More Questions & Answers From The “History Maven”

 AKA David M.J. Vernon, MA Elks Association Historian

 The History Maven is constantly asked questions concerning some of the little known or disputed aspects of Elkdom.  This month some of those questions are answered.  By the way, if you can ask a question on the history of Elkdom that the History Maven can’t answer, you can win 3, yes, 3 collectible Elks pins and your name and question will be in the next Massachusetts Elks News.  Send your questions to: David M J. Vernon, History Maven, 31 Kenton Rd., Boston, Ma 02130-3342 or dmj.vernon@verizon.net . While it’s extremely unlikely that you can stump the History Maven, give it your best.  You could win Elks pins!

INFO REQUEST!

The Inglenook was written early in this century by a P.E.R. of Cambridge Lodge #839,  John Sherman  Clary of whom I’ve been able to find out virtually nothing. If anyone of our fellow members know anything of  Bro. Clary or his poem or his term as E.R. please let us know.

 Oh, History Maven,

     I like to collect Elks memorabilia and I recent was given an old deck of playing cards. The box says that they’re 11 o’clock cards. Do they have any relation to or Order?

Puzzled in Pittsfield

Hi, Puzzled!

     Yes, in a way. Many major companies, even now, will create a small specialty brand to appeal to one segment of the population. Perhaps you remember when one of the tobacco manufacturers came out with a pack of smokes called “Uptown” that supposedly targeted a black following? Well, the Standard Playing Card Company issued a deck of cards aimed at Elks. They were called “11O’Clock”s and were primarilyadvertised in various Elk publications. Your pack would date from roughly 1920 - 1930.

History Maven

Hello, History Maven,

     My grandfather was an Elk for many years before me and my family still has his Elks diploma. Does that mean he under went Officers Training or had to take some kind of class before initiation?

Baffled in Brighton

Dear Baffled

     No. Elks diplomas were nothing more than a souvenir of membership and were sold by several different companies that specialized in fine engraving.  Many lodges presented them to the newly initiated member or a member could purchase one from the company through his lodge secretary. The diploma you have was engraved by the McKenzie Engraving Company of Boston, MA who were recognized by Grand Lodge as the “official manufacturer” of the Elks Diploma. The tradition continues today. The first page of the newly issued booklets, “What It Means To Be An Elk” feature a page to be filled out by the Lodge Secretary attesting to the membership of newly made members.

The Maven

Dearest History Maven,

Who was the Elk Tooth King?

Numb in North Adams

Little Numb-Numb,

Jeweler Harold Smalls of New York claimed that title for years. King Smalls sold elks teeth set in 14k gold with enamel work done on a sunray design ; a $35 value for $15.50 tax included. How could he do it? VOLUME!!!! He had a wide selection of teeth and fraternal jewelry available and legitimately offered good value  for your money. King Smalls’ company unfortunately went out of business in the early 1960s.

H. M.

Dear Mr. History Maven,

     Why do I and so many of my Elks friends get so tired ? Why do Elk officers, in particular, feel “burned out”?

Weally Tired in Wareham

Wareham Elk,

     Maybe you’re sleeping on the wrong mattress. In May, 1930. Past Grand Exalted Ruler William W. Mountain suggested as much as a paid spokesman for the Simmons Co. Bro. Mountain  was a member of the Flint ,  Michigan Lodge #222 and served as G.E.R. 1921 - 1922. P.G.E.R. Mountain had previously served as Grand Lodge Chr. of  Social and Community Welfare. And why not? Who could know more about sociability and fun than a mattress salesman? 

History Maven

History Wiseguy,

I am enclosing a piece of Elks memorabilia that I found at a flea market. To be honest, I bought it more so others wouldn’t see it rather than to add it to my collection. Why would such a terrible symbol be used in connection to our Brotherhood?

Confused in Concord

Dear Confused,

         Look at the date. This song was written in 1910. Keep the date in mind when you look at the symbol which was used to decorate the sheet music and which was used all over the world; probably in every civilization on Earth. The swastika was a universal symbol of hope and good fortune. The American Indian, the Hindus, the Australian Aborigine as well as many prominent individuals like Rudyard Kipling adopted the swastika as their personal symbol and lucky charm. All first editions of Kipling’s works were prominently decorated with swastikas. Businesses in America like Rexall Drug Stores used the swastika on advertising tokens that featured the “Billikins” character. The “Billikins” was a bare-footed Buddha-like creature that held a swastika in front of him and was supposed to bring good luck. With its immediate association with good fortune and a prosperous future, it would take an international horror to change the swastika’s meaning. Unfortunately, just such a monster was at hand.

     Adolph Hitler adopted the swastika as the symbol of Germany’s National Socialist party sometime during the 1920s and by the time he took power in 1933, the swastika had been corrupted into “the twisted cross”; a travesty of its original meaning and a visual slur. In short order the swastika came to represent the darkest and most evil side of humanity. It is undoubtedly the most offensive of all symbols.

     However, during its many years as a symbol of good luck and good fortune, it was used, as we have seen, on thousands of items and these include memorabilia of the B.P.O. Elks.

     With World War ll and the subsequent realization of the extent of Nazi cruelty and evil, thousands of articles, previously seen as innocent souvenirs, were destroyed because of the revulsion now associated with the swastika. Now, when any item, but especially an Elk item, is found with a swastika on it, the immediate reaction is one of shock. The change in the perception of the swastika was so complete that few even have memory of a time or circumstance when the swastika was seen as anything but horrible.

     I personally know of two members of the MA Elks Association who have, in their respective collections, a Elks national convention pin from Portland, Oregon, 1912 and an Elks belt buckle, both of which prominently feature swastikas as a decorative device. Neither of these proud Elks, even knowing the history of the symbol, displays these items in their collections but keep them put away.

     So, should it come to pass that you see an Elks item that has a swastika on it, know that it is not a shameful thing but rather one of history’s souvenirs from a more innocent time. Understandably, these items are increasingly rare as many misunderstand the presence of the swastika on a simple souvenir and the majority of these items have been destroyed.

History Maven

Oh, Maven Mine,

The History of the Order of Elks, supplied by Grand Lodge, tells us that Bro. George MacDonald of New York, No.1, first suggested the Eleven O’clock Toast. How did “Auld Lang Syne” come to follow the Toast?

Bewildered In Billerica

Bewildered Buddy!

         The early Elks were influenced by as many different sources as they had different types of members. Bro. George MacDonald, influenced by the traditions of the Columbian Order (also known as the Tammany Society), suggested that all sing “Auld Lang Syne” after the Toast was given.  Bro. Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian, our Founder, had prepared much of the early rituals of the Order and had borrowed heavily from England’s Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB), to which he belonged. He remembered that the members of the ROAB would form a chain of brotherhood, (with each man a link in that chain), before leaving for the night. The brothers would gather in a circle, cross their arms, the left over the right and take the hand of the brother on either side. Vivian suggested that the Elks form such a circle and clasp hands after the Toast was given and while singing. Both suggestions were adopted. While many will still hold the hands of their fellow Elks while singing few still cross arms as did the Elks of old.

History Boy