and enlisti.'d on Alas' 7, l86_>, serxing a> surgeon oi bis regimeiil uniil June -'4, 1SO4, when he was mustered out. Doctor Stephenson coucened the plan of >uch an organization while he was still in the service. I lis idea was to unite the soldiers who fought in the battles of the L'nioii into a grand brotherhood, which would be as effective in iireserving the peace of ihe nation as the Union arinv had been in the |irosecuiion of the war; to maintain ;ind strengthen the fratern;d lecbngs of the soldiers who nmied to suppress the rebellion; to perpetuate Ihe memory of those wh<i had died in ihe cause, and to lend assistance to the need\ and to the widows and orphans of soldiers.

in mini] and spent almut two years in working out plans and drafting the ritual. In this work he had the counsel and assistance of a nuniher of his comrades and others who were in sympathy with the movement. Among the lattei;, (jovernor Morton, of Indiana, was actively interested and prominently identified with the preliminary w(jrk. It is related by some who were on the "inside," that Governor Morton had much to do with the preparation of the manuscript for the rules and regulations, and that it was through his instrumentality that these were printed and put intn shape for effective use. It is also a matter of history that the ritual and rules and regulations were first used in Indiana for the muster and organization of posts, ami that the first tlepartment organized was the department of Indiana. This was in 1866, and frnni that year dates the beginning of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Organization Of Posts In Indiana

It was sometime in the early part of 1867 [)ef(jre there was an attempt to organize a post of the (jrand Army of the Republic in Washington, although there had been a sort of informal organization of the Grand Army prior to that time. This informal organization was before the adoption of the ritual and the rules and regulaticjns, and there was very little ceremony connected with the initiation of members. There was simply the giving of the established "grii)" and countersign, the several memiiers subscribing to an obligation. Lhider the prescribed forms of initiation of the first ritual there was nothing lacking in the way of ceremon\-. The para])hernalia and necessar\' appointments for the initiation ceremony were of a character to make one's hair >tand on end, if he slmnld tnieN]jectedly meet the outfit on a dark tiight, all alone. J'ari of the outfit was an old-fashioned gable-roofc<l coffin, with a grinning skeleton lying therein, and grave-digger'> touls con\eniently near, 'flic candulale wa^ led to this outfit, Muidfolded, ;m1(1. kueelin- down, wa> rei|uneil lo i.ake a solemn oMii^ation of lnyalty. 'I'he cousei|uence of the \iolatit)U ol this pledge was re\ealed when the blind was removed and he caught a glimpse of the sugge>ti\e scene belore him. The pro\isions fur the muster of recruits under the old ritual were intended to be profoundly solemn and inipressix ely "scary."

'fhe first muster of recruits rmd the organization of posts under the old ritual was comlucted under the adminislr.-ition cjf Gen. .Valban Kimliall, then department conini;mder of Indiana. There \\as (|m'le an interest in the organization of Grand .\rmy jHists in Indiana, and in other slates about this time, and the membershiii of the order increased rapidly din-ing the years

1S67 and i8()8. lUil there was a ik-cline in the \ears fdlldwing and tlie organization was on the wane. Tliis was due, iargel)-, [u pciHtics, wliieli was a jiredominant feature of tiie organization at tiiat time, and it was intended to Ije such by th()se who were ciiielly instruniental in forming tlie constitution and ritual, d'he organization, in fact, was largely in control of some who were prominently identihed with one of the leading political parties of that time, and it easily degenerated into a political maciiine, operated and controlled l)y designing politicians for sellish pnrijc;)ses. Of course, such an. organizati<.in would lind no fa\'or among soldier.s who were inclined to affiliate with an)' other ])(>litical party; and, in fact, it was not in the favor of many whose sympathies and afhliations were with the party largely controlling tiie organization. A secret ])i:ilitical organization, however worthy its purp(«e, or lu.)we\er worthy its individual memhersliip, can never Ije a permanent success; or, at least, should not lie a success, nor ha\'e approval of true, loyal American citizens.

A few of the prists in this and in other states maintained their organization during these \-ears of decline, and these formed the nucleus for the greater Cranil .\rm)- id' the Repuhlic that the world knows tndaw In the me;mtime, wi.^er heads gathered in council and a new constitution and ritual, and new regulatii.ms, were pre])are<l, hy which politics was al)Solutely prohibited in the order, l-'raternitw cliarit\- and loyally were made the cardinal ]3rinciples, the "broad foundation stone, on which the order rests." These new rules and regulations, with the rexised and more sensiljle ritual, were adopted in the early seventies. These met with the approval of the intelligent soldier citizens, .'unl from that time the (jrand .\rmy of the Republic look on new life. It uui-easeil in meniber.-.hii) rapidly from that time until it became the greatest semi-military (jrganization the world has e\-er known, commanding the respect of citizens throughout tliis and other lands, regardk'--s ol partw creed or nalionalil \-.

