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70
PROCEEDINGS OF ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETINGS

but a part of the greatest organization that this world has known. In the past the Knights of Columbus have been an agency for good. The Order has been of much assistance to the Church in carrying out the principles of our faith. This has been fittingly expressed by the Most Reverend Diomede Falconio, the Apostolic Delegate to the United States, who recently paid the following glowing tribute to our Order:
     "Beloved brethren, I am delighted to be here this morning, and especially so for the opportunity to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the Knights of Columbus. I regard your organization, while properly conducted, as an agency for great good for the Church and for the community. I have heard and know of the grand work that is being performed by your Order in the United States, of your great charity, given without ostentation of your visitation of the sick and your consolation and help to the afflicted, all of which is the Christian charity which the Church of our Saviour Jesus Christ imposes upon the faithful.
     "These societies and associations have existed in the Church since our Lord instituted it, and when properly conducted and disposed by exhibition of faith and good works on the part of the members, and by each living a good Christian life, giving good example by word and action to your neighbor, will receive my approval. While not a religious society, nevertheless your order stands for the principles of our Holy Mother Church, and the large organization of the Knights of Columbus is an excellent exhibition of American citizenship and of Americans who are willing to make an open acknowledgment of the faith and the principles you represent.
     "God will bless you and your works. Yours is a great society, and so long as I remain here and your Order is properly conducted I can assure you that the Catholic hierarchy of the Church in this country shall recognize and encourage it.
     "It's growth has been, with the help of our dear Lord, rapid and vigorous, and I pray it may continue to increase in membership and good works, more and more, and I especially convey to you the approval of our Holy Father, Pope Pius X, and will now give you the Papal benediction."
     Brothers, let us hope that our Order will continue in the future, as it has in the past, to be of use and benefit to ourselves, to our country and to our Church.

Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR F. MULLEN,
State Deputy.

     May 10, 1910.


KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS OF NEBRASKA
71

TABLE I

April 20, 1910

Nebraska

Council
Location
Insurance
Associate
Total
 652 Omaha Omaha
89
395
484
 701 Charles Carroll of Carrollton O'Neill
74
232
306
 833 Fitzgerald Lincoln
56
255
311
 938 Columbus Columbus
50
196
246
 975 Alliance Alliance
51
110
161
1123 Hastings Hastings
45
223
268
1126 McCook McCook
45
144
189
1128 Chadron Chadron
28
104
132
1159 St. Mary's Grand Island
72
212
284
1211 St. Patrick's North Platte
56
132
188
1233 Hartington Hartington
58
96
154
1238 Count Creighton Creighton
71
106
177
1295 Wymore Wymore
36
45
81
1309 Emerson Emerson
25
51
76
1312 Bishop O'Connor Greeley
52
58
110
1316 Falls City Falls City
  41
  57
  98
849
2,416
3,265

TABLE II

Nebraska

Membership, April 30, 1910

Insurance membership
849
Associate membership
2,416
Total
3,265

Insurance

Council No.
Suspended
F. W. C.
Deaths
Trans. to Assoc.
 701
5
..
..
1
 833
. .
. .
. .
1
 839
1
1
. .
. .
 975
2
..
1
. .
1123
3
. .
. .
. .
1128
1
1
. .
. .
1159
. .
. .
. .
1
1211
.
. .
. .
1
1.238
2
..
..
2
1295
. .
. .
1
. .
1309
. .
. .
. .
3
1312
1
. .
. .
1
1336
. .
1
. .
. .
15
3
2
10
     Total lapses, 30.



72
PROCEEDINGS OF ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETINGS

Associate

Council No
Suspended
F. W. C.
Deaths
 652
2
1
6
 701
10
..
2
 833
9
1
. .
 938
9
2
. .
 975
. .
. .
3
1123
6
1
2
1126
4
. .
. .
1128
7
. .
2
1159
1
2
. .
1211
. .
. .
2
1233
. .
1
. .
1238
. .
. .
. .
1295
. . 
. .
. .
1309
. .
. .
. .
1312
. .
. .
1336
  3
   
   
51
8
17

     Voted that the report of the state deputy be given to the local papers for publication.

