Caloosahatchee Moose Lodge 2395 - Cape Coral, FL
Lodge 266, Jersey City, New Jersey
Lodge 168, Brooklyn, New York
Pittsburgh

La Orden Leal de la Ciudad de Moos es una organización fraternaly una organización de servicios fundada en 1888 , con cerca de 1 millón de miembros en aproximadamente 2.400 logias , en los 50 Estados Unidos y cuatro provincias canadienses , así como las Bermudas ; junto con su female auxiliary, Women of the Moose con más de 400.000 miembros en aproximadamente 1.600 Chapters en las mismas zonas y la Loyal Order of Moose in Britain estas organizaciones constituyen el ' ' 'Moose Internacional ' ' ' Tiene su sede en Mooseheart, Illinois.

Moose Internacional apoya el funcionamiento de Mooseheart Child City & School, a 1023 acre (4,1 km²) comunidad para niños y adolescentes necesitados, que se encuentra 40 millas (64,4 km) al oeste de Chicago ; y Moosehaven , una 63 acre (254 952,2 m²) comunidad de retiro para sus miembros cerca de Jacksonville , Florida . También, Moose Lodges & Chapters realizan aproximadamente $ 75 millones de dólares en servicios a la comunidad (contando las donaciones monetarias y de horas de trabajo voluntario trabajado ) anualmente. Además, la organización Moose realiza numerosas actividades deportivas y programas de recreación , en las instalaciones de albergue / capítulo local llamada ya sea Moose Family Centers o Centros de Actividades , en la mayoría de los 44 Estados y Asociaciones Provinciales, y sobre una base de toda la fraternidad.

Historia editar

La Orden Leal Ciudad de Moose fue fundada en Louisville, Kentucky, en la primavera de 1888 por el Dr. John Henry Wilson. Originalmente iniciado únicamente como club social de los hombres , pronto, varias logias fueron fundadas en Cincinnati, Ohio, St. Louis, Missouri and Crawfordsville y Frankfort, Indiana. El orden temprano no era próspero. El propio Dr. Wilson no estaba satisfecho y salió de la orden antes de los alces del cambio de siglo .[1]​ When Albert C. Stevens fue la compilación de su ' ' Enciclopedia de Hermandades ' ' a finales de 1890 fue incapaz de determinar si todavía estaba en existencia.[2]

En el otoño de 1906, la Orden sólo tenía las dos logias restantes en Indiana . El 27 de octubre de ese año James J. Davisse convirtió en el miembro 247a de la Orden.[1]​ Davis era un Welsh immigrant que había llegado a los EE.UU. en su juventud y trabajó como herrero en las fábricas de acero de Pennsylvania, y un organizador laboral activo (que más tarde se convirtió en Secretary of Labor en el Harding administration).[3]​ Vio la Orden como una manera de proporcionar una red de seguridad social para una membresía de clase trabajadora , con una cuota de membresía anual mínimo de $ 10- $ 15. [1]​Después de dar una dirección de despertar a los siete delegados de la convención nacional, en 1906 Moose , fue nombrado " Supremo organizador " de la Orden.[4]​ Davis y un grupo de organizadores dispusieron a reclutar miembros y establecer refugios en todos los EE.UU. y Canadá. Él tuvo bastante éxito y la Orden creció a cerca de medio millón de miembros en 1.000 logias en 1912 .[1]

Mooseheart & Moosehaven editar

At the 1911 convention in Detroit, Davis, who now “Director General” of the Order, recommended that the LOOM acquire property for an "Institute", "School" or "College" that would be a home, schooling, and vocational training for the orphans of LOOM members.[1]​ For months offers came in and a number of meetings were held regarding the project. It was eventually agreed that the center should be located somewhere near the center of population, adjacent to both rail and river transportation and within a day's travel to a major city. On December 14, 1912 the leaders of the organization decided to purchase the 750-acre Brookline Farm. Brookline was a dairy farm near Batavia, Illinois. It was close to the Fox River, two railway lines and the (then dirt) Lincoln Highway. The leadership also wished to buy additional real estate to the west and north owned by two other families, for a total of 1,023 acres. Negotiations for the purchases were held in January and February 1913, and legal possession of the property was taken on March 1. The name "Mooseheart" had been adopted for the school at the suggestion of Ohio Congressmen and Supreme Council member John Lentz by a unanimous joint meeting of the Supreme Council and Institute Trustees on Feb. 1. Mooseheart was dedicated on July 27, 1913. Vice President Thomas R. Marshall gave a speech for the occasion.[1][5]

