OSWEGO, NY – After a recent covered dish supper including a ham provided by Companion William Pittsley, High Priest George Reed called the members of Lake Ontario Royal Arch Masons together and introduced Allen Boyce.
R.W. Boyce told the members of Lake Ontario Royal Arch Masons about the strange case of William Morgan.
He had found a book at a book sale at the Eastern Star Home and paid the princely sum of 25 cents for it.
The book was written in the late 19th century. It recounted the events and court records that almost destroyed Masonry and led to the formation of a powerful anti-Mason movement.
William Morgan (1774 – 1824?) said that he served as a captain in the War of 1812 but records don’t support this claim, Boyce noted.
Morgan moved to Batavia.
He was employed as a stone cutter.
Morgan claimed to be a Mason in a southern state; when he applied for membership he was rejected due to his reputation as a debtor and heavy drinker.
Morgan threatened to write a book revealing the secrets of Masonry.
He received funds from a local printer.
After Morgan announced his intention to publish a book exposing the secrets of Masonry, he was arrested, kidnapped by Masons and disappeared.
What happened to Morgan is still a mystery, according to Boyce.
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