Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1888 — A SECRET ORDER FAILS. [ARTICLE]

A SECRET ORDER FAILS.

It is deffinitely settled that the United Order of Honor is hopelessly involved in debt. The order is a secret insurance organization with headquarters at Indianapolis, and a large following in Missouri and surrounding States. It was formed from the wreck of the Independent Order of Workingmen in 1873. It collapsed in 1878, on account of the yellow fever epidemic. Two years afterward the United Order of Honor was formed out of the membership of the old order. In seven years the membership numbered 7,000, and then came the first staggering blow’ that started the order into decline. California demanded a separate jurisdiction. Under stress it was granted, and the. membership dropped off 2,000. Other breakers wtefe encountered, and at the last session of the grand lodge it was found that ■ the order was in bad financial condition, but it was believed not hopelessly. During December, January, February and March the death rate was extremely light, but in April, for causes not explainable, the death rate suddenly increased so much that the liabilities upon the deaths occurring in that month were several thousand dollars more than could be collected. May and June followed with equally as high a death rate. Theii * Missouri rebelled and refused longer to pay assessments or recognize the authority of the grand lodge. The membership of the order is now therefore but about 3,000, and the indebtedness will probably reach SBO,OOO. The loss falls upon the beneficiaries of deceased members. It is believed the lodges in Indiana will be maintained, either under a new name or as an organization operating independent of the Supreme Lodge.