The organization of a Grand .\rmy post in Washington under the old ritual was alTected by the tuiwise policy that controlled the order, and did not long endure. It was se\'eral years after the adoption of ihe new ritual, and the new rules and regulations, before delunte steps were taken t'.) re\'i\'e the interest in the organization there. There was one duty, liowe\er, that the veterans of the Civil W'.ar had .assumeil that was not permitted to tall into decline. That was the custom of decorating with llowers the gra\es of

Under tlie rules uf tlie CIraiid Ami)' of the Kcpuhlic, posts may select names onl_\' from jiersons deceased, if individual names are chosen for the title of posts. Names of distinguisiied soldiers of the Civil War are favorite selections for names of posts, but only one post in each department is permitletl to use the same name, and that must l>e bv the ai)proval of the de[)artment ctjmmander. Names of posts can be changed onlv by the same apijroval. On the death of General Grant, in 1885, there was a great rivalr)' of posts in each department to have their name changed to that of this distinguished soldier, iiy the prompt action of J. \V. Ramsey, who was post commander at that time, the Washington post secured this honor. On receiving news of General Grant's death, Post Commander Ramsey immediately wired Department Commander booster, at b'ort Wayne, requesting that -Gerber Post be changed to U. S. Grant Post, wliich rei|uest was granted. Ramsey's telegram was the hrst of scores of others making like request.

Plainview Pi«t No. ^^2, Grand Army of tlic Repulilic, was organized' at Plainville, May 3, 1892. The present nieml)ership is fourteen. Afeetings are held irregularly. David H. Dyer, Allen Daugherty and D. V. Ellis are among those who have served as commanders of this post.

M. B. Cutler Post. No. 537, at Elnora, was organized in 1892. with a good list of charter memljers. The following have served as commanders of this post : John Edmondson, Milton Farris, William Slimp and W. New. The post's regular time of meeting is the first Saturda\' evening of each month.

McCarty Post No. 251, at Alfordsville, was organized in 1886. This post has a good membership and was in a flourishing condition for several years. The name does not appear in the Grand .Army roster for 1914, and it is presumed that the charter had been surrendered and the post disbanded prior to that time. Among those who have served as commanders of Mc- Carty post are the following: iVlfred W^ebber, Joseph Arvin, G. W. Cochran, William Patrick, John G. Leming, Philip Scales and James W. Gilley.

Ladies Of The Grand Army Of The Republic

U. S. Grant Circle No. 19, Eadies of the Grand Army of the Pepublic, was organized on July 24, 1897, by Mattie C. Smith, of I^afayette. Indiana. This organization is allied with the U. S. Grant I'dst, Grand :\rmy of the Republic, and its object is to work in harmony with the Grand Army in the relief of needy and distressed soldiers of the Civil War, and the families of those deceased, and to teach patriotism in the public schools and inculcate a S])iril of ])atriotisni and devulinn to the flag an>ing the ])eople of the coninuinity. kdigibility to memliership in this order is liased on relationship to a soldier or sailor who had honorable service in the Ci\il ^\'ar - a N\ife. or daughter, or lineal female descendant of ,-1 \'eteran. I'ollowing are the names of the charier mem])ers of U. S. Grant Circle: Mrs. Sudie P. Dowden, Mrs. Rebecca E. flollis, Mrs. ITaltie Schurz, Mrs. Mary C. Eitts. Afrs. Eay E. Wagoner, Airs. Tillie Jacobs, Mrs. Clara Carnahan, Mrs. Afargaret Gilley, Mrs. Lavinia Lemmon, Airs. Eliza Ramsey, Mrs. Alarv- E. Gold, Airs. Gertie Tilston, Airs. S. S. I3oaz, Airs. Plarriet Summers, Airs. Edward Kennedy, Aliss Aland (dark, Aliss Alattie Roberson, Aliss Edith Waller, Airs. Afaggie P)erry, Airs. Hugh Sullivan, Airs. Alary E. Fidlerton, Airs. Emma Nixon, Aliss k:tta P.lackwell.

