The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-28
THE VICTIMS OF EQUITY
EXPERIENCE OF SOME LOCAL PEO-
Pile DUPED BY THE SCHEME.
Members of Defunct Order to Hold q
Meeting TO-Horrovv to Dust As
signce, Who Is a "Supremer."

AS time goes by more of the doings of the
Order of Equity come TO light and the
more that comes out the more the whole
thing savors of the well-known Iron Hall
rankness. The plan was precisely the
same with some little notifications as to
details. but these did not change the gen.
eral system by which those with the idea
that money grows on trees and can be
plucked by some without adequate compen-
sation could be induced TO part with a
portion of their money.
The members in this city have been dis
cussing the matter and have decided TO
hold a meeting tomorrow night at No. 6
West Market street for the purpose of de-
vising plans to secure TO themselves what
little there is remaining for the member
who were not lucky enough 10 be among
the supremers. Frank Item, one of the
local members, thinks it is possible that
the members may be able to secure the re-
moval of Assignee Blair. who is one of the
supremers, and secure the appointment of
a man outside of this rank. If they find
they cannot do that they will probably
begin suic for the appointment of a receiver
and thus take the matter out of the hands
of the assignee. Active measures will be
taken as soon as "a plan can be outlined
by the members.
Frank Item was secretary of Hoosier
Council, No. 20, of this city, and he and
his wife held certificates in the order. They
have paid in on their certificates from so
to S5 a month for five years and now get
nothing. They are not inclined to shower
words of praise on the order and its man
agement, but they ave in their posses
sion a great deal of Information that shows
the workings of the order.
Last night Mrs. Item gave the names of
many of those of the Hoosier Council who
held matured certificates and who had re-
ceived nothing. AT one time this council
had 34 members in good standing who
paid their dues promptly. When certii-
Gates began 10 mature and no money was
forthcoming the members began to drop
out until at the time the order closed its
doors there were just siXty-seven members
in good standing, and of these siXty-one
held matured certificates. Just one OF these
matured certificates have been paid. mat
was held by David Shepherd, who, Mrs.
Item says, determined that he would have
his money if he had TO get it in the manner
of the Western train robber. He went TO
the office of the order and demanded his
money. He was met with the usual excuse
that there would be no distribution until
the funds on the next monthly assessment,
then in process of objection, were all In.
Mr.. Shepherd did rot take TO this idea
ana INFORMED tne SupIeIIIIS Lldl ne IlA
come for his money and intended to have
it or send the order TO the skies. tigurative-
ly speaking, He was SO emphatic IN ms
demands and made his demands In such a
manner as to impress the supremers That
he would give them all kinds of trouble if
he were not paid. They opened their money
bag and handed out $500, Mrs. Item says.
Mr.. Shepherd. so far as known now,. Is
the only man except those or the inner CIR
Gle. in this city who has ever received a
cent from the order. John j. Jenkins held
a certificate which matured in September.
1895. The certificate is for N,OO0 ana Jen-
kins has received Just $50 on it. a MIR.
Stewart, employed by the Nordye IL Mar
mon Company. Jared a little better. lie
had a certificate for $1,000 which matured
at the same time. He secured the muniii-
cent sum Of 500. His story is a sad one In
some features. He was approached by one
given, in glowing terms. the outline or the
promises made to victims. He saw visions
of 1900 for less than $500 and could not
see how he could make 5000 so easily in any
other way. He took a certificate and be-
gun paying in s. to $3.50 a month, which he
continued for five years, and then was able
to get 500 i'm return. He not only became
a member himself, but innOcently induced
his friends in the shop TO JOIN, ana now
they are heaping all kinds of imprecations
on his head.
Joseph Emminger. proprietor of the Cir
Gle Park saloon, had a certificate Tor 500
which matured over a year ago. He man
aged to get $50 from the order. William
Wiegel, sho Xcase manufacturer on LOUIS
lana street, held a certificate for $0OO, winch
matured about two years ago. Fifty dol
lars is the extent of his return. Mr.. and
Mrs. Item each held a certificate and when
they matured, Jan. 9, of this year, demand
was made for the money, but 1t was not
Forthcoming. They continued to call for ii,
but were always told that 1t would be paid
at the end of ninety days.
Last night Mrs. Item told of her expert
ence with the order: She said: w. ii;
Baker represented the order and secured
my membership. He represented that the
order had filed a bond with the State to
secure the members and dwelt on the ar
gument that the State authorities would
not permit the order to do business If 1t
were not solvent and properly managed.
He said that he and his wife and son were
all members of the council he was then
working for. This was true. Later, all
the members of his family became sick
and drew out their sick benefits. This made
them even and they then stopped paying
and went to Detroit.
When my certificate matured l went to
the office and asked Mr.. Lander TO discount
my claim and pay ne a part of 1t. L
needed the money to pay street improve
ment assessments which were due. / went
to the office time and again, and the man
who kept watch at the window, told me first
one thing and then another. At last | met
a man on the stairway who told me that
Mr.. Lander was in the office. / inquired
of the young man at the window, and he
there. | did not get to see him. The next
day, by waiting two hours. | saw him. He
merely said that the certificate would be
paid at the end of ninety days. although
there was no provision that l should wait
ninety days for my money. He finally gave
me vouchers for my money, but they have
proved worthless thus far