The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1886-03-02
OF THE "APOSTLE. -
Charles I'll. Smith, the "Cheru'
bin, Incsrcerated in the
Warrensburg Jail.
The Latest Developments Re.
garding the ''Star of
Heaven" Order.


Heaven" Order.
A Member Roughly Handled for
Giving Away Secrets to
Outsiders.
Gum City, No., February 27.-[Special]
The BEGINNING or the end OF the grea-
order of the Stars of Heaven was inaut
gurated last evening, and from the profan-
| ity, ill-will and sulphurous scent just now
peryading this neck of the woods, one is
more inclined to look upon the affair as
emanating from the lower regions of dia-
bolism than those of celestial altitude. In
q word, the great prophet and seer, Chas-
III. Smith, is in limbo, and was safely
lodged in the Warrensbnrg Jail at p m.
to-day, to answer TO a charge OF forgery,
his case being set for preliminary hearing
on March 6th, and the chances are that he
will be sent to Jefferson City to convert
Warden Marmaduke's pets.
Agreeable to appointment the BAz0o
reporter journeyed last evening into the
Big Creek hills to be initiated by the
prophet, Smith, into the mysteries of the
Holy Order of the "Star of Heaven" After
ride of twelve miles he raped before the
door of 4. Ii. Warden, at whose house the
prophet had agreed to assemble the "stars," "
accept the fee and perform the mystic
ceremonies of taking In new victim.
1t was with some feeling OF trepidation
that the scribe knocked at the door, ex-
pecting to be immediately ushered into the
presence of the "Holy Cherubim," whose
magic words "make poor men ride In
in carriages and bankers saw
II ,a1
and Mr. Warden appeared, but
there was found no "Cherubim," no
"Grand Central Star" and only three lesser
lights were on hand. The "Stars" present,
after some hesitation, stated that L. III.
Smith was seen that morning on the road
to Creighton, but they were tirm In the be-
lief that he would come. But he did not.
Your reporter then, not TO be outdone, re-
sorted to strategy to obtain the secret OBJ
iects and manner of initiating candidates
into the order of The star OF Heaven.
This was done by producing q
copy of the BAzoo in which
the exposure Of the whole fraud
practiced by Smith was published and by
making the statement that not only Smith
but every one who had helped to induce
others to Join the lodge would be implicat-
ed and proceeded against as criminals.
This brought the desired information to
the front that neither one had as yet seen
any of the grand results promised by
Smith, but had been induced by his fine
talk and Ito them plain figures to believe
that there was millions In his plan.
j This much was learned: That before
entering a lodge the fee must be
paid that each member must
take a solemn oath of secrecy; that
they will cooperate in all speculations
and help one another when possible. They
are required TO sign the constitution and
bylaws and also q kind OF contract where
. in power of attorney is given to &. IL.
Smith as financial agent Of the lodge.
This power extends in some cases even to
|, signing notes for the members under Ger
tain circumstances, and one or two notes
of this kind have turned up, as mentioned
|, in the first article.
The officers are the treasurer and fnan-
cial secretary. The members choose from
among their number good reliable man
for q treasurer, who receives all the money
, of the lodge, and for the return of said
money and Its proper disbursement he Is
; required 10 give a good and sufficient bond.
The financial secretary has charge OF all
notes, mortgages, deeds, etc., OF the lodge
which he is required to turn over TO the
treasurer when reduced to cash
He is also fully empowered to
, sell or otherwise dispose of any property
belonging to the lodge. c. III. Smith is the
, financial agent in all lodges and here ID
where the swindle looms up When the
lodge is organized, the frst duty Of the
] financial agent is to purchase a tract Of
land adjoining some town, or at any place
and divide it ION paper) into town lots
When the lodge meets the members g
Through the ceremony of purchasing thess
lots from the financial agent in the follow
, ing manner:
! No. arises from his seat, approaches tn,
, financial secretary and says, "Hello
stranger! have you any town property yor
wish to dispose Off"
Agent Yes, / have few lots lief
,, yet"
"What is your price?"
Fifty dollars each for these" exhibit
ing plat.
, "What are your terms?"
HOne-third cash, your note for the bal
ance, bearing 10 per cent. interest, and ,
mortgage on the lots"
"Yery we'll; 1 will take three"
No. then goes to the treasurer, gets $50
gives il and his note for 500 to the agent
.. gives che treasurer receipt for the $50
J and the agent returns the $50 to the treas
urer and puts the note in his pocket
No. then goes through the same per
Torrance, only the agent raises on th'
price of the lots. He gets say $50 iron
: the treasurer, gives it and his note for $12
, to the agent The money is returned a
before, the note goes with the first, and tbs
j treasurer gets number two's receipt fol
: l$SO.
> In this manner each member gets him
self a town lot, each one receip;inl
, the treasurer for SO more thar
j the preceding one, and giving his note fol
$50 more than the last one.