Franklin County, Indiana - Chapter 15: Secret Societies Ok L-Kanki.in Couxtv, 1915

Free And Accepted Masons

The Masons established tlie first secret society in Franklin county, and at Brookviile was opened the fourth Masonic lodge in Indiana. As other fraternities came into existence, they established lodges at various places in the county, and at the present time there are many different fraternal and benevolent organizations in the county. In addition, the Catholic population have a number of societies whose membership is restricted tc) those of the Catholic faith.

Harmony Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, is really the fourth Masonic lodge to be organized within the state of Indiana, although it is now numbered eleven. The first three lodges were \'incenncs (March i, 1809;, Madison (August 30, 1815) and Charlestown (April, 1816). In the spring of 1 81 7, sometime prior to May, the resident Alasons of Brookviile met in private council and decided to petition for dispensation to form a lodge in the town. At one of their meetings - probably in April - Stephen C. Stephens, afterward a member of the supreme court of Indiana, was selected to procure a dispensation from the grand lodge of Ohio. At that time a grand lodge had not yet been organized in Indiana, the first three lodges oi the state receiving their dispensations from the grand lodge of Kentucky. The grand lodge of Indiana dates from January 12, 18 18.

On May 9, 181 7, Henry Brush, grand master of Ohio, issued a dispensation in response to the petitioners from Brookviile and on the 4th of the following August the grand lodge of Ohio approved the action of the grand master. The lodge at Brookviile was called Harmony Lodge Xo. 41.

Shortly after high twelve, June 4, 1S17. the gavel sounded for the first time in a jNIasonic hall in eastern Indiana. Thomas Kelsey, of Hamilton. Ohio, acted as worshipful master and appointed the following officers pro tern.: John Sheets, senior warden; .Mexantier R. Meek, junior warden; Jeremiah Sullivan, secretary-treasurer; W. S. Rose, junior deacon; Thomas Blair, tyler. The charter members were S. C. Stephens, Luther Hinman. C. Dart,

Franklin Colnty, Indiana

Enoch McCarty, Thomas Terrell, Hervey Bates, John Xoblc, George L. Murdock, John Jacobs. John Test. \V. D. Gallion, J. B. Rose and John Winchel. A lodge of entered apprentices was opened and closed and then a lodge of past masters was opened. Stephen C. .Stephens was installed as a first worshipful master of Harmony Lorlge. The other officers were as follow: John Jacob, senior warden; George L. Murdock, junior warden. On June 17, jjetitions were received from Alartin M. Ray, Xoah Noble, Henry A. Reed, Enoch D. John and Joseph D. Clements, and these men became the first initiates of Harmony Lodge No. 41.

The Bible, which cost the lodge six dollars on September 13. 181 7, is still in the lodge room, although it shows that it has l)een in use for nearly a century. It is interesting to note some of the other expenses of the lodge in its early days. During the first six months of its career forty-one dollars was appropriated for expenses, and of this amount twenty-three dollars was expended for refreshments.

As has been stated. Harmony lodge was organized under a dispensation from the grand lodge of Ohio. At a meeting held in Corydon, to cf)nsider the advisability of establishing a grand lodge for Indiana, this lodge was represented by S. C. Stephens, who voted against the proposition. Andrew Wallace represented the local lodge at the session of the Ohio grand lodge, December 14, 1818, when Harmony was granted its charter. In 18 19. John B. Rose represented the lodge at Columbus. Ohio, and presented a petition asking for permission to withdraw from the grand lodge of Ohio for the purpose of affiliating with the grand lodge of Indiana, and the petition was granted. Although the grand lodge of Indiana was organized January 12, 181 8, it was not until 1820 that Hervey Bates presented a petition from the members of Harmony lodge to the grand lodge of Indiana praying for a charter to work under the jurisdiction of the grand lodge of Indiana. The petition was granted, the lodge was permitted to retain its name, but its number was changed from 41 to 1 1 on the Indiana register. Thus, although it was really the fourth lodge organized within the state, it is numbered 1 1 because it was organized under the grand lodge of Ohio.

