, 1875-11-15
AN IMP0sTOR UNMAsKED.
70 Ghs EdItor af 1he Chicago Tribune:

70 Ehs Edtor AZ 1he Chicago Tribune:
BATAVIA, ILL.,, Nov. 11.-In tho early part OF
the present ychr. 3 man styling hinselt the nev.
II. +. Barton. claiming TO bo minialer Of tue
Chrsttan Church, and representing himself ~
belonging to Nodaway Lodge, No. d5, H., F.,
aud A. H.. at Qutnoy, H., mado hia appearance
at this place. IIo Was soon scttlod as pastor OF
tho Chrlrtlsu Church horc, and WAS, After duo
examination. welcomed ~ visitor to tho Ma
sonio Lodge hore. and cordially greeted AZ
brother by the members thereof. Everything waa
lovely tor atlmo, but ut length rumors desogatory
10 ths prayioua character of Barton began to ha
circulated. Investigation proved tho rumors to
hayc moro truth than faIschood In their compo-
Elton. barton published In tho iocal papor
what he claimed to 10 All hnancr to the runosa
and viudlcation OF his character. Ho also ap-
penled to tho Lodge. In tho character Of IN
abused and traducod Mason, for tbs moral sup
port Of its membs1a to fraa himself from Tho
asposaione cast upon Ills character. Thts appeal
was mado with that bsszen& impudonco
which 10 of,on passes for injured
Innocence. and was not altogether without
itt pEeet on tho membcrA hearing II !;
but tue Lodge thought best to inyeatieato IT.
tie further before assuming to carry what might
letter WAS sont to Nodaway Lodge, No. 55 GUM
cY, Ia, making inquiries ~ to Darton'd standing
and character thoro; but, in due course OF time
the !otter WAS returned II not haylhg been called
for,-thus proving conclnslyely that there IVES no
hucl, Lodge tlerc, and thAt Barton waH not 4
momber taoEo.
Pending "a answer to this letter OF Inquiry,
l}arton loft tho place, but wroto \ letter fr,ln
Chicago to tho Master Of the Masonic Lotluo
hete. Ut which letter tbs following IL true
copys
r. d. Il. N.-pgAH Sin: wrote to 1owa ss soon al
al n1 To- he
ncpey 70 wsa La:
dues an tu.s In receipt o! letter that Informs 1e
I'D not si.e my Lodgs auiabes rsht Il S.t.1is.
tont see how under the sun should have forgotten
4: IN ~ ssry sorry shoala a! hsvs imposed "a tLe
o.iIon Now iroshsr naeSsr. humby tss md md ra, ny
Iodgo, nd pronise you wsi nos sppty ssain III
raY n,y duea aud an again reinstate ileaso anawer
assn ssf1 ssiu.g s sass 'sf ss nos :tt'
Upon tho receipt ct this letter. relying upon
the promise he thoEoin made that ha would not
again endoavoF to thrust himself upon sny Lodge,
nor claim fellowship With the fraternity, until ha
the matter drop and push IL no further. But.
within the last faw days. savhsal letters hayo been
received by meulbers Of tue latAylA Lodge from
'nsmbsra Of tho Masonic Lodge = Walcott. lad,
and stating thai ho was pursuing tho same
course thoss he did hero. soliciting and roceislng
aid from, and imposing uron, the fr&sdrnlty
there, ~ he did hotai md THAI, loo, after max
| lug piodF0 not to 90 80.
That the pablo 1t large and tho Masonic frA-
| teFnitx might ba Wttne4 sgalnst Barton. aud ba
! placed on lheir guard against auy further impo.
stlon bs him. It waa deamcd proper to make tt.s
public axpprure, thst otbeF lmpostora might til
| warning tgosa haEton'a fata.
By order Of NatAsis Lodge, No. ioi, a.. r., and l..
Hasons.
D. II. M4xsoa, Secretary.