Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1889-11-09
ABUSED HUSBANDS.
An Organization for their Mutual Protection
and Reiief-The Mystic Circle.

An Organization for their Mutual Protection
and Reiief-The Mystic Circle.
The most extraordinary society ever or
ganized in this country has just found
stamping ground in this city. Its title
is THE Order of the Mystic Circle" Its
objects are the protection and the relief
of unfortunate husbands. Only those
men are eligible to membership who have
had difficulties with their wives. The
difficulties, to pass muster, must be of a
serious character. 4 member once adj
mitted ceases to be in good standing
when his marital difficulties cease. The
patching up Of a household truce is a
cause for suspension and investigation.
The meeting place Of the new order is
S07 SAMSON street. A safe and inviolate
retreat has been secured in the topmost
floor Of that building. Stalwart guards
have been provided TO protect the APP
proaches. Unknown faces are proscrib-
ed. A failure to accomplish the most
intricate grip evolved by secret societies
deters even q member in good standing
from admission. Possibilities Of surprise
and exposure have been made almost as
remote as with a Masonic lodge,
1t vas osly a few nights ago hat the
initial meeting at S07 SAMSON street
was held and a temporary organization
effected. The fame of the new order
had spread. The half dozen o~riginators
of the design had communicated their
inspiration to those of their friends
whom they knew 10 be in the throes of
hymenial trouble. In an incredibly brief
time 200 damaged husbands knew that
there was balm in Gilead. They attended
the meeting. They listened to the I'M
folding of the scheme. They approved
of 1t. They elected their officers, formed
their committees and paid in their first
installments.
The husband who had the worst case
and possessed the most implacable wife
was unanimously elected to the chief eN-
ecutive Office. There was no suspicion
of sarcasm when he was conducted To
the chair al the head of the house and
received the degree of grand master"
Husbands who occupy distinguished po-
sitions in business and official circles re-
ceived the distribution of Offices. The
leading executive committee Of the or
ganization was composed of men whose
family affairs were involved beyond
question and their adjustment outside
the bonds of probability. They are dis
tinguished by the title of the grand
jury" There are twenty-five of them.
The first duty of the grand jury. as
explained at the preliminary meeting, is
10 receive and vigorously examine in a
private oom an applicant who claims
the protecting privileges of the order.
Among the injunctions laid upon the
applicant are these: He must prove by
documentary evidence or by witness that
some intangible difficulty exists between
himself and his worst half, and that his
existence In consequence is miserable.
He must produce a Photograph of his
wife, which is to be filed in the picture
gallery Of the order. After the exanlina-
ton of the applicant the grand jury de-
bates the question Of his eligibility and
reports Il the grand master.
II successful, an initiation fee ranging
from 81 to s., according to the degree of
hopelessness in the case. is imposed upon
the new member. This is followed by
regular payments into the e~xchequer of
the order Of twenty-five cents n month.
The society binds itself to pay all counsel
fees in cases of law suits, anu ID contribute
alimony if a divorce takes that unfortu-
nate course. For this purpose the men,
bers are assessed weekly.
Tla harartiya cpmnoitfaa rpunn ncaI pf
three, is designated TO hunt up evidence
in the husbands behalf. The black bot
tie committee administers consolation.
They predict a membership of 5000 be-
fore they get their charter. Philadelphia
Times.