THE OMAHA DAILY BEE : SUNDAY JULY 31C1887.-T\VELVE | PAGES.
PROGRESS OF PYTHIAMSM ,
Organization Boring the War of the
Rebellion ,
ORDER IN NEBRASKA.
sThe Pytlilnn Pioneer The Mother oi
Nebraska bodges Dr. Dabcock'a
Ixxffto lloom Ilrlnf History of
the Order.
r Perhaps no other organization has
labored under greater disadvantages nnd
brought forth moro beneficial results
1 than thn Knights of Pythias.
Organized , as it was , during the boat
of civil strife , when society was dis
rupted and brother pitted against brother
, in mortal combat , it has steadily ad-
Tnnccd in numbers and importance until
to-day it occupies ono of the foremost
positions in fraternal circles.
It Is claimed by these who have a right
to know that
THOUSANDS OF YEARS AOO
the Egyptian astrologer found in Pythian
temples the secrets of astronomy ; that
the Chaldean shepherd , in his midnight
watch , as ho gazed upward to the starry
heavens , drew from their oracles the sub
lime truth that there were worlds un
known , incalculable and immense ; and
'that over all presided an unknown yet
omnipotent power ; that since then , dur
ing succeeding centuries , the intellectual
and the versatile , the proud and the
, haughty of many climes , bent in loyal
worship at its shrine and burned
incense upon its altar ; that
emerging from the gloom of the middle
ages , it rolled onward with the tide of
science and civilization , from nation to
nation till it crossed thu Atlantic and
found on freedom's soil a fostering hand
and genial clime , with minds to develop
thp slumbering beauties of its mysterious
portals.
However this may be it is a matter of
common history that to
JUSTUS HULL ItATHIlONE
of the war department in Washington ,
1) , C , , belongs the honor ot being the
founder of this prosperous order. In 1857
Mr. Kathbonc , thon'a youth of eighteen
years , was a teacher of the Eagle Har
bor school in the state of Now York.
From his infancy , friendship , charity
and benevolence had characterized the
lifo of the young teacher ; and it was
. ( Hiring his career at Eagle Harbor , that
the Covenant of David and Jonathan in
biblical history , and the noble self sacrifice -
fice of Pythias in later tradition , so thor
oughly impressed his young mind that ho
determined to consecrate his life to in
duce men to follow an example so pure
nnd generous.
It was the constant dwelling on the
beauty of those characters Which impreg
nated his mind with the idea of an or
ganization among mon , based upon the
principles exemplified by the lives of his
historical saints.
In the winter of 1800-61 , the young ped
agogue prepared during his leisure time
from his scholastic duties , n rough draft
'of a ritual of nn order to bo named
Knights of Pythias. For three years
circumstances prevented him from mak
ing known his plans , but during all this
time the object and de.siro of ids lifo , the
offspring of a character of loving kind
ness , was slowly but surely maturing. It
wns therefore not until February 15,1804.
in Washington city , that ho unfolded his
plans.
On that day several gentlemen , mem
bers of a musical society known as the
"Orion Glee Club , " met nnd all being
solemnly obligated to Mr. Rathbono , lis
tened to , the reading of his ritual. So
pleased were they with the principles of
of the proposed order that they deter
mined to organize : Accordingly on
February J9,1801 ,
k THE FIHST LODGE
of the order of Knights of Pythias was
instituted , and known as Washington
Ledge No. 1. This ledge appointed J. H.
Rathbono to draft a ritual and that gen
tleman at once reported with the ono al
ready prepared by him ' which was
adopted.
The officers elected and appointed at
that mooting and who had the proud dis
tinction of being the lirst ollicers of the
'ordor in the world , were as follows :
Worthy chancellor , J. H. Rathbono ;
worthy vice-chancellor , Joel R. Wood
ruff ; venerable patriarch , J. T. K. Plant ;
worthy scribe , I ) . L. Burnolt ; banker , A.
Van Dor Veer ; assistant banker , R. A.
Champion : assistant scribe , Gcorgo R.
Covert ; worthy guide , M. H. Van Dor
Veer ; inside steward , A. Rodoriquc ;
choral knights , Kimball , D. L. und
' TH. H. Burnett.
At that time there were but two degrees
< tff the order , the lirst and second which
i would be known'to-day as the second and
- 1Urd or enquireand knight--tho rank of
Mge having bbeh added Inter on. A
itMiahing feature of the institution of this ,
'tlwJlrst ' lodge of Knights of Pythias , was
the administration of the obligation. In
* tkta R bible presented young Rathbono
, Jjy his mother on his lifth birthday was
f M0d,4md it was indeed touching und ap
propriate that it should bo used for this
- Mored ceremony. On August 24 , 1870 ,
Mr. Rathbono presented this bible , duly
inscribed with these facts , to the supreme
lodge of the world.
On the 8th of April , 1804 , the first
.grand ledge was instituted with J. T. K.
Plant as grand chancellor , and at once
the work ot organizinc subordinate
lodges took place. Several lodges wore
organized , but ou Juno 13,1805 , the grand
lodge hold
ITS LAST MEETING
and passed away. On the same month
Washington , the maiden lodge , ceased
mooting , and its members joined , August
. 1,1805 , with these of othur lodges , Frank
lin ledge , it being the only ledge of the
order then in existence. This surviving
I lodge prospered somewhat and at the
I close of the your had a membership of sixty
and $200 in the treasury. .In the begin-
i nlng of the year 1800 the members ol
Franklin lodge nil yet enthusiastic with
L the objects and purposes of their order ,
I determined to make stroneous efforts
I toward resuscitating the old lodges or cs
tablishing new ones. Two hundred
copies of the constitution , after revision ,
wore distributed , and. as a result , now
Jnteiest was awakened in the ordor.
On April 21 , 1801. Mr. Rathbono. for
reasons later fully and satisfac
torily explained , had resigned from
r membership of the order , but on April SO ,
180JJ , ho was readmitted to full meinber-
jhip , and from that time on the order
* prospered. On May 1,18fiO , thu grand
t ' ledge was reorganized at WashiiiKton.D.
„ 'O , , with Mr , Rathbono as grand chancel
lor , nnd at this meeting the ritual ami
nil secret work was thoroughly revised.
, Ttio lodge regalia at this time was of the
apron ordor.
On Juno 4,1600 , the grand ledge had
in Us exchequer $01 , $00 of which it had
borrowed from subordinate lodges.
- A KAl'Ill ItlSE.
