The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-08-22
PeffiSDryGOOdSC CO
TO UNITE FACTIONS
WORK OF THE OFFICERS OF THE
cOLORED KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAs.
An Alleged Embezzlement of S22,OOO
Caused the Split-Only "a Few
Appear.

The coiored Knights Of Pythias began
their convention work yesterday morning
in the colored Odd Fellows Hall, on Indi-
ana avenue. Supreme Chancellor Mitchell,
of Chicago, presided. The Supreme Chan
cellor, In an address, stated that the meet
ing here is not a meeting Of the Supreme
Lodge of the World, but a called session
of a number of supreme officers and dele
gates TO adjust some differences existing
in the order. The supreme chancellor at
once appointed a provisional or unification
committee as follows: l.. @. Wheeler, of
Illinois; j. NJ. Townsend, of Indiana; 1. p.
Jones, of Illinois, and r. S. Riggs, of Ohio.
The continued in executive ses-
sion until 2 O'Clock. when an adjournment
was taken. To-day an address will be given
to the public relating TO the dissensions
in the ranks.
Supreme Chancellor Mitchell said. yester-
day, that the trouble originated through
the alleged embezzlement of funds by his
predecessor, L. A. Williams, of New Or
leans, who was expelled. last August, at
a meeting of the supreme officers in Gin
cinnati. 1t is claimed that the supreme
chancellor had gotten away with $4,000 of
the funds turned over to him for the pur-
pose OF establishing an insurance depart
IneHl. 10 dSSlsl the InOTludfy luuu the
fifteen thousand member were assessed So
a year. After the expulsion of Chancellor
Williams many of the knights residing in
the South left the order. They were not
convinced OF his guilt and. as a matter of
fact, no charges bad been brought against
Williams in the courts. Chancellor Mitchell,
his successor. believing that the difficulty
between the members of the order could be
hridpad nvpr ral1pd n rnaaffnp for fbfe offu
The supreme chancellor is disappointed
in the number Of uniformed knights that
have arrived and attributes the light at
tendance to a misunderstanding of the
transportation rates. Until two weeks ago
no definite arrangements had been made
with the railroad companies and the vari-
Gus officers were unable to provide their
division with transportation until too late.
On account of the nonarrivaI of divisions
the grand chancellor will not review the
knights in parade to-day. although a pro-
cesston will move this afternoon as an
nounced. At the fair ground this after
noon. Crfspus AttuckS 80 q. an Orssa b.
Division, No. 2, OF Chicago, and the In
dianapolis divisions will drill for handsome
prizes. Tonight the visiting divisions and
delegates will be given a reception by the
local committees.
Supreme Chancellor Mitchell, when asked
regarding the alleged refusal of the eau
caslan knights to recognize them, was very
indignant. He said:
From Supreme Chancellor Blackwell
down to the humblest white knight in the
ranks, I will go into a dark room and
prove to any fair man in possession of the
knowledge OF the mysteries OF the order
Of the Knights of Pythias that / am a X.
p The order of Pythianism is an Ameri-
can institution, founded by Justus H.
Rathbone, a Union soldier. This noble
product of American genius and patriot
ism conferred the mysteries of the work
upon a few white fellow-citizens in Tenn
perance Hall. Washington, ID. c.. Feb. II,
1864. He also conferred il upon five col
ored men between 1864 and 1869. / am in
possession OF one of the original drafts
from which the ritual was drawn and
which the white KS. of II. say was de-
stroyGd by Keystone Lodge. The Suprem-
Lodge of the World convened at Rich
mond, Va I'm 1863. at which time Mr.. Rath-
bone induced several c0lOred men 10 make
application TO the Supreme Lodge to grant
them a charter, SO that they might enjoy
It's mysteries. The application was rejected
on the grounds Of color. 1t can be seen,
however, that the same man who created
the white Knights OF Pythias created also
the negro knight. The friendly feeling
which characterized the conduct of Justus
Rathbone toward colored people soon drove
him out OF the white order and for a lone
time he remained outside. During the time
he was out our white brethren adopted q
national constitution for the government OF
The body and had placed in il the words
White male citizens of twenty-one years
and upwards