While Mooseheart began as a school, it soon grew to become a small incorporated village and hub of the organization, housing the headquarters of the LOOM, as well as the Women of the Moose. The population of Mooseheart would grow to 1,000 by 1920, reach a peak of 1,300 during the Great Depression and go down to approximately 500, the campus' current maximum capacity, in 1979.[1][6]

In addition to Mooseheart, the LOOM also runs a retirement center, Moosehaven, located in Orange Park Florida. This project was inaugurated in the Autumn of 1922 with 26 acres of property and 22 retired Moose residents. It has grown to a 63-acre community with over 400 residents.[1]

Organization editar

Local units are called "Lodges", state groups are "State Associations" and the national authority is the "Supreme Lodge of the World", which meets annually.[7]​ In 1923 there were 1,669 lodges "promulgated in every civilized country controlled by the Caucasian race".[8]​ In 1966 3,500 lodges were reported in every US state, Guam, Canada, Bermuda and England.[9]​ In 1979 the Order had 36 State Associations and over 4,000 Lodges.[6]​ Today it has 1,800 Lodges, in all 50 states and four Canadian provinces, as well as Bermuda and the United Kingdom.[10]

The entire membership is sometimes referred to as the "Moose Domain".[7]

Membership editar

In the early 1920s membership was restricted to white men of "sound mind and body, in good standing in the community, engaged in lawful business who are able to speak and write the English language".[8]​ In June 1972 the Supreme Court handed down a decision in the Order's favor, saying that a Moose Lodge in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, could not be denied a state liquor license because they refused to serve a black guest.[11]

In the early 1920s the LOM reportedly had over half a million members with 32,570 in the Mooseheart Legion and 5,178 in the Junior Order of Moose.[8]​ In 1928 this had grown to 650,000 members with 59,000 in the ladies' auxiliary. There were slightly more than a million in 1966.[9]​ In 1979 the LOOM had 1,323,240 members.[12]​ In 2013 there were 800,000.[10]

Rituals editar

The Moose have a ritual, secret passwords, ceremonies and codes of conduct. An important ritual for the Moose is the 9'O'Clock Ceremony. At nine o'clock, all Moose are directed to face toward Mooseheart with bowed heads and folded arms and repeat a silent prayer "Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not for such is the Kingdom of Heaven." God bless Mooseheart." At that same time the children of Mooseheart kneel at their bedside in prayers as well. There are also the ten "thou shalts." These begin with "Thou shalt believe in God and worship Him as thy conscience dictates. Thou shalt be tolerant to let others worship each in his own way". Other "thou shalts" pertain to patriotism, service to fellowmen, protection of the weak, avoidance of slander to a brother Moose, love of the LOM, faithfulness and humility[13]

James Davis drew up the initiation ritual for the order. It is relatively short, usually taking 45 minutes. The governor of the lodge asks the Sergeant-at-Arms to administer the Moose obligation. After candidates are asked if they believe in a Supreme Being, and if they are willing to assume the obligation they take the oath with their left hand on their heart and their right hand raised. Among other things, this obligation pledges the candidate not to "communicate or disclose or give any information - concerning anything - I may hereafter hear, see or experience in this lodge or in any other Lodge". At this point the lodge performs the 9'O'Clock Ceremony, and then the lodge chaplain or prelate explains the ten "thou shalts". Next the governor grasps the hands of the candidates while the members sing Blest Be the Tie that Binds. Finally, the governor administers the second part of the obligation, the candidates promise to support Mooseheart, Moosehaven, help fellow Moose, settle disputes within the order and not to join any unauthorized Moose organizations. The prelate offers another prayer at the altar, and all then join in singing Friendship We Now Extend.[14]

There are also death and graveside services, granted on request of the family of deceased Moose, as well as a Memorial Day ceremony every first Sunday in May. The lodge altar is draped in black and white cloth, a Bible, a flower and drapes are placed on the lodge charter and the lodge prelate leads the members in prayers and the singing of Nearer, My God, to Thee.[15]