On January 1,1807 , the total moinbor
hit ) in the order was but 371) , but from
this on the order prospered , and on Juno
80 of that year had a total enrollment of
684. In February , 1807 , the order so-
eurod u foothold in Pennsylvania by the
' Institution of a ledge in the city of Phil-
- adelphiu. In Novombcrof the same year
? -lt began work in Maryland. In
-i-P ccmbor lodges wcro instituted
" ' ] " " New " Jersey. In Delaware
ttj ourod representation early -in 1803
1 I Al ilof that year the order was in
11coduoeJ in the state of I.ouisanu , In
Jl y , 1808 , Kathtono Jodgo was instituted
- ' - -
In Now York , thus introducing the order
in Us originator's native state. Next
came its advent into California , then
West Virginia , then followed In quick
succession Massachusetts , New Hamp
shire , Connecticut and the other New
England states , Ohio , Indiana , Illinois ,
Iowa , Kentucky , Missouri and Kansas ,
nnd following these it took its way to the
far west , until to-day it has obtained n
footing in all the states and nearly all
the territories of the union.
In August , 1808 , the supreme lodge of
the world was organized ; nnd Samuel
Reed elected supreme chancellor. After
this the order spread rapidly , passing to
the British provinces of North America ,
and the islands of the sea , invading fur
ther the kingdom of Great Britian and
the domain of foreign powers , and to-day
it has a membership of over three hun
dred thousand.
It was in 1874 that the titles of officers
were changed , nnd their official titles
designated as they are known to-day.
The network of this order rests upon
the beautiful and familiar story of Da
mon and Pythias , which , bo it fact or
fiction , is worthy of emulation by the
the busy men of to-day. Boneatli this is
the covenant of David and Jonathan , no
less touching an illustration of pure
friendship , and to the Christian mind , be
yond the possibility of ticllon. Three
pillars grace its splendid architecture ,
the one friendship , the second chanty ,
the last benevolence. In the subordi
nate lodge arc three degrees ; the tirst the
initiatory rank of page , the second the
armorial rank of esquire , the third the
chivalnc rank of knight.
The uniform rank is n distinctive
feature. It is a rank of itself and while
no higher in Pythian Knighthood than
the third dcirrce , it is perhaps a distin
guishing degree to which many aspire ,
and which has added much to the inter
est in the order. ,
The next is the grand lodge degree , to
which none but P. C.'s arc eligible or
those who have passed the chair of the
subordinate lodge ; then the supreme
lodge degree to which only those who
have been through the grand ledge are
entitled.
The endowment rank is an adjunct to
the subordinate lodge and is a separate
degree in itself. This degree is not com
pulsory on u knight and he can take it or
not , as ho sees tit. Its plan of insurance ,
however , is very popular , and the rank is
growing in numbers every year. It was
adopted at the session of the supreme
lodge held in CIcvavand. August 14 , 1877.
In a point of secret work it is claimed
by those who have penetrated the myster
ious veil , that the work of the three ranks
of the K. of P. is of the most impressive
and beautiful nature , abounding with
lessons valuable to the pilgrim on his
journey through life. In all the symbols
of this order , there shines out to' those
who Know how sweet it is to die for those
they love , lessons and instructions which
naught but research in its sacred temples
can bring forth , and which aid and sup
port the frail human nature in battling
against the snares of the outer world.
In ancient times , in the Gothic nation ,
youths under the ago of fourteen years
who were ambitious for knighthood wcro
ADMITTED AS I'IGES ,
in which capacity they were required ? to
servo for a certain length of time , during
which they attended the esquire , the next
in rank. Those youths were thoroughly
impressed with the chivalry of 'the
knights , and were especially taught dur
ing their pageship to bo true and faith
ful 19 e.ich other as well as to- their
esquires and knights. Friemlsliip"nnd
fidelity to thair superiors were the 'grout
principles taught these panes , anit if
thov proved themselves good and true ,
at the ago of fourteen they were ad
vanced to the rank of esquire , where
their duties were to attend the knight
and to bo over on the alert to sec that
every precaution was taken for his safety
nnd welfare Their especial duties , par
ticular as they were , taught them many
valuable lessons , which they over re
membered , and developed them into
grave , thoughtful and cautious men ,
worthy candidates for the armor of their
loved knights. Not until the ago of
twenty-one wcro thcso esquires permit
ted to
EKTEU KNIGHTHOOD ,
and there the exporicnco they had had
from youth up .urovod of valuable aid to
them in maintaining the dignity of tfi'eir
rank. As knights they were the pride
of the land , the chivalry of the nation1.
The embodiment of bravery they'wero
at all times the gallant , virtuous men
whom true courage creates and for their
friendship , charity and benevolence they
were most highly esteemed. Truth and
honor wcro cherished by thorn and from
their service as esquire they had been
taught to keep their armor bright as the
sun , untarnished by the breath of Sin.
Their's were lives and characters worthy
of emulation , and so , as the knight of
to-day journeys from the apprenticeship
of page to thn eminence of chivalric
knighthood the same lessons so pure and
noble taught in ancient times is perhaps
impressed upon his mind and the same
virtues which characterized the knights
of former days are supposed and intend
ed to grace the character of the knights
of the Nineteenth centuf y. Ho who has
nttuinned a position ou the highest step
nnd who has proved himself a true friend ,
a careful man , having confidence-in his
follows and the courage to defend and
aid thorn wherever they need succor , to
him , perhaps , the bertuty of Pythianism
stands revealed , nnd further than the
pilgrim of the outer world , can ho gaze
into its far reaching depths , viewing in
the caravans of the deep the
da/.zllng jewels ho and his are
taught to prize , and on his
way through lifo ho profits by the teach
ings of his creed , and scatters seeds of
kindness throughout the outer world.
Truly the corner stones and principles of
this order are grand , laden as they are
with the fragrance of divinity , and
wherever they fail of exemplification in
the individual , it is no fault of the creed ,
but rather in the weak mortals it is in
tended to rescue and redeem. Thus the
order which found its origin in the brain
of a young American has spread its wines
laden with peace , friendship and good
will towards men , until to-day , after
years of struggle against ! ulver o"circum-
stances , it stands a sterling monument to
the genius of its author and a splendid
oxomplilicatiou of the duty of man to
man.
IN NF.IIKASKA , ,
On the 13th of next month it will have
boon just nineteen years since the organ
ization of the tirst ledge of Knights of
Pythias in the state of Nebraska. Tito
order was then but in its fourth year , and
Nebraska had but recently been honored
with the robes of a state. On tills day
steps weio taken under the leadership of
George II. ( Jrugor , yet a resident of this
city , and who came to Omaha in 1803.
Mr. Cragor had passed through the chair
in Rising Sun ledge Xo. 20 , in the city of
Philadelphia , and was an enthusiast on
the order.
Eagerly ho explained to his now ac
quaintances the objects of his beloved
order , and the result was the call issued
for a meeting at the office of Dr. L. F.
