CHAPTER II. 



KINDRED ORGANIZATIONS Continued. 



The Brothers of Freedom. This organization originated in 

 Arkansas in the year 1882, as the joint production of Isaac 

 McCracken and Marion Farris. The name was suggested by 

 an old revolutionary organization, known as the " Sons of Free- 

 dom." These two men began the formation of secret organiza- 

 tions among the farmers, for the avowed purpose of enabling 

 them to obtain a just reward for their hard labor, and to incite 

 a proper rivalry among merchants and dealers. The methods 

 adopted were simple and effective. They first organized the 

 farmers into subordinate bodies. These sent representatives to 

 the common council. The common councils in turn sent dele- 

 gates to the county council, and this county council would make 

 contracts with merchants and dealers, in the benefits of which 

 all members participated. A large reduction in the price of 

 goods and merchandise was usually the result. 



The success of the organization was assured from the start, 

 as it promised aid and protection to a class of producers that 

 was wanting in both friends and advisers. A Grand Council 

 was soon formed, with Isaac McCracken, President, and Dr. 

 James Gray, Secretary. This organization continued to increase 

 in numbers and popularity, until October, 1885, when it consoli- 

 dated with the Agricultural Wheel, another organization having 

 fewer members but working for similar objects. At the time of 

 consolidation, there were 643 subordinate organizations of the 

 Brothers of Freedom that lost their identity and gave up their 

 name in order to secure harmonious co-operation, and thereby 

 push forward more rapidly the great work of reform. 



Brother McCracken remained president during the existence of 



the order. But Brother A. J. Nichols served as secretary after the 



two years in which Dr. Gray acted in that capacity. In this 



manner has been lost to sight one of the pioneer efforts in the 



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