People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 February 1894 — Secrets of the A. P. A. [ARTICLE]

Secrets of the A. P. A.

St. Louis Globe-Democrat. The A. P. A. grip is simply a grasp of the left hands. The challenge is placing the four fingers of the right hand longitudinally upon the upper lip, with the thumb around and under the chin. The response is the same with the left hand. The recognition is to 'ask, “Stranger, did it ever occur to you that there is anyone closer to you than a brother?” The answer is, “Yes, a friend.” Members are called friends instead of brothers, as in other orders. The recent passwords of the order have been “Oman,” “Idem” and “Intelligencer.” The hoodwink, the American flag and the crucifix are used in the initiation. The persons being initiated are hoodwinked and their hands bound together. They are then told that they must then and thenceforth “beware, for you, know not by whom you are surrounded.” The power of the chief officer over the members is absolute. Speaking for ourselves, we are always glad to pick up the Chicago Express, now edited by Henry Vincent, for the pointers it furnishes bearing directly upon our movement. We have secured a clubbing rate that will save our friends money by taking the Express with the Pilot. For a good smoke try the Crown Jewel cigar.