Arizona weekly citizen., 1891-08-01
A MYSTERIOUS SOCIETY.
The Oriental Order of Humility,
which Flourished in Tucson 20
Years Ago.

L; was twenty years ago, Tucson was
the capital, and the legislature was in
session. Times were lively, drinks were
two bits and the "third house" was quite
as busy as it, legalized contemporaries.
Among the members OF this particu-
lar body was one Henry Bipelow, from
Prescott, of pleasing appearance, tall,
with long, heavy black bearl and fair
ly musical voice, lie man To- i'm
!'feSs one in address. lie Was also fond
OF practical joke -: the deeper class
for L.any of vi. Oh he wa quite RS pc
ruiIarly iitted a. "a. nis duties as lob
by -.
SOFA . I er his arrival in Tucson talk
was about IF a certain uex secret 80
ci-ty. 1T is the best thing out; the
Very b ST 1 have ever ean," said "a
me mber. "ralk about H,uf Masonic
fraternity, its symbols, its protection
and It's fellowship, it doesn't compare
with our Oriental Order of Humility"
said another. The society did seem
most popular, and no sooner did man
become a member than his praises
were OF the loudest. $50 secret! SO
deep! SO mysteriousr' Its ranks swelled,
all being anxious to penetrate it's depths,
and awful mysteries. An ex-member
tells of an initiation:
1--WE all stood around the candidate,
each incoguito from our black masks
and robes. All was solemn, still, i'm
pressive. Bigelow as head OF the order
stood before the candidate and
drew from him the most impressive
oaths Of solemn secrecy, and tie candid
ate would shudder as Bige.ow said in
his deepest voice: Let the grand, final
ceremony be performedr All around
was deathly quiet. Not one of the
solemn black figures moved. The can
didate could hardly breath for the
awfulness OF the occasion. Frightened
and wondering he was Frustrated before
black curtain near. Down and down,
till his head touched the floor. Still
the masks did not move. They might
have been Of stone. Invisible hands
drew back the curtain, and the candid
ate lifted his head and gaZed on the
emblem OF the order; dilapi1at
burro stood before his astonished gaze.
Then laugh so loud and hearty that
the dupe gazed at the beast again. No
it was not the animal; only the masks,
but how they enjoyed it! They almost
10nlNlaA onH rlctIollU Of fh1Q
ton OF the situation the caddid-
ate demanded that he be re
leased. One more signal my brother.
said Bigelow;' one more signal, and then
you are one Of our mysterious and won
derful order. And now my brother, learn
the signal OF distress Will the brethren
kindly show the did the signal of
distress, that he m; } rep 1t, if likewise
IN Distress Each 0. the CURES placed
his thumbs on his laps, and slowly
waved his hands back and and forth IN
imitation of an animal moving its
ears. This means that the emblem OF
order, otherwise the member, is athlrst,
and would drink, said she chief. Are
the brethren atnirst! II SO give the
sign of the order The brethren were
OF course athirst, and the candidate was
supposed to acquiesce in their feeling.
provided he followed by the signal OF
the distress, when asked to show how II
is done Invariably he showed the
method, and off came the masks. Al
most bodily the candidate was carried
to the best bar In town. Two bits
drink meant $50, $50 or even 500 for
the relief of the distressed brethren,
and then plans were laid to take IN an
other candidate. The late dupes were
of course most anxious that others be
caught, preacher being among those
initiated, who begg, d for dear life to be
released when the emblem of the order
was introduced. That bar made thou
sands of dollars from the Oriental Order
of Humility"