VIII - The Fourth Degree

The history of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus in Kansas begins in Chicago on Thanksgiving Day, 1902.  There, a large class which included a number of Kansans, was initiated by a degree team from New York.  A newspaper account gave the names of the following Topekans in this first group of Kansas Fourth Degree Knights.  These were: T. J. Coughlin, R. F. Hayden, P. J. Monaghan, W. F. Monaghan, T. T. Kelly, A Hirbour, M. J. Fitzgerald, E. L. Mooney, P. J. McAloon, and F. C. Downey.

In May, 1905, the Fourth Degree was exemplified for the first time at Kansas City, Missouri.  This class also included a number of Kansans, particularly a group from Wichita Council: J. G. McDonald, W. A. Busch, J. F. Christman, J. R. Siebrandt, Jerry Fitzpatrick, J. E. Higgins, Victor Christman, Theodore Ossweiler, P. Y. Strohecker, H. J. Mayer, J. A. Daily, Mr. Hines, and F. M. Broderick of Cherryvale.

The first exemplification of the Fourth Degree in Kansas took place in Topeka on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1907, when a class of over a hundred was initiated.  Bishop Hennessy of Wichita came to Topeka with the Extension Society's chapel car, then in use in his diocese.  The occasion was also graced with the presence of the Supreme Knight, Ed L. Hearn.  The banquet at the Copeland Hotel was followed by a formal ball at the Music Hall.  Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Gibbons led the grand march.

The members of this first class of Fourth Degree Knights to be initiated in Kansas were:

J. W. Gibbons was appointed Master of the Fourth Degree for Kansas and Oklahoma by the National Board of Directors earlier in the year.  He held the office from 1907 to 1912.  His successors in the office were:

The history of the Fourth Degree in Kansas City, Kansas, presumably had its beginning at the first exemplification of the degree in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1905.  Either after this exemplification or another held two years later at Topeka, members from Kansas City formed two local assemblies: Damien 826 and St. John's 709.  Of these first twenty members only Sir Knight Harry D. Cooper survives and is still a member of the Fourth Degree.

Shortly after the close of the first World War the local assemblies were merged to form a general assembly.  It was named after Lt. William T. Fitzsimons, a member of Kansas City, Missouri, Council 527, who was the first man killed in the first World War wearing an American uniform.

The General Assembly carried on its work and grew in numbers until the summer of 1931.  As a result of the depression interest in the degree and membership dropped.  No meetings were held for about eight years.  In the summer of 1939 the late Sir Knight Edward L. Mason, a member of the Assembly, was appointed Master for the District of Kansas.  One of his first acts was to reactivate his own Assembly.  The late Sir Knight John A. Flackmiller was appointed acting Navigator and Sir Knight Thomas R. Luckett acting Comptroller.  All records had been lost and the first problem was to locate the old members.  At the first meeting in August everyone present favored reorganization.  Officers were elected in October and Sir Knight John A. Flackmiller was selected as Navigator and was continued in that office until 1943.  He deserves much credit for the reorganization of the Assembly.

Sir Knight Melvin Buck was elected Navigator in 1943.  During the war years the activities of the Assembly were carried on by those who could spare time from their war work.  Four members of the Assembly were in the armed forces: Albert Rettenmeier, Thomas R. Luckett, John Schiffer, and Michael Balint.

In 1945 Sir Knight Harry D. Cooper, a charter member, was elected Navigator.  Under his leadership an exemplification of the degree was held in Kansas City in November, 1946, the first in twenty-five years.  This was followed by another in May, 1947.  Sir Knight Thomas R. Luckett became Navigator in 1947.  He was succeeded in 1948 by Sir Knight Joseph Keuchel.  The present Navigator, Harry Robbs, was elected in 1949.

