BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ORDER-DATE OF ORGANIZATION-UNDER DISPENSATION-CHARTER MEMBERS-PRELIMINARY CONVENTION-PETITIONERS - FIRST OFFICERS- PROBATIONARY PERIOD - CHARTER GRANTED - PROCEEDINGS - SUBSEQUENT OFFICERS - MEMBERSHIP - MORTUARY LIST-STATISTICS-PRESENT OFFICERS, ETC.

Within the period of the last third of a century, the orders of Christian Knighthood have developed a strength and popularity in the United States little less significant than that which characterized it in Europe during the days of the crusades at the close of the eleventh and the early part of the twelfth century. About the year 1064, the spirit of religious zeal and enthusiasm so strongly induced a desire to visit the Holy Sepulcher at Jerusalem, that thousands of pilgrims assembled there from all parts of Europe. These visits were attended with difficulties and dangers to which the youthful, the aged and the infirm, must often have been sacrificed. But when Palestine was conquered by the Arabs, and the land of pilgrimage became infested by hordes of barbarous fanatics, inspired with the most intense hatred toward Christianity, these difficulties and dangers were eminently increase. The tale of the sufferings inflicted on the pilgrims by the Mussulman possessors of Jerusalem excited in Europe an enthusiastic indignation, which led to the institution of the crusades, wars undertaken solely for the purpose of recovering the Holy Land from the followers of Mahommet. In 1099, the city of Jerusalem was captured by the crusaders, the consequence of which was an increase in the zeal of pilgrimage, which had been gathering intensity during its long suppression by the barbarities of the Turcomans. But, although the infidels had been driven out of Jerusalem, they had not been expelled from Palestine, but they still continued to infest the lofty mountains bordering on the sea-coast, from whose inaccessible strongholds they were wont to make incursions into the roads surrounding the Holy City, and pillage every unguarded traveler.

To protect the pious pilgrims thus exposed to plunder and death, nine noble knights, who had previously distinguished themselves at the siege of Jerusalem, united in a brotherhood and bound themselves by a solemn compact to aid one another in clearing the highways of infldels and robbers, and in protecting the pilgrim through the passes and defies of the mountains to the Holy City. Having added to their profession of protecting poor pilgrims that of defending the kingdom of Jerusalem and the whole Eastern church from the attacks of infidels, Hugh du Payens was chosen by the knights their leader, under the title of "Master of the Temple," in 1118.

The oldest order of Masonic Knighthood is said to be the Rosy Cross of Scotland, and the fact that it unites the trowel with the sword, a union which the more modern orders have sought to avoid, is adduced as evidence of their antiquity. The same union of the sword and trowel is likewise adopted by the Knights of the East, who also claim to be the most ancient order of Masonic Knighthood.

The Knights of Malta, earlier known as the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, or Hospitallers of St. John, afterward Knights of Rhodes, became a distinct order, about the commencement of the crusades, possessing both military and religious characteristics. It was chiefly the duty of this order to assist those sick and needy pilgrims whom a spirit of piety had led to the Holy Land, and hence were known in that character as Hospitallers. They assumed the black habit of the hermits of St. Augustine, distinguished only by a white cross of eight points on the left breast.

They rapidly increased in numbers and wealth, and, at the beginning of the twelfth century, were organized as a military order by Raymond du Puy, who added to their original vows of chastity, obedience and poverty, the obligation of defending the church against infidels. Raymond then divided them into three classes: Knights, who alone bore arms; Chaplains, who were regular ecclesiastics; and Servitors, who attended the sick. After long and bloody contests with the Turks and Saracens, they were finally driven from Palestine in the year 1191. Upon this, they attacked and conquered Cyprus, which, however, they lost after eighteen years' occupation. They then established themselves at the Island of Rhodes, under the Grand Mastership of Fulk de Villaret, and assumed the title of Knights of Rhodes. On the 15th of December, 1442, after a tranquil occupation of this island for more than two hundred years, they were finally ejected from all their possessions by the Sultan Soliman the Second. After this disaster, they successively retired, to Castro Messina and Rome, until the Emperor Charles V, in 1530, bestowed upon them the Island of Malta, upon the condition of their defending it from the depredations of the Turks, and the Corsairs of Barbary, and of restoring it to Naples, should they ever succeed in recovering Rhodes. They were afterward known as Knights of Malta.