The lodge did not always live up to its name, and by 1S47 the harmony which is supposed to reign in ^Masonic lodges seems to have disappeared. From the minutes of the lodge it appears that on December 4, 1847. a number of members presented a petition, asking Harmony lodge to recommend to the grand master the organization of a new lodge in Brookville to be known as Elliott lodiJ-e, and the c»fficers to be as follow : George W. Kimble, worshipful master; O. M. Bartlow, senior warden; Jacob Laforge, junior warden; R. M. McCleery, secretary; J. O. St. John, treasurer; Fred Laforge, senior deacon; J. E. Clark, junior deacon; John Canipl>ell, tyler. Kimhle was charged with tryin.cj to run the lodge according to his own ideas, and evidently had enough followers to hring about a division in the lodge. This petition of the seceders was unanimously granted, and the grand lodge of Indiana, on Deceniljcr 31, 1847, issued a dispensation for the establishment, in Brookvillc, of Elliott Lodge No. 52. Brookvillc, however, was not large enough to support two Masonic lodges, and as soon as the members of the two rival lodges regained their better judgment they began to gradually get together. The minutes of Elliott Lodge show that its first meeting was held January 18, 1848, and its last meeting March 19, 1S51. At this last regular meeting it was unanimously moved that Elliott Lodge surrender its charter and unite with Harmony Lodge. The latter lodge agreed to assume all the assets and Hal)ilities of Elliott Lodge, and, after the union, met in the hall of Elliott Lodge. Since that time Harmony Lodge has allowed no rift to appear in its ranks and year after year it has gone forward, dispensing that loving charity which forms the cornerstone of the fraternity.

No other lodge in Indiana can boast of having three governors on its roll, and James B. Ray, Noah Noble and David Wallace were all made master Masons in Hamiony Lodge. No less than three members of the supreme court of Indiana v^-ere members at Brookvillc, namely : Stephen C. Stephens, John T. McKinney and Isaac Blackford. James Noble, United States senator for many years, was also a member of Harmony Lodge. This includes only a few of the more noted men who have belonged to the local lodge, and does not make mention of the scores of excellent citizens who took their first steps in Masonry in Harmony Lodge.

During its career of nearly a century five hundred and fifty-eight men have been members of Harmony Lodge, with a present active membership of one hundred and twenty-three. The lodge owns the third story of the Franklin Furniture Company building, the same being dedicated June I, 1904.

The elective officers are as follow: Arthur Glenn Siebert, worshipful master; G. Wallace Hvde. senior warden; Clarence K. ^Moore. junior warden; George E. Dennett, treasurer: John E. iMorton, secretary; Charles B. Williams, senior deacon; Frank Dennett, junior deacon; Frank A. West, senior steward; Archie Dugan. junior steward; Frank Winans. tyler.

The following is a list of the worshipful masters of Harmony Lodge No. II from the date of its organization: S. C. Stephens. 1S17-1S; David Oliver, 1819; John Jacobs. 1S20-22 ; David Oliver, 1823; John Foster. 1825 John Jacobs, 1826: John Foster, 1827; William R. Morris. 1828: Nath

Brookville Chapter No. 16. Royal Arch Masons', at Brookville. was organized by dispensation under date of May 26, 1850, when the officers were: M. V. Simonson, high priest; M. Hutchinson, king; J. Hinkley, scribe; A. Caldwell, principal sojourner; F. R. A. Jeter, captain of the host: A. Carter, royal arch captain ; Levi Ayers, grand master of the third veil : Thomas Cooper, grand master of the second veil; James H. Spear, grand master of the first veil ; J. E. Hawser, secretary. The chapter continued in its good work until 1878, and then "rested" until the reorganization in December, 1881, since which date it has prospered. It now enjoys a membership of forty-one. It is the only chapter in Franklin county. Its officers (elective) in 1915 are: Frank L. Hornung, high priest; Frank A. West, king; Harry

B. Smith, scribe; John C. Shirk, treasurer; John E. Morton, secretary; August Plennansdorfer. captain of the host: Frank Dennett, principal sojourner; William R. Osborn. royal arch captain; Jacob Sottong. grand master of the third veil; Clarence K. Moore, grand master of the second veil; Atwell J. Shriner, grand master of the first veil; Casj>er Fogel. guard.

Chapter No. 40, Order of the Eastern Star, at Brookrville. was instituted May 30, 1878. The first officers were: Rev. Thomas B. McClain. worthy patron; Jennie D. Speer, worthy matron; Josephine Kaiser, treasurer; Fannie Morton, secretary; Louisa ALcClain, conductor; Clara King, assistant conductor; Alsie B. J^ole, warder; John Dennett, sentinel. For a number of years this chapter Hfjurished, and in 1882 had a membership of twenty-two, but subsequently it disbanded.

