Post by Eric Standridge on Nov 4, 2011 22:42:10 GMT -6
The Order was introduced into Indian Territory, now Oklahoma, by National Organizer F. E. Borden, by the institution of Liberty Council, No. 1, February 15, 1897. This was followed by Ardmore Council, No. 2, February 19 ; Capital, No. 3, February 26 ; George Washington, No. 4, February 22 ; Star, No. 5, February 23 ; Eagle, No. 6, February 27; Canadian, No. 7, March 31; Lehigh, No. 8, April 8, and Coal Gate, No. 9, April 12, all the same year, organized and instituted by Brother Borden. The Order, however, previous to this time had been introduced into the Territory of Oklahoma by Dr. J. L. Cooper, of Texas, by the institution of Logan Council, No. 1, in 1892, but the Council had but a brief history.
On April 15, 1897, Brother Borden instituted the State Council of Indian Territory in due form at South McAlester. The in stitution of the State body was attended by more than usual interest both to the Order and the citizens of the city. It was made a public affair and the officers were publicly installed, there being more than 100 subordinate members present. Following these exercises, the local Council, Capital, No. 1, entertained the visitors and the families of the members in a very creditable manner. The records show that there was no undue haste made in the preliminary proceedings, but in a methodical and business-like manner the work of organization was accomplished and its business transacted. Brother Borden acted as Chairman and J. E. McCarty as Secretary, whereupon an election of officers took place, resulting as follows :
Junior Past State Councilor — J. F. Pierce,
State Councilor — Wm. Millican,
State Vice-Councilor — E. D. Miller,
State Council Secretary — J. E. McCarty,
State Council Treasurer — J. W. McLaughlin,
State Council Conductor — Wm. Glossen,
State Council Warden — Alex. Bair,
State Council Sentinel — L. H. Doctor,
State Council Chaplain — R. F. Hamilton.
Bro. Hamilton was elected National Eepresentative for five years.
With a very auspicious beginning, the State Council of Indian Territory closed its first meeting and adjourned to meet in special session May 15, 1897, at which time the Constitution and Laws governing the State Council were adopted, the per capita tax placed at 60 cents and the jurisdiction between Councils was fixed at three
miles, except in the cities.
Two resolutions were adopted at the special session: (1) That the State Council have prepared a State Degree Ritual for the benefit of the State Council officers and all Past Councilors. (2) That the officers of Subordinate Councils should memorize their charges as soon after installation as possible.
The First Annual Session was held at South McAlester with State Councilor William Millican in the Chair. The State Council Secretary submitted a very elaborate report, full of good suggestions, etc. His reference to the high moral standard of the membership of the Order, indicated that the moral side of men was taken into consideration in the organization of Councils of the Order and the initiation of its members. Eight Councils had been instituted during the year and the membership increased. Brother E. F. Hamilton was the State Organizer and six of the eight Coun cils were organized by him.
A resolution submitted by Brother Hamilton, that a contribution box in the shape of a schoolhouse be placed in every Council chamber to receive contributions for the use of the Orphans' Home, was unanimously adopted. The Daughters of America, as an auxiliary organization to the State Council, was endorsed.
Brother Hamilton always stood for the National Council, which was shown at this session when the majority of the Committee on Law submitted a resolution charging the literature of the National Council as being " misleading " and a " drawback," wherein it referred to the Funeral Benefits being $250. Brother Hamilton, as a member of the Committee, submitted a minority report in which he says :
"I cannot and will not endorse any recommendation or resolution that denounces any literature furnished by the National Council for organizing purposes, or any action of the National Council whatever, as fraudulent and misleading."
(This was a few years before the creation of the National Funeral Department, and had reference to the plan then as it is now, of the Philadelphia Association in paying $62 for the first three months, $125 for the first six months and not paying the full amount, $250, until after the member had belonged nine months. This is why the majority of the Law Committee thought the statement misleading. — Editor.)
E. D. Miller was elected S. C, and H. E. Berner, S. V. C, at this session.
The State Council convened at Coal Gate, November 9, 1898, with State Councilor E. D. Miller presiding. Brother McCarty having died during the year, J. C. Carson had been appointed to take his place. A committee was appointed to take into consideration the question of petitioning Congress for a Free School System for the Territory.
After the mere routine business had been transacted, the following officers, as elected, were installed :
State Councilor — H. E. Berner,
State Vice-Councilor — W. A. Riley,
State Council Secretary — Geo. C. Jahn,
State Council Treasurer — C. E. Hale.
