The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-01
A REMARKABLE INSTITUTION
The Origin and Subsequent History of
the Order of Sons of Malta.
Organized for the Capture of Cuba, Tt Finally
Became Society Where BOisterOus
Fun Ruled the Hour
Ben: perley Poore, in Boston Budget.


The Sons of Malta, secret order which
sprang into existance during the early part of
Mr. Buchanans administration, was a remark a-
bic institution. The original object of the or
ganizaton was the capture of Cuba, and many
prominent military men of the South were the
leading spirits in the movement but the fill
clustering was soon abandoned and we'll known
newspaper man, who had been initiated, con-
ceived the idea Of making "some fun for the
boys" The whole business of imitation. ETC.,
was transformed into a series of the most stu
pendous sells, practical jokes, and outrageous
comical proceedings ever dreamed of. The order
spread rapidly all over the Union. 1t was gen
orally believed By the outside public that the
Sons Of Malta was benevolent society, and to
foster this belief frequent lengthy notices of
charity deeds performed by the order were
published in the newspapers all over the land.
Meetings were held weekly, and there was so
much solid fun to be enjoyed that nothing short
OF death in the family would deter a member
from attending. Therefore, III many places the
membership so great that the utmost diff
fculty was experienced in obtaining lodge rooms
of sufficient capacity.
Candidates for initiation, having been Invested
of all metallic substances were ushered into the
hall, where those who were already members
were arranged in rows each covered from head
to foot with a white or black gown in which
were cut small holes for the eyes and mouth. To
each candidate the master of ceremonies, in
most impressive and pleasing manner stated
the objects of the order and told how the broth
erhood came together with aim and one
understanding. I'VE are bound together he
said. by the ties of love, confidence, and char
lty for one another, strengthened and sOlidified
by the cement of confession. We open up the
secrets of our hearts in the hearing and pres
ence of each other. We are ali sinful creatures
and confession is good for the soul Our good
InnI d. III
are recorded, and in due time these records are
burned, and the ashes are all that remain of
dead and forgotten past"
Then the candidate was asked If he was will
ling to leave the sinful world behind and enter
upon the new life. An affirmative answer. and
the initiation began. He was Immediately blind
folded, led to stepladder, and told to ascend
and seat himself the top stair with arms
folded. This was the position each had to &C
cupy while undergoing the ordeal of a confession
of his misdeeds. He would he led along by
adroit questioning until he made what was
garded a clean breast Of his moral shortcom-
lngs When particularly rich or unexpected
admission was eXtorted from him, deep sepul-
chral voice solemnly exclaimed: Record it,
And Immediately heavy blow struck upon
large gong or a big drum to drown the
irrepressible laughter. If candidate gave evil
! dence of desire to conceal anything he was
given to understand 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 answer some indicate queS
ton liable to lead into a channel that might
involve him iii a disagreeable confession. And
all through this was exactly what was aimed at.
In such cases an intimate friend of the candl-
date would pass up to the master of ceremonies
on slip of paper a point or two in some ques-
tiOnable transaction of the applicants life and
this would prove the key to unlock the secret
recesses of his heart. Then would the master
4c,,O e nl,,1yn
The records of the order show that unon such
a day, in such year, while you were in the city
of New York, you did thus and So" Then, in
tone mildly eXpostulatO1y, he continued My
friend-would | could call you brother-as l
have said before all your misdeeds are known to
the order to which you seeking admission.
While crossing the Iportals which separate
brotherhood from wicked and sinful world, and
while about entering upon q new life and
breathing purer atmosphere, you have migrate
fully 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 that tribunal for punishment"
The feeling that their secrets might actually be
In possession of the brotherhood and an indefina-
BILE dread of what the council of ten might do in
the way of punishment, invariably unlocked the
mouth, and some of tho 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 affirmative the
reply was: Let me see you" If in the mega
tive, the answer was: 1--WE will teach YOU" Still
blindtolded. he was marched to q far corner of
the room, where a stream OF water from faucet
kept up the delusion of a prospective bath, and
commanded to disrobe for the plunge. Four
strong brothers then seized him, and with a toss
placed him with his face downward, his body
resting on the top of high STOOL and told him
to ''strike out" The deusion was so great that
nfI lyIO 4
make the most ridiculous exertions imaginable.
The new-fiedged brother then had to be put
through the drying machine. This was high.
narrow box, just high enough and wide enough
for man to stand upright in. When he was in
three Stats were inserted to keep him in position
while he was going through the drying process.
The box was hung on piyots. between two up
right ars and had attached to the side crank
by which it could be readily and quite rapidly
revolved. He was whried round and round
perpendiculary heels over head. first quite slow
ly, and then with gradually increasing speed,
until the breath of the human propeller gave
out.
The frightened candidate was then removed to
an easy chair to take rest, while further ques-
tions prOpounded to him, and the sonorous
'R-ec-o-rd it," resounded through the hall after
each of his answers. He was then told to prepare
for the trough and rugged road" He was placed
on all tours, and by prodding from the rear,
forced to crawl through long iron boiler, on
which the men were hammering; thence up
rough incline to the top OF pedestal twelve or
fifteen feet high, from which he was showed into
large blanket made Of sail-coth, with hand
holes for ten men on a side. Then ne was sent
flying to the ceiling Down he would come, and
up he would go, at the rate of thirty times i'll
sixty seconds, and such shaking up as the poor
fellow experienced cannot be realized by those
who have not been through the mill"
Finally, the candidate was Informed that he
had proved himself able to endure the hardships
of camp life, and was asked what weapon he was
| fnrl JlIn~x Will klar 4bn rla%
the broadsword" The weapon with which he
acknowledged familiarity was handed him Che
being all the while blindfoldedl. and he was
drilled by some militiaman present. The band
| age was then removed from his eyes, and he was
| informed that in view of the fact that he had
suffered so many indignites and passed through
such a trying ordeal the lodge had decided to
confer upon him the honorary title of G. r. j.