The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-06
RIDING THE GOAT.
InitiatOry Ceremonies of Odd-FellOwship De-
scribed in Court

Toronto (ont.) Special
A unique case was tried to-day before Mr.. Jus
tice Gait at Whitby, a small village twenty
miles east of this city. Richard Knver chair
maker, brought suit against the Phoenix Lodge
of Odd-fellows, of Whitby, for injuries received
at the hands of the members of the lodge while
he was being initiated into the mysteries of the
order. The case is the first of the kind ever
brought before a court of justice in this coun-
try, and has excited great deal of interest.
The courtroom to-day was crowded with mem
bers of the Phoenix Lodge and curious outsiders,
anxious to learn something of the secrets of the
brotherhood. The plaintiff appeared in court
leaning on crutches He was badly bruised about
the face and body, and appeared to be suffering
severe pain On the witness stand he
tod the story of events on the night
of his initiation. He was met he said,
by a committee of the Odd-fellows'
lodge, who first blindfolded him by drawing a
black cap down over his face, that he could
not see the slightest thing and then led him
into the lodge room, His entry was the signal
for shouts of derisiOn from the members pres
ent He had hardly got inside the when
he was forcibly seized from either side and
whirled round till he had become dizzy that
he had lost ali idea of his surroundings. Then
a chain was fastened about his body and he was
. dragged roughly about the room, the cap being
still down over his head. When the brethren
had tired of yanking him about at the end of the
chain he was brought up standing while mys-
terious iargon was gone through with Sud
denly the candidate received a rough push from
some one behind, which threw him over some
thing and he fell headlong on the floor, striking
in falling upon a stool, which cut deep cash in
his head. He was partly stunned by the fall
He was Just conscious enough to hear some one
ask in deep voice, Brethren, shall we have
mercy2' and some one else replied, Have
mercy Then he was lifted up off the
floor by the chain, and was led about the
room for awhile, with the cap still on, until he
had somewhat recovered from the effects of the
fall. His initiation not concluded, owing to
his inability to endure more Since then the
witness testified that he had been sick so that
he had been unable to support his family by
working at his trade. Physicians whom he had
consulted said that his injuries would trouble
get over them. The defendant Odd-fe,lows
admit the truth of Knvers testimony regarding
his experience in the lodge-room. They said it
was the custom of the lodge to lead candidates
for initiation around with a view of bewildering
or befogglng them so that when the cap is re-
moved, they cannot find the door by which they
entered the room There is no intention of
harming the candidates, and the initiation is not
rougher than healthy man could stand. The
constitution of the order requires that candidates
shall be of sound health. Plaintiff knew this
and procured his initiation by fraudulent rep
resentatons and concealment regarding his
health Medical men testified that Kinver had
received internal injuries from which he might
die. The case was adjourned to high court Mt
Toronto.