The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-20
MONTAGUE DENIES
GOLDEN SEAL YARN
Has Evidence to Show That No
Petition Was Flied for APP
pointmcnt Of Receiver.
5 SUPREME COMMANDER
Report From Binghamton Ut
tcrly Untrue, as Proved by
l1otchkiss Letter.

Richmond officers of the Order of
the Golden Seal arc aroused over tho
story sent out yesterday from Bng
hamton, y. Y, stating that u petition
had been hled for the appointment of
u receiver for the order.
The telegram reads:
1T is announced that on Deccmb or
Is. 1911, a petition was filed with the
Attorney asking for the APP
polntment of Il receiver for the Order
OF the Golden Seal. alleging the mis-
use of funds amounting to s217,4lI.
Tho petition was filed by the Philadcl-
pha camp, a subordinate lodge of the
order. 1t was transmitted to the Sta &c
Insurance. Department December %,
1911. but the petition was mislaid. The
alleged misuse of funds Is said to con-
sist In Investment of moneys by for
mcr officers for private gain.
The Order of the Golden Seal was
recently merged with a fraternal In
Edward ]. Dickson. OF Roxbury, has
gone to Richmond 10 assume charge
Of the office in that city"
Hi Montague, supreme commander
of the order, tho highest ranking ON
Ger, stated positively last night that
the entire story is untrue. He said
that FOR several months enemies of the
order had been sending out false state
ments with view of injuring Its
business. Mr.. Monta que has in his
possession n letter from william il.
Hotchkiss. Superintendent of Insurance
FOR the State of New York. in which he
states that up to January 30. 1912. no
petition tor - receiver for the Order
OF the Golden Seal had been filed. and
that the affairs OF the order were in
good condition
Mr.. Montague explained that the
present Order OF the Golden Seal is a
combination of tie Fraternal Life and
Accident Association OF Richmond with
me old Order OF the Golden Seal
THESE two organizations were merged
on December 90. 1911, less than two
months ago, and in the reorganization
tho following Richmond men became
officers of the order:
Hi Montague. supreme commander:
Or. Parker, supreme medical Director:
NJ b. Ferguson. assistant supreme
treasurer; W.. &. Duke. supreme vice
commander; +. c. Baggcrlay, manager
for Virginia
tho OFFICES of the order arc In the
Travellers Building. and the Richmond
nepartment is the official headquarters.
mere are 1900 members In the United
states, and of these $50 are residents
of this city
Mr.. Montasue's letter follows:
The story emanatlnG from Ring.
hamton y. Y. to the erect that the
insurance department has started PRO
cced'ngs against the Order of tho
Golden Seal for appointment or a re-
ce!Ver' and that Edward !. Dickson,
Of RoXbury, has been sent to Rich
mond TO take charge OF the Southern
aepaFtmsnt as new manager. is not
true No such action has been taken
Nor Is there any occasion for such nc.
non. In fact. undor the laws OF New
York there can be no proceedings far
receivership except through the
courts. upon suit brought by the At
'oiney -.Tencral of the State. This has
not been done. Tho order has IN ox
cess of all liabilities more Than
Fi'ooo'ooO in bonds and mortgages.
HILL MONTAGUE
supreme Commander"