The State Council met at Krebs on December 19, 1899, State
Councilor Benner occupying the Chair. The first thing in order
was the election of officers, which resulted as follows:
State Councilor — W. A. Riley,
State Vice-Councilor — A. E. Reed,
State Council Secretary — R. F. Hamilton,
State Council Treasurer — J. E. James.
A vote in favor of a Woman's Auxiliary resulted unanimously in favor of the proposition. Relative to the Change of Name, the State Council voted against the amendment. These were the resolutions sent from the National Council as the result of its meeting at Minneapolis.
The income of the State Council was limited, and owing to the failure of the former Secretary to pay to the National Council the money due that body, the State Council was in arrears to the Supreme Body ; but with a spirit of personal sacrifice the amount of deficiency was divided prorata among the Councils as a loan and the
money was subsequently secured.
With the spirit of dissension rife in some of the Eastern states, Indian Territory manifested her loyalty and continued allegiance to the National Council by endorsing the work of the Minneapolis session. After changing the time of the meeting of the State Council to May, the body adjourned.
South McAlester again entertained the State Council, in annual session, May 1, 1900, with State Councilor Riley presiding. In the election of officers, special honor was conferred upon Brother Riley by reelecting him State Councilor. The same was true of A. G. Reed for State Vice-Councilor, R. F. Hamilton for State Council Secretary, his term being placed, under the law, at three years.
Plucky set of brothers were these brethren of Indian Territory. Facing a deficit of $50, seven members of the State Council agreed to bear their share of same. Those of the older and richer states cannot appreciate what real sacrifice the weaker states have had to make to hold their State Councils together in their earlier history. More heroic than any stands Indian Territory in upholding the principles of Americanism.
South McAlester, again, in May 1901, had the annual session of the State Council, with A. C. Reed, State Councilor, in the Chair. Outside of adopting a revised code of laws, little of importance was done.
For State Councilor, J. E. Jones was elected, for State Vice-Councilor, J. E. Ritter and M. 0. Reed for State Council Treasurer.
The session of 1902 was also held at South McAlester, State Councilor Jones presiding. At this session Wm. Noble was elected State Councilor and M. D. Reed State Vice-Councilor. For State Council Treasurer J. K. Brooks was elected.
Durant entertained the Seventh Annual Session, May 5, 1903, Win. Noble occupying the Chair, 25 members attending.
Seven new Councils had been instituted by State Organizer W. H. Glossen, and the membership reached 450. There was paid for relief during the year, $1,969.20; total worth of Subordinate Councils, $1,900; total receipts of State Council, $339.29; National Council per capita tax, $84. GO.
State Council officers:
State Councilor — W. H. Glossen,
State Vice-Councilor — S. J. Chronister,
State Council Secretary — R. F. Hamilton.
State Council Treasurer — J. K. Brooks.
The Eighth Annual Session was held at Hartshorne, May 10, 1904, with W. H. Glossen in the Chair. The State Council was honored and encouraged by the presence of National Councilor Dr. J. L. Cooper, who inspired the body with his eloquence as well as cheering utterances.
Efforts had been made to establish a State Funeral Association, and the matter had been referred to the subordinate Councils for a referendum vote. Six Councils voted in favor of the proposition and 4 against, while 8 councils did not vote at all. The matter was deferred until the next session.
This was a splendid year for Juniorism in Indian Territory, 10 new Councils having been instituted. The State Councilor was a " hustler " and had officially visited all but two of the Councils during the year.
The State Council Secretary reported 21 Councils in good standing and 727 members, being a net gain of 7 Councils and 377 members. For relief, $3,202 had been paid. "The Independent American Mechanic" a paper published by Brother Hamilton, was endorsed, as well as The American. The State Council was reported " out of debt," there being $198.84 on hand.
The officers elected were :
State Councilor — Dr. J. A. Cansdell,
State Vice-Councilor — Geo. T. Bayless,
State Council Treasurer — J. K. Brooks (reelected).
The National Councilor at the close of the session, again entertained the State Body with one of his characteristic addresses in which he referred to the careful manner of transacting the business of the State Council and congratulated the members on the harmony that prevailed — " not an unpleasant word spoken or a rash act done during the session " ; then he added the statement which must have been gratifying to the noble band of brothers, " It is the best meeting I ever attended." Dr. Cooper concluded his address by presenting Brother Glossen, Junior Past State Councilor, with a beautiful dinner set as a tribute of respect for his most efficient services. Brother Glossen was so overcome with this spontaneous outburst of esteem, that he could only say " Thank you, my dear brethren."
