The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1861-03-14
THE LAST OF THE SONS OF
NALrA.
From the New York Evening Post,


the sons of Malta which is represented
as being ancient because the memory OF
man knoweth not its origin, and honor>
able because the great and wise Of every
age have been numbered with its firm
friends end steadfast supporters, came to
a complete, if not inglorious end, this
forenoon. The furniture of Pro Patria'
Lodge. the largest. most thoroughly
equipped, and most famous in the Uni
ted States, was sold at auction, under
mortgage, at eleven o'clock, together
with all the regalia and warlike imple-
ments which seemed TO have entered
largely into the iniliaory services Of this
mystic brotherhood.
The sale occurred il the lodge room, a
spacious hall at al4 Broadway, the first
floor from the roof, and the fifth from the
earth. The hall was fitted up iu peculiar
style of elegance. Thefoor richly car
peted, and the room was surrounded by
long sofas, while the walls were decora-
ted with twenty-four knights in armor,
with tapestry, and with the red CROSS of
St. John. which appears to have been the
symbol Of the order.
The articles sold were classified as fol-
lows: lst, the useful; Cd, the instru-
mental; Sd. ornamental and MYSTICAL
Under the first head were sold the sofas,
chairs, carpets, &C.. one Of the carpets
containing three hundred yards, and sell
ling for seventy five cents per yard hall
what it cost. Uuder the second head
were sold an Alexandra organ, which
was started at $50 and sold at 500. AL
SO, Chinese Gong, which the "broth-
ers" assert, WAS formerly owned by The
Emperor Chow Chow, and which bro
S1l. An immense tin trumpet and
quantity of horns were also sold for ,
trine.
Under the third head were sold FIVE
"bloodless swords" When the auction.
eer reached these articles. one of the in
iiiatsd called out the top of his voice.
Now, let the stranger feel the height O
the sword! Now, stranger, be strong &
brave. andsleap with all your might, fol
this will put your courage to the test!"-
whereupon those who appeared to un-
derstand it. laughed heartily, and out
siders concluded that this must have
been part of the initiation ceremones.
According to the hand bills, these
swords were "made Of Damascus steel,
and used in the terrible wars of the
Knights of Malta, with roast beef and
plum-pudding, eighteen hundred years
before the deluge;;" and "were presented
to Pro Patria Lodge by Alexander the
Great" Among them was said to be
the celebrated sword which was suspen.
led BY single thread. The purchasers,
however, did not seem to be impressed
with their great value. for the five
swords only brought FIVE dollars.
Then there were FIVE terrible tin
spears, which were sold in a lot for four
shillings. TLsn seven helmets, said to
have descended from the Crusaders un-
der Peter the Hermit, with vizors com
plete, were also sold in lot for the same
amount. Then came the mail and ar
NOR, which went on like easy terms,
five or six shillings paying for the whole.
Next were sold eight rusty muskets,
with fixed bayonets, for four shillings
each. Several hundred deminoss with
cowls, black and white, were sold at
twelve and fifteen cents apiece. THE
Rugged Path" was not sold, but judg-
ing from its appearance, the strangers"
who passed over it must have had q
rough journey over the rollers.
After the furniture and other articles
named had been sold, the auctioneer
Withdrew to the back room, and proceed
ed to sell rega!ia, which he said must not
be exposed to the gaze OF the uninlIla.
ted. The mystic volume, said to be a
large illustrated octave work was sold
unseen.
The "sacred BATH" however, was dis
played to the crowd. 1t sold for s so,
and appeared to be nothing more nor
less than large punch bowl.
In conclusion, the "brothers" joined
ia song to the tune of "Auld Lang
Syne," beginning
when old Maltesia first was born;''
The crowd dispersed; and thus ends
the mystic hrot herhood Of the l. o. S.
M.