The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-05-28
NINETY DEGREES.
How the Leading Masons of Toledo Were
Taken In and Done For.
Toledo Bee.1

How the Leading Masons of Toledo Were
Taken In and Done For.
Toledo Bee.l
Wednesday of last week, the 14th inst.
gentleman of pleasing address, polished ex-
terror, and captivating as a conversatIonalist,
registered at the Body House, under the
name OF @. G. Burt, hailing from Jackson,
Mich. With HIM was associated q gentle
man who passed by the name OF Strength.
Mr.. Burt was assigned to room No. 1877.
1t was not long till this gentleman of
pleasing address ingratiated himself in the
good graces of quite number of the leading
spirits of the Masonic fraternity, and to
whom he produced what were deemed good
and honest vouchers. that he was empowered
with due and lawful authority to
confer the Egyptian Masonic Rite of Mem
phis, or 80 degrees in Masonry. His
Endorsement, as his papers showed, came
from no less parsonage than V. L. Her
States Knights Templar. and others. The
80 degrees were to be impaired for the IN
significant stipend of $40, and all to be con-
ferred IN 30 minutes by the watch.
Such q rare opportunity Of obtaining 30
high . grade in Masonry was not to be ig-
nored or passed lightly by-and then, too,
for the small sum of IL / Q cents degree
This was a big consideration in these times of
monetary stringency. The thing was talked
up, and % of the faithful brethren of the
mystic he-some of them who have been
honored with the highest positions In the
order in the State-agreed to be initiated in
the sublime 80 degree rite, and accordingly
PAID THEIR $40 EACH,
in solemn conclave assembled in room 1877
of the Body. where the obligation of the
degree was most solemnly administered.
In appending their signatures to the paper
they were required to acknowledge him, the
said G. c. Burt, as grand master for life.
The money-$230-wss all paid AID the
obligation taken, and what yet remained,
and still remains, was the comforting of the
degrees. The suave gentleman, with the
blandest smile, fixed Monday as the day for
comforting the degrees and installing the
officers, as he should be compelled to return
to Jackson at once, on account of sickness in
his family. He left the city last Saturday,
and was to return on Monday without fail.
His family Is probably very sick, for he has
select %" are still watching and waiting
with their degrees Encountered and their
officers uninstalled.
LOOKS LIKE SELL.
Since the smiable gentleman's departure,
circumstances have developed some strong
suspicious that the % have been the victims
OF stupendous SELL The name OF the grand
commander Of the United States, K. r., ID
not v. L. Herbert. HIS initials are N. v.
IEis, VIC peiieVo, was TOTO MI. burt, Dut ne
passed the matter over by saying that he
was known as Vincent Lombard, the name
of his wife. Letters have been received also
from several sources-among them from
Michigan, Indiana and Iliinois-saying that
he has played . similar game elsewhere, and
warning friends against the swindle.
A letter has also been received from Grand
Commander N. ". Herbert, IN which he de-
mics that he has ever Endorsed Mr.. Burt OF
that he has had anything to do with the
gentleman, denouncing him as an ImpSster.
Two for five or nine for . dollar" will not
soon be forgotten In the Masonic CIRCLES OF
1.-THE Future Great