In the British Islands and in the United, States, existing encampments have emanated from the encampment of Baldwin, established at Bristol by the Templars who returned from Palestine with Richard I, which, with another at Bath, and a third at York, have since continued to hold regular meetings, and constitute the three original encampments of England-and are hence lineal descendants of the ancient order. Speaking of the connection between the Knights Templar and the Freemasons, Lawrie, in his "History of Freemasonry" (page 58), says: "We know that the Knights Templar not only possessed the mysteries, but performed the ceremonies, and inculcated the duties of Freemasons."

The present black dress of the Templars is derived from the Knights of Malta, to whom, with the Teutonic Knights, their estates were assigned by Pope Clement on the dissolution of the order, and with whom many of the Knights united themselves. But originally, their costume was white. In the statutes of the order, as established in Scotland, which were revised in 1843, the ancient costume was exactly adopted. According to these regulations, the dress of the Knights Templar is as follows:

A white woolen mantle to reach to the knee in front, and taper away to the ankle behind, fastened with a white cord and tassel, and with red cross pattee-on the left shoulder; white woolen tunic, reaching to about three or four inches above the knee, with the cross upon the left breast; white stock with falling, white shirt collar; tight white pantaloons; buff boots, with buff tops turned over five inches broad, no tassels; spurs gilt, with red leathers; sash of white silk, half a yard inbreadth, tied in a knot in front; the ends edged with a white silk fringe hanging down, and a small red cross near the extremities; white woolen cap with red leather band, or, if he has obtained a diploma from the Grand Master, a red velvet cap; no feather; cross-hilted sword with brass guard, and white ivory hilt; scabbard of red morocco; belt of red leather, with gilt buckle; buff gauntlets, with a red cross on the wrist; badge, and enameled black cross, with white one, and small red cross enameled thereon, suspended from the neck by a red ribbon with white edges, about two inches broad, passing through the ring of the badge.

In America the dress is very different from that of the ancient knights. The suit is black, with black gloves. A black velvet sash, trimmed with silver lace, crosses the body from the left should to the right hip, having at its end a cross-hilted dagger, a black rose on left shoulder and a Maltese cross at the end. Where the sash crosses the left breast, is a nine-pointed star in silver, with a cross and serpent of gold in the center, within a circle, around which are the words, In hoc signo vinces. The apron is of black velvet, in a triangular form, to represent the delta and edged with silver lace. On its flap is placed a triangle of silver, perforated with twelve holes, with a cross and serpent in the center; on the center of the apron are a skull and cross-bones, between three stars of seven points, having a red cross in the center of each. The belt is black, to which is attached a cross-hilted sword. The caps vary in form and decoration in different encampments. The standard is black, bearing a nine-pointed cross of silver, having in its center a circle of green, with the cross and serpent in gold, and the motto around In hoc signo vinces.

The grand encampment of Knights Templar and appendant orders of the State of Indiana, was organized at Indianapolis on the 26th of May, 1854, and since that date has been the supreme authority of that branch of the Masonic order in the State.

On the 9th of November, 1868, notice having previously been given to that end, a convention of Knights Templar met in the city of Muncie, in the Hall of Delaware Lodgee, No. 46, F. & A. M., at which time and place there were present the following Sir Knights: M. E. Thomas Newby, Grand Commander; William Hacker, Past G. C. and G. O. W.; Harvey G. Hazelrigg, Past Grand Commander; Sirs William Craig, John W. Burson, John Marsh, Andrew J. Riley, Joseph Hill and John Powers. Thomas Newby, as Grand Commander, took the chair and appointed Sir John W. Burson Secretary. Then, Sir William Hacker, on behalf of the committee before appointed for the purpose, reported that the requisite petition for dispensation had been prepared and presented with the signatures of the constitutional number, to Cambridge Commandery, No. 6, and the approval thereof obtained indorsed theron; that the tition thus recommended had been placed in the hands of M. E. Harvey G. Hazelrigg, Grand Commander, by whom the prayer of the petitioners had been granted, and the dispensation issued accordingly--which, being present, was read and accepted.

