Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-02-26
Is AN ODD SOCIETY
Chicago Physicians Found TO Have Had
Cremation Society for
81 Years.
KEPT THEIR SECRET WELL
Organization Has Branches in Many
Cities, Members Giving Their
Bodies to Science.

strange secret OF thirty-one years
standing was recently revealed when
more than q score of prominent Chi
cago physicians and surgeons admit
ted that they were members of the
Ustion fraternity, society having
for its object the dissection of the
bodies of its members after death and
cremation of the remains
This weird fraternity. to which only
members of the medical profession are
admitted, is of national scope Its
headquarters are in a well furnished
clubhouse at 3232 Lake Park avenue,
Chicago
Chapters exist in New York, Phila-
delphia, Boston, Cleveland, Detroit
and other cities. Its membership is
taken from the ranks of the most
prominent practitioners in different
parts of the United States.
Each chapter is known as Il verte
bra. The Chicago chapter, being the
first organized. is called the prime
Nertebra." Its high officer is known
as the ''encephalon," and its next
highest officer is the "medulla." Its
other officers are named for other
parts of the human body.
The members Of the fraternity must
undergo a preparation or apprentice
ship of four years before they are ad-
mitted to full knowledge of it's weird
rituals. During this period each must
study some physiological or medical
problem entirely original In his own
mind If his faith and perseverance in
the ironclad rules of the society are
deemed doubtful he does not become a
part of the body" II the showing is
complimentary the fantastic ceremoni-
ais are administered. The society is di-
vided into three degrees" through
which its members must pass They
are fraternity, autopsy and cremation.
DR.. Z. NJ. Oliver, who lives in Chi
cago, is the supreme encephaton or ma
tional head of the Ustionians.
This strange fraternity had its in
ception at Hahnemann college. in Chi
cago, in 1878. During the thirty-one
years of its existence its weird teach.
ings and practices have been a pro-
of their probationary period take an
oath that Silences their tongues for
ever.
They Enjoy Life.
The life on this earth is enjoyed to
its utmost by them. At the end their
colleagues, attired in long white sur
gical gowns, gather about the bier on
tat 10 ha IA. nf N
friend. The spirit they know has de-
parted, and the clay that Is left is
given over entirely to science. Their
theories are augmented by this grew
some gift. When they have finished
the rites are said. AT crematory all
that remains is given over to the
flames. The doctor that was is re-
duced to q handful of dust
DR.. Fred w. Wood, former supreme
encephalon, acknowledged that the fra
ternity was for the purpose of autopsy
and cremation. I'VE believe in three
degrees" said DR.. Wood "They are
fraternity, which means the real fell
lowship on this earth; autopsy after
death, which helps all mankind, and
cremation, which puts an end to the
earthly shell that remains after the
spirit has flown"
"What is done at the autopsy" was
asked.
'T cannot say" replied Dr. Wood
sour oaths are solemn. What we dc
to the body is all in the interest OF
science. 1t does no harm. and it ad
vances our knowledge"
''What is the fraternity's belief in
regard to cremation?" was asked.
"We believe that cremation is prop
err. The body is but clay, and sooner
or later It becomes but handful Of
dust When it is given over to the
fire all is ended. The translation o.
'Ustion' means fire."