The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-12-31
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Sptci1l Correspondence ofthc h.clt9;actr
RIcHlEC. H., W, Va, Dec, 20. The
knights OF Pythlas have n ilourishins
lodge OF nearly a hundred members ut
this place. For several months there
has been considerable trouble among
tho members and it came TO n focus lust
night. 20
The editors Of two OF tho Richie
newspapers, j. J. Sigcr and SIS. Stew
art, belong to the lodge here, and re-
Gently they became involved in politl-
cal&ar. sigler began tho matter by
abusing Stewart for some trivial act
that the latter had done in Republic
can convention Siglcr and his friends
took their differences into tho lodge and
preferred charges against tho Re,rMt
editor for conduct unbccoming q X. OF
p. Some OF tho officials apparently
thought tho quickest way out would DO
TO cXpel Stewart and, it is claimed,
without the iormality OF II trial, they
suspended him for ten years and sew
cred all fellowship with their brother.
lie took an appeal to tho Grand Lodge.
1t rc.iisiatcd Stewart in lodge No. 80
and censured the subordinate lodge for
taking cogniaanco OF POLITICAL ques-
tions.
Although the lodge knew OF the action
oil the Grand Lodge i. took no steps 10
rcinstatc Stewart. Last evening Il big
banquet vas prepared. Tor the members
and their wives, and rousing celebra-
ton was expected. As Stewart had
paid as much money into tho treasury as
any oil them he, wanted TO enjoy the
banquerto too. Armed with alnotlce from
Grand Lodge rcinstating him, and his
pistol for the benefit OF those who had
tried 10 assault him in the lodge room
on two occasions before, hn entered
the lodge before time to open. The
brethren were assembled, and were not
long seeking plan to rid the room OF
his presence. BY their bylaws a mem
Der in arrears for dues aix months, or
50, is not entitled to the scmi-annual
password. Some OF tho officers wanted
Stewart to pay 81 40 dues they had
charged against him during his suspcn-
do The acting chancellor.comlnander
stated il he did not pay the dollar and
forty cents he should not have the pass
word, and the lnastcr-at-arms should put
him out OF the room. Then Stewart
presented his order from the Grand
Lodge reinstQting him and iive-dollar
bill to cover any just dues the lodge
had against him, and asked why the
lodge couldn't recognize him..
The chancellor commander, who had
made the motion to eXpel him for ten
years, then ordered his removal from
the lodge room. Stewart urged that
they use no force on him as he was en-
titled rs much to the privileges OF the
lodge as any OF the members. The
mastcr-at-arms then attempted to eject
Stewart, and four or five others assisted.
Stewart made show OF resistance, but
he was powerlcss in the face OF so much
opposition. At the outside door Stew
art clung to the wall and the stout man
closed the door against his right hand
and right leg, and in their frantic fury
cried that they. would mash him. He
still cxpostulated with them, and asked
to DO allowed to remain in thehall. Half
dazcd by their cruel treatment he fired
Two shots from his revolver through the
door ut his assailants. They fled into
Castle hall in CONSERVATION, and the
door flew open.
Stewart then walked back into tho
lodge and took his seat among the
frightened members. They did not
touch him any more and the lodge was
not opened lie had conquered them.
Tho tempting viands prepared Tor the
banquet were not rclished.