Uabcook , at what is now Thirteenth and
Douglas streets.on the spot where the Millard -
lard hotel now standstill this city. At this
meeting the following gentlemen were
present : George 11. Crager and John
Taylor ( a member of Rising Sun lodge ) ,
Dr. L. F. Habcock , J. E. Seal. Edwin
Davis , Edwin Stanton , George S. MrfrK-
ham anil Charles Skinner. Air. Crapor
stated the object of the mcotimr , Mr.
Markbam was elected chairman , Dr.
Babcock , secretary , and George 11 ,
Crager , treasurer.
It was tlion agreed to organize a ledge
nf Knlirhts of Pythias , and
"NEUIIASKA LODGE NO. 1"
was adopted as a name.
The formalities of petition , etc. , were
gone through with uud Mr , Crager. was
commissioned deputy grand chanccllo/
to institute the now lodge. ' '
On September 11,1808 , a second meet
ing was hold at the store of John Taylor
in Omaha. Mr. T. C. Brunncr ; late of
Philadelphia , and u member of Star of
Bethlehem lodge , then n merchant in
Omaha , was at this meeting admitted
as a charter member.
On October 21 , 1808 , Mr. Cragor re
ceived his commission and a dispensation
to organize the Nebraska lodge , which
was duly Instituted on November 23.
The following were its lirst ollicers :
O. H. Cragor , V. P.
Edwin Davis , W. C. '
Charles Skinner , V. C.
L. F. Babcock , R. S. ' * *
Edwin Stauton. F. S.
T. C. Brunor , B.
J. E. Neil , G.
H. A. Monler , I. S.
John Taylor , O. S.
This is the mother of Nebraska lodges ,
and its dignity as such its members fully
maintain , aim to-day it is in a prosperous
condition. It meets every Wednesday.
John W. Lounnbury is C. C. , nnd General
J. E. Smith is K. of H. andS.
In the spring of 1800 , several members
withdrew from No. 1 nnd organized anew
now lodgo. A dispensation was granted
and
DAMON LODGE NO. 2
was organized on April 2 ! ) , 1800 , with
the following oflicers : H. W. Thain , V.
P. ; Rev. E. V. Glover , W. C. ; Henry Ful
ton , V. C. ; E. E. French. R. S. ; E. S. Seymour -
mour , F. S. , George E. Powell , B. ; W. H.
Jackson , G. ; J. , f. Curtis , I. S. Tins lodge
in 1871 surieudored its charier and dis
banded.
DELLEVIJE NO. 3
was the next organized on July 81 , 1800 ,
with the following officers : G. Steven
son , V. P. ; John Q. Goss , W. C. ; David
Leach , V. C. ; Hunry MeComas. R. S. ; W.
D. Rowles , F. S. ; Joseph M. Whittcd. B. ;
Samuel P. Martin , G ; R. Moscript , I. S. ;
Walter Nelson , O. S. This lodge is in n
flourishing condition to-duy , with Gcorgo
Humstotlt , C. C. and Samuul Lees , K , of
R. and S.
1'LANET LODGE NO. 4
was next organized on August 23 , 1809 ,
with the following officers : A. Zimmer
man , V. P. ; A. B. Huburman. W. C. ; C.
E. Brunor , V. C. and John F. Kuhn. R.
S. This ledge is still in existence with
Jacob Huba , C. C. and John F. Kuhn ,
K. of R. and S. It moots every Monday
I'LATTE VALLEY , NO. 5
was instituted next on September 10 ,
1800. nt Plattsmouth , with J. N. Wise , V.
P. ; V. V. Leonard , W. C. ; J. Valcry , V.
C.F. ; M. Dorrington , R. S. This lodge
passed out of existence ; was revived and
died once more.
IN OMAHA.
Nebraska No. 1 was the first lodge or
ganized in the state , and through its in-
llucncu the order built up rapidly. In
this city Planet was the next organized
after Damon. On February 8 , 1881 ,
OMAHA LODGE
was organized , and is to-dav in a nour
ishing condition with C. Grote , C. C. and
B.J.EversK. of R. and S. This lodge docs
all its work in German. It meets every
Thursday.
MVUTLE NO. 2
was organized April 3 , 1884 , and took the
number of the old Damon. It moots
Mondays W. W. Wells is C. C. and W.
C. Wagner K. of R. and S.
The next lodge organized in Omaha
was
TUIANGLE LODGE ,
instituted April 8 , 1880. It is to-day in
a prosperous condition , with J. T. Dailov
as C. C. , and W. F. Thomas , K. of R. anil
S. It meets every Thursday.
Tno next city ledge was
rrriiAcoitus ,
established Juno 1. 1880 , which is now
prosperous with W. W. Scott ns. C. C. ,
and John T. McManus K. of R. and S. It
moots Fridays.
Next in Omaha was the
I'AItK LODGE.
organized March i > , 1837. It meets Mon
day nights. It is in"a very prosperous
condition. O. P. Thompson is C. C. , and
R. A. McLeod K. of R. and S.
On march 10 , 1887 ,
MT. SHASTA LODGE
was instituted. Witli the others it is now
prospering. Dr. J. W. Dysart is C. C. ,
and R. C. Walker K. of It. and S. Meet
ings Wednesday.
On April 20 , 1887 ,
OKIOLE LODGE
was duly instituted. It meets Thursdays.
Dr. L. A. Mernani is C. C. , and T. H.
Smith K. ot R. and S. It is keeping
pace with its follow lodges in prosperity.
VIOLA. LODGE
was the next instituted in Omaha and on
Juno 8. 1887. It , liku the others , is
flourishing. N. J.Edholmis C. C. , J.
C. Lang , K. of R. and S. Meeting nights
Thursday.
MAKALTHON LODGE
is next in order , instituted Juno 9. 1887.
Meetings Friday. Dr. F. P. Murphy , C.
C. ; W. T. Denny , K. of R. S.
FOItEST LODGE
was instituted Juno 28 , 1887 , in Omaha.
J. A. Johnson is C. C. , and W. H. Spaul-
ding K. of R. and S.
ENTEHIMJISE.
This ledge is located in South Omaha ,
S. C. Spraguo-ts C. C. , and J.F. Ritchart ,
K. of R. and S.
IN THE STATE.
