Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-07
AIDING BROTHERS.
masons and knights of tho Mystic Chain
VIII Rebuild Destroyed Homes
Work of Other Secret socie.
fias In the Flond nfrfrfrf


ties In the Flood District.
It looks as If the male population of Johns.
town that was enrolled in the various secret so
cieties prior to the disaster, would come in for
the most generous and widespread aid ever ex-
tended to the victims of any similar casualty.
but this joyful news-to the suryivors-is
tinged with sorrow for the dead. But all OF
those who were dependent upon members OF
secret societies; wives, mothers, children,
brothers, fathers or sisters, will be generously
provided for, and need have no anxiety or fears
for the future. The action that has been and
will be taken by the various secret societies IN
promptly aiding immediate wants and insuring
against privations in years to come, reflects
| great credit upon the institutions denomlnateo
as secret societies" Although the natural
breadwinner may be gone, his brethren Will
| supply sustenance to the widowed ana OF.
| phaned. Nor do those who live, but are pereIt
Of property, stand less in need of substantial
| sympathy Over a quarter of million Will De
contributed to the sufferers by the various Sc
cret societies.
supplying material aid to the survivors and
relatives of go members of the craft, who were
| in the city of Johnstown. The committee from
Pittsburg and Allegheny lodges headed py
| James S. Mexican, were promptly on the scene
of the disaster and lost not an instant in the de-
vising of the speediest and most practicaDle
plans for the relief of members or relatives Of
| members.
Kean stated yesterday that from the efforts OF
| local Masons alone, eight carloads OF supplies
had been forwarded to Johnstown, So, 7OO worth
of goods made use of, and SIC, 600 in cash ralseu
and banked, to be distributed when necessary.
| Most strenuous efforts had been made to secure
| an accurate roster of the dead of the Johns
town fraternity. and it was feared that no less
than l40 were among the missing. storehouse
has been erected at JohnstoWn and delivery OF
food is made every day to the houses or tents
which shelter the survivors.
Responses to the situation said MI. Nc
Kean, "are coming in every hour from the craft
in this country or Europe. The mail OF our
Relief Treasurer, Assistant Postmaster Hud-
son, indicates a receipt of 5000 daily. One
| check for $500 came from Cincinnati this morn
ing. The Pennsylvania Grand Lodge is re-
ceiving contributions from all subordinate
lodges, the Grand Lodges of other States and
! from European Masons. The fraternity will
undoubtedly raise Sl25, 600 or as much more as
| may be needed. Pittsburg Masons stand
pledged to raise S25,0OO on their own account.
"Yes. The fraternity will rebuild and refur.
nish the destroyed homes OF the survivors. The
families of dead Masons will be adequately
provided for and their children handsomely
educated and cared for"
The knights of the Mystic Chain.
John ]. DAVIS was the first secret society man
who penetrated into Johnstown after the flood.
He went there representing the order of the
Mystic Chain. early Saturday morning, armed
with $1,000. There were five 'castles" in Johns
town, with membership of $50 men. Mr..
Davis had to foot it from Sang Hollow to the
river, and the rope bridge to Johnstown
looked so insecure that he preferred to con-
tinue his tramp around by Ebensburg. After
| night of wakefulness passed on the mountain
side for fear Of evoking pistol shots in an at
IN p Wis
reached Johnstown at s o'clock in the morning,
| and after a series of gymnastic feats reached
the local hall via third story window He
was accompanied by w. 6. Gish and s. D.
| Rainey. On Monday his committee was re-
lieved by President ]. P. Linton. Secretary J.K
Boyd, and Treasurer W. T. Colivar, officials of
| the order who have since been steadily at work
relieving distress In general terms Mr.. Davis
thought that the order would rebuild all
destroyed homes and certainly care for all
destitute survivors. The Mystic Chain will
raise $4,000, as fund for stricken members of
the order. The Supreme Lodge meets in an
nual session on Tuesday next at Atlantic City
and action will be taken upon the Conemaugh
disaster.
What Other Societies Are Doing.
Grand Chancellor Thomas Perry, of Wheat
land, Pa, head of the Knights of Pythias, has
reached Johnstown and is busily engaged with
capable committee in caring for the wants of
the survivors of 4SO members Of the order. The
various grand lodges of the order will assist in
the contributions, the Grand Lodge of Penn
sylvania having met last Tuesday and issued a
call Local Knights say $50, 900 will be needed
forlrelief.
The Heptasophs had only so members in
Johnstown, but have been wonderfully ener-
getic in instituting and carrying out measures
of relief. The committee in charge at Johns
town consists of s. A. Will, of this city, Su-
preme Archon; 8. A Duncan and Lester Logue
Yesterday afternoon the survivors of 80 fami-
lies Of deceased Heptasophs reached Pittsburg
from Johnstown. Members of the order met
them at the depot and took care of them. in
nearly every case taking the unfortunates to
their own homes. AS an instance of individual
hospitality Mr.. ]. ]. Davis is entertaining nine
and Mr.. r. V. Barker has his house filed en-
tirely. The order at large will raise Sl2 600 for
the sufferers.
There were 70 members of the Royal Area
mum in Johnstown, and the wants Of the sur
vivors are being attended to by Grand Coun-
cilor Lanft of Allegheny City, and Grand
Physician Doctor ]. w. Wright The Royal
Arcanum will raise fund of $4,000 for the
sufferers.
The Junior Order of American Mechanics
| numbered ], 100 members In the Conemaugh
valley. Superintendent of Mails s. P, Collins
is in charge Of the relief measures in Johns
town and has had his hands held up valiantiy
by local members OF the order. Carloads of
provisions and clothing and large amounts of
money have been used literally In the relief of
to raise at least $50, 900 as a relief fund.
The Independent Order Of Odd Fellows had
three lodges in the Conemaugh region Not
survivor remains of the lodge of German Odd
Fellows and the total membership of 500 has
been terribly decimated. 1t is believed that
SIS. 900 will be raised throughout the country as
relief fund for the Johnstown Odd Fellows,
While the A. Q. U. W. had no lodge at
Johnstown many members of other lodges NAV
have been working in the wrecked CITY, The
action of Mr.. w. r. Ford in placing s., 900 of
Grand Lodge money in the hands of the Relief
Committee has been alluded to.
As regards life assurance there are several
secret societies which do not include that
feature The Reptasophs insure up to IS.
at discretion, and the Royal Arcanum has A
death rate of 81 800 to 5000. The A O. u. w
has but one death rate, 81 900. Large amounts
of money will reach Johnstown from the life
assurance source.
Mr.. A. Seller, of McKee's Rocks, a well-to-do
and childless member of Pride of the West
Castle, Mystic Chain, writes to John ]. Davis
offering to adopt a male orphan of Johnstown
and raise and educate it as his son.
The G. A. r. are taking an active interest in
their Johnstown members, Major Denniston of
this city having appealed to the Department
Commander to asks all The posts in the country
to contribute with the purpose in view of rails
ing fund of at least So, 900 for the sufferers
An addition to the relief measures comes
from the International Association of the
Young Mems Christian Association, which has
issued an appeal for general aid, as many of
their JohnStown members were either ruinad