2.—The object for which this corporation is formed is to perpetuate the legal existence of the Great Council of Kentucky of the Improved Order of Red Men, to have a corporation with the legal capacity to sue and be sued, to contract with and be contracted with, to pass the necessary laws for the government of the Tribes belonging to and under the jurisdiction of this Great Council, to purchase, hold, mortgage and sell real personal property, to incur debt sufficient to carry out its purposes, and to afford relief to such of its members as may be in distress, and to accomplish charitable aims as are consistent with the constitution and continued existence of the Improved Order of Red Men.
3.—Its principal office shall be located in the city of Lexington, county of Fayette, State of Kentucky.
4.—The private property of the members of the corporation shall not be subject to the debts of the corporation.
5.—No stock or shares shall be issued, and no dividends or profits shall be divided.
6.—The existence of the corporation shall commence from the signing of these articles and the filing of same in the office of the Secretary of State of Kentucky; and the corporation shall continue in existence for a period of 25 years.
7.—The officers of this corporation for the present shall be J. R. McConnell, of Lexington, Great Sachem; W. E. Fite, of Augusta, Great Senior Sagamore; John I. Winter, of Augusta, Great Junior Sagamore; J. B. Mendenhall, Great Prophet; Frank L. Smith, of Lexington, Great Chief of Records; and John Armstrong, of Lexington, Great Keeper of Wampum; and they shall hold their offices for such terms as the corporation may by by-laws determine, and until their successors are elected in accordance with the said by-laws.
8.—That the said corporation shall from time to time establish, make and put into execution such constitution, by-laws, rules and regulations as may be passed from time to time by the Great Council, and may revoke, annul, alter and amend them at pleasure, provided that they be not repugnant to the constitution and laws of the United States, or of the State of Kentucky, or to the provisions of this act.
9.—That these articles be formed and this corporation made for the benefit of all persons who are now members in good standing of the Great Council of Kentucky of the Improved Order of Red Men, in the State of Kentucky, and they shall be members of said corporation without any further act on the part of those who sign these articles, and for their benefit from this corporation.
Signed and acknowledged this 16th day of June, 1896.
| J. R. McConnell, Great Sachem. |
| W. E. Fite, Great Senior Sagamore. |
| John I. Winter, Great Junior Sagamore. |
| J. B. Mendenhall, Great Prophet. |
| Frank L. Smith, Great Chief of Records. |
| John Armstrong, Great Keeper of Wampum. |