The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-04-01
INITIATION NEARLY KILLED HIM
MIR, James Chapman Sues Workmen
at kingfisherf for Injuries.

Guthrie o. T., March 31.-The first case
| in Oklahoma against a fraternal order
| because of the violence of initiation
comes from Kingffsher and because of
the prominence of the plaintiff, the man
who was initiated the case is exciting
general interest over the territory. The
Kingfisher Free Press account of the
suit is as follows: '"The facts in rela-
ton to the injuries sustained by James
Chapman on the occasion of his initia-
ton into the Ancient Order Of United
Workmen have been generally known in
this community since their occurrence in
September, 1899. On the 23rd instant,
Chapman began suit against 1.-The Grand
Lodge of the Ancient Order OF United
Workmen of Oklahoma "a corporation)
and Kingisher Lodge No ., A. o. Z. W.
defendants, and damages in the total
sum Of $4,000, are prayed for. The petit
ton alleges that, in undergoing the cere-
mony of initiation, which is fully de-
scribed in the petition,s'This plaintiff was
severely bruised and battered and re-
ceived at the hands Of defendants such
rough and violent treatment that there
by the bones Of his spine, shoulders and
neck were fractured, crushed, bruised
and dislocated. whereby plaintiff was
greatly injured and caused to suffer ex
cruciating pains in both mind and body,
and because thereof was compelled for
many weeks, to lie helpless upon his
bed and was unable to turn over, raise
his head or move his body in any way
whatever, and by reason thereof, said
plaintiff has been permanently injured
and has been left with stiff neck,
badly injured spine and his brain so in
jured that he is unable to concentrate
his mind upon any subject, which said
injury affiant is informed and Verify be-
lieves will continue during plaintiffs
natural life to his great damage in the
sum of $4,000 Nine hundred dollars adj
ditional is demanded by reason Of the
fact that plaintiff was put to great ex-
pense in procuring nurse, physician and
medicine and great loss of time
Plaintiff also alleges that prior to the
time named when the injuries complain
ed of were received, he possessed
sound mind and body, and that the in
juries complained of were due entirely
10 lIic CAUSES ItC4t6u III HIS ptIItipA III
describing the manner in which the in
juries complained of were received the
petition says this plaintiff was there
upon blindfolded and strapped his hands
and arms to his body, and securely tied
his legs and feet, and placed him upon
a strong canvass about ten feet long by
six feet wide, kept and provided by said
defendants for this purpose, and with
hand holds made therein, tossed this
plaintiff up and down on this canvass
with great force and against the will of
this plaintiff, and carelessly and negli-
gently threw this plaintin into the air,
allowing him in this secured and help
less condition to strike upon the hard
floor. All of which conduct was many
times repeated etc, etc,
"Since this case the practice complain
ed Of has been entirely abandoned.
This will be an interesting case, and,
if prosecuted, will no doubt be carried
to the highest courts"