The Pythian enthusiasm is not confined
alone to Omaha but reaches to all parts
of thu state in which outside of this city
are 72 lodges , as follows : Lincoln , 4
lodges ; Punillion , Blair , Nebraska City , 2
lodges ; Ashland , Pawnee City , Elk Creuk
Bennett , York , Kearney. Clay Center ,
Tccumsch , Falls City , Fuirburv , Norfolk ,
Columbus , West Point , two lodges , Hum-
boldt , Hastings , two lodges , Red Cloud ,
Beatrice , Sterling , Fremont , SuncrJor ,
Long Pine , Auburn Johnson ,
Holdrego , Aurora , Pierce , ' Mo-
Cook , O'Neill , Table Rock , David
City.Grand IslandPlattsmouth.Wymoro ,
Stella , Weeping Water , Albion , Helm ,
Chadjon , Niobrara , Croighton , Blue Hill.i
Hickman. Broken Bow , Ashland , Aius-
worth , Rtihhvillo , Wayne , Greenwood ,
Grafton , two lodges ; Elkhorn , Geneva ,
Tecumsdh , Sutton , Beaver City , Seward ,
Ewhig , Harvard.
run GKAND LODGE
was fully organized at Pythian hall in
this city October 1 , 18011 , with the follow
ing officers , who had the honor of being
the lirst officers of the lodjrp in the stale :
G. H. Cragor-G. V. C.
David Carter G. C.
J. Q. Goss-V. G. C.
E. E. French G. R and C. S.
T. C. Brunor Hanker.
W. L. Wolls-G. G.
J. F. Kuhn-G. I. S.
JohnTuylor-G. O. S.
The grand ledge has a membership of
120 ; it meets in October of each year , the
next meeting being in this city October
11,1887. The present officers aroFames M.
Irwin , P. G. C. . Lincoln ; John Morrison ,
G. C.Lincoln ; John B. Ohapman.tr.V. C. .
Arlington ; William B. LanlusG.P.Grand
Island ; A. Yonzol. G. M. of E' . Hastings ;
E. E. French , G. K. of R. and S. , Omaha ;
Charles O. Bates , G. M. at A. , Beatrice ;
Geoigoll. Kirkham , G. I. G. , Lincoln ;
Lew Webb , jr. , G. O. G. , Holurego ; J. S.
Shropshire , W. E. Copcland , S. R. ,
Omaha.
THE SUl'UEME LODGE
was organized in 1808 , Samuel Reed , of
New Jersey being the first supreme
chancellor , lion , Howard Douglas , of
Cincinnati , is the present supreme chan
cellor , and up to the time of his death a
few weeks ago Hon. Robert E , Cowan , of
St. Louis was G. K. of R. nnd S. This
vacancy has not yet been filled.
THE UNIFOUM DIVISION.
At the session of the supreme lodge hold
in Indianapolis , Ind. , August 30 , 1S87 ,
the uniform rank was adopted and intro
duced into the ordor. At the outset there
was no central organization the local
and state division and officers being
under the general control of the supreme
chancellor. The first division , instituted
after tills adoption was at Columbus.
Ohio , ia September , 1378 , As iu all
6ther ranks of the order the supreme
lodge controls the uniform rank and the
supreme chancellor is commandor-in-
chief , the major-general however practic
ally rules the rank. Sir Knight James
R. Carnahan , of Indianapolis , is the
major-general and the practical head of
this army of knights. The same princi
ples which govern the formation of an
army of regulars rules thcso knights.
Where no regiments or brigades exist ,
each division is under direct command
of the major-general , but where rcgl-
incnts exist the divisions are under con
trol of the colonel of their regiment and
the general of the brigade.
To Llncoin.bolongs this credit of the
first uniform division in the state , which
was organized in 1881 , and known as
Lincoln division No. 1. It was not until
three years ago that the first dsvision was
organized in Omaha and known as Myrtle
Division No. 3. To-day Omaha enjoys
the proud distinction of being the only
city in the world that lias u regiment of
uniformed knights.
On August 37 tho'divisions m Omaha
and these in the South Platte country
met at Omaha and Lincoln respectively
and organized regiments. The regiment
organizud at Lincoln will bo Known
as No. 1 nnd will bo officered as follows :
Colonel , H. F. Down , of Lincoln ; lieu-
tenant-colonel , Simon D. Hunt of Me-
Cook ; major , W. L. Sherman ot Aurora ;
surgeon , J. L. Reese of Tcouiusch.
The Omaha regiment will bo known ni
No. 2 , and has the following ollicers :
Colonel , Thomas Burrill.
Lieutenant Colonel , J. T. McManus.
Major , F. A. Bordcn.
Surgeon , Dr. C. M , Dinsmoro.
Adjutant , James Donnelly.
Quartermaster , C. S. Higgins.
Sergi-ant-major , S. Trossler.
Quartermaster sergeant , Charles Thoa-
sing.
Commissary sergeant. J. S. Wood.
On August 28 thn ollicers of the two
regiments mot at Lincoln and organized
a brigade , with General W. L. Dayton ,
of Lincoln , as brigadier general , and J.
W. Irvin , of the same city , adjutant.
General Dayton's staff has not yet boon
announced. He will at once assume
command of the rank in Nebraska. Col
onel John J. Monoll , who is the aid-do-
camp on the stall'of Major General Can-
nalian , had , up to thu time of the organi
zation of the brigade charge of the rank
in the state , but from these
duties ho has now been relieved.
Colcncl Monoll's duties are to execute
special orders of the commanding officer
and perform special work throughout
the state. His service in the cause is
thoroughly appreciated by his tcllow
knights and for his devotion to the uni
form rank and the general interests of
the order he will ever have their grati-
tiido ami esteem. Knight E. E. French ,
G. K. of R. and S. in Nebraska , is an ex
perienced secret society man. For many
years he has been a member of this order
and the active , un&oilish interest ho has
taken in it lias won for him a thorough
appreciation on the part of his brother
knights. Both of these gentlemen have
labored long and zealously in the interest
of Nobr.iska Pythianism and the present
prosperous condition of theorderis much
the result of their labors.
TUB I'YI'HIAN SI'UIE.
On September 1 , 1880 , the Spur made
its first appearance. The publication of
this journal was the result of numerous
conferences among prominent knights of
this section , who viewing the interest
taken in the order , realized the necessity
for an organ. Since then the Spur , a
twelve-page paper , has _ made its appear-
anoo , monthly , nnd right royally has it
performed its mission. Typographically
it is a credit to a first-class printing
ollico. lit. news columns are filled with
the latest li ° ts of Pythian information ,
winlo editorially it is a foeman worthy of
its steel and an honor to the order it
represents. Knight Harry Mcrriam is
the editor.
11IIIGHT IMtOM'EfTS.
In the state , outside of Omaha , there
are about U.OOO members of the order , mak
ing a total of about 4,000 members in the
entire state. Krom nil thd.lodges now in
existences comes the brightest of reports.
