Inscribed button found at a mining town

[lumbercamp]

I found this button at a mining town. It is 7/8" in dia, non magnetic. Around the outside is Select Knights, E. I. U. In the center are the letters AOUW. Any ideas as to what it is?

 

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[Monty]

I located a fraternal order known as the Select Knights and Ladies. It was a lawsuit where someone got injured in an initiation rite., but I couldn't find anything else out about it. Monty

 

[FlaHunter]

I found this button at a mining town. It is 7/8" in dia, non magnetic. Around the outside is Select Knights, E. I. U. In the center are the letters AOUW. Any ideas as to what it is?

I see this as the Select knights Ancient order of unified workmen . Started around 1877. Or in plain terms a Union pin. Dang unions .

FlaHunter

 

[Montana Jim]

Work... not workman

Ancient Order of United Work.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1883-Manual-of-...6954852QQihZ012QQcategoryZ29223QQcmdZViewItem

Google this: "Select Knights aouw history" with your local area and you might get some better answers.

 

[PBK]

This is very definitely a uniform button of the fraternal order and insurance benefit society known as the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The Select Knights were what is commonly known as a "uniformed rank," i.e., a paramilitary or parade unit of the order.

http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/masonicmuseum/fraternalism/aouw.htm

 

[Montana Jim]

Okay - Workman... not Work.

WTG PBK!

 

[lumbercamp]

Thanks PBK, that info really helps, and Montana Jim, I googled like you suggested and got a bunch of local prominet people from generations back that I have read about for years but never paid any attention to what organization they belonged to.