Metamora Lodge No. 156, Free and Accepted Masons, located at the town of Metamora, was org^anized June 6. 1S53, and received its charter Mav 23, 1854. It was formed by S. 1'.. Trembly. Jerome Wiley. J. J. Rhubottom, William A. Richard, Spencer Wiley, Adonijah Wiley, A. J. Whipple. G. W. Walker, William ATewhinney and Daniel Dawson. The charter officers were : Simon Macy, worshipful master; S. B. Trembly, senior warden; James Dawson, junior warden; J. J. Rubottom, secretary; A. J. Whipple, treasurvr ; Ad(jnijah Wiley, senior deacon; Archibald Hahn, junior deacon: Francis Lei.>,h. tyler.

The present membership is thirty-eight. The lodge first met at Odfl Fellows hall; tlie present meeting place is Masonic hall, second floor of a stone structure known as Allison store building. Its cost was one thousand five hundred dollars. The society is aided materially by a ladies' auxiliary. Order of the Eastern Star. The otificers Selective) in 1915 are: Terrv T. Gordon, worshipful master; George M. Lennard, senior warden: Xoah Foster, junior warden; Mack P. Monroe, secretary; Donald M. Gordon, treasurer; Clarence ]Maguire, senior deacon; Milton Curry, junior deacon: Lewis Parvis, tyler.

Andersonville Lodge No. 96, Free and Accepted Masons, at the village of Andersonville. was organized May 15. 1850. Its charter membership can not be given at this time, for lack of records. The lodge now enjovs a membership of sixty-eight, and has for its elective officers in 191 5: Prof. John S. Moore, worshipful master; Dr. H. C. Metcalf, senior warden: Ed Moore, junior warden ; F. Wilson Kaler. secretary ; Ed L. Scott, treasurer : Thomas Day, tyler. A good chapter of the Eastern Star is in connection with this Masonic lodge. A good hall was Imilt by a stock company formed of the members immediately after the lodge was instituted. The building is still used and is valued at eight hundred dollars.

Laurel Lodge No. 447. Free and Accepted Masons, was organized in 1872, with first officers as follows: Samuel Cooper, worshipful master: John S. Rice, senior warden; Isaac Lockwood. Jr.. junior warden: C. H. Scofield. secretary: J. C. Burgoyne. tyler. The lodge now has a membership of fiftvfive and owns its own hall, on the third floor of the public school building.

erected in 1852. Coinvell Cliapter, Order of the Eastern Star, is the ladies' auxiliary. The blue lodge degrees only are conferred at Laurel.

The elective officers of Lodge No. 447 in 1915 are: C. E. Burgoyne, worshipful master; John E. Fritz, senior warden; H. A. Dawdy, junior warden; J. P. Rockafellar, treasurer; William Hooper, secretary; William C. Hayes, tyler.

Prior to the organization of this Masonic lodge at Laurel tliere was another. Lodge No. 29, instituted at a very early day in the history of that town. The lodge, however, was deprived of its charter for violating some well-known rule of the grand lodge of Lidiana.

Fairfield Lodge No. 98, Free and Accepted Masons, at Fairfield, was instituted September 28, 1849, by petitioners for dispensation, James Davis. H. R. Coleman, Augustus ^Miller, James A. Garver, \V. S. Rose, John Liggett, William Hayes, James Hilliard, Rev. W. C. Brooks, William J. Townsend. James A. Garver was first worsliipful master; Silas Ward, senior warden; William Johnston, junior warden. The date of the charter is May 27, 1850. The present memlicrship is thirty-nine. There have l)een one hundred and ninety-three Masons raised in this lodge since its organization. The first hall, charter and all records were burned in 1849 or early in 1850.

The present (191 5) elective officers are: Jasper Younts, worshipful master: H. O. Ward, senior warden: A. F. Glidewell, junior warden; Darlie Hanna, secretary: H. C. Hanna, treasurer.

This strong fraternal society has long been represented in Franklin county.- The earliest lodge of which the author has been able to obtain any data is that at Laurel, known as Spartan Lodge No. 24, organized October 20, 1845, with charter members as follows: George R. Warren, Thomas S. Wright, Adam Shafer, James A. Derbyshire, Henry I. Kerr and John Kirk.

