The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-30
Pythian Initiation Committee
Organizes Itself.
Plans to Put Through Five
Hundred New Members.
X. P. A. FIGHT is OFF
All Former General Officers Are
Reelected.
Rev. Mr.. Martin Addresses
Workmen of the City.

Increasing energy is being turned to
the big undertaking of the Knights of
Pythias, who propose to hold an
initiation in Topeka in May at which
more than 500 candidates shall be given
the degree work The joint committee
which has charge of the preparations is
composed as follows Amity lodge No.
231-F. NJ. SheHabarger, Amos A. Good
win. Charles Blanchard: Valiant lodge
No. 155-Dr. o. H Taylor, c. W. Graves
and C. B. Ladd; Topeka lodge No. IS
N. H. HoIum, C. L. Smith, and Ed Nc
Bride. This joint committee has or
Eanized and elected the following Off
GERS: n. H. Holum, chairman; Fred NJ.
shellabargeT. secretary.
The present plan which will be laid
before all the lodges in the city is to
secure Representative hall for the
gathering and to invite all lodges with
in one hundred miles of Topeka to
bring here such candidates as they may
secure between now and May to be
initiated with the big class This will
occasion widespread interest in the
event and may make the number in the
proposed class much greater than that
now contemplated. The three local
lodges will put forth their best efforts
IN the securing of membership and it
is hoped to get in Topeka alone a class
OF about 800 persons. The three lodges
initiation fee from SIS to $40 for the
next ninety days.
After a rather warm opening session
the Knights of the Protected Ark set
tied down for a successful national
convention in Topeka this week The
trouble in the meeting resulted from a
light upon the administration in which
a number of southern Kansas members
participated. Among these were ex-
Congressman Jerry Botkin and Sen
ator Forney. The fight has been brew
ing for considerable time 1t was
based upon propositions affecting the
constitution of the order and it was
claimed that the general officers had
an understanding that they should per-
petuate themselves in office. However
no complaint could be made against
the financial condition of the lodge, all
questions on this point being satisfied
by inquiry of the state superintendent
of insurance. At the state meeting two
weeks ago two delegations were select
ed, after a bitter fight, but the minOri-
ty delegation was unable to get recog-
milton and the other was finally seat
ed. The state officers reelected are:
Supreme knight, A. B. Amos, King
nan, Kan; supreme secretary, S. r.
Kutz, Topeka; first vice supreme
knight, W. S. Hancock, Topeka; second
vice supreme knight, c. A. Powers
Denver; supreme medical director, F.
H. SchOlle, Topeka; supreme warden,
w. E. Atchison, Topeka; supreme au-
ditor, R. D. Blaine, Pratt Kan; SUI
preIne chaplain, Mary e. Stewart, To-
peka; supreme Waterman, Harry
Wright Topeka
AS constitutional changes have been
made providing for the holding of reg
ular meetings it is unlikely that there
will be further trouble of this sort in
the lodge.
Grand Master r. w. Turner of the A
O. U. w. has written letters to. each of
the Topeka lodges of that order in ref
erence to the erection of a general
Workman building such as he believes
should be established in Topeka. The
idea has been very favorably received
here and it is believed that some in
vestigation of the subject will be made
at once. Mr. Turner's letter is self
explanatory. He says:
Dear Sir and Brother: For some
time I have had in mind the desirability
of having the lodges of Topeka unite
for the purpose of purchasing building
to be dedicated to the Order of Charity,
Hope and Protection. The large MEM
bership of Nos. 8, IL, 20, pa, 260 and 331
is more than sufficient, it seems to me,
to purchase a site and put up a build
ing that all might use. This could be
done with about the expense that you
are now to for the payment of rents,
and you would have the advantage of
the building at all times. 1t could also
be equipped with all the attractions that
are commended by the Y. M. G. A. of
America. A good reading room, athletic
hall, smoking room, and like entertain
ments could be provided.
I am writing this letter and sending a
copy of it to all the A o. U. w. lodges
in Topeka merely to suggest that you
get together and do business of prac-
teal sort along the lines suggested
believe that the grand lodge officers will
do all in their power to assist you to the
ownership of such a building, and it is
possible that it would be the initiatory
Of 1av7fa 4 LIDO -
Kansas in the city of Topeka Please
bring this to the attention of the men,
bers. Fraternally yours,
R. W. TURNER, G. NJ. w.
One of the most enjoyable gatherings OF
the members of the A. o. U. W. that has
ever been held in this county took place
last Tuesday night in Barrett's hall The
eight Workman and five Degree of Honor