Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-11-07
rna ..Lnst 1ran,s soelely 81

The 9th of October was the anniversary of the
Last Mans Society, of Cincinnati, an account Of
the organization of which is given by the Cincinnati
Gazette as follows:
On Sunday. the 3Oth of September, 1892 seven
young men were seated in the studio OF J. r. Mason
talking as young men won't to do, of matters of
desultory character.
The cholera was at this time raging with fearful
sway in the villages surrounding the city but with
in the corporate precincts of Cincinnati the dreaded
scourge had not yet made its appearance. II con-
versation of the seven finally turned upon the sub
ject of cholera, and discussion spraDg up between
two of them, who had just received the degree of
NJ. D., whether or not the disease contagious.
During the argument which the young disciples of
Esculapius advanced, one of the party in speaking
of the fatality of the disease sad 'we cannot tell
how long any of US will be here-tomorTow pos
sibly we may be gone'
This remark was the foundation on which this
superstructure of the Last Mans Society was reared
Having agreed that the society should have an
existence the time of meeting next considered,
and it was unanimously determined that the first
anniversary should be held the following Saturday
night, Oct G, 1882. ard the meeting should be held
on the same day of the month annually from that
time forward.
A casket was made. and in it was enclosed bot
tie of wine and when the last man should at the an
nversary supper seat himself at the table that bot
tie was be opened IN naem0rin of the six deceas-
ed members. IL lie caSkeG was an ODeliSk ABOUT ten
inches i'll height and stood on base of seven inches
square. In the small drawer in which
placed slips of oil paper containing the names,
ages places of birth, residence and occupation of
the members, in their own handwriting The ODE
llsk was neatly finished at the summit and crowned
by small globe the entire casket being eonstrue t
ed Of solid mahogany. 1t was the duty of the mem
bers to notify any of their absent members of the
time and place OF meeting, and it that members
duty in return to be present if in his power.
The casket was to pass in succession to each OF
the seven and was to oe retained one year, its de
livery taking place at the anniversary. Lots were
drawn determine who should be its custodian the
first year and through the whole seven, after
which it passed regularly from one to the other.
At the supper seven plates were provided, and il
any were absent the plate remained unturned and
and chair remained vacant at the table. Never but
did all of them meet together and that was on
the occasion of their first anniversary. One, two
three, four five years in quick succession few by,
and still the circle unbroken but the seventh
cycle waned, death entered their midst and marked
his victim. The seventh anniversary and there was
empty place. never to be filed on earth again.
The supper was given BY the member who receiv-
ed the casket; it his to chose what il would be-
and if he set before his fellow members but cup
of water and crust of bread it was their duty to
partake heartily Of his cheer. -- 7.-yt
Twenty-One years subsequently, to the organize.
ton of the Society and the last man met to perform
the solemn duty which sacredly promised the
30th of September 1882. The task-for such it must
have been--fell TO DIR. John L. Waiter, who still
lives, the only surviving member of the 50 The Last
Man Society," His feelings at table, with the six
unturned plates and the six vacant chairs can bet
ter be imagined than described.