     The report of the state secretary showed all Councils in the state having paid their per capita tax, which amounted to $481.80, the following amounts being the amounts paid by each Council: Omaha,
$72.00; O'Neill, $48.00; Lincoln, $46.50; Columbus, $37.05; Alliance, $22.20; Hastings, $39.75; McCook, $21.26; Chadron, $19.20; Grand Island, $42.30; North Platte, $28.20; Hartington, $23.10; Creighton, $27.15; Wymore, $12.15; Emerson, $11.40; Greeley, $16.50; Falls City, $14.70. Report of State Treasurer Schmidt

To balance 1909 report
$243.19
May 11, 1909, to Mark Burke
560.80
To interest bank balance
7.65
May 11, 1909, by delegates expenses
$431.39
September 1st, Burkley Printing Co
9.50
September 29, The Telegram Co
85.00
Balance
            
 285.75
$811.64
$811.64

     Reports of the district deputies, which is completely covered in the report of the state deputy, will not necessarily reappear here.

     Voted that the state deputy send greetings to the various state councils now in session.

     Voted that this Council adjourn to 1:30 p. m.

     The Council was called to order at 1:45 by State Deputy Arthur F. Mullen, and the following messages of greeting from other state councils were read:

     Rockville, Ontario: On behalf of the State Council of Ontario I extend to you and your Council fraternal greetings, and the hope


KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS OF NEBRASKA
73

that your deliberations may be of the most harmonious character and productive of lasting good to the order.

Fraternally yours,
O. K. FRASER, S. D.

     P. S.--Hope to meet you at "Old Quebec."

     St. Louis, Mo.:--The Knights of Columbus of Missouri extend to the brothers of Nebraska fraternal greetings and ask Almighty God to continue to bless our Order and its work and make possible the fulfillment of all our obligations.

     To you, worthy State Deputy, I extend my hearty congratulations on the work you have accomplished. May the record of your past achievements be but a forerunner of your success in all undertakings.

Fraternally,
R. EMMET KANE, S. D.

     Illinois: On behalf of the Illinois State Council I beg to extend to you and all the brothers of your jurisdiction greetings, and to express the hope that your State Council will have a successful, enthusiastic and harmonious meeting and that the work by you done there will be productive of great good during the coming year.

Fraternally yours,
JAMES MAHER, S. D.

     Ohio: In the name of the Ohio State Council I extend fraternal greetings and best wishes for an enthusiastic and successful meeting of your State Council. I hope the coming year will be of the greatest success in your state.

T. J. DUFFY, S. D.

     West Virginia: In the name of the West Virginia State Council let me extend to you our fraternal and most cordial wishes for an enthusiastic and harmonious meeting of your State Council. We trust that the coming year will result in as much good In your state as we are confident we will have in ours.

CLARENCE E. MARTIN.

     Boston, Mass.: Massachusetts State Council in convention assembled sends fraternal greetings to the brothers in Nebraska.

W. C. O'BRIEN, S. D.

     Tennessee: The State Council of Tennessee sends fraternal greetings to yourself and the brother Knights of your jurisdiction.
     With best wishes for the continued prosperity of the Order in Nebraska, believe me,
Sincerely and fraternally,

W. P. B. MOROSS, S. D.

     New York: In the name of the New York State Council, Knights of Columbus, I extend to the brothers in Nebraska sincere fraternal greetings, and hope the coming year will bring them continued prosperity and happiness.

DANIEL J. GRIFFIN, S. D.

     Colorado: In the name of the Colorado State Council I extend fraternal greetings and wish you a harmonious and enthusiastic gathering and best of success for the current year.

M. W. PURCELL, S. D.


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PROCEEDINGS OF ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETINGS

     Kentucky: Please convey to the officers and members of your State Council fraternal greetings and best wishes of Kentucky State Council in session at Louisville.

