Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1911-05-03
PYTHIANS SUE ON POLICIES.
Interesting Case in Richland Court.
Raise In Dues Involved.
(The State, 27th.)

(The State, 27th.)
a est suit of Statewide import
ance against the insurance depart
ment Of the Supreme Lodge Knights
of Pythias has been filed In the Rich
land county court. The suit has
been filed to test the right Of the or
der to raise the rates on insurance
This action follows a long fight on
the part Of several hundred policy
holders in South Carolina, who claim
that a prohibitivc rate has been plac-
Pythias. Two suits have been filed
involving the same issue. The cases
were brought on April IS by Edward
Nice. Clarkson and S. l.. Miller, Of
Columbia, against the Supreme
Lodge knights Of Pythias.
The complaint Of Edward Nice.
Clarkson alleges that on January S,
1885, the filed with the knights of
Pythias in Columbia an application
for insurance, and, upon the accept
ance of the application, entered
upon a contract for insurance where
By 1t was agreed that Mr.. Clarkson
should pay a certain membership
fee. The fee Is not stated in the
complaint, 1t being about IS per
month. The amount Of insur; nee
was $4,000 to be paid to the benf-
ciary upon proof Of death.
Since The said date above mem
toned" the complaint continues,
this plaintiff has faithfully perform
ed the duties placed upon him by
the said contract of insurance, pay
ing all monthly dues and assess
ments as stipulated up to and in
Guiding the month Of December,
1910.
THAT beginning with the first day
of January, 1911, the defendant
above named increased the monthly
dues above mentioned to a prohibit
tive amount. That said increase be-
ing SO prohibitive and unreasonable
as to amount to a vioaltion of the
above mentioned contract with the
plaintiff and was instituted by the
defendant as a result of fraud and
acknowledgement on the part of the
defendant and its agents and SER
wants.
That on the 10the day of Janu-
airy, 1911, this p%laintiff rendered his
regular monthly dues, $3.50 in legal
tender to the defendant, through its
agents and servants, which legal ten
der was then and there refused and
declined and this defendants con-
tract Of insurance was duly declared
.tHifeited.
fH"That by this action on the part of
defendant, the contract Of insurance
as above mentioned was broken and
this defendant deprived Of his rights
hereunder, and that by reason of the
said breach of contract, the plaintiff
herein has been damaged in the sum
of $4,000, the said amount being
that paid In by this plaintiff in
monthly dues during the existence of
said contract above mentioned and
interest thereon"
1t Is further alleged that although
Mr.. Clarkson has made demand upon
the agents of the company to return
the amour paid in as premiums that
his requests have been ignored.
Judgment in the sum of $4,000 IS
asked by Mr.. Clarkson against the
Supreme Lodge.
Will Interest Many.
The announcement that suit has
been brought to test the legality of
the increase In rates by the Supreme
Lodge knights of Pythias will be re-
celved with interest by several hum
dred South Carolinians. The men,
bers of the fourth class p%olicyhold-
ers are old men who have been mem
bers of the order for many years.
The fight that Is being waged by
the fourth class policyholders is gem
eral throughout the United States,
1t Is said, and the determination of
the case in Richland county will
V a most f~ar-reaching effect. The
case was appealed to Insurance Com
missioner McMaster, but under the
law he has no power to Interfere.
Foley Kidney Pills take hold OF