The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-08-26
WOES OF AN ORANGEMAN.

WOES Or AN OFtHNoCWHN'
Tell In Court How He Was Whipped
and Branded.
WALTHAM, Mass, August 22.-The
most unique case ever tried in the dis
trict court came up today before Judge
Luce, when an alleged expose was
made under oath upon the witness
stand of the rites and ordeals through
which a candidate must pass TO be-
come full. l.tiedged Orangeman.
Frank A. Preble was the first wit
ness. lie was one of the candidates
who thought the initiatory ceremony
was cruel and was seeking legel salts.
faction for his experience. 1t was on
the evening of July rs, 1896, that he
received his initiatory degree in the
Orange lodge of Waltham. He swore
that his troubles began on the minute
he passed the mystic portals. He was
compelled to discard all raiment ex-
cept his underwear, which, the night
being hot, was of gauzy texture. One
arm was stripped Of its sleeve and he
was given a pair OF overalls, which
were rolled above his knees.
Then, as he says he was blindfolded
and led into the larger lodgeroom by
Brothers Daniel Tracy and William
Maibee.wh acted as conductors. There
he was compelled to halt and get down
upon his knees and repeat the Lords
prayer. Then he had to Chamber over
lot of rough blocks, was struck
severely with whips and finally posed
upon what seemed 10 him steplad'
der.
An obligation was imposed, after
which the ladder was suddenly pulled
from under him and he was pitched
into acanvas blanket. in which he
was bounced around for q 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 forward and he was made to
carry what felt like bag of rocks.
Finally Maibee told him to raise his
hand and try to find 'the serpent. "
Brother Graham then cried.
"You did not find it, but it has
found you," and then, he states, 8
branding iron was applied twice to his
breast. After that he was seated and
the rest was easy. He talked with
Mr.. Nicholson, another member, next
night, and both agreed that he had
been crulley treated. He alleged that
one ereason that he had received such
harsh treatment Was probably because
some one had blackbalied hin. Tie Tie
witnesses breast was badly burned and
the wounds were raw for ten days.
His legs were discolored from the
violence of some of the blows he re-
ceived from the whips.
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 Maibee guarded the candi-
dates. Brother O'Neil heated the brand
ing iron and Brother Graham applied
it. Brother Nickerson had objected
that the iron was too hot, but O'Neil
heated is further and said they would
give the candidate good roast.
Arch had not interfered to protect
Preble because he knew it would do
DO good. His own legs were whipped
harder than Preble's had been, but his
own back had escaped more lightly.
No evidence was put in for the defense,
but counsel argued that no proof had
been given that any departure had
been made from the regular from OF
initiation sufficient to constitute an
assault. Preble, having applied for ini-
tation and having been willing to
abide by the consequences, no crime
had been committed, and counsel
asked that the lodge bs discharged as
mot guilty."
Judge Luce ia his decision fined six
officers of the lodge $35 each. They
were John G.. Graham, G.. o. Nicker-
son, ), Edward O'Neil, Daniel Tracy,
Leander Weatherbes and Wilfred Mai
bee. All appealed and were held in
5000 bonds each.