J. T. DONOVAN, S. D.

     Wisconsin: On behalf of the Wisconsin State Council, in session at Ashland, it affords me great pleasure to send fraternal greetings to the State Council of Nebraska. May your meeting be most successful and may the brothers of Nebraska jurisdiction reap a harvest the coming year, rich in achievements for Holy Mother Church and our grand Order.

M. K. REILLY, S. D.

     Maine: In the name of the Maine State Council I extend to you and your State Council our fraternal and cordial greeting and hope you will see a most prosperous and happy year in the coming one.

R. J. McGARRIGLE, S. D.

     Georgia: Georgia State Council, Knights of Columbus, sends fraternal greetings to the Brother Knights in Nebraska, wishing for them a harmonious meeting and the adoption of measures for greater accomplishments for the coming year.

P. H. RICE.

     Michigan: On behalf of the State Council of Michigan. I beg to extend to you and to the brothers of Nebraska fraternal greetings, and trust that your State Council will have a successful and enthusiastic meeting, which will result in much good for Columbianism in your jurisdiction, and for the Order everywhere.

MARTIN H. CARMODY, S. D.

     Greetings were read from several other State Councils and it was voted that the State Deputy wire answers to all greetings received from other State Councils.

     State Deputy Mullen had the following message sent to the various State Deputy Supreme Knights.

      Nebraska State Council, now in session, sends best wishes to you and greetings to the Brother Knights of your jurisdiction.

Report of the State Chaplain

Worthy State Deputy and Brothers of the State Council:
     In spiritual affairs, excellent results that were caused and occasioned by the Knights of Columbus in this state, can be recorded by me. There is perhaps not a council in this whole jurisdiction which cannot lay claim to having been instrumental in creating a greater respect for religion, in bringing back to the church some wayward ones, in raising its members and their fellowmen to a higher spiritual plane. But we must not think that all has been done; the fact is, our work has only begun. And in making plans for the future it is well for us to consider the reasons for our success in the past.
     The individual Knights of Columbus, the several councils, the national organization have purposes for which they directly work in the economic, social and spiritual spheres, and the greatest and best results are undoubtedly thus attained. But we cause and occasion much good which is not thus directly and immediately intended by our Order. The good brought about in such an indirect manner is well worth considering and should not be overlooked. In regard to our progress spiritually, I wish to ask you the question: By what means were the results obtained? Was all due to direct efforts?


KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS OF NEBRASKA
75

     That religion is more respected, that lax and lukewarm and strayed away Catholics have been brought back to the fold, that many of the members of the Knights of Columbus themselves are better spiritually, was to a great extent brought about indirectly. Man is inclined to imitate; there is a natural propensity in us to think highly of that which others esteem, to accept what is held by others, to do what we see others perform. Seeing the many individuals belonging to the Knights of Columbus, noticing their great gatherings on various occasions, beholding such bodies of men from all walks of life, among them some of the best and most representative and respected, beholding this, the spiritual weakling, the religious ignoramus, the mocker of God, learned a lesson. It dawned on them that they were mistaken in thinking that intelligent and respected men professed no religion, they saw that they seriously erred in being ashamed of their faith, they realized that religion is not a mere myth and that there must indeed be something to the claim of the Catholic Church that it is the one, true, authoritative church of God. They learned not only; many were prompted to follow the Knights of Columbus in the profession and practice of their faith.
      More of this is needed for the future, and something can and should be added, to work still better results spiritually. This is an age of materialism; men are striving more and more to satisfy their bodily desires, their material nature; eating and drinking and bodily comfort and the satisfying of the various cravings of the flesh, on these the thoughts of men are bent. Ah, when we know that man by nature is inclined to succumb to the inclinations of the flesh; when we see thereto added the literature of the present day, sensual, material; when we behold the example of luxury and lust given by so many worldly men, there is certainly reason to fear for the spiritual welfare of mankind.
     Conditions being such, it is certainly necessary that the spiritual element in its and our fellowmen be given nourishment and that the evil example be counteracted, if we wish not to lose all virtue and care not to have mankind become n total moral wreck.
     Especially great is the danger for those who are not of the faith and the lukewarm ones. Although most members of our Order are model Catholics--always at Holy Mass, frequently at the Lord's Table, and as a consequence firm in their faith; there are some few who on account of ignorance, or through a false shame, a kind of cowardice, a wrong human respect, stay away from the means of grace, which they so much need, and only receiving the Sacraments when forced to do so by the church's law, they are lax, weak, worthless and liable to he lost forever. How can we aid and uplift them? Of all you worthy delegates to this state convention of the Knights of Columbus there is undoubtedly not one who does not frequent Holy Communion four or five times a year. You do it quietly and unostentatiously and you receive the needed graces. That is very good; but Christ, our Blessed Savior, said that your light shall shine before men, and shall not be hidden below the bushel. I wish to suggest that every Council in this jurisdiction have four common Holy Communion days annually. If you and as many members of every local Council as possible thus receive the Blessed Sacrament in a body, you will not only be given the spiritual strength needed to resist the temptings of the age of sin; but the lax brother Knights, the lukewarm fellow Catholics will


