Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-01-23
: MINrsrHK,s rArAL 1911
White Hseing znltiated Into TIA
HEnViai Arclh lhnurnl.

Rev. j. w. johnson, Methodist uinia-
ter, while being initiated into the Royal
Arch degree of Masonry, at Huntington,
West Va. One feature OF the ritual com
tprised the lowering OF the candidate into
iR vault ID feet deep, symbo!c of the
search in the ruins Of King solomon's
temple. The vault represents the ruios
and the candidate on8 OF the party maE.
ling the search. He Ia lowered into the
vault by means Of block ana tackle
arrangement, and fluids in one corner a
small bpx, typical OF the ark OF the owe.
nant. After this he ie raised and hears &
lecture during which ID explained the
ceremony and the biblical events II syn,
bolizss. Ga Friday evening week three
candidates were to hnye taken the degree,
bat one of them, Gaptnin 3ch~eickert, a
conductor on tho Chesapeake Il Ohio
railroad, was laid Mp with q pAis Of
broken lsgs; HAVING bean 3 victim Of tbs
Iaccident near White Sulphur Springs.
n his absence it was 6eci1ed to proceed
with the remaining two candidates the
Rev. Mr.. Johnson and the Re7. w l..
Marshall, pastor Of the Episcopal church
at Huntington. MIR. Marshall'a turn
came first and he went through tho
ordeal successfully. The story proceeds:
"Neither of the candidates WAS blind
folded. Both could SEQ everything that
was going on aud perfectly understood
the workings OF the machinery ny which
they were to dsHoshd into the vanit. hr.
johnson was tall. weil.buiit man,
weighing some 1870 pounds. lie had
seated himself nsvraddle tho bar ana
caught the block with his hands. Sud
denly there was whirring sound. Ths
end of the rope was seen to ietlt loose
from the ring above the block. In GONE
way, most probably from the long and
constant use, the rope had been gradually
becoming loosened and unwrapped, and
MIR. Johnson's heavy weight detached it
entirely. The end flew toward the cell
ing, and there was sudden relaxation Of
the entire machinery. MIR. Johnson dis
appeared, and an instant late wGs heard
the dull Bound with which he struck the
hard floor of the vault, 13 feet below.
The members standing about the trap
and holding the rope were almost para
lyzed by the accident. Their cries brought
the rest OF tbs lodge to the apartment.
One coil of the ropo still remained
over the upper block. With 1t Mr.. Peyton,
slightly built gentleman, was lowered
into the vault, Lights were brought Gnd
the unfortunate preacher was found
lying on his side ut full length. he had
etruok on his left hip. Mr.. johnson was
not unconscious, hui his deep grooming
showed he YVES suffering the most in ensa
agony. ladder was lowered into the
vault, and, with MIR. Peyton's q siatancs,
he was enabled to slowly pount until
gsady hands could draw lin out Of the
vault. He whB carried to str9tcher, and
Drs. Il. d. Vickers and John ID. Meyers,
summoned. While awaiting their coming
Mr. johnson described his ex ertsnce. In
Che brief moment while he asfaliing his
whole life, he said, geemed to be passing
On review before him. He expressed
mentally his satisfaction that there were
not others dependent upon him and that,
if death came, he was ready to meet his
God. The minister told this as the IL
members of the lodge surrounded the
stFetoher, and urged upon them thu
impo lance of always being ready, fol
none knew when the summons woulc
come. For nearly two hours Mr.. johnson
lAy Ia the lodge room. The attending
physician examined him, but could de
tect no outward sign of injury. This lee
them TO pronounce his condition as no
dangerous. Still he continued to com
plain or the most agouizing pain, esps
ciRliy about the lower part OF the spin,
snd chest. He was borne to the Methods
parsonage, where he resided. All tina
light and the next morning he continued
perfectly conscious. HIS repeated thu
assurances which he had given as he ia.
in the lodge room Immediately after thu
accident that he held the members en-
tlrely blameleas for his injuries had re
aultea purely from unforeseen and una
Voidable accident. Although suffering
almost unbearable agony, MIR. johnson
calmly declared he was resigned to hi
fate, and that he felt the supreme sat sfac
ton OF Christian ready and anxious t
meet his God. The scene was yer
affecting ole, several of the member
being moved to tears. 1t was resolve
to make no secret OF the manner IN whic
Mr.. johnson met his death, but rather {
give the fullest possible publicity to til
details In order that no censure migh
rest on the lodge.
About o'clock Saturday atternoo
he became semi-conscions from the pow
erful drugs administered to alleviate hi
intense sutfsrings. lie fingered in th
condition until O'Clock Sunday morning
when he peacefully passed away. Ma
urally the reports of the accident create
intense exoitement in Huntington. II
MAsons made no efforts to keep the d,
tails secret, and, on the contrary, too
especial painH to explain fully the mannt
in which the accident happened. Pa
tioular strogs was laid on tie fact tint
the utmost dignity 10 preserved fhrougl
out tho ceremony, aud that nothin
lavorin2 In the slightest OF levity {
s.1rt ku Hos "a -
ault is that the intelligent and larger pa
OF the community acqnits thF lodge I
Rny blame. Sunday evening special sa
VICES were held at the Southern Metho
LIST Church, of which the Rev. Mr.. Johi
son had been pastor for little over
year.
SAT O'Clock union memorial Hervit
was held ct tbs opera house. Il WI
crowded throughout, ami fully ,OOU
sons were turned away from the doC
Remarks euiogiSing the deceased we
made by the Rev. MI Ssdler of the Bal
fist church, the Rev. MeB,rs King al
Black of the Methodist, tbs Rev. j A
sloan OF the Presb teriAn, AMI the he
Thomas Clayton of the Congregational
The Rev. Mir. MARSHALL, who was ID
Johnson's companion candidate in Il
initiation, stated how the accident h
occurred and very feelingly describe
the scene in the lodge-room.
sMr. johnson came to Huntington
little over year ago from Hannib;
No., where LIE was pastor Of churc
He has living there brother and sists
to whom he requested that his remains
taken. He was about 40 years OF y
and had been widower for some tin
A peculiarly sad feature ia that he was
hnaa haan married EehrnArY I2th NJ