The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-09-19

Genesee county 10 whose employ Nor
gan was at the time engaged"
He was, withal, what is termed a
"bright Mason; or rather he profess
ed to be such, tor it is an open ques-
ton whether he was ever legitimate
member of the fraternity. Too lazy
to dig, he was not ashamed to beg-at
least from his Masonic brethren; and
what his scanty earnings lacked, was
made up by Masonic charities, in de-
vising means to procure which he was
remarkably ingenious.
While living at LIE Roy, Morgan be-
came intimately acquainted with Major
James Ganson, a man of reputation
ana high standing. 1t was at LIE Roy
that Morgan was "exalted" to the
Royal Arch Degree, on Major Ganson's
avouchment as to his proficiency in the
preceding degrees. But it could never
be ascertained in what lodge Morgan
had been "initiated, passed, and
raised"; and at last doubts began to
arise as to his Masonic character. In
other words, he began to be looked
upon as an impostor. About the same
time an ediice for the knights Templar
was projected at LIE Roy, and Morgan
bad contract to labor in its erection.
By some means, he was disappointed,
and an arrangement followed between
him and Major Ganson.
The next scene of this "strange,
eventful history" is in Batavia, which
had now become Morgan's place of
abode. Early in the year 1926, the
Royal Arch Masons of Batavia deter
mined to apply to the grand chapter for
a charter to constitute chapter in that
village. The petition, contrary to the
desire of the more respectable sgners,
was presented to Morgan for his sigma
ture. But his character and habits
were so bad that his association was
not desired by the original movers in
the matter OF the petition. They did
not wish him to become member of
the new chapter. They therefore de-
stroyed the petition and secretly cir
culated another by which the charter
was obtained. On its arrival Morgan
was surprised and mortified to find that
his own name was not inserted. Stung
with rage at this treatment from his
companions" he was not long in
Colonel David @. Miller was editor
of the village paper at Batavia. He
was man OF some talents, but of low
moral character and addicted to intem-
perance. A rival paper had been es-
tablished by his former political asso-
ciates and Miller had become straiten-
ed and embarrassed in his circum-
stances. Many years before he had
taken the first degree and this was all
he knew of Masonry. "Birds of a
feather flock together" and it was
not long before Miller and Morgan be-
came intimate, and, as was natural,
aired their mutual griefs. Morgan was
often closeted with man OF consider
able talents and some scholarship, who
had been expelled from the fraternity
for writing and exhibiting certain ma
sonic matters that were considered
"esoteric." Having become possessed
of these manuscripts, or of copies, Nor
gan showed them to Miller, who at
once conceived the idea of turning
them to their mutual pecuniary advan-
tage.
The bargain was struck-partners
were enlisted who were to furnish the
capital and share the profits, which,
by Miller's subsequent confession, it
was supposed would be very great.
The open announcement of their inten-
ton to publish book revealing the Sc
crets of Free Masonry aroused the
tempest which resulted in the abduc-
tiop of Morgan and the Anti-Masonic
Crusade of 1862.
.~s
In our next we shall give full and
circumstantial account of the excite
ment, the trial of the "conspirators,' -
and the discovery, one after the other,
OF two bodies, both of which were pro-
nounced to be the murdered Nor.
gan's!"
.The description of Morgan is from the anti
Masonic book referred to in our last article which
was written by distinguished anti, Mason.
We VIII Positively Pay You.