Th.e present nieml)ership is seventy-three. The 191 5 elective officers are: Fred A. Hermann, noble grand; ]\Iart \\'ormer, vice-grand; C. C. Carder, secretary; T. P. Rockafellow, treasurer; Lon Masters, James Jinks and F. M. Russell, trustees.

At Laurel is a fine working lodge of Rebekahs. doing their full share in the upholding of the lodge. When the lodge was first formed it met in a one-story frame building, at the northeast corner of Washington and Pearl streets. Later the members removed to their present lodge rooms, on the northwest corner of Washington and Pearl streets, a three-story brick structure, in which thev meet each Saturday evenins:.

Sherlock Encampment No. 4, at Laurel, was organized June 3, 1846, with a charter membersliip as follows : J. D. Johnson, G. R. Warner, John Kirk, J. AI. Hiatt, \V. A. Patterson, John W. Sullivan and Thomas White. The encampment now has a membership of thirty-five. They occupy Odd Fellows hall. The 1915 officers are: Hiyh priest, I^'rcd A. Hermann; senior warden, Mart Warner; junior warden, Willard Chance; treasurer, C. W. Tague; scribe, F. M. Russell.

Protection Lodge No. 63, at Metamora, was organized Alarch 24, 1849, with charter members as follows : J. C. Barnes, Peter D. Pelsor, William Bell, Adam Davis and Cornelius Cam. This lodge was instituted by Special Deputy Pleasant A. Hackleman. It now has a membership of one hundred and six and owns its own hall, a brick building. The lodge first met in the second story of a frame building, immediately east of the present hall.

The 1915 elective officers in the subordinate lodge are: Charles A. Riley, noble grand; Everet jMurray, vice-grand; J. W. Jackson, treasurer; Roy Alley, secretary ; E. Alartindale, George Murray and J. C. Gordon, trustees.

The instituting officer of this Odd Fellows lodge was Gen. P. A. Hackleman, who was killed during the Civil War. at the battle of Corinth, May 28, 1862, while commanding a division of L'nion soldiers, and was the only general killed from Lidiana during that conflict. A memorial for him stands in the courthouse grounds at Brookville. The oldest living member of this lodge is Alfred Blacklidge.

Peter D. Pelsor was first to represent the order at the grand lodge at Indianapolis. He walked to and from that city to attend the session of that grand body. Going or coming, he stopped at a farm house to stay over night, and when he told them he was an Odd Fellow the family looked upon him with great suspicion. He also walked to Centerville. Indiana, to procure the charter of this lodge from the hand of the grand secretary. Lazarus Noble. It was issued July 11, 1849, ^^^^ ^^e received it in the office of Governor Morton on December 22, 1850. Other representatives to grand lodge from this lodge went on horseback.

Purity Lodge No. 194, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at the village of Mixersville, was organized Novemlnrr 18, 1857, witli charter members as follows : Jolm Samuels. Jesse IMontgomery, Sylvester Browne. Freeman P. Kimball. Lewis Whiteman and Joseph Retsay.

Fkanki-Ix County, Indiana

A good working ladies' auxiliary is in connection with the men's suhxjrdinate lodge, llie 1915 elective ofikers are: Seymour Vanness, noble grand; Rolla Wood, vice-grand ; J. T. Rowe, recording secretary ; J. E. Abbcjtt, treasurer ; C. B. Moore, corresponding secretary.

This lodge was first instituted at the village of Scipio. but was removed to Mt. Carmel in 1882 or 1883. On February 25, 1895, their building was burned, and they lost their effects, including the charter and lodge records. Until the following autumn they met in the Masonic lodge room, but in September of that year they were again housed in a building of their own. Their present building, a wooden structure, was erected in 1905, at a cost of two thousand dollars.

Penn Lodge No. 30, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Brookville, was organized February 18, 1846, by Past Grand George R. Warren, assisted by several Odd Fellows from the lodge at Laurel. The following were the charter members: Hadley D. Johnson, Moses J. Kelly. Benjamin H. Burton, John H. Shirk and Hiram Carmichael. Five new members were in waiting to be initiated after the organization had been perfected. H. D. Johnson, who withdrew his card from Laurel in order to aid in forming this lodge, was elected noble grand: M. J. Kelly, vice-grand; J. H. Shirk, secretary; Hiram Carmichael, treasurer; B. H. Burton, warden; R. P. C. Barwick, inside guard; J. D. Howland. conductor.

