The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-06-12
HOME MATTERS.
knights of &c.

| An organization with the same beneficiary ad
vautages as the Masonic or Odd Fellow fatcrni
ties, has been organized in this city, anC
received its articles Of incorporation from tn,
Secretary of State at Springfield. The society de
clares its objects TO be:
First The object Of this organization shall be
the perpetuation of the principles of representa-
tive g0Yernmentas embodied in the Declaration
| of Independence and Illustrated in the lives OF
our revolutionary fathers.
| Second To associate ourselves together in such
a manner as shall tend to our individual improve.
ment, and for the best interests of the society in
which we reside.
Ihdd. To alleviate the suierinss of members
in Distress and to assist rs the case may require
in their prosperity.
! This platform is certainly one which will find
an endorsement in the heart of every true citi.
zen whether native born or an American by
adoption.
| The workings of the fraternity are pronounced
to be as imposing and as sure to receive the en-.
dorsement Of sensible men, as either the name
or principles
The uniform which will be worn by members
consists of the Continental hat, baldrlc, sword
and belt and guantets, and is pronounced by the
most experienced regala manufacturers to be
such combination as will present the most i'm.
posing procession yet equipped by any society
for parade.
The colors around which the members will
rally is the colonial fag, upon the field Of which
will be thirteen stars,
AS the name implies, ii is al order OF Ameri.
can knighthood- only one we believe in
existence, as we understand the Knight Templar
to be an ancient order, while the Knights Of
Pythias are ,iniericaa made but are really pro.
mulSators of the old Roman order of Knights.
1t occurs to us that the founders of the Knights
Of Seyenty.six have struck the key note of al
Organization which Will recruit thousands of
members Certainly America is capable Of sup
porting an American order of Knighthood and
we opiRe the institution viii succeed beyond
the expectation Of its founders.
The officers of the Grand Lodge are:
R.J. Bliss, /. q. c.
GEO. 5. WILLIAMS, l. &. \.
A. BILLows, !. &. NJ.
JSo. CoLLINGs, IG,P.
A. E. GIBBS, l. &C.
o. A. BARNES, ]. G. 5.
L. L. McKINLAY, !. 6. officer Of the Guard.
JNO. A. BUSH, |. G.. B.
Z. S. YENTzER, !. &. knight Of the North
CHAs. NJ CATLIN, !. q. Knight OF the East.
W. K. LECKY, l. &. Knight Of the South.
JNO. BEACH, ]. c. Knight of the West.
HARRY W. SMITH, l. &. c, and G.
The number OF officers in a subordinate Fort
are also thirteen.
As intimated above, the Grand Lodge is q body
corporate, and will organize subordinate Forts.
Petitions are now being circulated in over a
dozen different places, and Forts will be organ
lied as soon as the petitions are sent in,
A subordinate to bear the name OF Pioneer
Fort, No, l, will be organized this evening in
this city, with some fifty memters.
Among those who have become infatuated
with the new organization is Billy Neyins, the
leader of the great Neyins X Deans military
band, Chicago. He proposes 10 form Fort Of
his own members, equip with the continental
uniform, and head the procession in their march
in Philadelphia, July ith, 1876
Persons desiring information in regard TO the
organization can 90 so 10y addressing either K.
], Bliss or George 5. Williams, at Ottawa, IL.