The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-11-10

Some "reminiscences of the Ancient
Order OF s'Sons Of Malta"
(Terre Haute Express


When Ed Johnson was asked the price
OF oysters the other day, somehow he
switched off to the Sons of Malta" Per-
maps an association of ideas made him
think of how the Sons made a clam OF
him. The Sons of Malta were a secret or
ganization in Terre Haute about thirty
I'VE to forty years ago that played High
links IN their hall on Third street, and
many old settlers still laugh they re-
MEMBER their Initiation ceremonies. which
the could not forget II they would, ac-
cording to MIR. Johnson's experience. He
told about his inhalation. which ne would
not have dared 10 do when the order was
alive and looking for fresh victims.
He was about IS when he was decoyed
into joining by J. c. McGregor, a well
known doctor, and others OF similar
standing. He said he wouldn't join If the
inlatiation was at all rough. They assured
him they would have him put in under
olSpensauon. He was conducted into
the grand hall with string of neophytes.
among the members of that time were
many of our departed wOrthleS-B- w.
Hanna, D. w Voorhees,, Grafton Cooker
iy, {. D. Wood. Thomas H. Nelson, Jo-
seph H Blake. L. a. Smith and others as
well known.
The candidates were airily attired and
pllndIoldeo Mr.. johnson was then clerk
Tor Mr. Doughty, keeper Of q saloon and
cafe, the most popular place on Main
street A solemn party asked him ques-
tons; Your cccupation2 CLERK"
CLERK In what?" I'm cafe. 1T is re-
corded that you sell intoxicating liquors
Mr. Cookerly,s voice arose from the rear
OF the hail, saying: He is a poisoner!"
and the whole order repeated in reproach-
ful chorus, -poiSoner." The ap-
plfcant began TO think ne wouldn't pass.
Further questions of a most searching
ana imDudent character were asked. as
every member who knew anything of a
candidate had previously passed ii in. The
worse it was the more sure It was TO be
Numbered cut in that hail. When the
victims tried to be smart or defend them
selves Lyn Smith, or some one, would
call out soIemnly, There is too much
levity-is the grand council of ten pres
emit? Let them come forward" The
grand council of ten, led by Captain Wood,
marched up and surrounded the neophyte
and grounded arms with bang.
After the victim had been well terri
fled, he was set upon q revolving chain,
such as was used ia old horse powers. and
Il VISA started. He was still blindfoided.
and when he thought he was up about
thirty feet a voice called: How much
water is there in the grand tankI" AID
the answer came: six fathomss mark
twain. Another voice sohcitously asked
him If he could swim. and babe him good
bye, as he was going to cross q. stream
from which few returned. He was showed
off and fell into a sheet and was vigor-
ously tossed. When he landed, he was
walked around to get warm, although he
was sweating great drorS, and then was
damned down on block of ice, his cloth
ing was very thin, and then led to a very
hot chair under which lamp was burn
ing, piece of ice was drawn across his
chest, feeling like sharp knife, and If he
Malta.
When Mr.. Cookery was sworn in he
was told the order was really a military
organization, whose purpose was the an
nexation of Cuba How did he feel about
it2 He was opposed to ii. d. w. Voor-
hees talked beautifully to him on the
wrongs OF Cuba, and Mr.. Hanna fol-
lowed. till Mr.. Cookery consented to the
annexation of Cuba. Would you. sir,
be willing to lie in ambush and attack
the tyrants of Cuba?" For the good of
the order he would. Would you be will
ing to steal upon the enemy and attack
him?" For the good of the order, he
would. said Mr.. Cookery. Let 1t be re-
corded that the candidate says he would
be willing to lie and steaP' and the whole
order chanted the same, while the candi-
date insisted that what he really said
should be entered, and a loud voice called
There is too much leVity among the can
didates. Is the grand council of ten in
conclave?' and so on. There never has
been such times since, as our respected
predecessors used TO have in the hail OF
the Sons of Malta.