Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-02-20
KNIGHTS OF PYTHiAs.

Twenty Fifth Anniversary Of the
Order w sterday- Something About
It's Formation.
Yesterday was the twenty fifth anni-
versary of the order of the Knights of
Pythias. and it was generally observed in
some manner throughout the United
States. St. Paul lodge, of this city. will
observe the event tonight with spread
after the regular meeting adjourns.
There was time when the natal day
of the Knights of Pythlas was a matter
Of dispute. but now it Is settled and es>
tabished fact that the organization of the
first lodge took place on the 10Th day of
February. 1854. In the city Of Washing.
ton. the order being founded by Justus
II. Rathbone. The evidence of that
fact, given here as scrap of interesting
history, was in 1875 considered by the
supreme lodge. which. hailing Mr.. Rath.
bone as the founder, established an Office
'of that name in the supreme lodge, the
office to die with the present incumbent.
SKETCH OF THE ORIGINAL ORDER.
The original meeting at which the ritz
ual of the order of Knights of Pythias
was first read and the initial steps taken
to establish the order was held in the
room Of Robert A Champion, 800 F
street. Washington, D. c., the evening
Of Feb. 10. 1864 There were present on
that occasion: j Fl. Rathboue, Robert A.
Champion. d. L Burnett, E 8 Klmball,
W. H Burnett. Charles II Roberts and
Mr., Driver, member with tie exception
of Mr. Champion) of a vocal society
called the Arion Glee club. AT prior
meeting OF the 9lee club Mr. Rathbone
had stated TO these gentlemen that he had
in his possession the ritual of a secret
society which he had written In the wins
ter OF lS8O-61, while teaching school at
Eagle Harbor. Michigan. on Lake Super
ior. ana which he was now DESTROYS of
usherlne into existence. Mr. Champion,
who had read the ritual, was strongly in
favor OF it and advocated making it
mutual protective association among de-
partment clerks. but action was deferred
until the meeting above mentioned.
After the usual vocal exercises Messrs.
Roberts and Driver withdrew TO keep
prior engagement Mr.. Rathbone then
produced his ritual and small bible. each
man present being sworn to secrecy as to
subsequent revelations.
1t was resolved that each gentleman
present invite such of his fellow clerks as
he deemed would be acceptable to join
with the club In forming the order. More
commodious and suitable quarters were
secured IN Temporal ce Hail building on
E street, and at this place the club met
on the following Friday evening
At the meeting held Feb. 10, 1884,
owing to the lsteness of the hour, only
the opening and closing ceremonies and
the initiatory (now flrsO degree were
read. The second and third degrees
were left TO committee appointed by
Mr.. Ratheope, the w. @. of the lodge
THE FIRST RECORDS
An affidavit setting forth that J. r.
Rathbone was the founder of the order.
that Joseph T. E. Plant had nothing to
do with 1t beyond voluntarily offering the
use of his parlor for committee meeting;
that Joel Il. Woodruff simply suggested
az noNitiOu w TIC luId W hulSul n,
which suggestion was adopted, was made
before T. Drury justice of the peace of
the district. March 8 1869, signed by d.
L. Burnett. W. II. Burnett, Z. s. Kim
ball and Robert A Champion. The first
records on the books of Washington
Lodge, No l. held at Temperance hall.
Feb. 10. 1854, show Joseph T. K. Plant
was called TO the chair on proposal of J
K. Rathbone, after which the latter
stated the object of the meeting TO be the
organization or foundation of a society,
its business and operations to be of a
secret character. having for its ultimate
object friendship. charity and benevo>
lelce, Before proceeding further those
present were requested to subscribe TO an
oath laid down afterward in the initia
tory. AL present having signifei their
willingness TO do so the same was admin
istered to them by J. II. Rathbone read
ing the same. After the taking OF the
oath on motion it was resolved that the
order be STYLED THE knights of Pythias "
A committee was appointed to prepare
ritual OF opening ana closing lodge
and of Initiation into the same. The
chair appointed j. H Rathbone, who re-
ported ritual. which, on being read. was
adopted. An election of officers was held
with The following result: J. H. Rathbone,
worthy chancellor; Joel R. Woodruff
worthy vice. chancellor; Joseph T. X
Plant, venerable patriarch; D L. Bur.
nett, worthy scribe; George R. Covert,
assistant scribe; A. Van Der Veer,
worthy banker; R. A. Champion, assis-
tRnt banker. Several appointed offices
were filed and committees named on
some ritual work in the first In ow second)
degree. signs, regsliss, appliances. etc
Subsequent meetings were held regularly
On April 81 Mr. Rathbone rendered his
resignation of both Office and member
ship. which was accepted. though the
printed record assign no cause for such
action. The vacancy was filled by D. L
Burnett. These. practically, are all the
authenticated facts in connection with the
origin of the order and what little there
was Of history to its early existence.