The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1910-07-23
B. POE. A (OSNOpOL.
|TAN ORGANIZATION,

0rable Secretary, William Calton;
Treasurer, II. Nandermark; Tyler, vii.
liam sheppard.
Although the original constitution
provided for two degrees, the ritualistic
work of the second degree was no,
completed aud adopted until May II,
Isis. The presiding otlicer who, ~ the
first degree. was addressed Ms Right
llonoragle Primo was called IN the
second degree Exalted Ruler" The
term of K. Il. Primo and the first were
o,ocd for .cyeral years. even used
In the ritualistic work as late as 1853,
when they were dropped in the ritual
prepared by Arthur G. MoreIand. The
titles of the second d gree were, how
'tcr, r";Hined throughout. Many fea.
tures that were Incorporated in the
original work still remain.
On June Sth. 1858, was given the
frsi benefit Ia augment the funds Of
he lodge. II was held ai the Academy
of Music, Steirly being chairman OF
the finance coinmi,tcp An accidcE;
ounccted with this benefit .tGrted nv
Act uf what in claimed TO bc injustice
q seveipl worthy members, which was
MOI lighted nntii the Session of the
grand lodge ~ Detroit in 1893 and
then only in the ease Of Steirly. \
well concerted effort had been put
forthforth 10 rob Vivian Of his laurels
as founder. When Vivian went from
Philadelphia to New York TO assist at
this benefit he was angered to learn
tba. his name did not appear either on
the program or posters. His cause was
warmly espoused by many members.
At the next meeting Of the lodge, June
II, AT attempt was made TO summarily
expel Vivian, but the scheme failed.
SO vigorous was the protest Of the az.
grieved brother that the meeting ad.
journed without taking action, and no
further attempt was ever made with re-
gard 70 the expulsion of Vivian as he
never afterwards sought admission. One
week later, when Steirly, Kent, Bowron
and other Vivian supporters presented
themselves at the lodge room they
were confronted by a number of his
enemies, supported by policemen, who
notified them that they could not enter.
Afterwards they were told that they
could gain admittance by giving the
| new pass ward. This word had been
arbitrarily changed for the one day
and was enclosed in envelopes, sent
only to those who opposed Vivian.
Later Vivian, Steirly, Kent, Wander.
water, Platt, Ash, Blume and Lang.
horn were notified that they had been
expelled, although none OF them had
notice of an opportunity for defense.
The expulsion at that time has since
been called absolutely illegal and void
There has been much discussion as
to who was the real founder of the
lodge of Elks. Some have always con.
tended that Vivian was never really an
Elk, because he never received the sec.
ond degree, and that the B. p. o. f.
was not fully organized until the work
in that degree had been adopted May
IL, 1868. However, the late Meade d.
Detweiler, p. @. f. r., few years ago
used this language regarding Vivian
In the light of the first constitution
and the name thereon, this claim Is
futile and valueless; al after the mass
of evidence which had been adduced in
the presence of witnesses still living il
should never be heard again. Vivian
was the Hrst presiding officer of the
original lodge OF Elks, but for reasons
over which he had no control, and
which do not at all affect his fraternal
standing, he never received the second
degree or perfected ritualistic work. -
Up to the time that the lodge be
came known AS New No. /, for long
time thereafter II met In the first dc
gree on three Sundays and in the see
ond degree on the first Sunday of the
month. In 1870 a novement was stare
cd among certain professionals In Phila
delphia for a branch lodge In this city
New York Lodge became an incorporat
/ II 4. a.