Pythian History
Containing: The life, death and burial of the founder of the order, Justus H. Rathbone
The birth and progress of the order
The creation of the supreme lodge and a review of its conventions since 1868
The supreme constitutions
Incorporation of the supreme lodge
The creation of the supreme tribunal and its sittings
Together with the story of the introduction of the order into all the states, districts and territories in the united states of America, on the north American continent; the provinces, districts and territories of the dominion of Canada; the republic of Mexico; the island of Cuba; the Hawaiian islands and the Philippines.
by William d. Kennedy, past supreme representative
Chicago, Pythian History Publishing Company 1904
EXPLANATORY .
When I joined the Order of Knights of Pythias, I did so at the personal re- .quest of the first Supreme Chancellor, Samuel Read, who, on the evening of September 20, 1871, accompanied me to a meeting of Welcome Lodge No.1. of Chicago, and, under his prerogative, I was, there and then, made a Knight. The closing portion of the work was administered by Henry Clay Berry, and thus I became intimately acquainted with the two men who, above all other Supreme Executives, administered affairs during the most trying times in the history of Pythian Knighthood. Immediately following this came the great Chicago fire when I lost everything Returning to Toronto, Ontario, where I had formerly resided, I at once commenced active operations with a view to introducing the Order there, early in 1872, and succeeded in organizing five Lodges, followed by a Grand Lodge. I was elected Supreme Representative. Returning to Chicago, and becoming closely allied with Supreme Chancellor Berry in his work, I took a deep interest in the Order and its success. Then it was, in 1874, that I first began the filing away of Pythian documents and clip- pings, and making notes.
In 1876, I commenced a systematic plan of obtaining and preserving the printed records of the Order, and have to-day a complete bound file of the printed Journals of Proceedings of every Grand Lodge from the beginning. In some instances I had to print the journal. Meantime, I had been on pleasant terms of intimacy with each of the succeeding Supreme Chancellors, had at- tended the sessions of the Supreme Lodge, and thus I formed a friendly, intimate and wide acquaintance with the leading active Pythians from all the States, Districts, Territories and Provinces on the Continent. This, necessarily placed me in touch with the sources of information everywhere.
In 1878, I first began collecting information by correspondence, but without any settled purpose as to .its disposition-I just gathered, and put it away methodically. Then it was that I laid the foundation. Shortly after, I reached out with a view to _complete my files of Grand Lodge Journals. The obstacles with which I met in following up these trails, sharpened my desire for success in this particular, and I reached it. Incidentally, while engaged in this par- ticular pursuit, I added to my miscellaneous collection of general Pythian data. When done, I turned to my store and devoted considerable time to assorting, indexing and taking stock. About this time many friends urged me to collate 'v hat I had, in history form, and prepare it for publication.
In 1896, I visited the District of Columbia and there conferred with many of the old members of the Order who had been with it from the beginning-prin- cipal among these being Past Supreme Chancellor Edward Dunn, Supreme Outer Guard John W. Thompson, Past Supreme Representative John M. Kline, and one of the original. members of Washington Lodge No.1, Brother A. D. Van Dervear. Just at the time Brother George W. Baumann was the Grand Keeper of Records and Seal of the District of Columbia. He very kindly gave me the use of the keys to his office, and access to the archives of the Grand Lodge, and eventually I secured extracts from all the original records of the first Lodges of the Order. I was also permitted to take with me the first and only minute book of Washington Lodge No.1, from, which I secured photo-reproductions of every page. As the first minute book of Franklin Lodge No.2, told of all the happen- ings of that period, I had a complete copy made of it.
During my visit to Washington in 1896, I also sent out invitations to a number of the old members of the Order there to meet me one evening at the Grand . Lodge office. At this conference, each told his own story as to the particular points on which I desired information, and a stenographer made notes. Later on, I paid other visits to Washington and completed my researches as to that period in the history of the Order from 1864 to 1872 inclusive. Since then, as questions arose regarding the life of Brother Rathbone, or the entanglements arising out of the "0. B. N." Controversy in 1868-1871, upon communicating my wants to Past Supreme Representative John M. Kline, he at once sought out the Government Department or Lodge record, as the case might be, secured the certified data and forwarded it to me. To him indeed the Order at large is under lasting obligations for the splendid and efficient part he played in thus securing with absolute certainty, the facts as to the life of the founder and the .story of the early days of the Order in the. District of Columbia. For myself, I thank him from my heart-he has been so kind, so courteous, so generous and so unselfish-he responded to every call promptly and intelligently, and when he furnished a fact it was nailed down. And for all this, he had no pros- pect or hope of reward, beyond the pleasure it gave him to aid his friend, and the consciousness of having well performed a Pythian duty.
