People's Pilot, Volume 6, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 November 1896 — LAST MAN MUST DINE ALONE [ARTICLE]

LAST MAN MUST DINE ALONE

Unique Organization, With Headquarters In Ligonler, Ind. There exists in Ligonier, Ind., a very unique organization of men, the like of which is not known In the United States. Twenty years ago ten yonng men, the sons of prominent business men, formed themselves into a society the name of which is the A. S. A. They were joined together by the usual solemnity of an oath, and the organization was created to exist until there was bnt one member left The last survivor, on the night of the annual banquet, which commemorates eaoh year of the society’s existence, is to have plates laid for ten, eat his supper alone, and thus end the organization. All members are now married, and since the organization, 2jo years ago, there has been but one of the raystio circle taken away by death. It has been the custom on the 11th day of January of each year to have a banquet, and this has boon kept up during the entire term of existence. Jan. 11, 1897, will be kept as the twenty-first anniversary. The banquets are elaborate, and the society numbers among its members residents in Chicago, Toledo and other cities. The loyalty and fidelity exhibited among its members are equal to those of ai.. fraternal or beneficial organization. I’, is tbe wish of eaoh of the members that he will not be loft to be the participant in the final banquet A loving enp, which is handsomely designed and has the name of each member and the date of the organization of the society engraved npon it, will be kept by the surviving member at the final banquet. In northern Indiana the organization has gained a reputation for its hospitality and the manner of entertaining its friends. It has bnt recently been made public that the organization is to continue until there is bnt one member living. —Chicago Times-Herald.