This dispensation was granted to Sirs Joseph A. Hill, John Marsh, William Craig, Andrew J. Riley, Jesse K. Jameson and John A. Young, the petitioners and their associates and successors, empowering them to open and hold a Commandery of Knights Templar and councils of the appendant orders, at the town of Muncie, to be called and distinguished by the name of Muncie Commandery, U. D., and in each of the several orders to confer the respective degrees thereof upon such person or persons possessing the requisite qualifications, they may think proper. By this instrument, also, Sir William Craig was appointed Eminent Commander; Sir John W. Burson, Generalissimo, and Sir George H. Baxter, Captain General, with the continuance to them of such powers and privileges until the 1st Tuesday of April, 1869, and no longer, at which time they were enjoined to make return of said dispensation with all their official doings under the same: Provided, neverthless, that the said officers and members of the said commandery pay due respect to the said Grand Commandery and to constitution and edicts thereof, and in no way remove the ancient landmarks of the order. Otherwise, the dispensation would be null and void. Upon the acceptance of said dispensation, the convention adjourned and then proceeded to organize the commandery. On the following day, November 10, 1868, Sir William Craig, Eminent Commander, named in said dispensation, being present, proceeded to congregate the Sir Knights present into a Commandery of Knights Templar, as follows: Sirs William Hacker, E. Commander of Raperr Commandrey, No. 1; Harvey G. Hazelrigg, Generalissimo, La Fayette Commandery, No. 3; William Craig, Captain General, Raper Commandery, No. 1; Thomas Newby, Senior Warden, Cambridge Commandery, No. 6; John W. Burson, Junior Warden, Raper Commandery, No. 1; John Marsh, Standard Bearer; Andrew J. Riley, Sword Bearer, Raper Commandery, No. 1; Joseph A. Hill, Warden; John S. Powers, Captain of the Guard, Raper Commandery, No. 1. A commandery of Knights Templar was then opened in due form, and Sirs William Craig, Joseph A. HiIl and John W. Burson were appointed a committee to prepare a code of suitable by laws for the government of this commandery. Petitions were received from Erville B. Bishop, Henry C. Marsh, Thomas S. Walterhouse, Frederick E. Putnam, John M. Kirby, Frank Ellis, George W. Fay, Cyrus G. Neely, Joseph M. Dayis, Stephen H. Ladd, S. Ambrose Wilson, Philip F. Davis, James N. Templer, Henry C. Klein, Carlton E. Shipley, which were referred to a special committee, with instructions to report thereon without unecessary delay. The committee having reported, the several candidates were balloted for separately and declared elected. The several candidates above named were then introduced and the degrees of knighthood conferred upon them. Pursuant to the provisions of the dispensation granted to Muncie Commandery, as above, said dispensation and all the proceedings had under the same, were reported to the Grand Commandery held in the city of Indianapolis, on the 1st Tuesday in April, 1869, with a petition asking that a charter be granted according to usage. All legal requirements having been complied with, and the report and proceedings being satisfactory, a charter was caused to be issued, bearing date April 7, 1869, A. O., 751, empowering Joseph A. Hill, John Marsh, William Craig, Andrew J. Riley, John Oakerson, John W. Burson, George H. Baxter, George H. Riley, Jesse K. Jemeson, all true and Regular Knights Templar, and their associates, to work as a regular and constitutional Commandery of Knights Templar and appendant orders, by the name and title of Muncie Commandery, No. 18. And the better to enable the said petitioners to exercise the rights and enjoy the privileges thereby delegated, the Grand Commandery, by said charter, appointed Sir William Craig to be the first Eminent Commander; Sir Erville B. Bishop to be the first Generalissiomo; and Sir Andrew J. Riley to be the first Captain General of such commandery, thereby "confirming unto them and to their associates and successors full power and lawful authority to assemble and hold a regular Commandery of Knights Templar, on all proper and lawful occasion with the city of Muncie and State aforesaid; to constitute Knights of the Red Cross, dub Knights Templar, create Knights of Malta, and to admit members and to do and perform all and every such acts and proceedings as appertain to the well-being and perpetuity of the orders of Christian Knighthood." Under said charter, the Eminent Commander appointed the following officers to serve until their successors are elected and qualified: Sirs Oliphant M. Todd, Eminent Prelate; John Marsh, Treasurer; Frederick E. Putnam, Recorder; Cyrus G. Neely, Senior Warden; Philip F. Davis, Junior Warden; Henry C. Klein, Standard Bearer; Frank Ellis, Sword Bearer; S. Ambrose Wilson, Warder; and Joseph A. Hill, Captain of the Guard.