All are in a prosperous ( condition , social
ly , numerically and liimncially , and it is
in keeping with the gerroml progresb of
the state that Nebraska should take thcso
rapid strides in Pythianism.
ir. : PIETIES.
It was hot everywhere , but a llttlo hotter at
St. LouK It appears , tlmirnnywliero else.
The next bihle reUsers will clrango It fioiu
bheol to St. Louis.
An old coloied preacher/ ' after exhausting
hlmselt on nn ntteniDt to. doscrluo heaven ,
wound up thus : "I tell you , my brethren ,
it Is a very Kentucky of a place , "
A New Hampshire farmert got caught In a
bat bed wire fence , anil lintl to stay there for
live hdurs. Ho conlidcd to his hired man
tliat he never trot o tired of swearing In his
lite.
"Young man , " s.dd an apostle solemnly ,
"do vim real/e ! that when > ou letlro at ni 'lit
you may be called betore morning dawns ? "
" 1 hope'so ; I'm a yoimsr doctor and need en
couragement of some kind. "
A little four-year-old created a ripple by
remarking to the Sunday hchool class : "Our
dog's dead. I'll bet the anxels were scared
when they saw him comlnc tip the walk ,
lie's awful cross to strangers. "
It Is a rlorKiman who resides in Grand
Rapids with Lloyd Urczec. of the 'lolejjnm-
Ilerald , on one sldo of him and a linptist
church on the other who says : " 1 have
lived between wind and w.itur.1
The. council of Richmond. Ind. , have
passed an ordinance iiiaktn It unlawful to
plavany musical Instrument in the streets
without the consent ot the mayor. This Is
done to suppiess the Salvation army.
South Sea Islander So you came out here
to save mo ? Missionary Yes. South Sua
Islander And if you had not come I could
not have been saved ? Missionary No.
South Sna Islander Wuat a lucky thing it
wasrfor inn that thn Pacific .Mall Steamship
company was organized.
At a recent service In Trinity chinch ,
PIttstiuri ; , a baby justblg enough to stand
alone htood on a seat nnd crowed , nnd
laughed , and chattered , anil clapped her
hands and no ono objected , tor no one v as
dlstuibetl. The congregation was deaf mutes ,
and the bervicub was conducted In this sign
language.
Oil Citv Hll/zaril : A certain (5. A. I { . post ,
not n thousand miles from Oil City , com-
pilsesnmom : Its memhur.shlp a well known
minister of the goinul. At the time of the
rebel Hat : incident the members of this post
met for the purpose of taking action on the
president's order. After the meeting had
been called to outer ono of the ungodly old
vets arose and said : " 1 mine that wo pass
resolutions of censure , and make them hotter
than hell. " "And 1 second the motion , "
promptiy said the preacher.
There Is a young preacher In Boston who
walt/es with such chnrmiiiK grace that the
younc ladle * * ot his church are crazy about
him nmldeclnre thiti thov can sue no harm In
his shaking the light fantastic , and it is due
to ilm determined stand tijqy have taken in
his behalf that has prevented the oldurs from
bouncing him outfit the church. A preacher ,
however , who dances and Is so popular with
the girls , U liable to startle the Hock some
day by eloplni : with one of the young sisters.
Boston turns out some very lively preachers.
According to London Truth , the solemn
service was progressing In Winchester
cathedral , and the dean sat enthroned , when
a telc.'ram was handed to htm. He opened
It. nnd cast his eyes up trt heaven In dire per-
plHxItv. It ran thus , "Onnondo has won. "
Who was Ormonde ? nnd what had ho won ?
Vainly canons and such like minor lights
were consulted , ir they know , they pre-
tetided not to. It was subsequently discov
ered that the telezram had been sent to Mr.
Dean , a trainer \Vlnchesfer , but ns It was
addressed "Dean , Winchester , " It was
handed to the dean. Thu tolo raph clerKs
were probibly under the hnpression that this
dignitary had put a trillo on thu race , and
had desired that the result should bo at once
forwarded to him.
Fashionable sunshades are of printed
batiste of foulard , either In chlnu pitteins ,
spots or | argo madras checks , with bamboo
handles. These for the beach or country :
for the carriage mom ( ile nnt ones nre or
white embroidered lace , thu handle ot nllvu
or citron wood alt ot a niece , with a knob of
solid silver.
THE DfiMORAUZED DEACON ,
He Unloads his Frorendor at the WrongDoer
Door ,
FLESHY WOMEN THE FAVORITES.
tIlnrrt Hearted "Widow Practical
Demonstration of the Typo of
Female Moit llollalicil by Man.
A Practical Joko.
Now York Mercury : In ix privatwhouso
tip town the house of a plump und vi
vacious young widow a conversation
arose lately regarding the tendency of
women of the present day to embon
point. The young widow said it was
fashionable now to bo stout and that mon
did not care for skinny women any moro ;
that Is , women with flat chests and only
a handful of n waist. One gentleman re
marked that nica still admired , a litho
form with as little fat us possible , and
regarded fleshiness as au evidence of
coarseness and beer drinking , for which
remark the stout young widow threat
ened to excommunicate him. To test
the question as totiio popularity of stout
women the following notice was prepared
und published next day in a morning
newspaper :
WAVrnD-Posltlonby lady , tall , Btout nnil
. " "
stylish. Address "Diva
THE SECOND KVENINU SUIISHQUKMT
the party met to examine the outcome of
the advertisement. The young widow
was in great feather , as she brought out
a basket full of letters , displaying all de
grees of writing and grammar and
representing ma'iy nationalities. All the
writers had strong preferences for stout
ladies. All the letters were of the same
purport ; the writers wanted "lady
friends , " and the number of the commu
nications would , were the contrary not
known , go to show that there was a per
fect dearth of the gentler sox in the city.
Kighty-two men wcro in dcsjiornto dis
tress of a "tall , stout and stylish" female
friend. Somu of the missives wcro so
bluntly to tiio point as to be brutal ,
others of them were plain business com
munications. The widow had won , or
rather drovcd > her proposition that stout
women are now the taking style. A gay
and festive doctor from the "sunny
south , " as he described himself.
MIT IMM HM'OUT IN TI1K FOLLOWING :
Nnw VOIIK , July 20. DIVA This morn-
nlng , In leading the , a friend by
my Ride called mv attention to the
"leinnle wants. " My eye at once tested
on your advertisement , I Hatter myself that
1 understand you , Diva. If I am mistaken
in my Interpretation of your meaning pray
torclvo my country Ignorance ahd make no
reply to this. Just hero let me honestly tell
you that 1 am a stranger here In this big city-
alone , all alono-anold lutirod planter and
physician just from the sunny south , hern in
I tie north to spend thu summer nnd fall in
Now Xork nnd vicinity. I must have a trlond
ami companion In the' person of of woman
je. , a womanly woman , if 1 may use the ex
pression a full grown and full blown
woman. I'ray deal with me honestly , and
yon may have nn opportunity ot forming n
friendship that Is long and lasting. 1 have
no Incumueianco ot any kind , aicinle means ,
not extravagant bin liberal to thu core. I
will answer any question that you may ask
me nnd I want you to do thu same. Kespect-
fully submitted.
