Shasta Area Grotto

Pluto’s Cave and the Improved Order of Red Men

Near the entrance of Pluto’s Cave in Siskiyou there is graffiti dated 1917. 

Pluto’s Cave & the Improved Order of Red Men Graffiti

The Improved Order of Red Men (IORM) hall is mentioned in the Siskiyou News as early as 1895.  However East cites (below) that the second story of the build was built for the IORM in  The Ieka Tribe is mentioned first by name in 1897 and the last in 1924.  Ieka is the name used by local tribes to name Mt. Shasta. 

People

The following was taken from Siskiyou Daily News archives.  Charles S. Graves was a County Probation Officer.  William Gordon is mentioned a number of times in the Siskiyou News in articles relating to placer mining claims.  Lawerence E. Shultz was also a Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias (1923).  E.E. Smith is mentioned in 1897 as participating in an IORM dance. He was also active in I.O.O.F.   He owned a plumbing shop on the corner of Miner & Oregon in 1909. Many of the names found on the cave wall are mentioned in the Siskiyou News from the 1990s into the 1920s, mostly in conjunction with IORM and other lodge activities. 

IORM History

(From http://www.redmen.org/redmen/info/)

The fraternity traces its origins back to 1765 and is descended from the Sons of Liberty. These patriots concealed their identities and worked “underground” to help establish freedom and liberty in the early Colonies. They patterned themselves after the great Iroquois Confederacy and its democratic governing body. Their system, with elected representatives to govern tribal councils, had been in existence for several centuries.

After the War of 1812 the name was changed to the Society of Red Men and in 1834 to the Improved Order of Red Men. They kept the customs and terminology of Native Americans as a basic part of the fraternity. Some of the words and terms may sound strange, but they soon become a familiar part of the language for every member. The Improved Order of Red Men (IORM) is similar in many ways to other major fraternal organizations in the United States.

The Improved Order of Red Men is a national fraternal organization that believes in…

  • Love of and respect for the American Flag.
  • Preserving our Nation by defending and upholding the principle of free Government.
  • America and the democratic way of life.
  • Preserving the traditions and history of this great Country.
  • Creating and inspiring a greater love for the United States of America.
  • Helping our fellow men through organized charitable programs.
  • Linking our members together in a common bond of Brotherhood and Friendship.
  • Perpetuating the beautiful legends and traditions of a once-vanishing race and the keeping alive some of the traditional customs, ceremonies, and philosophies.

Legally, The Improved Order of Red Men is a patriotic fraternity chartered by Congress. It is a non-profit organization devoted to inspiring a greater love for the United States of America and the principles of American Liberty.