76
PROCEEDINGS OF ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETINGS

be aroused, they will think more of the Sacraments, they will be prompted to receive frequently also, and will be won from the sinful world.
     As Knights of Columbus we should give publicity to our belief in the spiritual. Ah, there is need just now of such profession by good, moral, respected, representative men.
     The sacred is trodden under foot. Not only do every day laborers, not only do men of ordinary stations of life think less of their spiritual self; but men in high places show disregard for God and set examples of sensuality and sin. Only a few days since, he who was called the peerless one, a man who was considered a model morally, a man an elder in a so-called Christian church, a man whom many hoped to see elevated to the highest office and honors which this nation can bestow, has fallen so low as to sanction the sinful separation and to bless the adulterous union of his wayward child.
     Let us then stand forth upholding the sanctity of God's Sacraments, of all that is holy. Let us show to those around us that we are the standard bearers for all that is good, noble, God-like. Let us frequent the Sacraments; let many of us in a body gather around the Table of the Lord on days of communion, in common receiving the Bread of Spiritual Life and prompting others to imitate. There will be less lax brother Knights, fewer lukewarm and bad Catholics, and we, Knights of Columbus, shall open the eyes and shall be a spectacle to the whole world by doing untold good, good for time and for eternity.

W. WINDOLF,
State Chaplain.

     Voted that the report of the State Chaplain be published with the minutes of this meeting.

     The committee appointed at the last State Council, to investigate as to whether our ritual is being used by any other organization, presented a resolution, which was read, accepted and referred to the State Deputy.

     The above committee was: J. B. Kennedy, of Alliance; W. H. Green, of Creighton; and F. L. Tobin, of North Platte.

     The Committee on Resolutions stated they were ready to report, and after the careful reading and separate adoption it was voted that the following resolutions stand as adopted:

Resolutions

I.

     Resolved, That we again endorse and urgently recommend that Councils throughout the state who have not already subscribed to the Catholic University Endowment fund be requested to immediately take up the matter before their respective Councils and urge the adoption of the resolution recommended by the National Council; be it

II.

     Resolved, That the delegates from this state be instructed to introduce and support an amendment to the By-Laws of this Order limiting the number of consecutive terms to be held by the national officers; be it


KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS OF NEBRASKA
77

III.

     Resolved, That the State Council, Knights of Columbus of Nebraska, hereby declares itself as being unalterably opposed to the maintaining of a bar, or any means for serving intoxicating liquors, in any building erected or maintained by Columbus Clubs" or other similar organizations; and be it
     Resolved, That the delegates from Nebraska to the National Council be requested to present such a resolution at the coming National Council.