On the night of jNIarch 16. 1848. the lodge room, together with the records and other property, excepting a few effects, were totally destroyed by fire. The ownerof the burned building was- induced to rebuild and add a third story, which was done at an expense of seven hundred and fifty dollars. This room served as the Odd Fellows hall until December 14. 1884, when fire again visited the hall, burning all save the lodge's seal. etc. After this fire the present hall was erected. The order now owns two good hall properties, one over the K. C. Myers drug store on Main street, which is leased to the Red Men, and the third story of the Trichler block, comer of Main and Seventh streets. The present value of the- two haUs is nine thou- sand two hundred dollars. The Red Men's hall was erected in 1885, and the Independent Order of Odd Felluws hall, proper, was erected by the Brookville Encampment, No. 32, in 1891, and in 189S sold to Penn Lodge No. 30, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

The elective officers of the subordinate lodye in the spring of 19 15 arc as follows: William R. Osi)orn, noble grand; Walter G. Wilson, vice-grand: Philander T. McCammon, secretary; Albert N. Logan, treasurer. The trustees are Charles N. Rockwell, Oi)hir W. Klipplc, Willard N. Lacy. Ford H. Allen, representative to grand lodge. The statistical report of Penn Lodge from February 18, 1846, to date of January i, 1915, is as follows: Initiations, ^/8<; reinstated, 23; admitted by card, 62; withdrawn by card, 87: expelled, 6; dropped for nonpayment of dues, 118; deaths. 75; brothers relieverl. 791; widowed families relieved, 84; weeks' benefits paid, 3,617: receipts of lodge, $65,591.28; expenses of lodge, $25,333.22; dues to grand lodge. $2,501.78; home ta.x, $784.43; paid for relief of brothers, S15.869.70: paid for widowed families, $1,099.77; P^i^ for burying dead, $4,161.60; paid for special relief, $3,622.51 ; total relief, $24,753.58; present membership, 193.

Brookville Encampment No. 32, at Brookville, was instituted December 2, 1852. The first officers chosen were: F. A. R. Jeter, chief patriarch; J. D. Rowland, high priest; B. H. Burton, senior warden; W. H. McClcery, junior warden ; C. B. Bentley, scribe ; J. C. Burton, treasurer. The above, together with George Berry, John F. Hazzard and B. H. Burton, were the charter members. It is the only encampment in Franklin county, hence has much territory from which to draw recruits. It is in a flourishing condition at this date. Its membership was, in March, 191 5, one hundred anil twenty-seven. It now meets each first and third Monday of the month, in Odd Fellows hall. The officers are: Karl Wise, chief patriarch; Albert B. Clark, high priest; Edward Clark, senior warden ; Chester C. Starkel, jimior warden ; P. T. Mc- Cammon, scribe; A. N. Logan, treasurer; John Dennett, Joseph L. Seibert and W. H. IMartin, trustees.

Knights Of Pythias

The Knights of Pythias have a strong lodge at Brookville. known as Brookville Lodge No. 76, which was instituted July 16, 1S77, with the following charter members and officers : George Ritzi, Scott Hutchinson. George R. Sheppard, Rolx-rt M. West, Jackson Stivers. John Rothermal. John Cullins. Gustavus Hartman, Charles N. Davis, William McCIeerv. William H. Bracken, past chancellor; N. V. Johnson, chancellor commander; T. J.

McCarty, prelate; Thomas C. Shepiiard, keeper of records and seal; William M. McCleery. master of finance; A. H. King, master of exchequer; Jacob Smith, master at arms; George Ritzi, inner guard; Scott Hutchinson, outer guard.

The lodge now has a membership of one hundred and sixty-nine, and owns its own castle hall, on the third floor of the Franklin County National Bank building, which was erected in 19 12 at a cost of six thousand dollars. The trustees of this lodge are H. J. Schneider, H. M. Stoops and R. S. Taylor. A strong, harmonious working auxiliary to the lodge is found in the Pythian Sisters.

The present elective officers of Laurel Lodge are: Roll Wiggins, chancellor commander: D. L. Reese, master of work; Harry Manley, keeper of records and seals; George F. Herrmann, master of finance; Gilbert Tague, master of exchequer ; George F. Herrmann, master at arms; Ed Burgdorfer. inner guard; Thomas W. Reese, outer guard; trustees, August Goehner, Jesse Reese and John Oglesby.

