History of Graham Valley K. of P. Lodge
Jennings County Republican - April 25, 1902
BROTHER KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS
It gives us great pleasure, in behalf of the members of Graham Valley Lodge No. 356 Knights of Pythias, to extend to
you a most cordial greeting.
There are before me tonight members that have grown old in the ranks, the middle aged, that have seen much in our order,
and the younger ones who have more recently joined themselves to our magnificent order. Many have seen the wonderful growth of the order universal.
They have seen Lodges organized with a few members and holding their meetings in a little room smaller than the living room of many dwelling houses.
They have seen them struggle along when it seemed at times they would be compelled to surrender. They have seen the Exchequer empty and many members
sick, have seen them struggle on and overcome every obstacle that came in their path.
They have seen the membership increase rapidly and with the best of material to be found until the little room would no longer
accommodate one half the membership and they were compelled to secure more commodious quarters, and the growth of the lodge become a wonder to the
neighborhood in which it was located and a wonderful power of good, watching and caring for the sick and afflicted, relieving the distressed, and when
occasion required, burying the brother with knightly honor.
Such has been the history of Graham Valley Lodge No. 356, of San Jacinto, and we take great pleasure in giving you, this evening,
a brief history of this lodge since the time a few brother knights circulated a petition so that a dispensation could be procured and a lodge instituted
at this place.
In the early spring of 1892 brothers Hiram L. Brown, M. J. Alman, J. B. Fry, S. G. Anderson and J. L. Wilson circulated a petition
and procured twenty-four applicants and on the afternoon of April 13, 1892, Special District Deputy Grand Chancellor, Wm. Schowe, arrived at this place and
immediately proceeded to examine the hall selected to organize the Lodge. Finding it suitable for the purpose he proceeded to put it in proper shape.
After all the applicants for membership had passed a medical examination, he called the assembly to order and read his commission from Grand Chancellor E. T.
Williams as special instituting officer of Graham Valley Lodge No. 356 Knights of Pythias at San Jacinto, Jennings Co., Ind. He then ordered the ballot to
be passed, stating that the ballot would first be passed for all the applicants together but in case a black ball should appear they would then all be
balloted on separately.
The ballot proving fair he declared the following named applicants elected to membership, M. J. Alman, of Maple City, Lodge No. 39
under the Grand jurisdiction of Michigan, Hiram L. Brown, G. L. Wilson and S. G. Anderson, of Rescue Lodge No. 26 Vernon, Ind.
By invitation: Albert S. Johnson, W. A. Wildman, G. W. Patrick, C. T. Heidt, W. J. Hare, B. F. Wildman, L. A. Hand, John Conboy,
C. M. Silver, E. Surber, O. M. Anderson, W. N. Sullivan, Edward Eble, Robert Sullivan, Royal W. Fawcett, Nathaniel J. Runyan, J. M. Hand, J. C. T. Faucelt,
W. S. Tatem, Daniel T. Runyan, J. H. Shuck, S. Burchill and John A. Cane.
The applicants were then sent to the school house to await the pleasure of the instituting officers. Lodge was opened in ritualistic
form. Walter Mitchell, C.C.T. G. Reid, V. C. Chas. Jordan, Prelate, Lewis C. Huckleberry, K. of R. and S. all of Rescue Lodge No. 6 Wm. Smyth M. at A. of
Rolla Lodge No. 17.
The ranks of Page and Esquire were conferred on the candidates, when a recess was taken and all present repaired to the banquet prepared
in honor of the occasion. After an hour spent feasting and enjoyment the brethren returned to the hall and proceeded to confer the rank of knight on all the
candidates the work being completed at 6 o'clock a. m.
The lodge then proceeded to elect the following officers: Samuel G. Anderson, P.C., M. J. Ahman, C.C., H.L. Brown, V.C., J. L. Wilson, Prelate, S. Burchill M.
of E., James Shuck, M. of T., Albert S. Johnson, K. of R. & S., C.T. Heidt, M. at A., C. M. Silver, L. G., John A. Cane, O.G., J. M. Hand, trustee, three
year's term, W. S. Tatem, trustee, two year's term, John Conboy, trustee, one year's term, S. G. Anderson, Representative to G. L.
No. members initiated at instituting of lodge_____24
No. members admitted by card since_____4
No. members admitted since_____65
Total membership_____93
No. expelled_____3
No. dropped as delinquents_____6
No. withdrawn by card_____1
No. deceased_____1
Total decrease_____11
Present membership_____82
Members wives deceased_____5
Relieved by sick benefits_____60
No. of weeks benefits paid_____273
Amount sick benefits paid_____$1215
Funeral benefits paid_____130
Total_____$1345
Am't rec'd during 10 years_____4828.33
Am't expended_____4778.53
Balance on hand_____49.85
Am't outstanding secured by note_____184.00
Value real estate and hall_____1200.00
Hall furniture_____200.00
Supplies and paraphernalia_____100.00
Total resources_____$1733.85
Respectfully submitted
A. S. JOHNSON,
W. A. WILDMAN,
W. D. CARSON
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