Indianapolis,1917............

[Fred (S.Indiana)]

Medal reads:
Imp'd O.R.M. 49th council 1917.....
logic 1917-49=1868?what is this "council"?

 

[Fast_Dave]

The badge is for the Improved Order of Red Men, seems to commemorate the 49th Grand Council held in that state. Hopefully, here's a link to their current website.
http://www.redmen.org/

 

[Mackaydon]

The IORM claims to be the oldest of the secret societies in America. The claim is based on its evolution from earlier organizations founded even before the American Revolution including the Sons of Liberty and the Sons of Tamina. They claim that the Sons of Liberty worked underground in Colonial times to establish freedom and liberty. As known now, the IORM was founded in 1834 and was organized as the Great Council of the United States by 1847, with HQ in Baltimore, Maryland. At its peak in 1921, there were 519,942 members in forty six states. In 1978 its membership was 31,789. Past members of note include Franklin D. Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, and Warren G. Harding.

Source:http://www.joycetice.com/flaghold/flag004.htm