Grand Lodge of Knights of Pythias v. Samson Lodge, No. 67

Opinion by

Mr. Justice Linn,

The Knights of Pythias is a secret fraternal order operating on the lodge system. At the base are subordinate lodges; over those in Pennsylvania, is the Grand Lodge and over that is the Supreme Lodge. In this suit the plaintiff is the “Grand Lodge of Knights of Pythias of the State of Pennsylvania,” a corporation organized under the law of Pennsylvania.

In 1868 the plaintiff, pursuant to its constitution, granted to nine named persons a warrant or charter to organize and constitute a subordinate lodge of Knights of Pythias in Philadelphia to be known as Samson Lodge…