Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-14
IMPROVED ORDER OF RED MEN.
Brief Historical Outline From the Earliest Times in VIRGINIA
and Especially in Norfolk ST. Tapina to the Present

(By Past Great Sachem Jno. w. Cherry
In claiming that the Improved Order
of Red Men is the oldest fraternal So
ciety OF purely American origin, it is
not assumed that 1t has continued I'M
der its present name and ritual from
the beginning up to the present date.
The existence of the organization may
property be divided into three periods.
and under these titles:
First-1765 to 1912, 1.-The Sons of Lib
erty" or "Sons of Saint Tamina."
Second-1Sl3 to 1880, Society of Red
Men,"
Third-1s34 up to the present "Im.
proved Order of Red Men"
"The Sons of Liberty" or Sons of
Saint Tamina" were patriotic secret
societies, formed among the American
colonists having for their ultimate eff
feet the freedom and independence Of
Amcrica,-the more Northern colonies
using one title, while the Middle and
Southern colonies more generally used
the title of Sons OF Saint Tamina"
In Coke's History OF Virginia, we find
the following: Yesterday G774) was
celebrated in this place-Norfolk-the
anniversary of St. Tamina, the tutelar
saint of the American colonies. There
was n royal salute OF 81 guns, and
grand entertainment by the Sons
of the Saint The ball was opened
by one of the Burgesses accoutred in
the ancient habit OF this country-full
Indian dress-and at four in the morn
ing the Sons encircled their King and
practiced the ancient mysterious war
dance"
The Boston Gazette OF February 10Th,
-111O, referring to a meeting of the Sons
of Liberty" says THE whole was
concluded with many agreeable tunes
and liberty songs by a member of the
organization"
The references have been introduced
to show that these societies-the car
lest in the chain of our organization
with freedom" the object of their
existence, even then practiced social
and mutual Friendship"
These Taminh societies spread
throughout the principal colonies, and
the great political organization of New
York city, "thc Tammany Society,""
was originally organized as AZ mutually
protective American association, but
drifting into the political differences OF
that day, departed from the original
purposes of It's founders anu became
entirely political in character ai3
The first use of the term "lted Men"
was In connection with an organization
effected by soldiers stationed at Fort
Miffln, on the Delaware river, in 1913.
The title was the Society of Red
Men" In the preamble Of the consti-
tuition adopted at n reorganization in
1916, the following appears:
"At the fort originated the Society OF
Mon nd rn,
purposes, but to relieve each other in
sickness or distress, and in the event
OF battle, solemnly pledged at all per-
sonal hazards. firmly to adhere to each
other in defense of our country's
This society OF Red Men had tribes
In all parts of the United States, and
certainly as far South as Charleston,
S. c., and although there Is no definite
information of n tribe in the city Of
Norfolk. It is but fair 10 assume that
It succeeded the song of Saint Tam
ina" in this city.
This Society of Red Men" had no
grand or supreme body, hence there
was. no doubt. great lack of uniform
ity I'm its system, each tribe being in n
certain sense supreme unto ITSELF"
and while the order was both benevo-
lent and social In its character. being
without proper controlling and lcgs
lative government, 1t seems that the
social features gra dnallX -tended 10
Recognizing the origin,
worth and possibilities OF such an or
properly conducted, several
gentlemen, who had become members
of the Society Of Red Men in the city
OF Baltimore, Md, and afterwards
held n number OF informal
or preliminary meetings III Elisha
Snil<es Temperance House, on Thames
street. in that city. Rules and regula-
TONS were adopted for the formal ton
of a society that would perpetuate the
and traditions OF the prlm-
Tive red man. upon n basis of tenn
perance. virtue. mutual assistance. the
care OF the sick and the relief of the
widow and orphan. aftti. on the 18th
of March. 1884. the Improved Order of
Red Men, was founded by the insttu-
ton of Logan Tribe. No. 1, of Balt
more, Md. The second tribe was Met
amora, No. . Baltimore June, 1S3;
the third Pocahontas, No. g. May, 1888.
until 1t now has over 100000 members,
its council fires burning in every State
in the United States.
The first tribe organized IN Virginia
was Pocahontas Tribe, No. 1, at Wheel
ing in 1899. However. this tribe had
but brief existence. and the order
was not firmly established I'm The Old
Dominion until February 18TH 1885,
when Osceola Tribe was instituted at
Alexandria. This tribe is still in OK
istencc, and. with but one single eX-
ception Powhatan. No, g, OF Balti-
n1ore) is the Oldest tribe in the order