Cañon City record., 1902-06-19
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The Sixth
In A
Series OF
Lodge
Articles
The
Knights
OF
Pythias
w. 3333,
$333333 -:

IIls seeihs 10 De pIhtHuiAthiAF t4'
day of the secret society. There is
perhaps greater variety of goats in
Njemand to-day than ever before. The
very fact Of the organization of so
many new fraternal societies when
coupled with the marvellous growth of
the older organizations of this kind, Is
in itself evidence that their existence
il considered 10 be of advantage TO the
people. The day has practically gone
when these organizations are criti-
cised because they are secret societies,
and restrict 20 their own members a
knowledge of their rituals and work
ings. This is largely true because
those who are not members have been
able to see that these organizations
are ever busy in the doing of good
deeds. and perhaps because mankind
is becoming each year more rational,
and is able to understand that thess'
societies arr entitled and properly
should establish some degree of secrecy
whereby they can protect themselves
against impost.rs.
The order OF knights of Pythias
was founded by Justice Henry Rath-
bone. In the city Of Washington, ID.
c., n, n meeting called for that pur-
pose. and held ON the evening of Feb
Euary 10th. 1854. This was at time
when the country was divided in its
feeling by the contentious of the great
-. - 0 l... tF.s. of
founder Of ia. order 10 establish n so
ciaty which In time should spread all
\ over the country. teaching friendship,
charity and hcnevolencc. The name
was chosen because of the old story
OF Damon and PythiAs. which told a
tale OF true friendship strong enough
in its salient features to b. rrmem-
bcred and told from,Scneration TO gen
Grafton for over two thousand years
This order Is essentially an American
order, conceived by an American,
organized by Americans, born in the
capital city of our country. ]; has
certainly appealed strongly TO the pco-
pie for in the thirty eight years Of its
life il has drawn to IL sufficient mem
bers 70 that allowing for deaths and
tho-e suspended for all reasons. IL has
present membership of nearly coo, e
600. and made net gain during the
last year of over ~, 600 members
The order may be called both fra
ternal and beneficial fraternal in the
feeling that exists among its members,
and that is taught by its ritual, and
beneficial in that every member in good
standing in "a subordinate lodge is en-.
titled to fixed benefit in case of sick
ness or disability. In addition to this
to which he is entitled Ms a matter Of
Xghi, and which he feels that he
Ydoes not have to ask or beg, he Is al
ways looked after, guarded and cared
for by the members of any lodge
where he may be when he is in need
or distress.
At the convention of the Supreme
odge held in 1878, the military
Ianch of the order, the Uniform
Rank, Was organized, and the first di-
vision organized at Columbus, Ohio.
November 9th, of that year. The
oI Iii' tllH
is in the ucighborhood of 80. 900. This
branch of the order furnishes an excel
lent drill for young men who have a
liking for military matters and is es-
pecially valuable to them and to the
country. because the tactics used are
practically identical with the tactics
used by the United States army.
The Pythian order is not what is
commonly called or known rs an iusur-
ance order; that is, its members do
not necessarily carry life insurance in
the order. II has, however, what is
known as the Endowment Rank.
which was organized in August, 1877,
and the first claim was paid in 1873
|rhis branch of the order now has over
30, 900 members, carrying in round
numbers, sia0, 900, 900 of insurance.
In 1901 it paid death claims amount.
ng to 81, 725, 600, and since its organ
zntion 1t has disburscd among the
= dows and orphans of deceased mem
yers over SlT, 500. 900. 1t isnot run on
what is commonly known as. the
Assessment" plan, but has fixed
premium similar to the "old line
ife' companies, charging rates ap-
proved by the fraternal congress and
.ndeavoring to furnish its memters