El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-03-22
FORESTERS
OF AMERICA
A FraternaI And Benevolent
Association Which Has
Had a Rapid Growth
COURT ROBIN OF Ell PASO
Now Insa Flourishing Condition And
Its Membership Roll Contains the
Names Of Some Of Ell Paso's Best
Citizens
Ell PASo, March Goth, '99.

Ell PAS o, March Goth, '99.
To the Editor of the Daily HERALD:
Sir:-In the parade last Friday there
appeared, though not published in the
official programme, some men dressed
as Indians in their war paint and SOL
diers in colonial dress with old fashion
ed muskets. AS there seems to be
considerable enquiry as to who they
were and what organization they be-
long TO, for the benefit of those who
wish to be informed, 1 wish to state
they were connected with the order OF
Foresters of America and are used in q
part of their initiation ceremonies.
And if you will kindly grant me a
small space In your valuable paper. L
would ike to give you brief history
of this order.
The FOresters of America were once
q part of the old ancient Order of For
esters that was instituted in England
sometime in the last century and whom
it is supposed took their name from the
noted outlaw Robin Hood, who accord
ing to some historians was the son OF
baron of England and becoming dis
gusted with the cruel laws of that
time, retired to the forest of Sherwood
with band of followers, and though
he frequently made raids upon the
property of the rich baron's his name
has been handed down as connected
with many deeds of charity among the
poor people. The names of Robin
Hood, Little John. the jolly Friar and
Maid Marian ETC., are household words
in England and the songs of the merry
Foresters as they were called are as
popular today as they were many years
ago;the popular opera of Robin Hood
now being performed by the Boston
ions all over this country is an evil
dence of this fact.
or :
country, think, was about 40 years
ago at Philadelphia, under the consti-
tuition of the High Court of England.
In 1887 trouble arose over the race or
rather color question the laws of Eng
handspring, any male OF good moral
character, etc., could become member
of this order while the mem bers of the
order in this country wished it to read.
any white male, ETC., the English could
not see it in that light. so convention
was called in Philadelphia, and after
two days discussion, they declared
their independence and broke from
the old order and became ancient Order
of Foresters of America.
About six years ago, the cid order
threatened legal proceedings against
them for retaining the name
was changed to the pres
ent one of F'oresters of America. There
are several orders of Foresters in the
country, and some of the old ancient
order, who owe allegiance to the En-
glish order but they must not be con-
founded with the FOresters of America
who have no connection with them
whatever.
The Foresters of America when they
broke away from the English constitu-
ton numbered about 80, 600 strong and
most of them came under the new ban
ner and their growth since that time
has been wonderful: the semi annual
report just published shows that from
about 80, 600 strong two years ago they
numbered on January LIST 1899 1877 1856
in good standing. To show the amount
of good this noble order does l will
state that during the past year they
have paid as Funeral Benefits S1O7. 313
sick benefits S613,5 benevolent S54,
9O3 and have balance in funds of ST.
100, 606.
The Forestors of America are similar