Since its reactivation in 1939 the Assembly has carried on an active program.  Each year it holds an essay contest for the eighth grade pupils of the parochial schools of its area and rewards the winner with a scholarship for one year at Ward High School or the Catholic school of the winner's choice.  Members and their families enjoy an annual Christmas party and a formal party on Washington's birthday.  The Assembly provides a guard of honor at the closing of Forty Hours Devotion in each parish, at religious functions at which the bishop is present, at the first Solemn Mass of a newly ordained priest, for the wake and funeral of members or priests, and other similar functions.

The Assembly has raised funds for a memorial to the Catholics of Wyandotte County who gave their lives in World War II.  A memorial flag pole is to be erected at Ward Athletic Field in the spring of 1950.  Early in 1946 the Assembly instituted the Memorial Chalice program.  Upon the death of each member a chalice is given in his memory.  Disposition of the chalice is made according to the wishes of the deceased member's family or by the bishop.  A ciborium was presented to the chapel of Donnelly College in memory of those members of the Assembly who died prior to the establishment of this program.  Deceased members are further remembered at an annual Mass of Requiem offered on July fourth.

The Assembly supports the Catholic Hour, sponsors a boy at Boys' State, and presents a radio program each Columbus Day.  It offers its members a varied social program and meets in the quarters of Lafayette Council 826.

The Juan Padilla General Assembly of Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus was organized in Emporia about 1909 and serves the members of Emporia, Osage City, Council Grove, Burlington, Strong City, Olpe and Hartford.

The charter members were:

The Assembly was active in sponsoring the reconstruction of a cairn near Council Grove in 1931 to commemorate the martyrdom of Father Juan Padilla, O.F.M., as the first priest martyred in the territory of the United States.  The Assembly has furnished honor guards at various First Masses and other church celebrations and has sponsored various social gatherings for members and their ladies.

The present officers are: Faithful Navigator, J. J. Tholen; Faithful Captain, Leo J. Brinkman; Faithful Admiral, Frank Becker; Faithful Comptroller, Lee L. Hensler; Faithful Pilot, John Roth.

Bishop Cunningham General Assembly was organized at Hays on December 30, 1919, under the name St. Joseph's General Assembly.  The first officers were: Faithful Navigator, Dr. O. A. Hennerich; Faithful Captain, Miles H. Mulroy; Faithful Admiral, Frank Heili; Faithful Comptroller, A. F. Bieker; Faithful Pilot, Nick F. Arnold; Faithful Inner Sentinel, Alex A. Nierenberger; Faithful Outer Sentinel, Jacob Brull; Faithful Friar, Father McKenna.

The charter members were:

On October 10, 1920 the name was changed to Bishop Cunningham General Assembly.  Initiations were held in 1921, 1931, and 1945.  The Assembly now has 93 members from 10 different councils.

The 1948-49 officers are: Faithful Navigator, James A. Drees; Faithful Captain, Walter Ross; Faithful Admiral, George J. Gottschalk; Faithful Pilot, Henry Drees; Faithful Comptroller, Joe M. Schueler; Faithful Inner Sentinel, Roger D. Venneberg; Faithful Outer Sentinel, Paul Mudd.

Ponce De Leon General Assembly at Seneca was organized in 1921.  Its first officers were: Faithful Navigator, Charles H. Herold; Faithful Captain, Emmet J. Dignan; Faithful Admiral, J. P. Koelzer; Faithful Comptroller, F. J. Holthaus; Faithful Pilot, J. P. Meinberg; Faithful Inner Sentinel and Faithful Outer Sentinel, J. M. Wempe.

The present officers are: Faithful Navigator, Al W. Schoenberger; Faithful Captain, Al H. Spielman; Faithful Admiral, G. John Strathman; Faithful Comptroller, J. H. Liening; Faithful Pilot, John McCarthy; Faithful Inner Sentinel, Vincent Runnebaum; Faithful Outer Sentinel, Raymond Korte.

The only initiation was held on October 12, 1947, by Master Edward L. Dunbar.  Seventy-five members took this Degree.  There are now over a hundred members.