Following along the same line, I then pushed my inquiries into the different Domains, and, after several years of persistent and untiring effort, I secured the data as to the organization of the initial Lodges in all the States, Districts, Territories and Provinces where Grand Lodges had been organized and also as to all the Lodges instituted in Mexico, Quebec, Alaska, Cuba, Hawaii and the Philippines. Together with this, I obtained the biographies and portraits of the successive Grand Chancellors in each of the Domains and the Deputies else. where-this alone was an Enormous task.
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Now, as to the plan and scope of the work. When I decided to complete and compile the data, I first directed my attention to securing the early records of the Order in each Domain while it was yet possible. To accomplish this, it was necessary to obtain the exact facts as to those Lodges that were organized prior to the institution of the Grand Lodge, and also as to the creation of the latter body, its succeeding Grand Chancellors, associate officers, sessions and statistics. This I have done. To accomplish the task I have never wearied. I have followed the facts over mountain and plain and got them; have sought them among the dead as well as the quick; worked in the same harness with the earnest Pythian plodder; camped on the trail of procrastination, waiting-, sometimes years-for the to-morrow that's so near and yet so far. I have tried the patience, I know, of many friends, yet they’ve asked for no apology, but, with a kind and cheery word bade me call again. In many instances, I have been especially favored. Pythian officials have sent me -first minutes from which to make my own extracts. In the case of the Hawaiian Islands, the former Deputy Supreme Chancellor, Johannes F. Eckardt, than whom no truer Pythian lives, obtained copies of the original minutes of the institution of everyone of the eight Lodges on the islands duly certified and sent them to me with a review. So, also in the Philippines. There, Brother Shellaberger prepared for me a copy of the records of the "Pythian Club of Manila," the organization out of which grew William McKinley Lodge No.1, and also sent the first records of the latter. These two instances are "mentioned, not from a desire to make any invidious distinction, but because of their remoteness-for indeed I was ever met with kindness, courtesy and help. From hundreds of willing hands have I received aid in my search, a "God speed" to my work and kindly words of cheer by the way. To all of these-kind, good friends-I here return my grateful thanks-"may their slumbers be all blest.
To each Domain a separate chapter is given, complete in itself. This consists of: (1) A short note of authorities for the statement. (2) How and by whom the Order was introduced. (3) Facts as to the institution of each of the initial Lodges. (4) The Organization of the Grand Lodge. (5) The date of each suc- ceeding Convention. (6) List of the honorary Past Grand Chancellors with reasons for the honor. (7) The officers for each year and personal data as to the respective Grand Chancellors. " (8) Lodge and membership statistics. (9) A short review.
These chapters are arranged alphabetically and it was to their completion and accuracy that I devoted the larger portion of my time, feeling that when all the data for these was secured, the foundation was laid for all future Pythian history.
* * * This accomplished, I turned to a review of the work of the Supreme Lodge and kindred subjects. These are contained in separate chapters and in the fol- lowing order: -
- LIFE 'OF JUSTUS H. RATHBONE.
II. BIRTH OF THE ORDER-this includes a photo-reproduction of the complete minutes of Washington Lodge No.1.
III. THE SUPREME LODGE, from 1868 to 1902.
.IV. THE "0. B. N." CONTROVERSY, giving a concise story of that episode, re- garding which so much has been said and about which so little is generally" known.
V. " JURISPRUDENCE." This contains the complete text of the Supreme Con- stitutions of 1868, 1874 and 1894, together with an explanation of the various changes in the laws of the Order, and other associate subjects.
VI. "IXCORPORATION." In this Chapter is set forth, chronologically, every fact connected with the incorporating of the Supreme Lodge in 1870, subsequent amendments and the last Act of Incorporation by Congress with the amend- ments thereof.
VII. SUPREME TRIBUNAL. .This contains a succinct statement of the happen- ings leading up to the creation of the Judicial Department of the Pythian Government, its meetings, personnel and changes, together with the biographies of the first Supreme Tribunes.
While the work is denominated a history, yet my purpose has been solely directed toward making it a compendium of Pythian facts and happenings and especially to preserve, while yet obtainable, the true facts, positively authenti- cated, as to the life of the founder, the birth of the Order, the history of the first decade in the District of Columbia, its introduction in the several Domains, the creation of the initial Lodges and the Grand Lodges in each and the per- sonal data and portraits of their successive Executives.
I have not dipped into ancient lore, delved into the realm of myths or mysti- cism, spent any time, ink or oil on legends, or coated facts with sentiment or sugar. I have simply done that at which I aimed when I began-saved from oblivion the facts pertaining to the pioneer period of the Order in all the Domains and put it in a book in an orderly way.
This is what I have endeavored to accomplish-how well and how far I have succeeded is now submitted in this volume for the consideration of the members of this great and growing fraternity. Faithfully yours, WM. D. KENNEDY.