Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-04-11
GEN. ALBERT PIKE DEAD.
THE MOST PROMINENT MASON IN
AMERICA DIES IN HIS Sc YEAR.
FAMOUS AS A MASONIC WRITER
AND JURIsT.
His Career.

OcucThl AlDcTL 4 Inc, IilC iiOob uio-
tinguished Mason in America died at
his home in Washington, D. c., April
., at s o'clock p. IN, being in the 50
year OF his age.
General Pike was a venerable grand
commander OF the supreme council OF
inspectors-general, Thirty'third De-
gree OF the Ancient and Accepted Scot
fish Rite OF Free Missionary for the
southern jurisdiction of the United
States. He was the ranking Maaonic
dignitary OF the world. General Pike
was the only Masonic potentate in
America elected and crowned" for
life. He had been at the head OF the
Scottish Rite since 1850. He had also
been at the head of the Royal order OF
Scotland in the United States since that
very exclusive Masonic society was
planted in this country by the Earl OF
Rosslyn, about fourteen years ago.
The day that brought William i.
Gladstone into the world was also the
first that Albert Pike opened his eyes
upon. He was born in Boston Decem-
Der %. 1909. At Is, he was matricula-
ted at Harvard, but his parents found
that they could not afford the expense
OF the college course and young Pike
left college and began teaching school.
In after years, on account OF his ripe
scholarship, Harvard conferred upon
him the degree OF master OF arts.
In 1851 Pike went west. After re-
naming a year at Santa Fe, he visited
the head waters OF the Red and Brazos
rivers. with party OF trappers and,
with his hardy companions. travelled
500 miles on foot to Fort Smith, Ark.
In 1884 he became editor OF the Arlian-
sas Advocate, published al Fort Smith.
While editing the advocate he studied
law and in two years was admitted to
the bar. In the Mexican war he served
with marked spirit and in the civil war
he was a confederate brigadier in COM
mand OF the Cherokee Indians, and was
in the celebrated battle OF Pea Ridge.
His chief service TO the confederacy,
however was in making treaties with
the Indians skirting confederate terri
tory.
In the COS after the war, General
Pike edited the Memphis Appeal, and
from Memphis he removed to New Or
leans and practiced law. His legal en-
gagements took him 10 Washington
about fifteen years ago, and here or at
Alexandria, Va, he has lived ever
since. General Pike is author OF
"Hymns to the Gods and prose
Sketches and Poems, and his Arkansas
law reports gave him high standing in
the legal profession many years ago.
1t was at Little Rock that this
"Grand Old Man of Masonry" first saw
Masonic light-where he was entered,
passed and raised. 1t was there, ut any
rate. that he first presided as master in
the East. Not very long after making
Washington his home he retired
from the bar and afterwards devoted
his entire time and energy to the order
he loved so well. The splendid rituals
of the Scottish Rite are for the most
part from his pen. Had he given the
public the full benefit OF his Literary la
beors he would to-day rank in the
world OF letters with Max Muller and
Thomas Carlyle. Pike had the philo-
logical and critical turn of the one,
with q comprehensive knowledge OF
the Oriental religion, and the bold,
rugged, picturesque style OF expression
which distinguished the other. He al
SO reminded one in many respects of
John Ruskin. He reveled in an at
mosphere of poetic spirituality, and
had little use for the conventional or
commonplace in art or manners.
T..
derfuliy striking. He was q man Of
giant frame; he was feet 4 inches in
height: his head was OF antique, massive
mould: his face was as soft and rosy as u
child's: his silken white hair and beard
flowed freely, his locks falling graceful
" over his broad shcu ders; his eyes
were clear and strong: he never used
glasses. AS became his commanding
person the grand commander dressed in
loose baggy garments, OF simple. soft
textures coat or blouse OF blue flannel,
O shirt OF unoleached linen, pantaloons
of confederate gray and large moccas-
sins. His attire suggested somewhat
his frontier life with the Indians and
trappers of the exciting days agone. On
state occasions he was always attircd in
plain black. He wore no jewelry ex-
cept the obligatory ring Of the thirty
third degree, being triple ring-three
small gold bands Joined together. This
Is worn on the little finger OF the right
hand.
General Pike was very fond Of birds,
and q hundred songsters were housed at
his residence. Next to birds and flow
ers his fancy was for odd-shaped pipes.
He had scores OF them OF all shapes and
sizes, and many Of them with curious
histories.
General Pike made and spent for
tunes. He received fee of 500, 900
from the Creek Indians for securing
certain land grants, and in six months
he did not have 81. In another instance
he was known to have received fee OF
SIC, 900 and to be dead broke" in thir-
ty days. He never took account Of
money, and was most princely enter
tainer. It used to be his habit to give
hunting parties and nav all the bills at