The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-20
TORTURED IN AN
ORANGE LODGE
Frank A. Preble Objected to the Red
Hot lnitia ton.
SEEKS SATISFACTION FROM COURTS
Was Stripped of His Clothing, Tor.
tured with Whips and Hot Irons
and Otherwise Abused..The Lodge
Officers Fined..An Appeal will Be
Taken.

Waltham, Mass, Aug. 19.-The most
unique case ever tried in the district
court came up this morning before
Judge Luce, when an alleged expose
was made. under oath, upon the wit
ness stand, of the rites and ordeals
through which a candidate must pass
to become a full fledged Orangeman.
Frank A. Preble was the first witness.
He was one of the candidates who
thought the initiatory ceremony was
cruel and was seeking legal satisfac-
ton for his experience.
1t was on the evening Of July 25,
1896. that he received his initial honor
ary degree in Orange lodge of Waltham.
He swore that his troubles began on
the minute that he passed the mystic
portals. He was compelled to discard
all raiment except his underwear,
which, the night being hot, was of
gausy texture. One arm was stripped
of his sleeve, his drawers were rolled
above his knees and he was given
pair of overalls, which also were rolled
above his knees. Then, as he says, he
was blindfolded and led into the larger
lodge room by Brothers Daniel Tracey
and William Mabie, who acted as con-
ductors.
There he was compelled to halt and
get down upon his knees and repeat the
Lords prayer. Then he had to clam
ber over lot of rough blocks, was
struck severely with whips and finally
posed upon what seemed to him step
ladder An obligation was imposed. af-
ter which the ladder was suddenly
pulled from under him, and he was
pitched into a canvass blanket in which
he was bounced around for while.
Then he was placed on his knees again
and several people, he says, literally
gave it to him in the neck" Some
more marching followed and he was
made to carry what felt like a bag of
rocks.
SERPENT FOUND HIM.
Finally Mabie told him to raise his
hand and try to find "the serpent"
Brother Graham then cried: You did
not find him, but it has found you. and
then he alleged a branded iron was ap-
piled twice TO his breast. After that he
was seated and the rest was easy. He
talked with Mr.. Nicholson, another
member. and both agreed that he had
been cruelty treated. He alleged that
one reason that he had received such
harsh treatment was probably because
some one had blackmailed him. The
witness breast was badly burned
and the wounds were raw for ten days.
His legs were discolored from the vio-
lence of some If the blows he received
from the whips. The only time he pro-
his clothing.
Witness declared he belonged to the
Grand Army. the Red Men. the A. p.
A. and the Pilgrim Fathers.
Edward Arch was the next witness
He had witnessed Preble's ordeal in
getting his degree. He said Brothers
Tracy and Mabie guarded the door.
Mabie heated the iron and Brother
Graham applied it. Brother Nickerson
had objected that the iron was too hot.
but one of them heated it further, and
said they would give the candidate
id good roast"
Arch had not interfered to protect
Preble because he knew it would do
no good His own legs were whipped
harder than Prebles had been, but his
own back had escaped more lightly.
No evidence was put in for the de-
fense but counsel argued that no proof
had been given that any departure had
been made from the regular form OF
initiation sufficient to constitute an as
sault. Preble having applied for initia-
ton and had been willing to abide by
the consequences. no crime had been
committed, and counsel asked that the
lodge be discharged as mot guilty"
Judge Luce, in his decision, fined six
officers of the lodge $35 each. They
were John G. Graham, G. o. Nicker-
son, Edward OBrien. Daniel Tracy.
Alexander Wheaterbee and Wilfred
Mabie. All appealed and were held in
SOM hnndS each