"August Bondi, KCCH. An Amazing Pioneer"

From the Sept/Oct 2018 edition of The Scottish Rite Journal.  Any accompanying photographs or citations for this article can be found in the corresponding print edition.


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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the Scottish Right Journal podcast and audio presentation
of the Scottish Right Journal, brought to you by the
Supreme Council of the Scottish Right Southern Jurisdiction Mother Supreme
Council of the World. This week's article is August Bondy KCCCH,
an amazing pioneer by Brother John Reynolds, thirty third degree

(00:20):
and comes from the September October twenty eighteen issue of
the Scottish Right Journal. The Valley of Selena was proud
to support a historical person sign installed at the corner
of Iron Avenue and Eighth Street in front of the
Smoky Hill Museum in Salina, Kansas. The sign acknowledges Brother
August Bondi KCCH. Brother Bondi was born in Vienna, Austria,

(00:44):
on July twenty first, eighteen thirty three. His family became
involved in the revolution against the Austrian Empire. In eighteen
forty eight, as the Empire gained dominance, the Bondi family
immigrated to the United States. They entered at New Orleans
and then traveled up to Saint Louis. During that time,
young August was exposed to the slave trade and was

(01:06):
sickened by that. After moving to Saint Louis, August worked
at many jobs. He worked in an auction house, as
a printer's assistant, and as a tanner. In eighteen fifty two,
he moved to Texas and worked as a bartender on
a Galveston steamboat. In eighteen fifty three, he went back
to Saint Louis and worked in a clothing store. After

(01:27):
passage of the Kansas Nebraska Act, August moved to Kansas
Territory to work for free state status. As a known abolitionist,
his house was attacked by Border Ruffians. His neighbors, the
Brown family, came to his assistance. Young August then joined
John Brown's army and fought in the Battle of Blackjack
and Battle of Osawatamie during the Bloody Kansas Era. After

(01:50):
John Brown left Kansas, Bondi founded the town of Walker
and was appointed postmaster. Brother Bondi joined the militia and
was married before he was mustered into the film Kansas
Cavalry to fight in the Civil War. During the war,
he was severely wounded at Pint Bluff, Arkansas, and was
discharged in eighteen sixty five. In July eighteen sixty five,

(02:11):
Brother Bondy was raised a master Mason in Delphian Lodge
number forty four in Garrett, Kansas. By eighteen sixty six,
he sold out and moved to Salina, where he established
a farm. In eighteen seventy three, Bondi became a charter
member and first secretary of Salina Lodge number sixty. He
also became involved in the community as a township trustee

(02:32):
and probate judge. In eighteen seventy eight, he became a
charter member of Selena Lodge number eighteen Royal arch Masons.
Due to his Jewish faith, he did not extend into
the commandery. In eighteen ninety six, Brother Bondi became a
Scottish Rite Mason and also joined Isis Temple of the Shriners.
After practicing law for over twenty years, he was admitted

(02:54):
to the Bar of the State of Kansas. In nineteen
oh one, Brother Bondy was honored by being invested with
the rank and decoration of a Night Commander Court of
Honour during a visit to Saint Louis. In nineteen oh seven,
Brother Bondy became ill and died. He is buried at
Gypsum Hill Cemetery in Salina, Kansas, next to his wife
and all nine of his children. The signage celebrating his

(03:17):
life and contributions to our community was donated by the
Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation. The Selena Heritage Commission
approved the designation and located a specific spot to place
the sign. Jerry Klinger, executive officer of the Jewish American
Society for Historic Preservation, agreed to the placement of Masonic

(03:38):
symbols on the sign. Under the photograph of August Bondi
as a soldier in the fifth Kansas Cavalry. It is
interesting to note that brother Bondy lived a Masonic life
even prior to becoming a Mason. He exhibited his dedication
to loyalty, truth, justice and opposition to tyranny. Like and
share this article and don't forget to subscribe to the channel.

(04:01):
If you wish to comment, please leave one and as
a reminder, hit the notifications bell. Any accompanying photographs or
citations for this article can be found in the corresponding
print edition. The Scottish Rite Journal is published by the
Supreme Council of the Scottish Right Southern Jurisdiction, Mother Supreme
Council of the World. Mark Dreisenstock, thirty third degree, Managing Editor.

(04:23):
I'm your host, Matt Bauers