Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-28

| L ERE Is the story of q Stonemason
IL who once had our nation by the ears
and out of whose mysterious case there
grew strong political party which
threatened to elect a President of the
United States.
This mechanics name was James Nor
gan. He piled his trade in Batavia N. Y,
but did not gain a very enviable record
for steady habits He was wont to look
upon the wine when it was not only red
but yellow, and he did not feel deep pangs
of conscience when he failed to pay his
bills. He worked only when he wished
to and between employments he roved
about with carefree heart.
He was a native of Virginia and had
fought with Jackson at New Orleans. an
experience which gave him much oppor-
tunity for boasting at the barrooms,
where his score was chalked upon the
shutter
For some reason he grew to foster
bitter hatred of the Masonic order, which
before and since the episode about to be
related has been viewed with general
esteem. He was man of so when his
anti-Masonic bitterness reached the de-
gree of threats to publish book exposing
the secrets of the society. And although
at first regarded as idle bluster. these
threats materialized. The book was
printed at Batavia in 1926, and immedi-
ately caused great local excitement.
Most of the leading citizens there. as else
where, were Masons. and they resented
Morgan's attack upon their benehcent
brotherhood.
Jailed for Larceny
Shortly afterward, when Morgan was
arrested for debt, he made the accusation
that he was the victim OF persecution at
the hands of the Masons. His troubles
then commenced to multiply in rapid
order. On September II body OF strange
men coming from Canandaigua seized
him and returned with him to that place,
where he was put in Jail on charge or
larceny.
At the next night those who had ar
rested him set him free. but he had
barely passed out OF the Jail door when
six mysterious personages seized him and
hurried him to a waiting carriage. In
this he was driven hurriedly toward
Rochester, but at various points on the
road his captorS were, by prearrange-
ment, relieved by relays OF fast horses.
which rushed the prisoner TO Fort Mag
ara, deserted military post at the mouth
OF the Niagara River Here Morgan was
locked up In the powder magazine. Be
yond that point his movements haves
never been traced. although the aeumen
OF the most shrewd minds Of the nation
were concentrated upon the mystery for
a generation.
AS soon as It became definitely known
that Morgan had disappeared. the citizens
OF Batavia held public meeting wherein
It was openly charged that. because the
Masons had made eager attempts TO sup
press his book. the finger OF suspicion
should be pointed at theLi. The meeting
appointed a committee and charged II
with the duty OF solving ths mystery.
They unearthed evidences OF what they
claimed TO have been well-organized
conspiracy, embracing many secret
agents and backed by money. Meetings
were held also IN other places. Public
excitement spread throughout the coun-
try ana agitators who. for one reason or
another. opposed the Masonic order. en-
deavored to infame the multitude to q
belief that the brotherhood was response
bic for the crime. and All sorts OF absurd
theories were scattered broadcast Old
friends flew at each others throats ana
both religion and politics became involved
Ia the torrent Of ealumny and reerimlna-
fion that resulted
As q sequel % lhla excitement sfrong
political raoYoneaE Vas started ana there