K.V. . S. , il. D. , Now York Postoflice.
'A German gentleman , not long from
the Fatherland , gallantly tinned up with
the following , which is given as written :
Nmv "i'oiiK.
MADAM Looking over some personal to
day , 1 noticed your advertisement nnd
thought 1 answer nn it. I inn not looking for
housekeeper. 1.would like to meet a lady of
your description ns mv congenial friend. Am
a straiu-er nnd alone In America anxious to
know a lady who wonla be to me a friend
and In return 1 will try my best for her. Am
not rich man , but have good position nnd 1
am thu one who mluht appreciate what Is
woithytobc. If this meet with your deslio
pleasu answer boon. Kespectfully ,
L. STKIXIIAUS.
Address 1323Third avenue , Advertising
Ollice.
Mr. Fejrris , a widower , goes right to
business in this fashion :
DIVA : MADAM Your nd has caught my
eye , nnd 1 should bo pleased to call upon you
if agreeable , as I Imagine you nre ot the gen
eral style agreeable to my I leas. 1 am n widower
ewer are you a widow ? It Is safer to have
no man in the way. Please address by an
early mall and I will call.
llAiuiY Kiimib : , ( Seneral Delivery Post-Oflice
THE STYLE
of the Brooklyn man under such circum
stances should bo given. His dashing man
ner will bo portrayed by the following :
BHOOKLYN , Sunday.
, DiVA Seeing your ail. stating that you
want a position , I would say that I eau pro-
euro you a good situation. Please wrltosoon
nnd state full nnrtlculnrs. I am of n very
quiet disposition nnd nlso very affectionate
to the ladles. Address ,
"M. S. , " care of U > rne's Hotel , Brooklyn.
And now comes a staid but wicked old
grocer , deacon in a church in Now Jer
sey :
Nnw Vonif , June 20.
Mns. DIVA Have seen your notice nnd
think 1 would like such a Iftdy friend ns you.
Like stout , honlthv people. My wife is thin
nnd sickly. Had a lady friend , a widow ,
stout , like you. but she # ot married and
moved away. Should you allow me to call
on you send your address to
A. B. CiinsTRii , West street , city.
A LKTrKic y As APDKESSED
to Mr. Chester , as it was decided some
fun could be had with the author of thu
above unique epistle. Promptly came
another note written on a sheet of paper
evidently cut from an account book. It
read :
WEDNESDAY , 11 A. 3i. My ( Jood Friend :
i'ouis , In reply to mlno of yestenlav , just 10-
celved. very glad , Indeed , to huarfrom yon ,
but in reaching homo last evening found my
good wifu really sick nhed , nnd was up with
her nil last ni.'ht , and thus can hardly thint-
ot leaving n sick wllo to uiakn you a'vislt.
Unt think shn will bo all right fo-moirow ,
nnd will call on you to-morrow ( Thursday )
ntternoon about 5 p.m. Hoping wo shall
enjoy a nice visit and become good friends.
Yours truly , A. U. CHISTIK. :
Jilt. rilEbTint , AVIIO IS A WHOLES VLU
and retail grocer down town , but whose
name is not "Chester. " was written to ,
and the name and address of thp young
widow's washerwoman was given him
and ho was invited to call nc\t evening.
The male members of the party wure
around to sco the fun. Mr. Chester did
not come , but sent thu following practi
cal letter :
SATUIIDAY ArruuvooK.
Mas. : My food friend , I cannot call
this evening , as there will bn a meeting of
thu church , 1 thought i would .vrltu you a
line. 1 really think I would like you as n
liieiul , nnd It I can make such arrnnteninnts ;
as to help > ou .some in your living expenses
1 will wnnt to call on you nbout twice every
week nnd also send you some good tilends
whenever lean. 1 do not know of course ,
what you may expect , ns I Uild jou I never
had any special nirangeir.ent with nny ono
onlv the widow vthom I visited so long nnd
furnished her with groceries , such as teas ,
coffees.sugar , canned goods , to , , itc. Unt
If 1 can furnish you with such things aa you
need tor your living expunges It will suit mo.
T linn there nre many times when a man has
not thu ready money to spaio , nnd then could
not think of calling on anyone , lint being
engaged In thn grocery business wo ran al
ways have these articles nt our command. If
therefore this arrangement will suit you , and
you will please tell me what you would like
mo to bring you , 1 will do HO about Tuesday
or Wednesday ntteinoon next about B
o'clock. Hoping to hear from you on Mon-
dav and that wo may bo good friends , very
truly , A. U. Ciusriu. : :
THE FOLLOWING TUESDAY AITKltNOOK
a middle aged man with a rather hard-
looking face and chin whiskers , called
on the widow's good looking washer
woman nnd began to null out paokacccs
of tea , colfqe. etc. The mystified lady < if
washboard asked Mr. . Chester to explain
himself , which ho proceeded to do on the
basis of the letter given above. In a few
mlnutqf the West itrcct grocer was Dy
ing out of the door In R very domorallrod
condition , with the packages flung after
him by n vigorous arm , hopping ofT his
back , shoulder and head. The plotters
of the schema , who 'had bean lying In
wait , intercepted and surrounded him
and gave him such sympathy und com
fort as mon usually cot under such cir
cumstances. Mr. Chester Is out of humor
with ladles who are stout and stylish.
iioNKY FOII""THIS IJADIKS
Profuse perspiration is said .to bo good to
'
wash oil freckles.
The now gypsy hats of shirred India mull
are cool , dainty , and very becoming.
A woman burglar has Just been sentenced
to thrco years' Imprisonment In California.
Excitement may not bo good for all women ,
nevertheless the most of them look well In n
bustle.
Itomnn-red foulard dresses , very much
draped with black Spanish guipure lace , are
the rage In Paris.
Madnmolsello Jean Hugo , who Is now quite
grown up , Is accounted ono of the most beau
tiful young \\onien in Paris society.
Export girls maklmt the lirst quality of
men's linen collars can , In the Troy fac
tories , for instance , cnrn from 2o to S > per
week.
Motaltllc embroidery composes tho-prcttlcst
trimmings ; It Is of line metallic cord , silver ,
gold , steel , or bronze , and Irradiated bends
n shaded tints to match.