Metamora Lodge No. 445, Knights of Pythias, located at the town of Metamora. was organized December 9, 1896, by charter members as follows: Judson C. Gordon, Francis R. Harder, Herbert A. Dawdy, Ross Clark, George J. Myers, Henry Koerner, Flenry Smith, James A. Fisher, A. J. Miller, C. E. Jackson, James ^L Thorpe, Alexander Davidson, Thaddeus [Murray, Henry Becht, Joseph Davison, T. J. Holmes, Alvin E. Stotts, Christian H. Thorp, George H. Brown, James Currv. David Swartz, George Swartz. John Roemer, Henry \X. Hannebaum.

The lodge now has a membership of thirty-five, with elective officers in 1915 as follows: M. P. Moore, chancellor commander; Dewitt Currv, vicechancellor ; Johti L. Stewart, prelate ; George R. Foster, keeper of records and seals; John Alley, inner guard; T. J. Holmes, outer gLiard ; Clyde Anness, master at arms.

The 1915 officers of this lodge are: Charles Pearson, chancellor commander; Herman Kingery, vice-chancellor; Clyde Kelley, prelate; S. T. Mc- Whortor, master of work; F. H. Moore, keeper of records and seal: Frank V. Whitney, master of finance ; Henry Ferris, master of exchequer ; Emerson White, master at arms ; Harry Anspach, inner guard ; Charles Stewart, outer guard; J. F. Swift, L. H. Hays, W. L. White, trustees.

The Pythian Sisters have a good lodge in conjunction with this lodge of Knights of Pythias, established in June, 1S97, with twenty-one charter members, which now has a membership of ninety-three.

Fairfield Lodge No. no. Knights of P>1:hias, was organized August 30, 1883, and now has a membership of fifty. It meets in its own hall, a twostory brick building, thirty by sixty feet, erected in 1902, costing four thousand dollars. It is an up-to-date structure in all of its appointments. The present elective officers are as follows : O. H. Logan, chancellor commander ; C. R. Dare, vice-chancellor : George W. Groce. prelate ; Charles Gerren, master of work ; J. T. Buckley, keeper of records and seals : Darlie Hanna. master of finance; H. H. Rose, master of exchequer; Fred Loper, master at arms; Emmett Smalley, inner guard: Clyde Newkirk, outer guard; William T. Logan, C. R. Dare and George W. Groce, trustees.

Improved Ordeu Of Red Men

Hovannah Tribe No. 208, Improved Order of Red Men. at Andersonville, Posey township, this county, was organized August i, 1895. The original officers were: M. A. Kendall, sachem; William M. Moore (deceased), senior sagamore; E. O. George, junior sagamore; J. S. Cramer, prophet; R. D. Mitcliell, chief of records; M. J. James, keeper of wampum.

chief are the degrees worked on in the tribe. The larhes* aii.xih'ary at this place went down some years a-o. The order first met in tiie oh\ Grand Army hall, then in Cartmel's hall. About 1900 they bon-ht the old Universalis't church building, added thereto and now have a comfortable home, valued at about one thousand two hundred dollars.

The 1915 chiefs are: Ben Abercrombic, .sachem; Silver Reeve, senior sagamore; Ben F. Stuttle. junior sagamore ; Aaron Hildreth, prophet ; F. Wilson Kaler, chief of records ; M. G. James, keeper of wampum.

The elective officers of the tribe in 1915 are: Sachem, Everett O. Murray; prophet, Roscoe Gordon; senior sagamore, James Stephenson: junior sagamore, John Stephenson; chief of records. W. M. Smith; collector of wampum, De Witt Curry; keeper of wampum, A. Pierce.

The tribe is a very strong one and work is verv interesting and instructive. The order meets in a leased hall. Council No. 166, Daughters of Pocahontas, a ladies' auxiliary, is worked in connection with the men's lodge, to the mutual benefit of both organizations.

An Interesting Episode

To the above should be added a good historic item : It was here in Metamora that the first tribe of Improved Order of Red Men, known as Seneca No. I, was instituted in 1854. And here the first great council fire was kindled in 1855, with five tribes represented, as follows: Seneca No. i, of -Metamora; Chippewa No. 2, of Laurel; Blackhawk No. 3, of Terre Haute; Cherokee No. 4, of Edinburg, and Miami No. 5, of Franklin. Hence it will be seen that Red Men were early in this field.

