New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-18
MANY BOGUS MASONS.
Crugcr's Operations We're Vide
aprcad-His Gains Large.
OTHER COMPLAINTS EXPECTED.

Kortrirht Crugsr. who was arrested in Jersey
City FOR swtndling number Of victims BY enrolling
them in an alleged Masonic lodge. is wanted IN
several sections OF the country including this
civ where he established headquarters and posed
as a grand master. lie admits that he has for
twenty years been engaged in the business OF
making Easors. Eld the price for his services de-
peuded on the condition Of the purse of the candi-
date. He has confessed that he was associated
with the gang that found Ohio such fruitful
field that clandestine LODGES were instituted III
almost every settlement and a fake grand lOuse
was established. Cruger was honored with an
appointment from the bogus grand lodge as a
grand proxy to go forth and make NIasons every
where and at any price and confer degrees from
tie first 70 the thirty-third. lie would probably
have added a few degrees IL the candidate desired
more light and was willing to pay for il
The investigation into the methods Of the SWIM
dler in establishing Temple Lodge in Jersey City
reveals that the instruction given by Cruger was
essential 10 eligibility and the cost varied from
81 to SIS. The candidates were bound by solemn
pledge not to divuCe what they hau heard
in the lesson period. This included the consider
alton" for they taught that mercenary Things
should be put aside. and that Cruger was an IN
selfish whose mission was to make the Ma
sonic fraternity the most formidable numerically IN
the world so that II would WELD potent inhu-
ence. 1t painful TO ask for consideration Tor
instruction. but the money was necessary to en-
able him enter the fields where Masonry was
unknown and carry on the work He wanted every
man who had dollar more TO give to become
a member or the fraternity
All that was necessary for him TO make man
= full hedgcd mason vas for him to say You are
an Ancient Free and Accepted Mason IN street
or church the words sufficient and the man
was eligible for membership in the Cruger Masonic
lodge.
Tho discovery that they had been duped began
70 dawn on the members Of Temple Lodge CT
Jersey City a few weeks aga when an enthusiast
suggested that they pay f-aternal visit to sister
8
was the mother lodge, and should first meet us
latest offspring. Some members OF the committee
went TO make arrangements for the VISITATION anu
were shocked find that they were not recognized
This led 20 an investigation by Frederick Steuoens
who had bought the thirty-three degrees he
found he had been swindled ana mace Ig I'm ~
paint GTgger was l1ylJe9 20 , eHG ~ Instruct
some candidates. He responded and was received
by Sergeant Harrington and Detective benistL u "a
When Cruger was arraigned he vas com 10 ~
by three compliments GeoIEe ~ No 50 Cot
tsre-st, also appeared against him Inc f con-
plants weTT TOT cornpIoI1anfs alleged that Cruger
had r,urosented that he had authority 10 MAKE
Msp' Sr5l iG LODGES Cruger denied that ne had
told them they could visit the other Masonic lodges
Masonic secrets paid s25 FOR the information that
1THS,r r,"rnbeTs of the lodge in
sftr,1ta4 i'm December. delayed taking the embelsn-
ss un the sI had far Shr % aa
not the early class and the Price had iaI gat
rhree degrees for g When Bliss was on the
ne had the bait; l was the sucker. bit and
Didn't / work the degrees all right inquired
CruCer. nj,
Judge Higgins asked after CruEer mad explained
MS Masonic titles and how he had acquired them;
Were YOU acting ln this instance as grand
rraXy "a grand ms~ts g.
little % both tho reply.
rrrtrer was held iu 500 bail on each complaint
and in default was remaricd. It Is expected that
victims are said To- have been numerous lie was
forming n lodge fin Newark with eighty mem
Ier4 and Banner Lodge. which he instituted In
mis- CITY iu n hall On West Tweuty-socond-st., has.
or had. n large membership.