Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Illinois - University Library

Tuesday, 1 GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS, I. O. O. F. 269
Nov. 18, 1913. 1 —.
JUDICIARY AND APPEALS COMMITTEE
I. O. O. F.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRST SESSION-FEB. 18, 1913.
CASE NO. 423.
Paris Wilson, ]
Before Committee on Judiciary
vs. I and Appeals, February Ses-
New Hope Lodge No. 263, I. O. O. F. \ sion, 1913.
Opinion by Brother W. E. P. Anderson, of No. 107.
This case was heard and decided by this Committee at its August
session, 1911, (see Case No. 423, Grand Lodge Journal of 1911, at page
482) in which benefits were claimed by Bro. Paris Wilson at the rate
of three dollars per week from September, 1908, to September, 1910.
The question at issue then being whether he was still suffering from a
stroke of paralysis in September, 1908 (at which time it then appeared
he was non-beneficiary) or whether his recent incapacitation was
brought about by other causes. From the record and evidence before
us at that time, we held that he - was still suffering from his affliction
of September, 1908, and sustained the action of the Lodge in rejecting
the claim. Subsequently, probably at the November session, 1911,
counsel for claimant appearing before the Committee and representing
that important and newly discovered evidence had been found favor-
able to claimant, requested that the case be reopened and sent
back to New Hope Lodge for a new trial, which request was granted.
It now appears from the record before us that the case was again
heard by the Lodge on August 12, 1912, and the claim again rejected
by a unanimous vote, and it is now before us on appeal by claimant.
Much evidence in the form of affidavits and the depositions of one or
two witnesses has been introduced and the case strenuously and zealously
tried and argued by the attorneys for both the claimant and the
Lodge.
The case being one of considerable importance and interest to all
concerned, and also one which possesses a sad and sympathetic fea-
ture, it will, in our judgment, not be inopportune to go into the facts
and circumstances surrounding it at more length than is usual.
Bro. Paris Wilson resided with his family on a farm near Table
Grove, McDonough county, Illinois, and on or about the 22d day of
January, 1901, he became a member of New Hope Lodge No. 263, I. O.