Coronado General Assembly was organized early in 1930 and is composed of the following councils: Hoisington 1521, Great Bend 862, Ellinwood 1187, Claflin 1500, Olmitz 2100, Odin 2630.  Some of those active in organizing the Assembly were Reverend J. J.  Davern, Harry Wildgen, John B. Robl, Reinhart Werner, Nicholas Sprinker, Leo J. Piller, William Nagle, Charles J. Hall, J. R. Zecha, Frank J. Weber.

The Assembly started with a membership of thirty-four.  The first initiation was sponsored in March, 1945, at Hoisington with a hundred and eighty-five candidates.  On November 14, 1948, a class of one hundred and thirty-four was initiated at Great Bend, sixty-three of them for Coronado Assembly.  The present membership of the Assembly is well over two hundred.

The present officers are: Faithful Navigator, Charles J. Hall; Faithful Captain, Albert Mayer; Faithful Admiral, E. J. Susank; Faithful Pilot, A. A. Campbell; Faithful Comptroller, B. C. Copenhaver; Faithful Scribe, Grant Lane; Faithful Inner Sentinel, Raymond Rose; Faithful Outer Sentinel, Tony Tockert; Faithful Friar, Reverend Anthony Meyers.

James W. Gibbons General Assembly at Topeka remained active through the years, adhering to the principles of patriotism and upholding the dignity of the degree.  The degree was exemplified on May 20, 1928, for a class of one hundred and twenty-nine candidates.  This class was in charge of Master J. S. McDonald.  Another class of some sixty candidates was initiated on February 20, 1932, under the able leadership of Master Michael J. Healy.  For the next few years there was little activity other than social gatherings and occasional flag or flag pole contributions to schools.  In June, 1940, under Master Elmer J. Garitson of Wichita, forty candidates were received at Topeka.

The patriotic fervor inspired by the war brought renewed interest in the "Degree of Patriotism" and in one year, 1944, there were three classes with a total of two hundred and twelve candidates initiated in Topeka under the direction of Master E. L. Dunbar.  This resurgence of the Fourth Degree in Kansas meant busy times for the degree staff.  Members of the James W. Gibbons Assembly who have served regularly in exemplifying the degrees are Past Master Thomas P. Flynn, past State Deputy James Malone, W. J. Cunningham, Joseph J. Melchior, and F. H. DeBacker.  One of the most impressive degrees exemplified in many years was that of February 27, 1949 attended by a hundred and fifty members in uniform.  The Supreme Master of the Fourth Degree, the honorable William J. Mulligan of Hartford, personally knighted sixty-three new members.

The James W. Gibbons General Assembly now numbers almost two hundred members and is active in sponsoring various educational activities.  It sponsored a Catholic softball league in 1946-1947.  The current officers are: Faithful Navigator, Michael A. Kamer; Faithful Admiral, Carl A, Sachs; Faithful Captain, Francis J. VanLaeys; Faithful Comptroller, Francis H. DeBacker; Faithful Pilot, John F. Flynn; Faithful Inner Sentinel, Paul E. Shaughnessy; Faithful Outer Sentinel, Gerald A. Artzer; Faithful Friar, Reverend John P. O'Connor.

During the decade of the 1930's the fortunes of the Fourth Degree Assemblies of South Central Kansas reached an all time low.  None of the local Assemblies formed during the preceding years were active.  The Wichita Local Assembly had maintained its existence although there had been no exemplifications at Wichita between 1923 and 1940.  Many of its members had received the honors of the degree in 1915 and several had taken the work in 1905.  El Dorado had had a Local Assembly but it had been inactive since 1925.  No record of any other local assemblies in the area could be found at the time Columbia General Assembly was organized.

With improving conditions, the desire for and need of a revived Fourth Section was felt.  On April 1, 1940, John H. Reddin, Supreme Master, authorized State Master Elmer J. Garitson of Wichita to proceed with the formation of a General Assembly composed of Sir Knights from the following Councils: Wichita 691, Newton 976 Andale 2217, Wellington 2227, Arkansas City 2614, El Dorado 2296, Caldwell 2728, Florence 2779; with Wichita as the headquarters.  The records show that notices of the organization meeting held April 7, 1940 were mailed to fifty-nine members of the Wichita Council, eight of the Newton Council, two of the Andale Council, five of the Wellington Council, four of the Caldwell Council and one of the Florence Council, all of whom had already received the honors of the Fourth Degree.  Forty-five of these were the charter members of Columbia General Assembly.

