The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1883-11-10
KNIGHTS OF PTTHIAs.
A Worthy Society.

This order was organized at Washing
ton. d. c., February 10, 1864, by Justus
H. Rathbone. who Is recognized as the
founder Of the Order. Its growth at the
beginning was not at all rapid, for, al
though several lodges were formed dur
ing that and the succeeding year, they
were but shortlived, and at the close OF
the year 1865 there remained but one
lodge, having membership of fifty-two.
With the wear 1865 the growth of the
Order became more substantial and that
wear closed with four lodges and 37g
members. The next year was a very
PROSPEROUS one and the lodges grew to
number forty-one, having a membership
of 6S47. In 1868 began the marvellous
growth which first attracted the general
attention of the country, and which has
continued steadily ever since, showing
the vitality and the need of the Order.
At the end OF 1858 there were 1S7 lodges
and 34.624 members. and the Order began
to find recruits IN other fields than the
immediate vicinity where IL first saw
light. In few brief years il was planted
In every state and territory of this coun-
try. and ectiye lodges are now at work IN
forty-foUr states and territories, the Dis
trict of Columbia, tie province of Onta-
ish Columbia and the Sandwich Islands.
At tie beginning Of the year 1888 there
were 1876 lodges, with a total member
ship of 1924 Knights, and the Order Is
increasing at the rats of ab0Ct 2J,00C
members annually. There are three
ranks-Page, Esquire and Knight.
The Endowment rank Is entirely sepa-
rate from the others, save that - enter
il enc must Dc a knight IN good standing
in some lodge of tbs Order. There are
three classes IN the Endowment rank.
The first pays 5000 Oh the death OF s
member: the second class, 5000, and the
third class, $1,000. All members under ~
wears can enter all classes, but those over
90 years can enter only the third class. As
often as Is rendered necessary by deaths
occurring. the members are assessed ST.
in each class, and have thirty DAYS IN
which 20 pay 1t after the issue Of the
notice. The average cost Of this insur-
ance Is about per cent. annually of the
amount that will be received in the case
of death. Up TO June 30, 1888, the En-
dowment rank has paid out $1,73l, $40 rs
benefits To families and deceased mem
bers.
The uniform rank is another rank that
is strictly optional with the members
after having attained TO the rank of
knight. To those fond of display, or pos
seSsed of military desires, this rank Offers
a means of qualification. Its uniform is
one of the handsomest ever devised fOl
the members of secret order. and it i
rapidly coming into favor and new divis-
ions are constantly being organized.
DR.. King, p. g. c. and s. of Toronto
is bent on having three Canadian grand
jurisdictions represented at the New Or.
leans session of the Supreme Lodge IN
1884. With that end In view he is cores
ponding with the Deputy Supreme Chan.
cellors of both New Brunswick and
Manitoba.
The next session of the Supreme Lodg,
will be held at New Orleans, beginning
on the fourth Tuesday of April
1854. The present Supreme Off
GERS are: p. $. c.. George w
Lindsay, Baltimore, Md; 5. c.. join
p. Linton. JohnstoNn. Pa; s. V. C.
John Van Nalkenburg. Fort Madison. Ia.
$. r., l.. B. Allen, Norfolk, Va; s. NJ. o.
E., J. b. Stumbh, Indianapolis, Ind; S
X. of II. and s.. John J. Ward, Balti
more. Nd; S. NJ. and A., George B
Shaw, Eau Claire, Wis: 5. ]. e.. q. C
MonlOve, Vicksburg. Miss; 5. .. e..
John w. Thompson, Washington, ID. G