St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-09-03
THE KNIGHTS OF AURORA.
Members Rather Mixed as to the
ORDERS Finances.

Orders Finances.
Rev. l.. g. Powers, pastor of the Third
Universalist church, filed an application
yesterday with Insurance Commissioner
c. P. Baily, asking that he examine the
affairs of the insurance organization
known as the Knights of Aurora. Some
rather serious charges are made against
DR.. c. E. Rogers and John L.. Cause.
Mr.. Powers says that his suspicious
were aroused some months ago when he
together with some three members of a
local lodge began an investigation. The
matter is explained in his statementto
the commissioner as follows: ~
"The Knights of Aurora was estab-
lished in March, 1889, by John l.. Cause
and DR.. c. E. Rogers, with the assump-
ton that it was an old order, while in
reality it was nothing. They repre-
sented that there were $4,000 members.
and issued circulars with the names OF
twelve officers, of which only two, their
own, were genuine names; the others
were either fictitious OF else of persons
so obscure that it has been impossible
to find them. Among the officers was
the supreme recorder. Mr.. Lynne,
whose name was attached to all poll
cles. In September they pretended to
hold meeting of the supreme temple,
but no such meeting was ever held.
They showed minutes of what pur-
ported to be meeting held in the
Briggs house, indianapolis, but at that
time, and at the present, there is no
such hotel. They issued in October of
1889 what purpOrted to be certified copy
OF an examination made by the insur-
ance commissioner of this state. Either
Irnc M -cio &c I'll q
uty was grievously imposed upon,
use made of his lame and
authority. They report 5.754 pol
lcieS in force, and 1928 members of
the fraternity, when actually there were
less than 400 members; they represent
S3.364.50 received for certificate fees,
when less than $500 had been received,
and SS,128.90 on hand to pay death
losses, when there was less than $500.
Feb. l sworn statement was made to
the insurance commissioner, showing
7,119 policies in force and $9,416.75 on
hand to pay death losses, when the
membership was less than 400, and less
than $500 was reaakZed from a death
assessment levied at that time to pay
loss of $1,000. To make up the deficit
$40 was taken from the reserve fund,
SohVtoiy W loWs AohihS3 q SooO VI VIA
beZZlement."
DIR. Rogers appears to be very much
surprised over the action of Mr..
Powers. He stated that on Satur-
day that gentleman and himself had
agreed to have Mr.. Donaldson, the eX
pert accountant, go over the books and
see if the charge could be substantlated.
Il supposed" said he. THAT that was
what would be done in place of the SEN
SatiOnal plan that has been adopted. 1t
is outrageous to Call me an embeZzler
when the order has almost ruined me
financially. | have paid bills for nearly
$4,000 out of my own pocket. All the
charges Idenounce as false. The insur-
ance commissioners did make report
of our business through deputy, but
by mistake sent it to the state auditor
of Illinois. That explains why there is
no record of the examination in his
Office. A meeting of the supreme tem-
pie was held last September, and in the
Bates house, not the Briggs house. In
dianapOlis. To take money from the
reserve fund to pay assessments is not
contrary to the law of the order. l can
only say. in conclusion, that l court. a
full investigation, and have dispatched.
letter to the insurance commissioner
requesting that he will make one imrhe-
diately."