Governor Marmaduke , of Missouri , has ap
pointed a number of women ns notaries pub
lic. They are never out to drink or lunch at
the club when n client wants a notarial act.
The queen regunt of Spain Is a skillful cm-
broldeier , and has just completed n magnifi
cent Hag for a now Ironclad named alter her.
Thn standard Is more the cloven yards long
nnd nix and onnhalf wide.
Very short vlsites of black Inee and jot nro
the fashionable mantles of the summer.
Voiine ladles wear fichus of white or black
Ince , which are not crossed over the chest ,
but terminate In short points in fiont.
London photographers encourage the Idea
of American women being presented at
court. Evury woman Immediately has her
picture taken In court costume to send homo
to her dear 500 friends. The photographers
are growing richer under this new dispensa
tion.
tion.The
The now very deep beaded fringes , some
of which are qiiltu a yard In length , are
diaped across the entire fronts of handsome
towns , or are arranged as pan els at each side.
They nro nlso used to ducornto the fronts of
the graceful vlsites made In pebliun style ,
the fringes reaching tromtlio shoulder to the
extreme etke of the lung points.
The now blou.-o basques are seen upon cos
tumes made of rich , expensive fnbrfcs , ns
well as upon simple toilets. These waists
are a change from the old style blouse , being
fitted more snugly , and often showing a
seamed back uniting In a very short postilion.
The fiont , however , never extends below the
belt-line , nnd thu style is , therefore , unbe
coming to short-walstcd women.
Open-work linen fabrics are extremely
fashionable for summer toilets/ and * ro very
dopant when slightly draped over nn under
silk skirt. The prettiest of such open-work
fabrics Is the pale butf ctamine , finely
streaked with red , pink or hellotropo silk
draped over silk of thn color of the streak.
A sash to match , loosely tied around the
wnlst , elves more style to the toilet
Mrs. Nelson McCormlck , of North Branch ,
Mich. , has made a dress the like of which Is
probably not to bo found In this state. The
material is common spool thread , white , and
tbo entire dress is hand-crocheted work ,
beautifully flowered and strong , and 10,000
yards of thread were used in the construc
tion. The sleeves are crocheted in the proper
sbnpn anil are fastened in by Block crocheted
stitch. It Is very beautiful and Mrs. McCor
mlck was six months completing It.
Summer polonaises , cut out In a rounding
or V-shape in. the neck , over n tucker or
gulmpo nt lace or French muslin finely em
broidered , are worn at the various watering-
places ever skirts of various sorts. The re
maining portion of the front of the bodice
part fastens trdm loft to right , and the drap
ery below thq waist-lino Is varied to suit the
style and taste ot the wearer. These half-
open , seml-doublo-breasted bodices , necessi
tate a sloping scam down the center of thu
trout to bucuio a perfect adjustment
General Grant at Vlukslmrg.
In the August Century is printed for
the first time a Icttur by General Urant
on the above topic , from which the fol
lowing is an extract : General Pcmber-
ton , being a northern man commanding
n southern army , was not at the same
liLurty to surrender an army Unit a man
of southern birth would be. In adversity
or defeat ho became an object of suspic
ion , and felt it. Uowen was a southern
man all overhand knew the garrison at
Vicksburg h\il to surrender or bo cap
tured , and kne'w , it was best to stop fur
ther effusion of blood by surrendering.
Ho did all ho could to bring about that
result.
Pcmber ton is mistaken m several points.
It was Boweu that proposed that he aiiit
A. J. Smitli should talk ever the matter
of the surrender and submit their views.
Neither Pcmbcrton nor I objected ; but
wo were not willing to commit ourselves
to accepting such terms as they might
propose. In , a short time those ollicers
returned. Bowcn acted as .spokesman.
What he said was substantially this : The
confederate army was to bo permitted to
march out with ' the hon
ors of war , carrying with them their
arms , colors , and field batteries , The na
tional troops were then to march in and
occupy the city , and retain the siege
guns , small arms not in the hands of the
mon , all public properly remaining. Of
course I rejected the terms at onco. I
did agree , however , before we senaratcd.
to write Pombcrton what terms I would
give. Thu correspondent is public and
speaks for itself. I had no council of
war. Hostilities having ceased , ollicers
nnd men soon became acquainted with
the reason why. Curiosity led oilicer.s of
rank most all the general ollicers to
visit my headquarters with the hope of
gutting some news. 1 talked with them
very freely about the meeting
between General Pombcrton and
niysolf , our correspondence , etc. Hut
in no sense was it a council of war. I was
very clad to give the garrison of Vicks-
btirtr the terms 1 did. There was a carte !
in existence at that time which required
either party to exchange or parole nil
prisoners either at Vicksburg or at a
point on the James river within ten days
after captures or as soon thereafter as
practicable. This would have used all
the transportation wo had for a month.
The mon had behaved so well that 1 did
not want to humiliuta them. 1 believed
that consideration for their feelings
would make them less dangerous foes
during tl.o continuance ot hostilities , and
better eiti/.ens after the war was ovor.
U. S. GltAN'T.
Popular Aiitliot-H.
New York Commercial Advertiser :
The librarian of the Mercantile library
said that thn authors whoso works tire
most in demand to-day are Count Leon
Tolstoi , lial/.ac , F. Marlon Crawford ,
Ho wells , Lew Wallace. Haggard anil
Stevenson. The revival of interest in
Hal/.r.e is attributed tn the new edition of
his book now being published. The du-
mand for " 15cn : llur" is as great now as
on the day it was issued from the press.
Librarians agree in saying that it lias had
the largest circulation of any recent
novel. The larger libraries find it neces
sary to duplicate the book to flic extent
of eighty conies. Taking thu
demand as thu basis for comparison ,
Howclls is the most popular American
novelist. Notwithstanding that his
stories make their first appearance us
serials , their circulation is greater than
the works of any othur living author.
Hacgnrd and titovonson are now. It is
the correct thin" to read them , and they
are road. The liitust stories of K. P. lion
and Mrs. A. L , Wister's translations from
the Germans are eagerly bought for.
Aldrloh's "Marjorio Daw , " Mary N.
Murfrco's "Tho Prophet of the Great
Smoky Mountains , " Urct Harte's "Tho
Crusade of the KxcoWor , " A. S. Hardy's
"Hut Yet a Woman , " Blanch Willis How
ard's ' "One Summer , " Constance runnl-
moro Woolson's "Anno. " Franwn Hodg-
son Hurnett's "That Lass o * Lowries1
aud George W. Cabin's "Dr. Scvior" nro ,
in constant circulation , , . '
JOHN COURTWRICHT'S ' DEAtfl
How Ho Met it After Undergoing the Moeft
Brutal Troatnionl
I
JUDGE LYNCH'S TRIUMPH.
