National Council Junior Order United American Mechanics v. Thompson

Opinion of the Court by

Chief Justice Hobson—

Reversing.

William Thompson was a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, a fraternal society which maintains a funeral benefit department. He joined the order on April 16, 1909, and .was admitted to the funeral benefit department on November 6, 1909. He died in the year 1911, having paid all his assessments as they fell due. The order refused to pay to his beneficiaries the amount of the funeral benefit, $250, and this suit followed. The company defended the suit on the ground that William Thompson was engaged .in the liquor…