The Protector from Topeka, Kansas • 2

50 THE PROTECTOR. Supreme Medical Director's Report. To the Officers and Members of the Supreme Lodge. Patriarchs of America: I herewith submit a report of the work which came under my supervision during the time since the last Supreme Lodge meeting. I have passed upon the applications of 536 males and 289 females, total 825.

Of this number there have been rejected, males 24, females 14, total 38. The average age of those passed upon and recommended to the order for beneficiary certificates is 30 7-10 years. Those who were disapproved were for the following reasons: Overweight, not recommended by local examiner, intoxication, poor physical condition, organic heart disease, poor family history and physical condition, 13; making false statements to local examiner regarding family history, bronchitis and dyspepsia, over age, private information, not vaccinated and those who refused to be, total, 38. There have been nine deaths during the year-of this number seven males and two females. The claims of all have been fully and promptly paid.

The name, location, number of lodge and cause of death are as follows, furnished me by the kindness of Supreme Secretary H. F. Reid: John H. Friendt, of Osage No. 6, at Dennis; joined the Order May 21, 1892, aged 44 years.

Died of pneumonitis March 20, 1894, aged 46 years. Member of Order 1 year, 10 months, 29 days. Wm. J. Hamilton, of Finlay No.

18, at Independence; joined Order May 25, 1892, aged 46 years. Died of tuberculosis April 26, 1894, aged 48 years. Member of Order 1 year, 11 months, 1 day. Horace J. Brown, of Banner No.

9, at Columbus; joined Order May 31, 1892, aged 37 years. Died June 15, 1894, of cerebral apoplexy, aged 39 years. Member Order 2 years, 14 days. Frank J. Smith, of Osage No.

6, Dennis; joined Order November 15, 1890, aged 35 years. Died September 5, 1894, of consumption, aged 39 years. Member Order 3 years, 10 months. 20 days. Belle C.

Holcomb, of Sceptre No. 31, Winfield; joined Order May 24, 1894, aged 32 years. Died September 14, 1894, of heart failure, aged 32 years. Member of Order 3 months, 20 days. A.

J. Balch, of Zinc No. 10, at Galena; joined the Order May 25, 1892, aged 54 years. Died November 3, 1894, of softening of the brain, aged 56 years. Member Order 2 years, 5 months, 8 days.

R. M. DeGarmo, of Reid No. 19, Girard; joined the Order January 6, 1894, aged 47 years. Died October 16, 1894, of appendicitis, aged 47.

years. Member of Order 9 months, 10 days. Jeffrey Price, of Charity No. 11, Weir City; joined the Order March 21, 1893, aged 1.49 years. Died January 4, 1895, of quick consumption, aged nearly 51 years.

Member Order 1 year, 9 months, 13 days. Geo. D. Smith, of Henderson No. 24, Labette; joined Order April 8, 1893, aged 51 years.

Died February 18, 1895, of pleuropneumonia aged 53 years. Member Order 2 year, 10 months, 10 days. I have received about 165 letters and written 227. This makes about all which might with propriety be styled an official report, but I feel that our work would be incomplete unless some few things at least, which have suggested themselves for the good and perpetuity of our Order, be recommended at this time. First.

I would recommend that this Supreme Lodge consider the question of establishing an official journal or indorse one already established; said journal to be devoted exclusively to the Patriarchs of America. This need not be of any great burden to our Order. No doubt if the Supreme Lodge would bear one-half or even twothirds of said expense terms could be offered to and accepted by all the lodges which would prove satisfactory. I apprehend that all will agree that the benefit to be derived would be incalculable, by furnishing to each member a paper giving monthly the good work going on. I am quite sure it would be a step in the right direction.

Second. I would recommend that we take.