The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1910-11-05

ton enjoyed that it was decided to
perfect a permanent organization, and
the name RED knights" was adopted.
The Red knights became the most
popular social organization in the
state. Its doors were open only to
the best men, and many from neigh
boring cities, realizing it's popularity,
sought to have it extended to other
places. This, however, was refused
For eight years the society flourished
and in 1880 ceased to exist. Many ef-
forts were made from time to time to
reorganize it as a fraternal society
but without avail. It's career, how
ever, served to disclose to the Cath
olic people of New Haven that there
was a magnificent field and an abun.
dance Of material ready to hand that
wanted only the proper appeal to mold
it into successful organization. 1t
was the experience and training of
the Red Knights that enabled some
of them few years later to plan,
devise and whip into embryo form
the splendid order of the knights of
Columbus.
I Finally Rev. FIR. M. J. Mckinney
of New Haven became convinced Of
the absolute necessity of the organi-
cation of a society among the Cath.
olic men. He took up the work with
great earnestness among the men in
his parish but with somewhat doubt
full success. Simultaneously with the
efforts of FIR. McGiveny was deter
mination of the Red knights to re-
organize their old association. In
January, 1882, FIR. McGivney met a
representative Of the Red knights
and after an exchange of ideas it
was agreed that from that time the
reverend getleman and those of his
parish who had agreed to stand with
him in the matter and those of the
Red Knights desiring to reorganize,
would work together AS result of
this agreement the first meeting was
held on January Is, 1882, at 1877
Church st.
There we're present Rev. Michael J.
McGiveny, James T. Mullen, Daniel
Colwell, William M. Geary, Cornelius
4. Driscoll, John T. Kerrigan, J. #.
Mcmahon and William H. Sellwood.
The matter of forming a fraternal
organization was taken up, and in the
discussion the success of the Catholic
Order of Foresters of Massachusetts
was commented upon, as was also
that of the Catholic Benevolent LIE.
gion of New York. The Massachu.
sets society looked the most attract.
i've, and FIR. McGiveny was commits
stoned to confer with the representa-
tives Of the order at Boston. He was
!; graciously received by the Foresters
who expressed themselves as willing
. to give any information and assist
ance. but they would not agree to
. any affiiliation.
, After his return from Boston, FIR
| Mckinney reported the result of ha
, conference at a meeting held in the
t office of Hon. c. II. Driscoll, with
/ James T. Mullen presiding. It was
: finally decided to form an entirely
, new organization, without being con
) fined to any particular set of ethics
or then written constitution, but tt
avail themselves of the best features
r of all.
: First Meeting Of X. Of c..
: In response to a personal invita-
, ton extended by FIR. McGiveny ant
= Daniel Colwell a meeting was held il
: the latters Office on Feb. 2, 1882, ant
f this meeting was in reality the frs
/. meeting of the knights of Columbus
y James Il. Mullen was made chairman
The first subject taken up was tn,
t selection of a name for the new Sc
), ciety and FIR McGiveny suggested al
:, a name "Sons of Columbus" indicative
n of it's Catholic and American charac
j. ter. Mr.. Mullen suggested instead
d as the society was to be ritualisti
l. one, that of knights of Columbus
c and this name was finally adopted
Mr.. Mullen pointed out in force
y full manner the success attained b.
4 various non-Catholic organization
: which had awaited themselves Of tn
use of ritual and drew attention t
n the short life usually attending thos
d organizations where ceremonials wer
s lacking. He believed that an initia
9 ton, with proper ceremonies, was ir
It dispensable to success and the adoI
j. ton of ritual appealed to him wit
IL great force; that a ceremonial found
d ed on Catholic-American subject
o would prove successful. The theme