Winemah Tribe No. 249, Improved Order of Red Men, at Laurel, was organized al>out 1S99, with between twenty-five and thirty members. It now enjoys a membership of seventy-three, with elective officers as follows: H. C. Ward, sachem; ['rank 1\icker, senior sagamore: Earl Hottman. junior sagamore; H. C. Jones, chief of records; George Goehringer, keeper of wampum; Charles Bloom, prophet. They have their own hall and are now in a

At Brookville tliis order is very strong. Oshawnee Tribe Xo. 220 was organized April 23, 1896, witli charter members as follows: Dr. George E. Squier, Dr. M. C. Armstrong, Geijrge M. Fowler, William A. Gagle, George A. Moorniann, Dr. E. L. Patterson, George A. Metzgcr. Joseph II. Adams, Charles V. Bradburn, Maynard H. Irwin, Henry Cameron, Charles E. Winans, Samuel F. Fogel. Charles D. Gregg, Edward C. Burkhart. William E. McKee, Edward Z. Fogel. W. S. Hutchinson, William Buck. J(jhn W. Young, Edward P. Aletzger, Jehu Butler. J. E. l^'anjuear, James A. Clayton, Elbert H. Woodworth, Charles W. Warne, Henry H. Dunsmorc. Frank C. Becker, Frank Winans, Charles T. Meyncke, Flenry E. Updike. William Keeler, Jacob Scherer. Frank W. Bruns, Leslie Kingery, Louis Beuttel. William T. Wright, William M. ]\IcCarty, William Smeister, Ira Wilson, Clinton K. Roberts, Robert L. Hanna. F^^ight of these charter members are now deceased and fourteen are not members of the order at this date. The tribe meet in a leased hall, that of the Odd Fellows order. The ladies have a good auxiliary - a Pocahontas lodge. The Red IMen have a membership of one hundred and twelve and are doing a thorough, good w^ork in the community. The elective officers in the spring of 1915 are as follows: Adam Geis, sachem; ^''alentine Niedenthal, senior sagamore: Ona Clymer, junior sagamore ; Edward Brown, prophet ; Gus Baither, chief of records : W. J. Schoonover, keeper of wampum; Adam Geis, degree master; Charles Horn, Harry Fogel and Charles Lapish, tru.stees.

The IQ15 elective officers of the tribe are: Henry rjeiling, sachem; Nathan Proctor, senior sagamore; Alfred Clark, junior sagamore; Allen Lanning, prophet; Leo Hill, chief of records; M. J. Ui)dike, keeper of wampum; M. P. Elwell, I'recman Stuart and Charles M. Mlliott, trustees.

The only lodge of this fraternity in Franklin county. White Water \'alley Aerie No. 1129, is at Brookvillc. It was instituted June J9, 1905, with about one hundred and twenty-five cliarter members. It now has a membership of one hundred and two. In the United States this fraternity has a following of over four hnndreil thousand, and is only about nineteen vears old. The first officers of the Bro'jkville Aerie were: President. Ona Climer; secretary, Dora F. Gagle; treasurer, A. O. Cates. 'llie ortlcr cnvns its own ])uildin;,', the first floor being occupied by the National Theater. They meet the first and third Mondays in each month. The officers in the spring of 191 5 are as follows: President, Paul H. Killen ; vice-president, Charles Senefeld ; secretary, Frank Deutsch; treasurer, John A. Schum ; chaplain, John E. Williams; trustees, R. H. Cook, W. A. Fries, William H. West ; inside guard, Herman Metzger; outside guard, Albert A. Williams.

Brookville Camp No. 14672. Modern Woodmen (jf America was organized December 12, 1910, with the following charter members: Charles H. Blacklidge. Arthur O. Cates. Abraham Davis. Harry Rusterholz and Lewis Schreiner. The officers for tlie current year are as follows : Charles Blacklidge, venerable consul ; Frank Brake, worthy advisor ; Lewis Schreiner. banker ; Joe Siebert. clerk ; O. L. DeBeck, escort ; Harry Rusterholz. watchman ; Charles Cooksey, sentry; I. D. Garrigues, physician. The present membership is fourteen.