A Youthful WltncM to a Ilorrlbli
Crime Weil Merited Death of
the Wretches Interest *
Ing ftomlnlsociiccs. - , '
Devll'M Work.
The number of crimes committed In
this country out of what may bo termed
"puro cusscdness" is astonishingly largo
and includes many murders. The death
of Charles J. Walton , as mentioned in
Chicago papers the other day , recalls
the particulars of n crime of thirty years
ngo which made a great stir nt the time ,
but which cannot now bo remembered uy
n dozen persons. At the time of the |
murder Walton was a boy eleven years- J
of ago , and was in the employ of a farmer f
named John Court wight , in central 1111- l *
nois. Ono rainy day in the fall the two
wcro shelling beans in au old barn about
half a mile from the farm houso. It had
omo to bo 3 o'clock in the afternoon ,
when the farmer using his knife to cutoff '
H picco of tobacco , let it slip through n
crack in the floor. The boy went out
doors and crawled under to secure it. Iff
was a close squeeze for him. and ho had
not yet reached the spot when ho heard
three men enter the barn. The sound of '
their voices proved them strangers in the
neighborhood. The spokesman said
they had como to sec if thu farmer had a
horse to sell. He replied that ho had not
when ono of the men laughed and said : . '
"Come , old icllow , wo don't want a ' - '
horso. Wo want to sco you dance and
hear you sing. "
Courtriglit was neither strong nor m
good health , and ho was probably afraid
of the men from thu first , as the boy
noted that his voice trembled when ho
spoke. Ho protested that ho could
neither sing nor dance , but the man who
spoku before then exclaimed :
"Give us a song nnd danceor we'll cut
your throat I"
The farmer must have realized that
they meant him harm , and ho began to
beg and beseech and oiler to buy them
oil' . Ho had about a dollar in change in
his pocket and ho'gavo them this to
gether with a knife and pipe. The trio
had no sooner stripped him than they
armed themselves with some switches
use ! to drive oxen and proceeded to
whip the poor man until his screams
seemed likely to bn heard at the highway ,
half a miln off. Young Walton wus ter
ribly frightened and-he explained why
ho did not go for help by saying :
"Thero was no ono at our house but
Mrs. Courtwright , and no neighbor
nearer than a mile and a half. As it was
raining , no one would bo likely to bo
passing on the road. And , too , there
was such a lot of rubbish under the barn
that I could not move without making a
great noise , and 1 felt that they would
certainly hoar mo. "
When the farmer began to shout for
help they knocked him down and gagged
him with a handkerchief , and then their
devilish thirst for blood became moro
apparent. Ono of them sei/.ed thu farm
er's luft hand and coolly and deliberately
broke every linger in succession. Thov
pulled oil his boots and applied lighted
matches to the soles of his foot , and with
their knives creased the soles in every
direction. They at first seemed to delight
in his violent struggles , hut finally usud
chains and ropes to tie him down. The
man kept up a constant groaning , and
after a time the boy was so ovurcomo
with terror that ho could not have moved ]
if ho so desired.
"When they had kept up their tortnro
for about half an hour , " ho said , "the
gag came loose and , Mr. Court"W
wright called out to them in the name of
God to spare his life. He offered them
$300 ho had in the bank and a deed of his
farm if they would let him go , but they
only mocked him. Ono of them said it
was the greatest sport he had had in
twenty years , and another said ho had
always wanted to see how much a tuna
could sutler before death came to relieve
him. Most of the time they had their
victim gagged , so that I could not hear
his voice except as he kept up a moaning ,
but sometimes , when the gag was loosen
ed , he cried and bugged of them in a way
to melt your heart. "
The cutting and slashing of the farmer
did not satisfy the cruel natures of the
tormentors. Ono of them had a muzzle-
loacJing pistol , and he loaded it with
small charges of powder , and fired them
into the naked body of Courtwright.
Another stuck his legs full of splinters.
These two latter modes of punishment
furnished the clue by which thu mur
derers were overhauled. Wheutfihoy had
been at their infernal work for hourly an
hour they began to tire of it. The
farmer was in a dying condition , nnd
they finished him with a knifo. The boy
heard every word and movement , and ho & & *
baid :
"I heard them talk about finishing 'tlici
old fellow' oil' , and there was quite a dis
pute as to who should usu the knife. It
was finally decided , and thu fellow
sharpened the blade on his boot and then
kept thrusting and counting one , two ,
three , and so ou up to sixteen , and these
were thu number counted on the dead
body. I was lying on my stomach on
the ground just under the body , and the
warm blood ran through the cracks ou ,
my head and shoulders. "
As boon as the trio had left , the boy
crawled out to give the alarm , but it was
Oo'clooKiit night before any considerable -
able number of men had gathered and
thu pursuit was taken up , Thu mui were
tracked to a point north of Pokin , whcro
they stele horses from a Held and headed
for Monmouth. To the north of that
place they stele a team , and made for thu
.Mississippi river , and there all truces of
them were lost. It seems that they stele
a shanty boat and started oil' down the
rivur.and wcro next heard of three weeks
latur , at the mouth of thu Illinois river.
They tied their bo.it to the shore and
roamed around the country in a lawless
way , and ono night a farmer shot one of
them in the log as he was robbing thu hen
houbo. The man had a pistol , and ho
fired back at thu farmer and missed. It
was then knocked from his grasp , and as
ho lay on thu ground ho gritted his tcctli
in rage nnd exclaimed.
"You infernal hound ! but how I'd like
to revenge on you. I'd like to shoot you
full of powder und fill your flush with
splinters. "
The words caught the farmer's atten
tion , lie had heard of the murder of
Courtwright , and ho bolluved he had ono
of the mon. Giving thonliirm to three or
four of his neighbors , they secured the
wounded man and then set out fur the
boat hotiso. They were fired on , but
when they had killed ono of thu men the
othur surrendered. Bolng charged with
the Courtwright murder , ho hold out for
a whllo and then confessed. Out of the
do/.en men who had by this tima gathered
together not a voice was rnlsud to turn
the prisoners ever to the sheriff nnd the
law. Thu one unhurt was strung up
within half an hour of his confession ,
and the wounded one a little later on.
When lifu was extinct the bodies wcro
\vulghted and sunk in thu river. Just
who the mou were was novur known , hut
they wuro rulliaus of thu worst duscrip-
tion , who wuro probably making their
way to Missouri and beyond uiiil living
on thu country us they went. The ono
who conk'-ocd'Mild tiiuv meant only 'to
rob ( 'ourlwrlght , but his botraval'of frar . . S
angered tjieui. and they killed him for ;
' ' '
lig u coward. , .