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'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>
'''Eugene W. Munson''' was a member of the [[American Theosophical Society]] and lecturer for the [[Krotona in Hollywood|Krotona Institute of Theosophy]].
'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>
'''Mahatma Letter of Sinnett to/from KH - 1883-10-09'''




{{Infobox MLbox
| header1 = People involved |
| writtenby        = [[Koot Hoomi]], [[A. P. Sinnett]]
| receivedby        = [[A. P. Sinnett]], [[Koot Hoomi]], [[H. P. Blavatsky]] 
| sentvia          = unknown{{pad|10em}}
| header2 = Dates
| writtendate      = 10 October 1883
| receiveddate      = unknown
| otherdate        = unknown
| header3 = Places
| sentfrom          = unknown
| receivedat        = unknown
| vialocation      = unknown
}} 
This letter has not been published previously. [[A. P. Sinnett]] wrote to [[Mahatma]] [[Koot Hoomi]], who added notes and gave the original to [[H. P. Blavatsky]], with instructions to keep the letter. 


== Note to H. P. Blavatsky from K.H. ==
== Personal life ==


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On [[November 9]], 1877, Eugene Webster Munson was born in Marshall, California to Miron Munson and Fannie Aldrich Munson.<ref>1926 Passenger list...........</ref> He had two older sisters and one younger brother. By 1880, the family had moved to Spokane, Washington.<ref>1880 United States Federal Census.</ref> Little is known of the life of Miron, but by 1900, Fannie had remarried to Joseph E. Cohenhour. They lived in Chicago with three of the children, including Eugene, who at age 23 was working as an electrician.<ref>1900 United States Federal Census.</ref>
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'''Note written in blue ink across the top of page 1:'''<br>


Read, show Henry and keep.<br>
At some point Eugene moved to Roswell, Idaho, a small town near Boise, where he was part owner of a general store, and regarded as "one of the  substantial citizens of that community."<ref>"A Roswell Wedding" ''Caldwell Tribune'' 29 (August 1, 1908): 2.</ref> On August 1, 1908, he married Mattie Doll of Saugatuck, Michigan, and they moved into a well-furnished bungalow.


KH<br>
== Theosophical Society activities ==


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Munson joined the San Buena Ventura Lodge of the American Theosophical Society on October 10, 1904. In 1909-10 he became president of the newly formed branch in Salt Lake City.<ref>"Salt Lake City" ''The Theosophic Messenger'' 11 no. 10 (July, 1910): 633.</ref> He was temporarily lodging in Utah and working as a draftsman, while lecturing weekly at Theosophical meetings.<ref>1910 United States Federal Census.</ref>


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[[File:Krotona Hollywood staff .jpg|right|300px|thumb|Krotona Hollywood staff, Munsons at right]]
=== Krotona in Hollywood ===
In late 1912, he disposed of his Idaho property, including a ranch, and in early 1913 moved to '''[[Krotona in Hollywood]]'''.<ref>''Caldwell Tribune'' 29 (December 20, 1912): 4. </ref><ref>''Caldwell Tribune'' 30 (January 10, 1913): 7. </ref> As the local newspaper reported:
<blockquote>
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Munson will soon leave for Krotona, California, near Los Angeles. Mr. and Mrs. Munson are moving so as to be near the new headquarters of the Theosophical society. They are thoroughly devoted to the Theosophical cause and feel it their duty to take a move active part in the work at Krotona.<ref>''Caldwell Tribune'' 30 (January 3, 1913): 4. </ref>
</blockquote>


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He wrote articles for Theosophical periodicals, such as "Tesla's Wireless Power and Mr. Leadbeater's Prophecy"<ref>"Eugene W. Munson, "Tesla's Wireless Power and Mr. Leadbeater's Prophecy" ''The Messenger'' 3 no. 6 (November, 1915): 164-165.</ref> He demitted to the Krotona Lodge in 1917.<ref>Membership Ledger Cards roll 5. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref> Beginning in 1917, he served as treasurer of the national Society.<ref>Eugene W. Munson. "Treasurer's Report" ''The Messenger'' Statistical Year Book supplement 5 no. 4 (September, 1917): 4.</ref>


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During the Hollywood years of [[Krotona in Hollywood|Krotona Institute of Theosophy]], Eugene Munson helped to arrange activities for the many visitors:
<blockquote>
It is becoming the custom for members of the Society living in nearby towns, to come to Krotona for their vacations. Here they may enjoy the soft climate of our Hollywood hills, pleasant even during the summer months, and attend the lectures of the krotona institute of Theosophy, as well as assist in the work in the offices. Weekly excursions to the beaches or mountains, arranged for by Mr. Eugene Munson, are indulged in by the visitors and students.
</blockquote>


