The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-10
PYTHIAN KNIGHTS ANGRY
They Say They Have Been Duped
by the Pythian Life
Association.
It L. Not Recognised BY the
Grand or Supreme
Lodges.
But an Agent for the Same Secured Many
Prominont Helena Men
~ Members.

8EomSn0nt Helena Ao0
~ Members.
During the past two weeks one George J.
Crane, ''gen. mngr. western dept" hal
cultivated the acquaintance of from 800 t.
900 Helena people. He made The Helent
his headquarters and his business was thai
Of soliciting membership in ''The Pythiar
Life association, Omsha, Neb.; rooms 200
30, 2ll and 2l2 Omaha National Banl
building'' The circulars or pamphlets
setting forth the plan Of insurance beari
the imprint of NV. g. j. Hermann, printer
32S Hennepin avenue, Minneapolis" It il
possible, but not at all probable, tina,
Omaha has no printing establishments,
But that does not cut an important figure
Crane has left the city. He left yester.
day. He told two men he was Roing tc
Butte. He informed the hotel clerk that he
was going to Missoula. It may be we'll to
mention also that Mr.. Crane, previous to
his arrival in Helena, spent some days in
Livingston and Bozeman, where he met
sh ,ip in a the Fythian Lite IL . sssociation
Mr.. Crane is man of middle age,
portly bearing, of good address, and
abuve all a smooth and convincing
talker. His arguments when thoroughly
considered, lack every degree of PLAUSIBLE
ty and it il matter of great surprise that
nized standing in community could be &c
completely gulled. This Crane cultivated
tho acquaintance of reputable business men
at first: He unfolded his plan to them. 1t
should be stated, however, before going any
further, that as far 40 known Mr.. Crane
~ To nSukpk 70 nj
Pythias. It is known that in some cases he
took some Of the more prominent members
of the order into his scheme at half rates,
while to others he gave policies FREQ gratis.
He wanted to use their names; and he did
it. Only a limited number, however got in
i. Cox, E. S, French, Ed. Zimmerman, G.
b. Garrett, T. j. Cronin, David Marks Geo.
w. Graham, Jacob Loeb, DIR. Steele and q
great many others. He had Mr.. p. w.
knight, cashier of the First National bank,
knight says his name was used without his
knowledge or consent, and that he did not
60 into the scheme.
The proposition that this man Crane
made to the people, was one, that for an in
-vestment alone was far ahead of any bank
ing or real estate business. For an invest
ment of $126.90 the member would. at the
end of ten years, receive 5000. The plan
was differently explained to different per
sons he approached. The yearly rate for
a $1,000 policy for man % years of age
would be $12.69; at 80 years the rate is
$14.8O and the scale slightly increases until
five yearly payments are made when the
policy holder pays fixed rate; but which
in no event will aggregate the sum of 5000
at the end of ten years; yet this philan-
thropic association will pay that amount at
the end Of ten years. Some men we're given
the Pythian association is great savings
institution; but the question arises, lis It
on the squareW
There are a number If people who have
come to the conclusion that it il not on the
Square" f4lif
cal examiner and during the past ten days
has examined large number Of Pythians.
The doctor was Of the opinion that this was
good thing for anybody.
A man named Wolcott has been appointed
local agent. This man came to Helena as
sonic Insurance association. At first he was
bitter opponent Of the Pythian scheme.
'Why, this man Wolcott," said Mr.. Gar
rett, one of the victims, ''could not speak
streng enough against the Pythian scheme,
which he characterized AZ mo good Yet, a
ties and fine features Of the Pythian scheme
which few days before he 20 bitterly op-
posed.''
Having tho names Of such men as A. J,
Seligman, w. E. Cox, Jacob Loeb and E.
W. Knight, Mr.. Crane used them to good
advantage in furtherinR his scheme. In
deed, he did thriving business.
He had to send to headquarters at Oma-
ha for the policies, but pending their n
rival he received cash when he could and
notes where he felt that any suspicion
might arise if he demanded cash. He al
ways gave receipts for the amounts. The
Rational b.ni and ar mesptime III ene Crans
negotiated with member Of the Cruise
bank to buy them up. at liberal discount,
30 that Crane secured the money. These
notes call for sums ranging from $12 to $50
and nearly all of his subscribers took 5000
policies, while others took more. The NOM
bers will of course receive their policies,
before they are required to pay their notes.
MI. Jacob Loeb had got his policy. Il ia
filed out in type-written print. Mr.. Cranes
name appears nowhere upon it. The name
LOT w. 81. Bechtel, president, and George
Edmond, secretary, are attached to 1t how
ever.
Before going any further lot 10 see Who
land what the company ia. Jacob Loeb said
The was shown an endorsement Of the COM
|pany BY the r. g. Dunn COMPANY. Nobody
but Mr.. Loeb has seen this, a. far AZ heard
from. Some Of the Knights Of Pythias had
I0uo1I OOOObo - W tA0 DtAuO1uR OF tho con-
|cern. These were some who had been in
|duoed to take policy. Accordingly tele-
grams were sent to Omaha to the Grand
lodge Of the Knights Of Pythias. Tho en-
|swer were to the effect that the grand
odee did not recognize the concern,
It 10 only natural that old and reliable
life assurance associations are preiudiced
against this class of rivals, 40 they claim
hem to be . menace to legitimate insur-
ance business. Maj. 7. H. Burke. the Hell
| na manager of the Equitable Life Aasur-
lnce society, was asked his opinion - to
The standing Of the company. He laughed
.fter investigation Of tho ''plan' of this
lew concern, but did not express an opin-
on. but said he would investigate further.
&c accordingly sent letter to the Equita-
,le office at Omaha asking for information,
md yesterday received the following reply:
OMAHA, Oct. 4. 1887. h. Burke, gem
raj agent, Helena, Mont.:-Dear SIR
Tour favor Of the LIST inst. ut hand. The
9ythian Lite association is not recognized
" the grand lodge Of this state, nor by the
upreme lodge. Their assets consist of
typewriter. two chairs and secondhand
lesk. A dead letter at home and not pat
onized here. We send you auditors re-
port by this mail. which will give you an
understanding of their condition. II We
an aid you any further viii gladly do 90.
Yours truly
r. S.-We are informed that the secre-