At the stated meeting held on the 27th of December, 1869, the following officers, having been duly elected, were present and regularly installed: Sirs Erville B. Bishop, Eminent Commander; John W. Burson, Generalissimo; William Craig, Captain General; Oliphant M. Todd, Eminent Prelate; John Marsh, Treasurer; Frederick E. Putnam, Recorder; Cyrus G. Neely, Senior Warden; Philip F. Davis, Junior Warden; Henry C. Klein, Standard Bearer; Joshua A. Compton, Sword Bearer; S. Ambrose Wilson, Warder; Frank Ellis, First Guard; Lewis D. Evans, Second Guard; James H. Long, Third Guard; and Joseph A. Hill, Captain of the Guard, Sir Knight Shipley acting as Marshal, and Sir Knight Smith acting as Master of Ceremonies. The following is the report of the first year's proceedings, as sent to the Grand Commandery, commencing January 1, 1869:

Red Crossed--James R. Turner, March 1; James H. Long, April 3; James L. Stephenson, April 12; George W. Harris and Thomas Stevens, May 3; Lewis D. Evans, July 19; Armsted M. Klein, Joshua A. Compton and Robert C. Bell, August 16; Andrew R. Hoover and Jeremiah F. Nickey, November 8; John P. C. Shanks and Benjamin Smith, November 29; William J. Andrews, Charles W. Moore and James L. Streeter, December 9, 1869.

Knights Templar and Knights of Malta--George W. Fay, January 11; James R. Turner, March 8; James H. Long, April 5; George W. Harris and Thomas Stephens, May 3; Hiram Allen, June 14; Carlton E. Shipley, June 16; James L. Stephenson, June 21; Armsted M. Klein and Lewis D. Evans, August 23; Joshua A. Compton and Robert C. Bell, August 30; Andrew R. Hoover and Jeremiah F. Nickey, November 22; John P. C. Shanks, November 29; William J. Andrews, December 13; Benjamin Smith and Charles W. Moore, December 20, 1869.

Admitted--J. M. Smith, June 14, 1869.

Members--William Craig, John W. Burson, John Marsh, Andrew J. Riley, Joseph A. Hill, John Oakerson, George H. Baxter, S. Ambrose Wison, Philip F. Davis, Frederick E. Putnam, George W. Fay, John M. Kirby, Thomas S. Walterhouse, Frank Ellis, Cyrus G. Neely, Henry C. Marsh, Erville B. Bishop, Joseph M. Davis, Oliphant M. Todd, David H. Case, John Nelson, Stephen H. Ladd, Elijah J. Walden, Samuel V. Jump, J. M. Smith. Recapitulation--Number that received the red Cross, sixteen; number that received the Knights Templar and Knights of Malta, eighteen; number of members, January 1, 1870, twenty-four; number created during the year, eighteen; admitted from other commanderies, one.

Succession of Eminent Comanders--Sir William Craig, from November 9, U. D., to April 7, 1869; Sir Erville B. Bishop, from April 7, 1869, to December 14, 1874; Sir Theophilus E. Burt, from December 14, 1874 to December 13, 1875; Sir Cyrus G. Neely, from December 13, 1875, to December 11, 1876; Sir S. Ambrose Wilson, from December 11, 1876, to December 9, 1878; Sir Erville B. Bishop, from December 9, 1878, to the present time--April, 1881.

Died--John Oakerson, July 27, 1871; Gordon Cecil, April 30, 1872; Samuel Fortner, September 5, 1872; John W. Burson, September 21, 1872; Charles Parker Sample, August 29, 1873; John S. Bryant, May 4, 1875; George H. Baxter, September 9, 1875; Jonathan F. Hunt, April 23, 1876; James L. Stephenson, March 20, 1877; Joseph A. Walling, and Lynn P. Wood, April 21, 1877. Sir Knight Wood died in California, but was conveyed back to Massachusetts, his native State for burial.

Present officers, elected and installed, December 13, 1880: Sir Erville B. Bishop, E. Commander; John E. Burson, Generalissimo; S. Ambrose Wilson, Captain General; William H. Wood, Prelate; John Marsh, Treasurer; Frederick E. Putnam, Recorder; William Patterson, Senior Warden; Wm A. Hoyt, Junior warden; Samuel Gibson, Standard Bearer; Samuel Cecil Sword Bearer; Elias A. Maddy, Warder; Armsted M. Klein, Captain of the Guard. Aggregate membership, January 1, 1881, 139. Condition, financially and otherwise, excellent.