The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1919-02-14
NORRIS FORCES DEAL.
BODY BLOW IN FIRST
ROUND 10 REBEL GANG
Judge Ferguson Refuses 70 Issue Or
der To Restrain the s. G. MI.
from Transacfing the Busi-
ness or the Order.
BY Chas. w. Price. D.G.M.

Philadelphia, Jan. i7.--The first act
OF what III considered the greatest le-
gal drama IN the history OF the Grand
United Order of Odd Fellows, was
brought to i close on the above date,
with the result that John Noel, Ben
Davis, Henry Lincoln Johnson, ct al,
were dealt solar plexus which took
the gang and their followers com
pletely Off their Feet, and left them
in terrible dazed and confused com
dition. Beginning on Sunday, Jann-
airy IL, the regular forces under Ed
ward III. Morris and the conspirators
under John Noel poured into the city
in large numbers. On Monday morn
ing at 10: 90 o'clock, G. M. Edward
II. Morris called the S. e. Nj. to order
for the transaction of business. The
meeting had barely started into its
regular order, when the Noel gang
marched III body To our national
q, .sslsssf Ss 3sv ssatpEa ass1u
Spruce streets, boarded the elevator,
and proceeded to the meeting room q
the S. G. NJ, and demanded possession
of the building and the order. Their
demands were refused, and they We're
ordered from the building under threat
Of arrest for trespassing If they did
not 20. Failing in their first play,
they took the second one according TO
the schedule mapped out by Boss Ben
Davis. They went Immediately to the
court house and filed an injunction
suit, asked for receiver and que
warranto suit against the s. G. M. u
would Seem very evident to any ordi.
nary person that the court was not
much impressed with the seriousness
Of their contentious, from the fact
that he appointed the time for thu
injunction hearing to . period tha'
permitted the S. G. NJ. to transact al
of it's business.
After the little incident Of Monda,
morning, we were not disturbed b,
the gang until we met them at tn
hearing, Friday afternoon, Januar.
IL, BY that time, there were abou
fifteen state Grand Masters In tn
city ready and anxious to assist tn
s. C. M. in protecting the orde
against those who would wreck an'
siespoil it. BY z: 90 pm, Grand Mas
ter Edward HI. Morris and his council
r.. G. Asbury, and ex-Judge Better
together with about one hundred loya
officers and, members, filed into roor
No. 8 of the common pleas court, wit
heads erect, countenances clear, IN
conscience void of offense. Soon al
terward came the gang skulking Il
Rev. j G. Robinson, former paste
Of Eaker Street Church, and Joh
Noel led the way, their eyes shiftin
,lneasily about the court room, an
they were iii at ease in their seat
The court was called to order, muc
to their distress, and even their Law
yers were nonplussed. They attenpte
to start the case several times ar
each time the judge was compelled
request them to eonfine themselves
the charges set forth in their pet
ton for an injunction and receiver,
which petition they alleged that o
S. G. M. was turning them out of Y
order in q high handed manner, ther
by destroying their vested rights. ~
Judge demanded that evidence DC i;f.
duced to sustain snch charges. Und
the leadership Of q great array
legal talent from the law firm of Pc
pers and Peppers, Of Philadelphi
Henry Lincoln johnson, of Atlant
Georgia, wv r. Francis, 81. PA
Mimi, and Perry Howard, Of Miss
sippi. they pulled themselves togeth
and placed four different persons
the stand, none of whom had be
tried by the 3. G. M but their cas-
are before the Board On appeal fro
lower courts, No the judge ruled thi
,&a lien sd any actiam bY aas y. G. 4