Robert Prager Tombstone Dedication Ceremony

On November 19, 2006, St. Louis Lodge #5 dedicated a new tombstone honoring an Odd Fellow who was lynched by a mob in Collinsville, Illinois in 1918.  He was 30 years old.

Brother Robert P. Prager, a German immigrant working as a miner in Illinois was accused of making statements about the United States government which was allegedly heard by others in a tavern in Collinsville.  These men took offense to the statements (which were never proven to be said by Prager) and assembled about 300 other people and took to the streets to punish Prager.  The Collinsville Police apprehended Prager and took him into protective custody.  The mob broke into the jail and took Prager to a secluded area and reportedly made him kiss the American Flag before hanging him.  Robert  Prager was in the final stages of obtaining a citizenship in the United States and maintained that he never made any derogatory remarks and professed his loyalty to the country. Nobody was convicted of his murder.

Prager's lodge, Harmony #353 provided the burial and tombstone located in St. Matthews Cemetery at Bates and Gravois Avenues.  Harmony Lodge later merged with St. Louis Lodge #5 in the 1940's.  The circumstances surrounding Prager's death was presented to St. Louis Lodge #5 by Brother Donn Hornberger and the lodge agreed to replace the grave marker which was in deteriorating condition.    The dedication ceremony was attended by Deputy Grand Master James Martin and his wife along with several members of St. Louis Lodge #5.  The presiding officers at the ceremony were Brother Robert Mayer and Brother Paul Patterson (Chaplain).