Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-05-10
;atlistellaueuas &eading.
ABOUT "THE SONS OF MALTA."'
THEsECRET FUN OF AQUARTER OF Il CEN
TURT AGO.

Just quarter of a century ago a secret So
ciety, known as the Sons of Malta, sprang
suddenly into existence in the city of New
Orleans. The original object of the organi-
Zation was the capture of Cuba, and many
prominent military men of the South were
the leading spirits in the movement. For
reasons which the writer is not at liberty to
divulge, the fillibustering plans of the order
were abruptly squelched, and soon thereaf,
ter well-knOWn newspaper man, VINO had
been initiated, conceived the idea of making
'some fun for the boys" The whole busl,
ness of the initiation, &C., was transformed
into series of the most stupendous sells,
practical Jokes and outrageously comical
proceedings ever dreamed of. The order
spread rapidly all over the Union. 1t was
generally believed by the outside public that
the Sons of Malta Wasss benevolent society,
and to foster this belief frequent lengthy
notices of charitable deeds performed by the
orderwere published in the newspapers all
over the land. Meetings were held weekly
and there was SO much solid fun to be en-
joyed that nothing short of death in the
family would deter a member from attend
ing. Therefore, in many places the mem
bership was so great that the utmost difficult
ty was experienced in obtaining glodge-rooms
of sufficient capacity.
Candidates for initiation were ushered into
the hall, where those who were already
members were arranged in rows, each COW
cred from head to foot with white or black
gown, in which were cut small holes for the
eyes and mouth. With this garment on the
identity of the wearer was perfectly con-
cealed, and the candidates, who were lnitla-
ted at one time, did not know whether they
were in the hands of friends or strangers.
To each candidate the "maSter of ceremO-
MES" in a most impressive and pleasing
manner, stated the objects of the Order and
told how the brotherhood came together
with one aim and one understanding. I'VE
are bound together" he said, "by the ties of
love, confidence and charity for one another,
strengthenedand solidifed by the cement
of confession. We open up the secrets OF
our hearts in the hearing and presence OF
each other. We are all sinful creatures, and
confession is good for the soul. Our good
deeds speak for themselves, and our bad
deeds are recorded, and in due time these
records are burned, and the ashes are all
that remain of a dead and forgotten past"
Then the candidate was asked if he was
willing to leave the sinful world behind
and enter upon the new life. An affirma-
tive answer, and the initiation began. He
was Immediately blindfolded, led to step
ladder, and told to ascend and seat himself
on the top stair with arms folded. This
was the position each had to occupy while
undergoing the ordeal of confession" of
his mis-deeds. He would be led along by
adroit questioning until he made what was
regarded as "clean breast" of his moral
shortcomings. When a particularly rich
or unexpected admission was pumped out
of him, a deeper sepulchral voice solemnly
exclaimed:
ID n n n - II -
And Immediately a heavy blow was
struck upon big drum to drown the lr-
repressible laughter.
If candidate gave evidence of desire
to conceal anything he was given to under
stand that the inner secrets of his soul were
known to the order, and to hesitate in
giving them would be an objectionable
crime in the eyes of the brotherhood. This
would suffice for many, but the majority
would of course hold out and refuse to an
sWer some indelicate questions, liable to
lead into channel that might involve him
in a disagreeable confession; And all
through thiswas exactly whatwas aimed at.
In such cases an intimate friend OF the
candidate would pass up to the master OF
ceremonies on slip of paper point or two
in some questionable transaction Of the ap
plicant's life, and this would prove the key
to unlock the secret recesseS of his heart.
Then would the master say, in tone OF
rebuke:
"The records of the order show that upon
such day in such a year, while you were
in the City of Cincinnati you did thus and
So" Then in tone mildly expostulatory
he continued:
"My friend-would I could call you
brother-as / have said before, all your
misdeeds are known to the order to which
you are seeking admission. While cross
ing the portal which separates our brother
hood from wicked and sinful world, and
while about entering upon new life, and
breathing a purer atmosphere, you have
ungratefully tried to deceive us. For this
you are to be punished and thrust back into
the wickedness you are so ,loath to Leave
behind.
'Sir Knight, summon the council OF ten
and take the recreant before the tribunal
for punishment"
Then to the candidate in saddened tone
"Sir. there is but one way in which you
can redeem yourself in the eyes of the
brotherhood-make a full and complete
confession"
The feeling that their secrets might actu-
ally be in possession OF the brotherhood,
and an indefnable dread OF what that
council of ten might do in the way OF pun
ishment invariably unlocked the mouth,
and some of the most sedate citizens-men
of good character and standing-were forced
to own up to moral transgressions they
would not care to have appear in print.
The candidate was then asked if he could
swim. If he answered in the affirmatlVe,
the reply was, "Let us see you.' II in the
negative, the answer was, "We will teach
YOU" Still blindfolded, he was marched to
far corner of the room, where a stream OF
water from faucet kept up the delusion OF
prospective bath, and commanded to dis
robe for the plunge. Four strong brothers
with hisstomach resting on hetOp Of astool
and told him to "strike out" The delusion
was so great that the poor victim would
kick and paw the air, and make the most
ridiculous eXertiOns Imaginable.
Although it was dry bath, the new
ledged brother had to be put through the
drying-machine. This was a high, narrow
box lust high enough and wide enough for
a man to stand upright in. When he was
in three Stats were inserted to keep him in
position while he was going through the
process. The box was hung on pivots be-
tween two upright bars, and had attaehed
to the side a crank by which it could be
readily and quite rapidly revOlved. And
this was only one of the trials which the am
bilious seeker after the mysteries of Malta
had to undergo. Hewas whirled round and
round perpendicularly, head over heels and
heels over head, first quite slow and then
with gradual increasing speed until the
breath of the human propeller gave out.
The frightened fellow was then removed to
an easy chair to take a rest, While further ne r
questions were propounded to him, and the
sonorous "Re-c-O-r-dit it" resounded through
III In