The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1896-08-26
WOES OF AN ORAN GEMAN.
Tell in Court How He Was Whipped
and Branded.

Tell in C,urt How He Was Whipped
and Branded.
WALTHAM, NJ ass August 22.-The
most unique case ever tried in the dis
trict court came up today before JaJgt
Luce, wnen an alleged expose wa:
made under oath upon the witnes:
stand Of the rites ana ordeals through
which a candidate must pass to be
come full-tledge3 Otangeman.
Frank A. Preole was the first wit
ness. He was one Of the candid ates
VINO thought the initiatory ceremony
was cruel and was seeking lege salts
faction for his experience 1t was on
the evening OF July 25, 1895, that he
received his in!tiatory degree in the
Orange lodge of Waltnam. 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 pitts sleeve and he
was given a pair of overalls, which
were rolled above his knees.
Then, as he says he was blind folded
and led into the larger lodgeroom by
Brothers Daniel Tracy and William
Maibee who acted as conductors. There
he was compelled to halt and get down
upon his knees and repeat the Lords
prayer. Then he had to clam Der over
lot Of rough blocks, was struck
severely with whips and finally posed
upon what seemed TO him a steplad
der.
An obligation was IMPOSED, after
which the ladder was suddenly pu He'd
from under him and he was pitched
into a canvas 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 inthe neck" Some more
marching forward and he was made to
carry what felt like a bag of rocks.
Finally Maibee told him to raise his
hand and try to find "the serpent.
Brother Graham then cried.
you did not lind ii, but it has
found YOU" and then, he states, q
branding iron was applied twice to his
breast. After that he was seated and
the rest was easy. He talked with
Mr.. Niciolson, another member, next
night, and both agreed that he had
been crulley treated. He alleged that
one reason that he had received such
harsh treatment was probably because
some one had blackballed him. The
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 Brother:
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 100 hot, but O'Neil
heated is further and said they would
give the candidate good roast.
Arch had not interfered to protec
Preble because he knew it would dc
no good. His own legs were whipped
harder than Preble's had been, out hi:
own back had escaped more lightly;
No evidence was put in for the defense.
but counsel argued that no proof hao
been given that any departure had
been made from the regular from OF
initiation sufficient to constitute an
assault. Preble having applied for ini
taticn and having been willing Il
abide by the consequences, no crime
had been committed, and counse.
asked that the lodge be discharged as
mot guilty"
Judge Luce ia his decision fned SIX
officers OF the lodge s35 each. They
were John G.. Graham, G.. 0. Nicker
son, Edward O'Neil, Daniel Tracy
Leanoer Weatherbee and Wilfred Mai
bee. All appealed and were held II
$500 bonds each.