IV.

     Whereas, At the present time it appears that the jurisdiction of the different Councils has not been fixed; therefore, be it
     Resolved, That the State and District Deputies be instructed to fix the jurisdiction of the different Councils where the same has not already been done, and the Grand Knight of the Councils asking the fixing of the boundaries of his Council, make a request to the District Deputy; be it

V.

     Resolved, That all members of the Order throughout the State of Nebraska be urged to wear the official lapel button or watch fob, Va--
     Resolved, That all local Councils in this jurisdiction be requested to incorporate in their by-laws a provision that all the members of the Council who possibly can, receive Holy Communion in a body four times a year, viz: on the four Sundays immediately following the ember days of the four seasons.
     Whereas, One of the most efficient means of promoting and furthering sound Catholic principle is through and by the Catholic press; and
     Whereas, Nebraska Catholics are highly favored by the publication in the State of the True Voice; therefore, be it
     Resolved, That the State Council of the Knights of Columbus recommend that the Councils throughout the State urge upon all members of this Order that they support this ably edited Catholic journal by subscribing for the same; and, be it
     Resolved, Further, That the State Secretary be instructed to at once send to the Grand Knights of each Council a copy of this resolution, together with the accompanying proposition from the True Voice Publishing Company.

VII.

     Whereas, The Omaha Council has kindly granted the State Council the use of their beautiful rooms, and it proposes still further entertainment in behalf of the members of the State Council and visiting Knights; therefore, be it
     Resolved, That we, the State Council, extend our hearty thanks to the first Council instituted in the State of Nebraska.

VIII.

     Resolved, That we express our appreciation of the very able and unselfish labors in behalf of our Order, made by our worthy State Deputy, Arthur F. Mullen; be it
     Resolved, That the State Council of Nebraska recommends that an effort be made to have Columbus Day, October 12th, made a Legal Holiday in this state.


78
PROCEEDINGS OF ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETINGS

of the sixteen Councils, and give them the dates that the semi-annual reports are to be sent to the National Secretary.

     Voted that if there is no further business to come before this meeting that we proceed with the election of officers for the next year.

     There being no contests all the present state officers were reelected by acclamation.

     Voted that W. E. Straub, of Lincoln, be elected as representative for the associate members at the National convention.

     Voted that Thomas P. Redmond, of Omaha Council, be elected as alternate to the representative of the associate members.

     Voted that T. P. Lannigan, of Greeley, be elected as alternate to the State Deputy.

     Voted that A. P. Mentgen, of Wymore, be elected as alternate to the Past State Deputy Supreme Knight.

     Voted that the State Secretary be instructed to prepare and have printed the proceedings of this conveniotn (sic) and send to the Secretary of the various councils a copy for each member.

     Voted that the 1911 State Convention be held in the City of Omaha,

     The State officers then met and re-elected Rev. Wm. Windolf, of Creighton, as State Chaplain.

     There being no further business to come before the State Council the meeting was closed with prayer by the State Chaplain.

     The foregoing is a true, complete and correct copy of the original minutes of the proceedings of the State Convention of the Knights of Columbus held in Omaha on the 10th day of May, 1910.

MARK BURKE, State Secretary.

Five State Districts

     The state is now divided into five districts, comprising the following counties:

OMAHA DISTRICT

     Garfield, Valley, Wheeler, Greeley, Boone, Nance, East one-half Merrick, Platte, Polk, Butler, Colfax, Dodge, Saunders, Sarpy, Douglas and Washington.
     The following Councils are located in this District: Omaha, No. 652; Columbus, No. 938; Bishop O'Connor, No. 1312, at Greeley.

O'NEILL DISTRICT

     Keya Paha, Boyd, Rock, Holt, Knox, Antelope, Pierce, Madison, Cedar, Wayne, Stanton, Dixon, Dakota, Thurston, Cuming and Burt counties.
     The following councils are located in the O'Neill district: Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, No. 701, at O'Neill; Count Creighton, No. 1238, at Creighton; Hartington, No. 1233; Emerson, No. 1309.