'''NOTES:'''
Mattie Munson also worked for the Institute as a printer and multigrapher. When the '''Besant Lodge of Krotona''' was established in October 1920 with 56 members, Eugene was a charter member and vice president, with [[Marie Poutz]] as president.<ref>"Besant Lodge, Krotona" ''The Messenger'' 8 no. 7 (December, 1920): 577.</ref> In 1922 he coordinated a national campaign to relieve hardships  of Russian Theosophists, raising over $600.<ref>"Relief of Russian Theosophist" '' The Messenger'' 10 no.1 (June, 1822): 12.</ref>
*


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[[File:Krotona on October 3 1926.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Annie Besant visit to Ojai on October 3, 1926. Munson in white.]]
=== Krotona in Ojai ===
Munson was instrumental in moving the Krotona Institute from Hollywood to Ojai, California. The Munsons were the first residents at the new Krotona, initially living in the Kerfoot Ranch House while supervising construction of the new buildings.<ref>Elena Doval Santos email to Janet Kerschner. August 20, 2023. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref> For many years he assisted George Hall in managing the estate.


== Page 1 of Sinnett letter transcription, image, and notes ==
=== Lecture tours ===


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After Krotona had become established in Hollywood, Munson became more active in the national organization. George H. Hall, Manager of the Krotona Estate, wrote:
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<blockquote>
It was an immense relief to me, my revered and dear guardian, to find from your letter received last night, that in the midst of the painful entanglement of affairs over the Phoenix project; one spot of light has at any rate appeared and that I may hope for continued intercourse with you, whatever may be the issue of the business immediately in hand. It would have been a deep distress for me to have been cut off from all knowledge of you and from the feeling ,- sustained by letters by you from time to hence – that you continue to take an interest in me. You are the focus towards which all the best aspirations of my natures tend, and it will be thro’ you
Later he entered the service of The Theosophical Society in America as a National Lecturer, and traveled throughout the United States lecturing and organizing study classes and lodges. He was one of the best lecturers for the Society and made many friends all over the country. It was from this work that I called him in 1923 to help me at Hollywood before we moved to Ojai. When we sold the Hollywood property, he and Mrs. Munson were the first to move to Ojai, and for nearly thirty years we have worked together to build the new Krotona in the Ojai Valley.<ref>"Mr. Eugene W. Munson" ''The American Theosophist'' 40 no. 12 (December, 1952): 240.</ref>
</blockquote>


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During the years 1916-1922, Munson worked as a National Lecturer of the [[American Theosophical Society]], touring for months on end. In the years 1919-1920, for example, he lectured in at least 50 cities of 19 states and Canada.<ref>See multiple references in ''The Canadian Theosophist'' 1 no. 1-4 (March-June 1920).</ref> His presentations received excellent reviews from local newspapers. After speaking in Pueblo, Colorado, a reviewer wrote:
<blockquote>
Mr. Munson has just competed a very successful course in Denver, speaking to capacity houses. He is a pleasant speaker  and uses anecdotes, stereopticon and blackboard illustrations freely in demonstrating the more unfamiliar phases of his subject.


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He appears practical and level-headed, being an engineer by profession.<ref>"Lecture Course in Theosophy" ''Pueblo Chieftain'' (March 12, 1922): 6.</ref>
</blockquote>


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During the First World War, he often lectured about topics related to current events, such as an occult view of the war and the rebirth of those who died in wartime in his lecture "What Comes Out of the War;" "The Occult Relations of France, Great Britain, and the United State;" and "The New International Ship of State" [referring to the League of Nations].  


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Usually Munson spoke more directly about Theosophical subjects, using the stereopticon slides of [[Thought-Forms|thought forms]] and the [[Astral Body|astral body]] developed by [[C. W. Leadbeater]]. Titles included "How Many Lives Have You Lived?," "Do the Dead Return," "The Path of Achievement," "The Inner Gates of the Soul," and "The Science of the Borderland" [Theosophical explanations of spiritualistic experiences]. A reviewer in Great Falls, Montana, wrote of "The Hidden Side of Things":
<blockquote>
In the course of his address, which was heard by a large gathering of interested men and women, Mr. Munson described how telepathy is possible, explained what thoughts are, showing them as tangible objects, with shape and color visible to the occult eye. Mr. Munson also dealt somewhat at length on the evolution of the soul toward perfection.


