The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1894-06-21
OF S. P.
Col. MCphail Relates of an Ear1y
Redwood Falls Secret
Society.
In Which a st. Paul Insurance
Man Insures His Own
Life.
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A1lOs
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It was late in November, 1868, after
Hustled and Garvin had came west
and located in Redwood Falls, and
James Mcmillan came up from the
southern portion of the State, and
commenced running hotel in what
is now known as the old Exchange
property, which is soon to be moved,
and thus another landmark swept
away, that the Knights of the Scarlet
Plume, or Temple of the Grand Gy-
ostuciis Family was organized. Here,
too, had come Jacob Schmahl from
Traverse de Sioux and Matt Offerman
from around Faribault. The Temple
was organized in consequence ola call
for the winters amusement Of 1853
SO. The order, SO it was said, had ex-
listed from time immemorial, and all
the great and good men from the time
of the Emperor Constantine, down to
the then present time had been wor-
thy members of this ancient and hon
oraDle order. A suitable hall was Sc
cured by the charter members of the
Redwood Falls temple over the store
of Hustled & Garvin, near the spot
where the Bank of Redwood Falls now
stand, and from a design furnished
Mrs. W. G. March made fifty beauti-
full scarlet badges for the members of
the order. On Dec. LIST, at eight
o'clock p. M, the installation of the
following officers began: Grand Gy.,
0. G. Garvin; Grand Master of Cere-
monies, Sam McPhail; Master of
Preparation and Presentation, James
Mcmillan; lGrand High Steward, ia
cob Schmahl, Stewards of the Tenn
pie, Matt Ofernnan and Stan Hustled.
.Afterthe initiation the Grand High
Steward was ordered to prepare re-
freshmants for the officers and breth-
rem, and at low twelve all prepared to
Schmahls dining room, on the site
where the present family residence
stands, and there partook of repast
prepared by the hostess, Mrs. Schmahl,
that would indeed make the great en-
peror, Constantine, feel that his robe
was too tight. After supper num-
Der of ladies assembled and enjoyed a
pleasant time dancing, all the knights
wearing their beautiful silk badges.
This created just the curiosity intend
ed, and all kinds of questions and in
quiries we're made, such as, when are
you going to meet again? what does
it costto joins can ladies be members7
what is the object? when and where
did the order originate? To most of
these questions the brethren would
simply refer them to the Grand Gy.,
or the Grand Master of Ceremonies.
Every one was wild to become a
member, and turn out with the men,
bers wearing the scarlet badge. Our
temple was highly decorated, and the
fixtures and dress of the officers we're
simply immense. The Gy. had robe
made of black cambria, almost entire
ly covered with stars and crosses, a
death head, cross bones, all, or nearly
all, of different colors. In fact the
robe had as many colors as Joseph's
coat, of old. The fixtures and work
ing tools were in part, as follows: One
broad sword for the Master of Cere-
monies; one live bloodhound kept in
an ante room, one large white owl sit
ting over the head of the Grand Gy.;
one large gray lynx, stuffed; all kinds
of fur bearing animals, stuffed and
placed in inches. On the wall in the
ante room was the celebrated charger
"Rosenate," said to have belonged to
late Don Quixote. By his side stood