Gustin-Kenny incident editar

The Moose rituals took a tragic turn on July 24, 1913, when two candidates for membership, Donald A. Kenny and Christopher Gustin, died during an incident [16]​ at their initiation ceremony in Birmingham, Alabama. Kenny was the president of the local Chauffeurs Union and Gustin was an iron moulder. Both men were made to look upon a red hot emblem of the Order, then blindfolded, disrobed and had a chilled rubber version of the emblem applied to their chests, while a magneto was attached to their legs and an electric current was applied to them by a wire to their shoulders. The aim was evidently to make them believe that they were being branded. Both men fainted, but, as it was thought that they were feigning, the lodge officers did not stop the initiation until it was evident that the two were dying and the lodge physician was unable to revive them.[8]

Benefits and philanthropy editar

The LOOM has historically supported numerous charitable and civic activities. It has sponsored medical research for muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, cancer and cardiology, as well as the March of Dimes. It has also supported Boy Scout and Girl Scout programs.[12]

Independent, Benevolent and Protective Order of Moose editar

In 1925 the LOOM brought a suit against the Independent, Benevolent and Protective Order of Moose, an African American order. They attempted to obtain a legal injunction to keep them from using the Moose name, ritual, emblem and titles of its officers.[7]​ The New York Court of Appeals restrained the African American order from using the name "Moose", but allowed them to continue using the same fraternal titles and colors.[17]​ The I,BPOM was apparently an all woman order.[18]

Religious objections editar

By 1966 the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and the Wisconsin Synod forbade membership in the Loyal Order of Moose. The Catholic Church, however, has never explicitly objected to the Moose,[15]​ despite having condemned similar organizations, such as the Freemasons for their oaths and other rituals.

Notable Moose members editar

Presidents editar

Other politicians editar

  • Evan Bayh - Former U.S. Senator/Governor of Indiana—Elkhart, Indiana Lodge: 599[19]
  • Robert C. Byrd - U.S. Senator—Beckley, West Virginia: Lodge 1606[19]
  • Tom Corbett - Governor of Pennsylvania—Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Lodge 2699[19]
  • Richard J. Daley - Mayor of Chicago 1955-1976—Greater Chicago, Illinois: Lodge 3[19]
  • Joe Manchin III - US Senator, State of West Virginia—Charleston, West Virginia: Lodge 1444[19]
  • C.L. "Butch" Otter - Governor, State of Idaho 2007—Boise, Idaho: Lodge 337[19]
  • Tommy Thompson - Former U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services—Juneau County, Wisconsin: Lodge 1913[19]
  • Earl Warren - Chief Justice U.S. Supreme Court (Holder of the Pilgrim Degree of Merit) -- Oakland, California: Lodge 324[19]