The present officers are: Mrs. Mary I-lllis, president; Airs. Sarejjta Summers, senior vice-president; Mrs. Belle Karris, junior vice-president; Mrs. Sarah Jackman, chaplain; Mrs. Agnes Dove, conductress; Mrs. Harriet Burris, assistant conductress; Mrs. Fannie Bruner, guard; Hattie Eslinger, assistant guard; ]Mrs. Vina Truelove, patriotic instructor; Mrs. Ktta Dearmin, treasurer; Mrs. Margaret Padgett, secretary.

The membership of the order on May 20, 1915, was one hundred and sixty-seven. This includes forty-one \'eterans and eleven sons oi veterans, whu are entitled to honorary memhership in the order.

The Society of the Daughters <if the American Kevolulion was organized in W'ashingtnn, D. C, October 11, 1S')(1 It has for its object the peri)etuation of the memory of those who achie\-ed American independence, the collection of relics of earlier American days, the protection of historical spots, the encouragement oi histi.irical research in relation to the Revolution, and the preservation of the records of individual services of Revolutionary soldiers and patriots. The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution has members in e\ery state, and in nearly every territory -of the United States. The society as a whole has a charter granted by the C'ono-ress of the United States; a national ct)nstitution, a national treasury, and the governing bocjy, the continental congress. Formal organizati(jn oi the society occurred on October 11, 1890, and the dark blue and white of Washington's staff was chosen for the society's colors. The design of a golden spinning-wheel was chosen for a badge. The lirst chapter was formed in Chicago, Illinois. ' -^

While the matter of organizing a chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington was under consideration by those who would be eligible to meiubership for some time jirior to 1006, it was not until the latter part of that year that definite action towards an organization was taken. In response to a call, several of those who were members of the order in other chapters held a meeting and decided to proceed to the organization of a local chapter. In accordance with this decision an organization was effected on October 2, 1906. under the name of White River ('hai)ter No. 429, Daughters of the American Revolution. Following are the names of tlie charter iiicniIi(.TS ; Mrs. .Matilda Sciuldcr, .\[rs. El\a Uon Durant taliel, Mi^s L. JMsepliine ( Mrs. Alice l'".\ans ('urning, Mrs. hllizaheth .Scu.l.ler Hall, Mis^ I'ausy llnrrall, Mrs. I'dla T. L'eek Mclvernan, Mrs. I'earle Jlorrall Uedfcjrti, Miss Marj;arel Scuclder, Miss Lucretia Wood, Mrs. Mary e'. Shirlc)-, Mrs. Matilda lloyd.

'I'lie organization was perfected 1)_\' the election of tlie following to ser\-e as the first otiicers of the society: Mrs. Elva Bon iXn'ant Cabel, regent; Mrs. Alice Corning, vice-regent; Mrs. Mary (,.'. Shirley, recording secretary; Miss 1.. J. ('hai)inan, cnrresponding secretary; Mrs. Piiatilda Boyd, registrar; .Mrs. I'dizaheth .S. llall, treasurer; Miss I'ansy llorrall, historian.

in the line of special wdrk done li_\- the chapter, the purchase of the old I.ashly cemetery and the jjlacing of markers at the graxes of Re\'olutionar\- sdldiers huried therein, are notable examples, ( *ne of these gra\'e.s. is that of Ceorge l.ashl}-, a soldier in the l\e\dhuionar\' War, after whom the cenieterv touk its name. The chapter has made contributions of money to the jxHir fund' ot the city and to the county hospital fund. It also has done a commendable, patriotic work in the ijreseniation of silk flags to all the ])rimary departments ni the city jiublic schools. The regular meetings of the chapter are on the first l-"rida\' of each month. It has a membership (if thirty-se\en, all acti\el\' interested in the work ol the chapter and in the increase ni its membership and usefulness. The regular work of the chapter is along historical lines, a [)rogram oi topics for historical research for each meeting being outlined in tlieir year-book'.

The re(|uirements for establishing eligibilit\- To membership in the naugluers iii the .\merican Revohitiou, as prescribed b\' the rules nf the national oigaiii/ation. are \im\ snict. All api)licaiious lor membership must be submitted to the national authority, and exideiice of the eligibility of the a|)plicant must be established by authentic (kjcumentary i)roof th.at the applicant is a lineal descendant of a l\e\'(jlutionary soldier, or one who rendered ])atriotic ser\ice in that w;ir. Traditional or hearsay e\idence is not accepted as proof of eligibility, liecause of the exact recjuireinents to establish proof of their lineage, those whose applications ha\e passed approwal, and eligibility to membershilp \erifled, may be justified in feeling a consideralile degree of jjride in the inlierited honor.