An ornate membership certificate for the Improved Order of Red Men, a racist, whites-only organization with a “tribe” in Millersburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
According to Wikipedia:
The group’s ritual terminology is derived from language they believe is used by Native Americans, though it also shows the influence of Freemasonry. Outsiders are called “Palefaces”, to open a meeting is called “kindling the fire”, officers’ installations are called “Raising up of Chiefs” and voting is called “twigging”.
In their meetings, the members painted their faces red and donned what they believed was Indian dress.
Information on the organization in Millersburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania was found in the Sesquicentennial Book published in 1957.
IMPROVED ORDER OF RED MEN
TAHOE TRIBE, NO. 432
Tahoe Tribe, No. 432, Improved Order of Red Men, had its first council fire kindled on August 18, 1904, and was presided over by the late Harvey O. Burnett of Harrisburg, Great Sachem of the Great Council of Pennsylvania, who later attained the highest chieftaincy of that order by being elevated to Great Incohonee of the Great Council of the United States. The ceremonies of adoption were held in the lodge room of the old Brubaker Block, south side of the Masonic Building recently acquired from the Brubaker Estate, on Market Street and the degree staff of Cornplanter Tribe, No. 61, of Harrisburg, conferred the degree upon a large class of palefaces, numbering 69, charter members. Of this number many have gone on th their “happy hunting grounds.”
The tribe continued holding its weekly councils in the old Brubaker Block until 1949, when they acquired the property at 271 Moore Street and erected the present sports center with six bowling alleys with semi-automatic pin setters and lodge room in the basement and two apartments on street level.
Observing its 50th anniversary of Redmanship in Millersburg on September 11, 1954, the following charter members were given special recognition: A. Hoyt Blosser, of Carlisle; Luther S. Brink, Charles E. Beller, Jerry R. Grimm, George F. Scheidler; William J. Smith; Norman L. Meck; Norman S. Williams, and Charles F. Snyder, of Millersburg. At this writing [1957] all the above still survive with the exception of Charles F. Snyder, who passed away a year later.
The present Red Men’s Building and sports center with bowling facilities represent an investment of upwards of $55,465.42, and many nof our citizens who form various leagues in that great sport of bowling use the sports center alleys weekly. The tribal councils are held the first and third Thursday nights each month. Tahoe Tribe pays more sick and funeral benefits that any other fraternal organization here and its degree team and band has trailed to many wigwams in Central Pennsylvania and presided at the adoption of many palefaces for many years. This staff and band had the reputation of being one of the best in Pennsylvania.
Tribal chiefs serving at present are: Past Sachem Hilbert E. Whitmer, prophet; Past Sachem N. Marlin Warfel, sachem; Past Sachem J. Clifford Louden, senior sagamore; Brother Joseph C. Dreibelbis, junior sagamore; Past Sachem Ed H. Chubb, chief of records; Past Sachem Harvey W., Burrows, collector of wampum; and Past Sachem Howard R. Wilbert, keeper of wampum.
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From the Souvenir Book for the Millersburg Sesquicentennial Celebration, published in 1957. For availability of copies of this book, contact the Millersburg Historical Society.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.
[Indians]