The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-21
CRANE AGAIN NAILED.

One of His Glaring N1isstatements Author-
itatively Refuted.
When George g. Crane, the ''Pythian Life
association explorer was in Helena, he
made statement that Mr.. Stoddard, OF
the Masonic Aid association, would meet
him in Helena, to effect arrangements for
introducing the Pythian Life plan into his
association. The following letter to the
gentlemen to whom Crane made the asser-
ton ID self-explanatory:
CHICAGO, Oct. is, 169O.-Leopold Marks,
Esq, Helena, Montana: My Dear Sir
have been furnished with copy of an arti-
Gle published in The HELENA INDEPENDENT
bearing down pretty heavy on George J.
Crane, and also indirectly dragging in my
name, or name which is something like
mine. It says:
''To Mr.. L. Marks. who is insured in the
United Masonic association, Crane said the
Masonic association would soon adopt the
plan of the Pythian association. He took a
letter from his pocket bearing the signature
of Mr.. Stoddard, of Chicago, one of the
leading officers Of the Masonic association.
This letter informed Crane that Mr.. Stod-
dard would soon meet him at The Helena,
in this city. That he was arranging to
Pythian life plan, and desired to appoint
him general agent. Crane further told Mr..
Marks that as soon as he received the APP
pointment he would drop the Pythian asso-
citation. This news rather alarmed Mr..
Marks, as at his age of life the Pythian
would prove much more expensive PLAN"
Now, ! suppose the United Masonic re-
ferred to 10 the United States Masonic, of
Council Bluffs. Of which Crane has been q
director for many years Why my name
should be dragged into it I do not under
stand, or any name 90 nearly like mine. and
of Chicago.
do not know how TIE HEnrNA Irprr
PENDENT obtained these statements unless
it was from you, and if you reported az /
have here quoted you certainly n,isstated
facts, for you never saw any letter from me
containing any such statements. He may
have shown you letter with my name at
%s, have not assa ns
statements % you have made, but NO letter
Of mine ever contained any such statements
whatever.
He used to work for this association
many years ago, and I have first and last
had considerable correspondence with him;
ments a. you have evidently reported were
in this letter. trust you will correct the
statement through TIM IMDRPENDENr, and
inform the public that you did not read the
letter which he showed You. I never pro-
posed to meet him in Helena, and never in
tlW6GeO t08G our S80OC14tlO0 mao any no
tion Of changing its plan in accordance
with that Of the Pythian Lite or any other.
The association which represent 10 not In
the habit Of following after any small fry,
but marks out its own course and plan.
Hundreds Of others have tried to initiate
NJ, but We have never tried to initiate any
body.
Please let me hear from you on this sub
ject. s
Respectfully yours
ia. 6roDDARD, Secretary.
Mr.. Marks said yesterday that Crane did
not show him the 1etter-that 10, he did mot
hand it 70 him to read. Crane must have
read the statement out Of his head and in
conclusion folded the letter and ahoved M.
Marks the signature. According TO Mr.