Columbia General Assembly has grown considerably since its organization.  Ten new Sir Knights for the Assembly took their Fourth Degree at Topeka on June 2, 1940, and additional classes of about seventy-five each were held in Wichita on October 12, 1941, November 10, 1944, October 12, 1946, and October 9, 1948.  The Assembly had two hundred and eighty-two Sir Knights in good standing on May 1, 1949.

Dr. Charles Sommerhauser, the last Faithful Navigator of the Wichita Local Assembly was elected to the same position in the new General Assembly, the other chair officers being: Faithful Captain, Harry F. Becker; Faithful Admiral, John H. Laffin; Faithful Pilot, Robert J. Doyle.  Successors to Faithful Navigator Sommerhauser have been Sir Knights Emmett A. Blaes, 1940-41; Harry M. Klenda, 1941-42; Dr. B. B. Sullivan, 1942-43; George B. Collins, 1943-45; Joseph Farrell, 1945; John Peters, 1945-47; and George A. Schwarz, 1947-49.

The Assembly has made progress in the work for which it was organized.  It has been able to present properly equipped Guards of Honor at any function where needed.  Once a year a memorial chalice is presented to the bishop for use in the mission field.  A balanced social program has been developed, but there is room for improvement in its patriotic program.  In short, Columbia General Assembly has come far since 1940 but there is still a long way to go before its full possibilities are realized.

The Monsignor Luckey General Assembly of the Fourth Degree at Manhattan includes Manhattan Council 1832, Junction City Council 1029, Flush Council 902, and Blaine Council 2278.  It was organized October 12, 1944.  The charter officers were:: Faithful Navigator, Bernard J. Conroy, Manhattan; Faithful Captain, Alex W. Waddell, Junction City; Faithful Admiral, Julius Heptig, Flush; Faithful Pilot, Carl J. Carlson, Manhattan; Faithful Comptroller, William G. Leonard, Manhattan; Faithful Inner Sentinel, Albert Winter, Flush; Faithful Outer Sentinel, Dr. D. D. Dreffing, Junction City; Faithful Friar, Right Reverend Monsignor Arthur J. Luckey, LL.  D., L. H. D., Manhattan.

The present membership of the General Assembly numbers seventy-four, with meetings held in order in the four participating councils.  The present officers are: Faithful Navigator, Bernard S. Farrell, Manhattan; Faithful Captain, Lewis J. Wilcoxon, Junction City; Faithful Admiral, Albert Winter, Flush; Faithful Pilot, Robert G. Mosier, Manhattan; Faithful Comptroller, C. Lawrence Ryan, Manhattan; Inner Sentinel, Perry V. Saffell, Junction City; Outer Sentinel, Joseph H. Renfro, Manhattan; Faithful Friar, Msgr.  A. J. Luckey, Manhattan.

The general assembly has not sponsored an initiation, but has furnished a large number of candidates for initiations held in Topeka, Salina, Kansas City, and Wichita.

Aside from the annual Columbus Day banquets and anniversary social events, the Assembly sponsors an annual patriotic essay contest among the four Catholic high schools within the general assembly's jurisdiction.  Appropriate prizes are given for the two best essays within each school in addition to a suitable plaque to the school having the best essay.  The plaque has to be won three times in succession by a school to become its permanent possession.  The essays are judged by the Jesuit Fathers of St. Marys, Kansas.  The Assembly is active and is growing rapidly both in membership and projects accomplished.

The fifteen charter members of the Fourth Degree Assembly at St. Marys were initiated at Kansas City on May 30, 1905.  At the first meeting in the parochial school hall on June thirteenth the Assembly elected the following officers: Chairman, Maurice Murphy; Secretary, Richard Erbacher; Financial Secretary, Oscar Verschelden; Inner Sentinel, Achille DeDonder; Outer Sentinel, George Meister.

