New Trial Refused The Negro Pythians

Judge John P. Ross, grand chancellor of the Knights of Pythias of Georgia, argues in trial to deny blacks the right to use the name “Knights of Pythias.” The case is now being carried to the “highest court in the land.”

Judge John P. Ross has returned from Atlanta where he appeared before the judge of the superior court of Fulton county and argued against the right of a Negro organization to use the name “Knights of Pythias.” He represented the Knights of Pythias of Georgia of whom he is past grand chancellor. The court sustained for the second time the contention of the white Pythians that the Negroes could not legally adopt the name by overruling a motion for a new trial. The initial hearing on the injunction was had over a year ago and at that time the Negroes received an adverse decision. They applied for a new trial however and have received another denial. It is stated that they will appeal the case to the supreme court. It was at the annual convention of the Knights of Pythias held in Macon two years ago that action was first taken on the matter of the use of the title by Negroes for their organization. The grand lodge authorized the institution of injunction proceedings which have thus far been successful. It will be several years before the case is finally decided, as it will be carried to the highest court in the land, the defendants having subscribed a large sum to carry on the legal fight. -- Macon Daily Telegraph, Dec. 14

“New Trial Refused The Negro Pythians,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed January 20, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1082.