Omaha daily bee., 1897-06-06

The head camp session OF the Modern
woodmen Of America occurred at Dubuque,
Ia, last week, convening on Tuesday morn
ing and adjourning on last Friday afternoon.
The meeting was decidedly interesting one
from the fact that a number OF matters
which have for months been widely discussed
by the members OF the order were con-
sidered
Easily the first matter OF importance was
the Investigation % the charges against the
head ofhcers. These accusations fell fiat alb
solutely. They we're not even considered In
detail by the main body, which was satisfied
by the report Of the delegates -at-large, who
were in charge OF the investigation. The
report was a lengthy one and showed that
while there were a few Irregularities In, the
records consequent upon the enormous busi-
nees transacted, the order had not been In
jured In the slightest and that there had
been absolutely no misuse OF funds. The
convention showed how 1t felt on the mat
ter by endorsing the head officers by re-
election.
The election resulted as follows: Head
consul w. A. Northcutt. Illinois; adviser,
Daniel b. Horne, Iowa; clerk, C. W. Hawes,
Illinois; banker, George N. Fratt, Wiscon-
sin; escort, +. r. Van Slyke, South Dakota;
watchman, E. b. Thomas. Ohio; sentry. L.
Il. Mentch. Illinois; physicians, Nebraska. s.
H.. Ashby; Illinois. X. e. Beach; Iowa, F. j.
will; Kansas, J. b. Hibben; Wisconsin, DIR.
Arthur Center Michigan. l. b. Hamilton;
South Dakota, A. w. Hyde; Ohio, f. A.
Smith; Minnesota, c. A. McCollum; Missouri
2. c. Palmer; Indiana, VIII F. Green; North
Dakota, A. Stewart; chaplain. Rev II. W.
Troy. Wisconsin; auditing committee, Emory
Townsend, Michigan; w. ]. Reinke. Iowa;
Fred w PARROT Kansas; board of directors
j. H. Reece, j. w. white and NJ. Quacken-
bush, Illinois; A. II. Talbot, Nebraska; Ben
jamin d. Smith, Minnesota.
Another matter of Importance was the
decision OF the body to remove the head
quarters from Fulton to Rock Island, III.
Il Is expected, however, that although the
Fulton people have so far gotten the short
end of the legal fight they began to retain
the head offices, they will not be ready to
give up yet. Therefore provision was made
for special meeting on call of the execu-
tive council In case the Fultonites TOOK tur-
ther legal proceedings.
The head camp transacted a considerable
quantity Of important business. Among
other things II voted to pay suicide claims II
deaths do not occur within three years OF
the date on which the certificates were Is
sued. This matter also provoked consider
able discussion previous to the session. The
following additional states were admitted into
the territory of the order: Pennsylvania,
Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon and
Washington. Stockholders in liquor manu-
factories VIII not De "
ship The per capita tax will remain as at
present, but the surplus in the general fund
will be used in the nature Of a reserve fund.
A head physician was appointed in each
state.
The Nebraska delegation failed to secure
the $500 appropriation for the erection OF a
headquarters on the exposition grounds dur
ing the big show. While 1t was hoped that
some money would be put aside for this pur-
pose, the local members do not intend to
give up the scheme They will try to raise
fund for such building or headquarters In
some other way.
The reports of the officers were very fiat
tering. During the past two years 127 11O
applications were accepted, bringing the total
membership to $40 000 The mortuary claims
allowed were 1,606, and the amount paid on
them was $3,2SO SIG. There is at present
$3.50 O0o 900 insurance in force. The cost OF
management Is 81 cents. The average age
of the members is 1916 years.
The question of a reserve fund did not
come up before the body, because the mat
ter was disposed of bysa vote of the lodges
which decided against the plan.
The next session of the head camp will be
held in Kansas City on the first Tuesday in
June, 1899.