The Assembly's social activities began with a dance on January 16, 1907.  The minutes also note that the Assembly's first meeting in the newly purchased K. of C. building was on October 21, 1909.  The Assembly elected its first Faithful Navigator, W. J. Moriarity, in 1910.  Through the years the Assembly has given its support unstintingly to Church and Country.

On September 3, 1946 Fourth Degree members of Wamego Council 1370, Paxico Council 1392, and St. Marys Council 657 formed a General Assembly.  The Assembly was named in honor of Reverend Thomas A. McNeive, S.J., a native of St. Marys, long the well-loved pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, who was killed on December 9, 1922 when his car was struck by a train near Topeka.

The Assembly now has fifty-five members and its present officers are: Faithful Navigator, George W. Poppelreiter; Faithful Captain, John P. Smith; Faithful Admiral, Frank H. Knoebber; Faithful Pilot, Paul J. Lenherr; Faithful Comptroller, J. J. McCaffrey; Faithful Scribe, John A. Powell; Inner Sentinel Frank McNeive; Outer Sentinel, Frank R. Ronsse; Faithful Friar, Rev. Wm. Landwehr.

Msgr. John Maher General Assembly at Salina was organized in June, 1947.  It includes the following councils: Abilene, Solomon, Salina, Concordia, Belleville, Aurora, and Clyde.

Its first officers were: Faithful Navigator, A. J. Norton; Faithful Captain, Art Gorman; Faithful Admiral, B. J. McClosky; Faithful Comptroller, John Kramer; Faithful Pilot, G. M. Arnoldy; Inner Sentinel, Ben G. Huser; Outer Sentinel, Art Schwartz; Faithful Friar, Msgr. John Duskie.

On December 8, 1946 a class of 154 candidates in honor of Bishop Frank Thill was initiated.  The Assembly has sponsored the Christopher Movement in this area.  It purchased books for all libraries, and distributes Christopher pamphlets.  It makes annual awards at Sacred Heart Cathedral School.

The present officers are: Faithful Navigator, J. L. Maher; Faithful Captain, E. R. Beffort; Faithful Admiral, Adolph Mentgen; Faithful Comptroller, C. S. Mulvenon; Faithful Pilot, Henry Veltman; Inner Sentinel, Paul Lovan; Outer Sentinel, T. Hebert; Faithful Friar, Msgr. John Duskie.

Bishop Christian H. Winkleman General Assembly was organized when a group of Fourth Degree members living in Ransom but belonging to other assemblies met and decided to organize an assembly at Ransom.  It was decided that members belonging to the Ness City Council would be asked to join our assembly.

Our State Master was contacted and asked to institute the assembly.  He decided that members from La Crosse and Garden City should also be transferred to our assembly.

After a delay of two years the name Christian H. Winkleman was approved for our assembly.

The assembly was instituted January 28, 1948, by State Master E. L. Dunbar and a charter was granted by the Supreme Council in December of the same year.

Cardinal John J. Glennon General Assembly at Garnett was organized March 3, 1946.  It includes General James H. Shields Council 1368 at Garnett, General Phil Sheridan Council 1052 at Westphalia, St. Bernard's Council 796 at Fort Scott, Sacred Heart Council 3018 at Ottawa, Greeley Council 1901, Mt.  Carmel Council 2680 at Scipio, Paola Council 1149.

The charter officers were: Faithful Navigator, Geo. B Maggio, Jr.; Faithful Captain, Henry H. Feuerborn; Faithful Admiral, Joe Hoefler; Faithful Pilot, Alfred Lickteig; Faithful Comptroller, Joe B. Feuerborn; Inner Sentinel, Roy Hayden; Outer Sentinel, Benedict J. Brummel; Faithful Friar Rev. A. J. Trompeter.

