The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-01-05
AS Result of Actions of Men,
bers of a New York Sorori-
ty, Mothers Are Waging
War on Methods.
WAS FORCED TO DRINK
FROM HUMAN SKULLS.
Was "Branded." Forced to
Place Hand in molten Met
al and to Grasp the "Hu-
man Hand"


ing terrors Of an Initiation into a
Greek letter society Of girls. students
in private and preparatory schools in
the city, has caused several meetings
of about 90 angry mothers at the
home of Mrs Elizabeth Moore. 26S4
Broadway. Their first purpose is to
break up the local organization OF the
Sigma Gamma society and their sec
ond is to start campaign throughout
the country against secret societies
among school girls.
1t was the story of Julia Mills. not
Yet seventeen, as tod by her to her
mother, that caused Mrs. Mills to take
the first steps against what she re-
CARDS as a dangerous organization
There are twenty-siX members of the
local chapter of the society.
Miss Josephine Moore, daughter of
Mrs. Moore. is the nigh pr. 2stess of
the order. Julia Mills was initiated"
recently. The girl staggered home.
half historical, and Mrs. Mills de-
manded an explanation. Fairly burn
ing with Indignation, she repeated the
story at the meeting of the mothers
The initiation was held at the Moore
home.
Miss Mills, according to her story.
was summoned to appear there When
she was ushered in She was led into a
dimly-lighted room between two col
umns Of black-robbed, black masked
figures up to the high priestess
Are you prepared to undergo or
deals to prove yourself fit to become
sister of this order?" solemly ask
ed the priesteSs.
| Ordeal is Severe.
Il am" she answered and was led
to an anteroom. Al signal she was
led back to the assemblage and told
that after this first test there could
be no turning back.
This will be test of your fortitude
Of your fitness to be a sister. You
are ordered to thrust your hand into A..
small caldron OF molten lead which
you SEQ before you. Ready, obey or
ders.'
Miss Mills dashed her hand into
the liquid and sank to her knees in
fright. After she recovered her COM
posture in part she was surprised to
note that the caldron was filled with
mercury.
Again she was led into the ante
room and brought back blindfolded.
A drOning voice told of clammy
hand which each of the beloved sis
tiers had grasped before becoming one
of the order. A priestess was ordered
to bring in on a tray the hand. The
candidate was ordered to grasp It,
Shuddering, she Involuntary drew
back her arm when she felt the clam
my fingers. She was led back blind
folded into the small room, ignorant
OF the fact that she had grasped a wet
chamois skin glove filled with sand
and not human hand.
Drinks Out of Skull.
Again she was led forth, this time to
drink a nauseating liquid out of a
skull which liquid would serve to
make her Of one blood with her other
prospective sisters"
Revolving at each gulp, she was
compelled to drain the skull. So the
nerve-rackins tests went on. Finally
the voice OF the priestess was heard
TO say:
Now for the final supreme test.
Gather all your remaining courage and
prepare for the most severe test of all.
Faithful guardians, lead the candidate
to an ante-room, strip her to the
waist, bind her arms behind her and
then bring her back.
In a few moments the girl. now al
most hysterical. was brought back.
Then the same droning voice went on:
''In order that this ceremony be indeli,
bly, fixed on your mind. it is necessary
that the letters Of our beloved frater
Unity be burned upon your back in acid
Guardians, brand the candidate"
At the first touch Miss Mills sank
senseless to the floor. When she had
been revived it was explained to her
that the branding had been done with
piece of ice.