The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-06-02
MASONRY SAVED HIM.
A THRILLING STORY.

we are luueDteQ 10 Inc FOTtlu0u
Aryns for the following thrilling
story;
Ii we are not mistaken we have
heard or read that truth is stanger
than fiction" An instance, strictly
true, has come to our knowledge
which wildly illustrates that, and
also exhibits with almost startling ef-
feet the danger of mob law and bene-
fits OF Masonry.
A young Maine man, who is engag-
ed in the Commercial travelling
business for Chicago house, was ie-
Gently travelling out in the far West,
when he was taken possession of on
the train by men who simply inform
| ed him that they were officers and
wanted him. He expostulated, ex-
planned, demanded explanations, &C.,
but all in vain. No one on the train
knew him, and there were those who
did know the officers. All that he
could get from them was that he was
the man they wanted. In this way
he was taken some ninety miles into
the interior. Upon arrival he had no
longer TO remain in ignorance of his
supposed offence, the whole village
being out to welcome him with such
cries as, "Here's the id horse thief
caught at last"
Lets string him up!"
Tue officers made some show ut re-
sistance, but the excited mob took
possession Of their victim, and march
ed him into town, near the center OF
which moose was already strung
over q limb of tree. Our friend
thought it was all mp with him sure.
Expostulation vas received with do
rision. Every body recognized him
as notorious horse thief, whose dep.
relations in the vicinity had been
long continued and extensive. A
horse thief in that section is looked
upon as something worse than o say.
age murderer. There was not pity.
ing eye i'll the crowd, aud the uniyer.
sal howl was to lyuch him. He tried
to pray, but but the commercial tray.
cling business had ruined him fol
praying. While waiting under the
moose happy thought struck him
His Masonry. He was q Royal Arch
Mason.
| In all that crowd there must bt
Masons. He gave the Grand Hail
ing Signal of Distress. We are no
at liberty to explain how it was don,
for several reasons, the chief one o
which is, we don't know. But b,
gave it. and in an instant one of th'
foremost citizens of tho town spranl
to his side, and he gave some NOR,
Masonic signals, and the prisone
was quickly surrounded with twent,
or thirty determined men, who helt
the crowd ut bay with drawn pistols
Our friend explained to the Ieadin;
man who he was. This organized
committee of investigation, telegraph
ed to Chicago and verified all hi
statements. and the brutal mob slunl
away heartily ashamed. Our frien,
was made as comfortable as possibl
by his Masonic Friends, but he say
he never experienced such intens
anxiety as he did when he stood un
der that moose.
The above is strictly true in all it
essential points. We have the name
of the parties and places. The syoun
man who rescued him proved to b
an old friend of his fathers.
REMARKS.
The above is only one of the man
good features of Masonry. The MOI
al bearing of the smblematical servi
ces of the order connot fail to max
men better, the monitorial lesson
command the mind with the mos
ennobling and holy lessons, while tn
,, practical workings of the order civ
the world the proudcst displays c
good will and benevolence ever see
: among mortals. The deeds of nobl
daring, the acts of superlative good
: ness, the triumphs of intereste
love stamp on the time honored es
. cntcheon Of Masonry in letters {
gold the impress of true greatnes.
, goodness. and fame. When purs
Observation-Disclosures relig
ons Professionalism hypocrites-
have, with all their boasted piet,
cast off the widow and the orphan,
the knowledge of many of US NJ,
: sonry, with its tender hand, has t,
. ken them up. When boasting. lont
! mouthed pretendsrs to holinesss ha,
been standing by quoting to the su
ferer, "The lord will provide" NJ,
sonry has stepped in between the r.
/ ligious mocker and his victim, an
| poured in the emollient and Sama
| itan panacea. While designir
Q tricksters and deceivers have gor
# about the country. peddling the
J. cheap trash against the institution
1t and thus hoodwinkipg and gullir
their deluded victims and listener
;, tho unscathed and majestic ord
h moves on in solemn grandeur. II
I tremendous rapidity with which Il
/! membership of the order is increa
II ing proves that the enemies there
y are only having their labor for the
IS pains, and rather aiding than dis
bling the cause. Those who are
- dull and blind that they cannot s
n the sun are dull and blind indee
70 The Cristiaal Winess.
w
a The Governor OF Massachusetts b
= appointed Mrs.. Julia Ward Howe o.