The present officers are: Faithful Navigator, John Charles Bowman; Faithful Captain, N. G. Rommelfanger; Faithful Admiral, Henry H. Feuerborn; Faithful Pilot, B. J. Brummel; Faithful Comptroller, Joe B. Feuerborn; Faithful Scribe, Gred Lickteig; Inner Sentinel, Richard Powelson; Outer Sentinel, Ralph Sheern; Faithful Friar, Rev. Timothy Bourke.

The assembly sponsored an exemplification on December, 12, 1948 at Garnett.  It sponsored an essay contest within the parish schools on the life of Cardinal John J. Glennon.  Cash prizes and citations were issued to eight contestants.

Park General Assembly was organized September 12, 1945.  The charter officers were: Faithful Navigator, Paul Depperschmidt; Faithful Captain, Joseph P. Goetz; Faithful Admiral, Edward L. Norton; Faithful Pilot, Blase Waldman; Faithful Comptroller, Ludwig Heier; Inner Sentinel, Wendelin Hartman; Outer Sentinel, Adam F. Selensky; Faithful Friar, Father Clement Weber.

The Assembly sponsored an address by Reverend Matthew Hall, O.S.B., during Holy Week in 1946.

There are at present twenty-six members in the Assembly.

The present officers are: Faithful Navigator, E. L. Norton; Faithful Captain, Joseph P. Goetz; Faithful Admiral, Paul Depperschmidt; Faithful Pilot, Blase Waldman; Faithful Comptroller, Ludwig Heier; Inner Sentinel, Lawrence Hartman; Outer Sentinel, Adam F. Selensky; Faithful Friar, Father Clement Weber.

Bishop Ward General Assembly of the Fourth Degree was instituted November 4, 1948.  It was named after the first and only priest of the diocese of Leavenworth (now Kansas City in Kansas) to be elevated to the rank of bishop.  Councils included are John Roe 3020, Shawnee 2332, Olathe 1913, and Lawrence 1372.  The groundwork for the organization of the Assembly was laid during the summer and early fall of 1948 under a group of temporary officers headed by Louis F. Siebers.  Most of the charter members were initiated August 29, 1948, at an exemplification sponsored by Lt. William T. Fitzsimons Assembly of Kansas City.  The degree work as well as the institution was under the direction of Edward L. Dunbar, Master of the Fourth Degree for the district of Kansas.

The first permanent officers were: Faithful Navigator, Martin McGraw; Faithful Captain, George Lucas; Faithful Admiral, Michael D. Keating; Faithful Pilot, John F. Koppers; Faithful Comptroller, August M. Krumm; Faithful Purser, Andy Klein; Faithful Scribe, Victor E. Roos; Faithful Inner Sentinel, Major Marion B. Noland; Faithful Outer Sentinel, Leonhart Edler; Faithful Friar, Rev. Herman J. Koch.

The charter members are:

The Assembly acts as a guard of honor at religious functions in the parishes included within its geographical bounds.  Corpus Christi, Forty Hours Devotion, Confirmations and similar events are occasions when the members appear in full regalia.  Such a guard of honor has also been furnished at a First Solemn Mass.  One of the active committees is concerned with the study of the part that Catholics have played in the history of northeast Johnson county.  This committee also has the duty of determining the location of historical sites and making preparations for the erection of suitable monuments to mark historical events.  A chalice club has been formed.  Every member contributes a small amount annually to the fund which is used to purchase chalices to be donated to bereaved families of deceased members.  These, in turn, are usually presented by the families to the bishop for use in missions.  An exemplification of the Fourth Degree was sponsored by the Assembly on October 23, 1949.

The present officers are: Faithful Friar, Rev. Herman J. Koch; Faithful Navigator, Bernard J. Brungardt; Faithful Captain, Ralph Laird; Faithful Admiral, Michael D. Keating; Faithful Pilot, John F. Koppers; Faithful Comptroller, August M. Krumm; Faithful Purser, Andy Klein; Faithful Scribe, Victor E. Roos; Faithful Inner Sentinel, Leonhart Edler; Faithful Outer Sentinel, John Sebenaler; Faithful Trustees, Louis Siebers, Martin McGraw, and Frank P. Schmiedeler.