LINCOLN DISTRICT

     York, Seward, Lancaster, Cass, Otoe, Johnson, Nemaha, Richardson, Pawnee, Gage, Jefferson, Saline, Fillmore and Thayer counties.
     With the following Councils: Fitzgerald, No, 833, at Lincoln; Wymore, No. 1295; Falls City, No, 1336.


KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS OF NEBRASKA
79

     And we recommend further that the different Councils of the Order throughout the state take such action as they may deem best suited to secure this end.

Report of the Committee on Bills and Mileage:

Brothers: --
     We, the Committee on Bills and Mileage, have checked over the personal expense account of the state officers and delegates and find them to be correct according to our best judgment, and we would therefore recommend that drafts be drawn in favor of the brothers as per list attached. And we also recommend that the state per capita tax for the next year be fifteen cents:

B. F. Grady, O'Neill
$12.70
J. P. Flynn, O'Neill
12.70
A. V. Johnson, Lincoln
3.20
M. J. Hyland, Lincoln
3.20
F. J. Gerharz, Columbus
5.80
Dr. H. A. Copsey, Alliance
32.34
Dr. C. L. Weber, Alliance
32.34
Geo. V. Helman, Hastings
15.08
T. J. Brennan, Hastings
14.08
C. J. Ryan, McCook
20.32
Chas. Skalla, McCook
20.32
Wm. Chisholm, Chadron
30.80
E. O. Dugan Chadron
30.80
J. H. Mullen, Grand Island
10.50
.J. H. O'Hara, Grand Island
10.50
C. J. Pass, North Platte
23.80
E. T. Keleher, North Platte
23.80
J. J. Goeble, Hartington
8.50
E. B. Huschman, Hartington
8.50.
J. P. Ryan, Creighton
13.90
G. M. Mullen, Creighton
13.90
A. R. Mentgen, Wymore
13.50
Theo. A. Helmig, Wymore
13.50
Wm. Dougherty, Emerson
5.80
W. C. Ryan, Emerson
5,80
Jas. P. Boler, Greeley
12.55
T. P. Lannagan, Greeley
12.55
L. P. Wirth, Falls City
7.00
John H. Kelley, Falls City
7.00
Arthur F. Mullen, State Deputy
6.20
Rev. Wm. Windolf, State Chaplain
13.90
Mark Burke, State Secretary
9,55
J. F. McNulty, State Warden
13.50
W. E. Straub, District Deputy
3.20
D. A. Jones, District Deputy
13.08
J. B. Kennedy, District Deputy
32.34
Gerharz-Flynn Co., Suit Case
8.50
Thos. J. Dunn Co., Badges
10.65

     Voted that the proper officer be instructed to draw a check for $50.00 for services of the State Secretary for the past year.

     Voted that the salary of the State Secretary be $50.00 a year.

     Voted that the State Secretary send a notice to the Grand Knights


80
PROCEEDINGS OF ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETINGS

HASTINGS DISTRICT

     Blaine, Loup, Custer, Sherman, Merrick, west half; Buffalo, Hall, Hamilton, Clay, Nuckolls, Webster, Kearney, Franklin, Phelps, Harlan, Gosper, Furnas, Frontier, Red Willow, Hayes, Hitchcock, Chase and Dundy counties.
     This District contains the following Councils: Hastings, No. 1123; McCook, No. 1126; St. Mary's, No. 1159, Grand Island.

ALLIANCE DISTRICT

     Sioux, Dawes, Box Butte, Sheridan, Cherry, Thomas, Hooker, Grant, McPherson, Logan, Dawson, Perkins, Keith, Deuel, Cheyenne, Merrill, Kimball, Banner and Scotts Bluff Counties.
     With the following Councils: Chadron, No. 1128; Alliance, No. 1175; St. Patrick's, No. 1211, at North Platte.


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