The generous members of the State Body did not forget the little Orphans, but " Methodist fashion," they took up a collection, amounting to $15.50. Previous to this session, the minutes and records of the State Council had been recorded in a large Journal, but this session the proceedings were printed in neat form.
The session of 1905 was held at Howe, May 9-10, Dr. J. A. Cansdell, State Councilor, presiding. The statistical report showed 22 Councils in good standing and 978 members on the rolls of the Subordinate Councils, making a gain for the year of 251. The financial statement was also gratifying. The proposition to establish a State Funeral Association was again considered, and finally was indefinitely tabled.
The officers elected were as follows :
State Councilor — Geo. T. Bayless,
State Vice-Councilor — T. J. Davis,
State Council Secretary-Treasurer — R. F. Hamilton.
In Tenth Annual Session, the State Council was entertained at Calvin, May 1-2, 1906, with State Councilor Geo. T. Bayless in the Chair. There were S new Councils instituted since the last session and a gain of membership of 312.
Brother Hamilton, as Secretary-Treasurer of the State Body, submitted the following report as to the status of the State Council and the Order in the Territory:
Number of Councils 28
Number of Members 1,290
Total Receipts of State Council $1,295.75
Total Expenses of State Council 968.30
Receipts of Subordinate Councils 5,327.00
Paid for Relief 5,055.45
Worth of Councils 4,076.60
In the adoption of revised laws at former session, the office of Secretary and Treasurer was combined under the term " State Council Secretarv-Treasurer."
The law relative to honorary members, as per revised code, gave them the same rights and privileges as other members, that is, they shall be attended to, provided for in sickness as other members, and in case of death they shall be entitled to all the funeral rites of the Order and a burial expense of not less than $25. The law also provided that they shall be entitled to all the honors, emoluments of the Order and to be entitled to hold any office in the Subordinate Council, except Financial Secretary-Treasurer, or any office in the State Council except, that of State Secretary-Treasurer, and shall be entitled to vote on all subjects except that pertaining to the distribution of the finances.
A resolution adopting the change of name from State Council of Indian Territory to State Council of Oklahoma was passed, pro- vided the bill in the* United State Congress, then pending, making Oklahoma and Indian Territories the State of Oklahoma became a law, and the Board of Officers were authorized, in case of such event, to have the State Council Charter changed.
The officers for ensuing year were elected as follows :
State Councilor — Dr. M. A. Stewart,
State Vice-Councilor — Charles Russell,
State Council Secretary-Treasurer — R. F. Hamilton,
State Council Conductor — Val Miller,
State Council Warden— T. M. West,
State Council Sentinels — R. D. Roberts and Jefferson Quiney,
State Council Chaplain — Rev. A. P. Rhon^e.
The story of Juniorism in the Indian Territory, to the writer, has been one of unusual interest, since of all the territories where the Order has been introduced, it is the only one that has been able to maintain its place in the family of State Councils. When we take into consideration the environments thrown around the organization in the territory, without the advantages of statehood and self-government, without money even, the leaders being compelled to go down into their pockets to meet deficiencies and holding on like "grim death" to the old ship; when this story is read, we have no hesitancy in stating that for pluck and faith on the part of the little band of heroes who held aloft the banner of the Order, there is scarcely a parallel in the whole sisterhood of State Councils under the supreme jurisdiction of the National Council. And it is a gratifying fact, that after 10 years of official existence, as a State Body, the Order in the State of Oklahoma numbers nearly 1,300 at this writing (1906).
The leader and worker, as well as the "tongue" and "fire" of the organization in Indian Territory from its inception, is our genial, open-hearted friend and brother, R. F. Hamilton, to whom is due, more than anyone else, the credit of maintaining the grand and patriotic principles in the territory as taught in our Council chambers. He was ably assisted by Past State Councilors J. F. Pierce, E. D. Miller, A. C. Eeed, W. A. Riley, Dr. J. A. Cansdell, J. E. Jones and Geo. T. Bayles. At the present writing (1906) Dr. M. A. Stewart, as State Councilor, is at the helm, and there is every assurance that the prosperity that has been so gratifying the past few years will continue under his administration. Under its new name, Oklahoma, may the Order take on renewed vigor and soon take its place with the older and more populated states of the Union.