Tipton Local Assembly was organized June 11, 1921.  The first Assembly officers were: Faithful Navigator, E. C. Mueller; Faithful Captain, John I. Pfeiffer; Faithful Admiral, L. J. Schwebach; Faithful Pilot, Ignatz Schulte; Faithful Comptroller, Ed M. Jacobs; Inner Sentinel, F. M. Greif; Outer Sentinel, E. J. Fischer.

The charter members were:

The Assembly has taken part in a number of religious celebrations and civic and assembly activities.  The Assembly attends in full regalia at the funeral of a deceased member.

Charter members still active are:

The present officers are: Faithful Navigator, M. A. Arnoldy; Faithful Captain, F. M. Greif; Faithful Admiral, J. P. Gasper; Faithful Comptroller, Ed.  M. Jacobs; Faithful Pilot, F. J. Ohnsat; Inner Sentinel, Ignatz Schulte; Outer Sentinel, Frank Konzem; Faithful Friar, Father Diss, Osborne, Kansas.

St. Fidelis Assembly was instituted November 20, 1929.  The officers elected at the first meeting were: Faithful Navigator, Alex J. Dreffing; Faithful Captain, P. H. Quint; Faithful Admiral, H. E. O'Neil; Faithful Pilot, F. U. Tholen Faithful Comptroller, F. J. A. Dreffing; Inner Sentinel, Isidor J. Wasinger; Outer Sentinel, Albert J. Dreffing.

The Assembly sponsored a class of eighty-four new members in 1945 at Hoisington.  It presented a flag pole and the national colors to the Catholic High School in Victoria.  It has always maintained membership in the National Council of Catholic Men.  The Assembly's drill team has performed at a number of State Conventions and a uniformed honor guard is provided for important functions.

The Assembly now has fifty-six members.  The present officers are: Faithful Navigator, Victor Teopfer; Faithful Captain, Henry Huser; Faithful Admiral, P. N. Rohleder; Faithful Pilot, Otto Von Lintel; Inner Sentinel, F. C. Sander; Outer Sentinel, A. D. Dreffing.

Ellis Assembly was organized on June 30, 1947.  The first officers were: Faithful Navigator, Valentine J. Weigel; Faithful Captain, Mathew Zurbck; Faithful Pilot, John J. A. Weigel; Faithful Admiral, Leo B. Wiesner; Faithful Friar, Rev. Virgil Kuhn; Faithful Comptroller, Joseph Bongartz; Inner Sentinel, C. R. Brown; Outer Sentinel, Fred Dinkle.

The assembly has fifty-two members at present.

A Fourth Degree exemplification was held at Ellis on December 14, 1947 with a class of seventy-two candidates.

The officers for the year of 1948-1949 are: Faithful Navigator, Valentine J. Weigel; Faithful Captain, Leonard Erbert; Faithful Comptroller, Paul Gones; Faithful Friar, Rev. Fr. Virgil Kuhn; Faithful Admiral, John J. Sander; Faithful Pilot, William Hones; Inner Sentinel, Leo Storm; Outer Sentinel, Mathew Zurbek.

Father Joseph Bogner Local Assembly at Garden City was organized March 13, 1949.  The charter officers were: Faithful Navigator, Gerald H. Murray; Faithful Captain, Dr. H. C. Satorius; Faithful Pilot, Robert Schreiber; Faithful Admiral, Ben Gerber; Faithful Comptroller, John Strasser; Faithful Scribe, Bernard Ohmes; Faithful Purser, A. K. Boxler, Inner Sentinel, Art Higgins; Outer Sentinel, Harold Keller; Faithful Friar, Rev. George Spaeth, C.P.P.S.

Other charter members of the Assembly were:

The Father Joseph Bogner Assembly was so named in honor of the first resident pastor of St. Mary's Church at Garden City in 1906.