The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-11
In the Intervals OF Teaching, Justus
III. Rathbone Devised the Plan
and Wrote the Ritual.
NOT MARKED BY TABLET
BUILDING THAT SHOULD BE VAL
UED RELIC Is SADLY NEGLECTED..
Old Residents of the Almost Deserted
Village Recall Pleasant Things
About Mr.. Rathbone.

AS the birthplace of Pythianism, a little
frame schoolhouse in Eagle Harbor,
Keweenaw county. Michigan, Is the Mecca
for all Pythians that visit the copper coun-
try. Pythianism has in Houghton and cop
perdom an historical significance that II
can have IN no other part Of the country
for the reason thst in the schoolhouse, now
weatherbeaten. racked by the elements and
prey TO vandal relic-hunters, Justus Henry
Rathbone founder of the order OF knights
of Pythias. taught the youngsters their
three RS in the early sixties. but to-day
Il IL In disrepair and all OF any worth mas
been stolen by the curious. IL Is strange
that a building of such great historical
value to so great an order should have been
neglected so utterly and allowed to go to
ruin. No tablet or other outward sign
marks it as the birthplace of Pythianism
Justus Henry Rathbone. while teaching
school in English Harbor, was greatly i'm
pressed with the fidelity and friendship of
Damon and Pythias, as retold in the drama
by the young Irish author. dramatist and
poet John Banim. He decided to write the
ritual OF q secret order TO be named the
knights of Pythias, to be founded on
naught but the purest and sincerest mo-
tives, It's aim to alleviate the sufferings
OF brother, succor the unfortunate, zeal
ous1y watch at the bedside OF the sick.
soothe the dying pillow, perform the last
sad rites at the grave Of brother, Offer
ing consolation to the afflicted. and caring
for the widow and the orphan. Having
these principles in view. It's members will
endeavor to exemplify them by practical
tests: and. If, by the grace of God. it shall
III fboxy will
feel that their mission was not in vain.
A lover OF mankind. inspired to noble
deeds by the story of Damon and Pythias.
Rathbone labored on his ritual in spare
moments between lessons in the little frame
school and until late at night in his room
sn the Bawden House. the oply hotel Eagle
Harbor boasted OF at that time. Only an
intimate friend and roommate knew of his
undertaking and while Rathbone got little
encouragement he worked sedulously and
when he had finished his task he had
framed a ritual that is said to be the NEST
beautiful OF all secret society rituals.
A MARVELLOUS GROWTH.
Once founded the fraternity has grown
marvelously and to-day, while one of the
youngest of such orders, 1t IL one of the
largest and most fourishing from every
view point Rathbone was not the visionary
his roommate, Thomas Shapley, thought
him. Builded upon his ritual the foun-
dalton. the splendid superstructure Of the
order of knights of Pythias has since been
reared.
There was great need of such a society
when il was launched The country was
torn with internecine strife; IL was the
gloon1ist hour in the history of the Re
public. The civil war still ragged and Rath-
bone saw In the old Grecian story of the
friendship OF Damon and Pythias the
nucleus OF an order that could become a
mighty factor in subduins sectional ami
mosities and in restoring peace and good
will and universal brotherhood.
The love of Damon and Pythias shines
through the m;sts of centuries. touching
and remarkable example of loyalty and
friendship. Damon, senator of Syracuse,
had incurred the displeasure of the tyrant
ruler Dionysius and awaited the execution
of the death sentence. Pythias. lifelong
friend Of Damon, begged the tyrant to
grant Damon a respite that he might go
and bid farewell to wife and child. Pythias
offered himself as a hostage. The chains
were removed from Damon and placed on
Pythias. Damon sped to his distant home
while Pythias entered the prison cell. While
ancarcerated Pythias was besought by
Calanthe, who urged her lover to break his
bonds and flee with her. but he would not
At the supreme moment when the hour of
execution had come and Pythias stood con-
fronting death and the jeering mob, that
tainted him with the faithlessness of his
friend he did not lose faith In his friends
ioyalty. He reafiirmed his devotion, saying
s.'ris sweet to die for those we love-" At
the last moment Damon appeared to redeem
his pledge. Dionysius was so affected
by the strange scene that he forgave Da-
mon and sought the friendship OF both
This virtue Rathbone characterized as the
cornerstone OF the order.
Rathbone was born I'm Deerfield, Oneida
county. New York. Oct. %. 1882 His father.
Justus Hull Rathbone, was prominent law
yer in Utica, and his mother, Sarah Eliza
beth Dwight who died March 20. 1852. was a
lineal descendant OF Jonathan Edwards, and
member of the famous Dwight family of
New England. At first Rathbone was
named Henry Edwin Dwight. but in 1s49 the
Edwin Dwight was dropped and Justus was
prenxed to the Henry, thus giving him the
hume, Justus Henry Rathbone. His early
education was obtained ut the Mount Yer
non boarding school. Cortland Academy,
Carlisle Seminary and Madison University.
After leaving college in 1857. Rathbone. ac-
companied by Thomas Shapley. who had
been his roommate in Utica while Rathbone
was studying law in his fathers office,
started for the Lake Superior copper coun-
try. then a land unknown. but of great
promise.
A FRIENDS RECoLLECTIoNS.
On a recent visit to the copper country
ShapIey told of that early sea voyage as
follows:
1T was I'm October. 1882. he said. that
I came to Detroit 10 take the steamer for
Eagle Harbor. Mr.. Rathbone came with
me. but when we reached Detroit he learned
how long the voyage was 10 be and some
thing about the storms OF the great lakes.
30 he changed his mind. remaining In De-
troit until the following spring. He then
came to the Central mine. where was act-
Ing rs clerk I secured for him position
as school teacher there and he taught one
year. / went 10 Eagle Harbor 10 work la
ter. and I again procured for him position
4 - school teacher. Rathbous tauEht ona