Entertainers editar

Athletes editar

  • Ed Beard - Middle Linebacker, San Francisco 49ers—South Norfolk, Virginia: Lodge 464[19]
  • Raymond Berry - NFL Hall-of-famer, Baltimore Colts / Super Bowl XX Coach, New England Patriots—Montgomery County, Virginia: Lodge 1470[19]
  • Larry Bird - NBA Hall-of-famer—Orange County, Indiana: Lodge 2530[19]
  • Walter Blum - Hall of Fame Jockey with 4,382 wins—Lauderdale Lakes, Florida: Lodge 2267[19]
  • Manute Bol - NBA's tallest-ever player—Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts: Lodge 1849[19]
  • Jason Couch - Hall of Fame Professional Bowler—South Lake County, Florida: Lodge 1615[19]
  • Jack Ham - NFL Hall of Fame linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers—Indiana, Pennsylvania: Lodge 174[19]
  • Woody Hayes - Ohio State University Football Coach—Columbus, Ohio: Lodge 11[19]
  • Ted Hendricks - NFL Hall of fame Linebacker—Hialeah, Florida: Lodge 1074[19]
  • Bob Huggins - Men's Basketball Coach, West Virginia—Charleston, West Virginia: Lodge 1444[19]
  • Pete Johnson - Fullback, Ohio State & Cincinnati Bengals—Gahanna, Ohio: Lodge 2463[19]
  • Jerry Lucas - Basketball Hall of Fame; NBA Rookie of the Year 1964; Sports Illustrated "Sportsman of the Year" 1961; Only Three-Time Big Ten Conference Player of the Year—Bucyrus, Ohio: Lodge 669[19]
  • Rocky Marciano - Boxer[19]
  • Billy Martin - All-Star Infielder, Manager—Oakland, California: Lodge 324[19]
  • Zach Miller - Tight End, Jacksonville Jaguars—Mooseheart, Illinois: Lodge 2655[19]
  • Arnold Palmer - Golfer—Greensburg, Pennsylvania: Lodge 1151[19]
  • Cal Ripken Sr. - Baseball Manager—Aberdeen, Maryland: Lodge 1450[19]
  • Gale Sayers - NFL Hall of Famer—Elkhart, Indiana: Lodge 599[19]
  • Billy Sims - 1978 Heisman Trophy Winner; Running back, University of Oklahoma (1975–79) and Detroit Lions (1980-84); Member, College Football Hall of fame—Grand Rapids-Sparta, Michigan: Lodge 50[19]
  • Bill "Moose" Skowron - Major League Baseball Player (1954 – 1967) -- River Park, Illinois: Lodge 2578[19]
  • Bill Stewart - Head Football Coach of West Virginia University—New Martinsville, West Virginia: Lodge 931[19]
  • Tony Stewart - NASCAR Driver—Columbus, Indiana: Lodge 398[19]
  • Gene Tunney - Boxer—Cincinnati, Ohio: Lodge 2[19]
  • Bill Veeck - Major League Baseball Executive—Greater Chicago, Illinois: Lodge 3[19]
  • Honus Wagner - Baseball Hall-of-Famer—Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Lodge 46[19]
  • Donnell Woolford - Pro Bowl Cornerback, Chicago Bears—Batavia, Illinois: Lodge 682[19]

Other editar

  • Eugene Cernan - Astronaut; "the last man on the moon" in December 1972—Bellwood, Illinois: Lodge 777[19]
  • Jean Davidson - Author and granddaughter of Harley-Davidson co-founder Walter Davidson—Mooseheart, Illinois: Chapter 3001[19]
  • Henry Ford - Inventor of the mass-produced automobile—Detroit, Michigan: Lodge 160[19]
  • Virgil I. "Gus” Grissom – Astronaut: Warwick, Virginia: Lodge 1711[19]
  • Darell Hammond - Founder/CEO, KaBOOM! Inc. - Builder of playgrounds worldwide (and, member of Mooseheart High School Class of 1989) -- Batavia, Illinois: Lodge 682[19]
  • Lt. Col. Edward A. Silk - Mooseheart Class of 1935; Recipient of the Medal of Honor in World War II—Johnstown, Pennsylvania: Lodge 48[19]

See also editar

References editar

  1. a b c d e f g h Our History
  2. Stevens, Albert Clark, 1854- The Cyclopædia of Fraternities: A Compilation of Existing Authentic Information and the Results of Original Investigation as to More than Six Hundred Secret Societies in the United States (New York: Hamilton Printing and Publishing Company), 1899, p.274
  3. Schmidt, Alvin J. Fraternal Organizations Westport, Connecticut; Greenwood Press p.220
  4. Whalen, William J. Secret Organizations Milwaukee; Bruce Publishing Co. 1966; Second printing 1967 p.105
  5. History of Mooseheart Mooseheart web site Retrieved 12/27/13
  6. a b Schmidt pp.220, 222
  7. a b c Schmidt p.222
  8. a b c d Preuss, Arthur A Dictionary of Secret and other Societies St. Louis: B. Herder Book Co. 1924; p.258
  9. a b Whalen p.105
  10. a b Loyal Order of Moose
  11. Schmidt pp.221-222
  12. a b Schmidt p.221
  13. Whalen p.107
  14. Whalen p.106-7
  15. a b Whalen p.108
  16. Southern Reporter vol. 80, p. 86
  17. Mangum, Charles Staples The Legal Status of the Negro Chapel Hill, The University of North Carolina press, 1940. pp.75-6
  18. Theda Skocpol; Ariane Liazos; Marshall Ganz What a mighty power we can be: African American fraternal groups and the struggle for racial equality Princeton : Princeton University Press, 2006 pp.44, 77
  19. a b c d e f g h i j k l m n ñ o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay Famous Moose Members Famous Moose Members Moose International web site Retrieved 12/27/113

External links editar