The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-14
The Books Of the Present Grand On
GERS shown by nm Investigation
TO BE Straight.
THE GALVESTON DISASTER
PARTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
ORDERS CONDITION.
1t Is Said an Application VIII
Shortly He Filed for Appoints
ment of a Receiver.


last few days concerning the alleged bank
rupt condition Of the Order Of Chosen
Friends. a fraternal organization, with
headquarters in this city. were confirmed
last night. For the last two or three weeks
an investigation of the books Of the order
has been going on, and from a statement
now in the hands of those making the in
vestigation it is extremely probable that q
receiver will be applied for within the next
few days.
The investigation has been made at the
instance of officers and members OF the or
der. 1t was announced last night that the
organization has at least $4,000 worth OF
unpaid claims standing against 1t. 1t Is
said that the only defalcation that has been
found stands against a man who is beyond
prosecution by the courts. The treasurer
of the order. who lived in Newark. N. J..
died few weeks ago, and an investigation
of his books showed that he was about
$50, 200 short
BOOKS ARE STRAIGHT.
A man who Is familiar with the condition
OF the organization made the following
statement to Journal reporter: ''No do
falcation can be charged against any OF the
officers OF the asssciatics II hc,iks OF
Thomas B. Linn. grand recorder. are abso-
Iutely straight The organization has new
treasurer now. and a surety company was
on the bond of the treasurer who is dead.
1t is almost certain that this sss.ooo Short
age will be paid.
'I am told that the trouble with the dead
treasurer was brought about through
gambling in stocks This $500. ZOO. of course.
is not defalcation; it is simply the result
of large death rate on account OF the
increasing old age Of members. The as
sessments were not sufficient to meet this
increased deathlrate.
"In addition the order suffered enormous
losses as result of the Galveston flood.
ounces is represented by claims arising
from loss of life in this food''
OFFICES LOCATED HERE
The Offices of the Supreme Council Order
of Chosen Friends are located ar S. to 81
Commercial Club building. The only SUI
preme officers residing here are Thomas
b. Linn. supreme recorder, and DIR. Henry
Jameson, supreme medical examiner.
The organization sncludes 1900 members,
about 100 of whom live in Indiana. The
order was organized in March. 1879
There are several councils I'm this city In
addition to the Supreme Council. They AN
Grand Coll.cil. Alpha Council No. 1. cres-~
cent Council No. s. Delta Council No. 2.
True Friend Council No. 3. Union Council
No. l5 Universal Council No. 2s and Venus
Council No. o.
WILSON'S DEFALcATIoN.
William b. Wilson. the defauiting treas
urere was elected TO his Office In 1895 and
continued as the treasurer Up the date OF
his death, oct. 81. He had the esteem and
confidence OF all those connected with him
in a business way. One OF the officers.
in detailing the story and its discovery
last night. said that it was only within
a short time before Mr Wilson's death
that his honesty was under suspicion. II
was thought by some OF the directors that
there was not enough money to the credit
Of the company in its bank OF deposit. and
Grand Recorder Linn, becoming suspicious
that all was not as it should be. made
flying trip the latter part OF October to
Mr.. Wilson's home in Newark
He found him very i'll and was forbidden
by Wilson's physicians 10 let him know
OF his presence. Mr.. Wilson's wife, how
ever. became cognizant OF the fact that
Mr.. Linn was IN Newark and Indscreet-
iy impaired the information 10 her
husband. Mr.. Wilson. believing that he
was on his deathbed, sent for Mr.. Linn
and made clean breast Of the whole
story. He sent for his books and he and
Mr.. Linn went over them together. Mr..
Wilson at the same time narrating ths
story OF his downfall He told Mr. Linn
that it was the old story over again.
PLAYED THE MARKETS.
He had become infatuated with the stock
markets and had borrowed in the nrst
place a small sum from the company's
funds. hoping that he would be able to
pay it In q short time. His speculations