T. M. JosepH
PGM Thomas Miller Joseph
I.O.O.F. Grand Master of Texas in 1865
Texas Legislator
Mayor of Galveston - 1858-62
From: Galveston, Texas
I.O.O.F. Grand Master of Texas in 1865
Texas Legislator
Mayor of Galveston - 1858-62
From: Galveston, Texas
.
Before final adjournment in 1887 the Grand Lodge appointed a special committee to make settlement with the defaulting Treasurer and his bondsmen. This committee met with the ex Treasurer and his bondsmen in the city of Galveston March 24, 1887 and effected a settlement the best probably that could have been made under the circumstances. The amount of the shortage as determined by the books at that time was estimated at $24,197.07. The committee succeeded in securing deeds to lands town lots cattle horses sheep farm implements etc. to the amount of $10,110 and notes the most of which were well secured amounting to $10,000 making a total of $20,110. Much of the property secured was sold at a loss to the Grand Lodge while in one or two instances a profit may have been made. One tract of land of 269 acres situated in Hardin county is still in possession of the Grand Lodge Another tract of 358 acres located near Huntsville and valued at $5000 was sold to a Mr. Wiley for which he executed his several sundry notes. Wiley not being able to meet the notes at maturity sold to the Grand Lodge a tract of 978 acres in Liberty county for which the notes were surrendered This tract is still in possession of the Grand Lodge of Texas though the timber on it was sold just a few years ago as well as the timber on the lands in Hardin county. We are unable to account for the actions of Thomas M. Joseph a brother in whom the Grand Lodge had placed the utmost confidence for nearly twenty years. We are inclined to take the most charitable view of the case possible in supposing that Brother Joseph became involved in some kind of speculation lost used the Grand Lodge money with the hope of regaining and retrieving and lost again. Whether this supposition be true or not we draw the veil upon this unfortunate occurrence and turn to a more pleasant and inviting field of labor.
Odd Fellowship in America and in Texas - pp 234-235 - By William Henry Walker - 1911
Before final adjournment in 1887 the Grand Lodge appointed a special committee to make settlement with the defaulting Treasurer and his bondsmen. This committee met with the ex Treasurer and his bondsmen in the city of Galveston March 24, 1887 and effected a settlement the best probably that could have been made under the circumstances. The amount of the shortage as determined by the books at that time was estimated at $24,197.07. The committee succeeded in securing deeds to lands town lots cattle horses sheep farm implements etc. to the amount of $10,110 and notes the most of which were well secured amounting to $10,000 making a total of $20,110. Much of the property secured was sold at a loss to the Grand Lodge while in one or two instances a profit may have been made. One tract of land of 269 acres situated in Hardin county is still in possession of the Grand Lodge Another tract of 358 acres located near Huntsville and valued at $5000 was sold to a Mr. Wiley for which he executed his several sundry notes. Wiley not being able to meet the notes at maturity sold to the Grand Lodge a tract of 978 acres in Liberty county for which the notes were surrendered This tract is still in possession of the Grand Lodge of Texas though the timber on it was sold just a few years ago as well as the timber on the lands in Hardin county. We are unable to account for the actions of Thomas M. Joseph a brother in whom the Grand Lodge had placed the utmost confidence for nearly twenty years. We are inclined to take the most charitable view of the case possible in supposing that Brother Joseph became involved in some kind of speculation lost used the Grand Lodge money with the hope of regaining and retrieving and lost again. Whether this supposition be true or not we draw the veil upon this unfortunate occurrence and turn to a more pleasant and inviting field of labor.
Odd Fellowship in America and in Texas - pp 234-235 - By William Henry Walker - 1911
NOTE: $100 in the year 1887 is worth about $2,500 today.
Do a little math and you can see why the above was such a huge scandal.
Fortunately most of the funds were secured.
Do a little math and you can see why the above was such a huge scandal.
Fortunately most of the funds were secured.