The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-01
VICTIMlZED MASONS.
THE FRATERNITY ABOUT BUNTYN
STATION IN DEEP SORROW.
A First-C Glass Fraud, Well Up on Test
Points, Secures Various Sums OF
Money on the Distress Racket-The
Story Of His Miefortunes.

:, The Masonic fraternity residing in and
nround Buntyn station, a few miles from
Memphis, on the Memphis & Charleston
railroad, have been extensively yictimized
during the past few days. On Monday,
January IS, about O. o'clock pm, a
stranger appeared in the community, rep
resenting himself as master Mason, and
rs being in "distress." lie was well up
on the test point Of Masonry, and sue
ceedcd in securing various sums OF money
from the members OF Park avenue lodge
No. 1852, A. f. and A. NJ. These sums of
money he readily promised TO refund in a
very short time, and gave his due bill in
payment for same. lie held a telegram
signed by Mr.. Thompson, NM"
stating that he had expressed his dun
bars trunk and 500 to Marshall Tex.
This telegram was sent from Birmingham,
Ala, to Tupelo, Miss.
The stranger gave the name Of ii. A.
Dunbar, member OF St. Johns lodge No.
6S, and Hofi'man's chapter No. 10, Bowl
ing Green, Ky. He stated that no had
been employed as yardmaster at one OF the
depots at Birmingham, Ala, and was com
PEELED TO "beat hasty retreat" almost
empty handed, from the fact of difficulty
in which he had wounded man for which
he was threatened with arrest. He stated
that this man whom he had wounded pre-
sented him with document for his sigma
ture. The purport Of this document was
TO effect a strike. Upon his refusal TO sign
the document he was outrageously de-
nounced. At this che let her go and
stabbed the man in the shoulder" To
another party he said he shot him through
the shoulder. lie said he was Immediately
telephoned to by high official TO skip and
make sure his retreat, as detectives would
be CENTRALIZED in every direction. lie said
he had telephoned from Tupclo to the
superintendent Of his company to compro-
mise at any cost, which would certainly
be done, and that he would return in a
few days TO pursue the even tenor Of his
way.
This rascally individual Dunbar is about
thirty-eight years of age, dark, sandy hair,
light blue or gray eyes, clean shaved ex.
cept light mustache, and brisk, excita-
BILE talker has thin, close fitting lips and
ford complexion he wore dark suit Of
clothes, blue cotton shirt and large black
cravat, and a black SLOUGH hat, broad
brim, and was about five feet ten inches
high.
Feeling morally certain that they had
been dealing with an imposter, and in or
der 10 further satisfy themselves, Messrs.
J. A. Bate and 7. p. Majors, officers OF
Park Avenue lodge, addressed letter TO
"the master or secretary Of any Masonic
lodge in Bowling Green, KY" In a short
time the following reply was returned:
BOWLING GKHS. KY Jan. %, 1855.
J. A. Ratte, Esq, Buntyn. shelby County, Tenn.
Dear Sir and Brother-Yours sd TO
hand. Mr.. II. A. Dunbar is certainly an
imposter and should be treated as such.
The name Of our lodge is Bowling Green,
No. 10, and Bowling Green chapter No.
80. A. i. Durham is our master and |
am the II. +. Of the chapter. will for
ward your letter TO our grand secretary, so
as TO have Mr.. Dunbar published as an
imposter. Fmiernally yours,
JAS. II. WILKINSON,
II. p, Bowling Green Chap. No. 80.
Dunbar is certainly very bad citizen,
and the wish is genuine that he may be
speedily arrested and brought TO account
for his rascality.