Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-09-01
TEXAS HEAVYWEIGHTS.
ONLY A SMALL NUMBER MEET IN
GALVESTON.
a Thoroughly Good Time Eujoyed-Tho
Insurance PIan-oticers Elected.
a Mean Trick
Spec:al 20 the Gazetre.

SPECIAL 70 the G1Zette.
GALVESTON. Ten. Aug 31.-The meeting
of the Fat Mems association of Texas was
somewhat Of flash IN the pan, the attend
ance being anything bur numerous. This
morning when President W. y. Dis
borough of Dallas called the GsSo-
citation TO order At the Beach hole,
and ". W. Walker secretary. called the
roll only twenty-five members responded 20
their names.
President Disborough in his address
stated that the object and purpose Of the
association was bcneyole,ce. and the cult
walton Of the sole virtues and such other
pleasures ana benefits as could be
derived from such an organization. That
such an organization existed in other states,
and were the agencies Of great good to the
members, as they served to draw the fat
men into closer fraternal relations and
enabled them to extend systematic
relief TO each other in case Of distress, be-
sides 1t drew the social lines more closely,
which of itself was u pleasant and COM
mendable feature of such organizations. In
conclusion he recommended adoption of an
insurance feature, believing II would tend 10
popularize the association, and also recon-
meuded that steps be taken to establish 10
cal lodges throughout the state, and officers
be selected for this purpose
Al the close of President Disborough's
address the insurance feature came up and
citation should adopt the Old line Of life in
surance or the mutual benefit plan. It WAS
decided to adopt the latter and
admit members to the insurance
feature OF the association from twenty-one
to siXty-iye years Of age, the initiation fee
to be fixed at ! cent pound, the applicant
to weigh 2l5 pounds and to be examined by
local physician, the physician 10 be
selected by the local lodge, who
is to be 4 college graduate, and req ldrly
licensed to practice medicine, and il there
is no local lodge, the application 20 DC sent
to the state headquarters OF the
association at Dallas, TO be acted
upon by the head physician Of the Eat
Mems benevolent association of Texas. 1t
was also decided not TO object TO
any applicant for insurance unless
afflicted with some chronic disease. 1t
was stated that the association,
upon thorough Investigation, had ascer-
tanned that the annual death rate of fat men
weighing 200 pounds is about one in every
100, and that at l cent per pound
the cost of insurance at the above
death rate will he very cheap.
An assessment of 81 per head annually
was fixed to defray the expenses of the
association.
Col StilIwell Russell made an eloquent
address to the association, in which he
graphically described the benefits 10 be de-
rived from such an organization, and made
many pertinent suggestions which, if
adopted. he believed would result in popu-
larizing the association and draw all the fat
men of Texas in its fold.
The association then proceeded TO the
election of five additional vicc-presidents
as follows: a. \. Parker. Abilene. third
vice president; ". ". Stinnet, Fort Worth
fourth vice-president; DR. f. &. Spauld-
ing, Kingston. fifth e-preSident;
s. Z. Mccullough. Huntsville. sixth VICE
president; c. W. Costing, San Antonio,
seventh yice-presideut. These gentlemen
were instructed TO work up local orGaniza-
tons in their respective districts, and to
make monthly reports to the state associa-
ton at Dallas.
The officers Of the state association, who
are elected TO serve until August, 1892. are
W. A. Disborough. president. Dallas; ".
/. Shelton, first vice president, Dallas; W.
J. Owens. second vice president, Dallas;
Frank Screenan, treasurer, Dallas;
S. w. Shelton, chaplain, Dallas;
Robert Jordan, sergent-at-arms, Dallas;
W. F. Lake, sentinel, Fort Worth.
The headquarters of the association was
established at Dallas.
A resolution was adopted that the asso-
citation will hold its annual meetings the
first week in August, at Galveston, and
that excursion rates will be secured for TAT
men over all railways in the state, so they
can attend.
The convention adjourned tonight,
They are being entertained by hop at the
Beach hotel.
a despicable trick was played upon the
fat men this evening by few unprincipled
fellows. During the session President Dis
borough received an invitation for the as
sociatiOn to meet the local fat men at
Scheels hall and go with them to an oyster
roast at Tilerbeck's, resort down the
island. The invitation was accepted in
good faith by the association. They called
at Scheel'S nall, and there were placed III
two band wagons and taken to Tilerbeck's,
where they expected TO meet the fat
men of the city, but on arriving nc fat men
were seen. The members of the assOcia-
ton bought there must De some mistake,
but said nothing, partook of the roasted
oysters and drank the beer offered
them. When all was over the
man who engineered the scheme, mounted
beer keg and said he wanted 81 from
every man in the party. This
was paid under protest, and as
soon as President Disborough reached
the city he told of the indignity that had
been offered him and the association. The
leading citizens denounced the outrage, and
at once went to work 10 right the wrong,
and by their notions removed the impress
sion that this indignity would have left.
The fat StaffiianS Will leave for their re-
spectlve homes III the morning.
1T WAS TOUGH.