'''NOTES:'''
The lecture was the first of a series of four to be given here... The purpose of the lectures is to arouse interest in the science of theosophy with the idea of perfecting an organization in this city.<ref>"Theosophists Plan to Organize Here" Great Falls Daily Tribune (September 12, 1921): 9.</ref>
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</blockquote>
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== Page 2 ==
In 1939, he assisted [[Marie Russak Hotchener]], [[Marie Poutz]], [[Henry Hotchener]], and Eugene Wix in conducting a dedication of new lodge rooms at the Compton Lodge.<ref>"Compton Lodge Dedicates New Home" ''The American Theosophist'' 27 no.12 (December, 1939): 287.</ref> Munson had helped to organize that lodge.


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== Other activities ==
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if at all, that same day I may be able to struggle up into the outer vestibules of the superior world in which you live. Relieved from the apprehension that has sat so heavily upon my pen of late when I have been writing to you, I feel induced to break out into a great many subjects of more personal and private interest than those with which we have lately been dealing; but for the present I have several remarks to make about the business matter in its latest aspects.


Where my own remarks come back to me as now quoted in your hand writing they seem to me flavoured with a nasty selfish worldly tone; but I am a morally amphibious creature half governed by prudential
George Hall wrote:
<blockquote>
In addition to his interest in Krotona and its activities, he took a keen interest in public affairs, and was always generous with his time and contributions to many outside interests. He did much to acquaint the people of the Valley with Krotona an to win for us the respect and friendliness of the community.<ref>"Mr. Eugene W. Munson" ''The American Theosophist'' 40 no. 12 (December, 1952): 240.</ref>
</blockquote>


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Eugene Munson was a 32° [[Co-Masonry|Co-Mason]].


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== Later years ==


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Munson continued lecturing from time to time, and also spoke in live radio programs.<ref>"San Buenaventura" ''The American Theosophist'' 37 no.5 (May, 159(: 101-102.</ref> At the time of his death in 1952, Munson was a member of the Krotona Board of Trustees. He died on [[October 31]], 1952 in Los Angeles.<ref>1952 California, U.S., Death Index, 1940-1997.</ref>
 
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considerations, (redeemed perhaps from being altogether selfish by the fact that I have others dependent on me) and half by the higher motives derived from the wish to be worthy of your friendship, and live up to the level of your best opinion of me. And then I always want to write to you in a perfectly honest way, i.e. to give you the reflection of my real feeling about the matters dealt with, so I let the selfish considerations appear where they do assert themselves rather than dress up my sentiments in false colours.
 
However I am ready to carry out the Phoenix program, – for the sake of doing the right thing, - on bad terms for myself if I can’t get good ones, and the only problem is how to
 
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'''NOTES:'''
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make the maximum effort to bring off that business after all, compatibly with a sort of reasonable compromise as to the sacrifices involved. I do not yet see my way clearly; I can only comment freely on the whole situation and all the various courses open and trust; for picking my way among the difficulties as I advance, to whatever light may come.
 
The Zemindar proposals <u>may</u> present themselves in some bearable aspect if they do so much the better, but the risk I see in that direction, arises from the very damaging influence that is always exerted on the character and career of any English paper, which can fairly be said to be in any way “sold” to a particular
 
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interest. People are always more straitlaced about the behaviour of others than they are about themselves and there would be some affectation, of course, in the disapproval that would be expressed for a paper or editor sold to the Zemindars but none the less would it impede success. Their norm of the people I should have to work with would understand the higher considerations really impelling me to make terms with the Zemindars and the mere fact that I was known to have sacrificed my independence for the sake of getting my paper floated would leave me relatively helpless, and that would tend to make the paper fail.
 
You suggest that if I could wait indefinitely it might be possible to carry out the original project on the lines
 
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first laid down. Well; in one sense of the words of course I can wait indefinitely that merely means living on here in a makeshift sort of way instead of taking a house and whatever literary engage[men]ts I can obtain by degrees and striking root in London. And the truth is I <u>cannot but</u> wait on indefinitely as long as it looks possible anyhow that the <u>Phoenix</u> may ultimately be realizable. Whatever engagements I may be obliged to accept here to live over the interval, if the capital were put down in India and the establishment of the paper were still desirable in your sight; of course I should throw up, (as soon as their terms would allow) whatever engagements I might have formed here and go out to India again in a worldly view, the indefinite
 
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prolongation this way of uncertainty concerning the future is uncomfortable and embarrassing, but I should be far more unhappy in thinking I had done anything to sever myself from your sympathies than any amount of such discomfort would render me. So when we work the matter out in this even you yourself <u>cannot</u> give me back my promise. Loyalty to you is now too deeply engraved in my nature to let me be otherwise than always ready promise or no promise to do what you direct; &ndash; or try to, &ndash; and about such matters
as we are talking of there is no question about natural capacity.
 
The question which chiefly perplexes me is what I ought to do myself towards floating the paper, assuming that the Zemindar scheme collapses
 
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If I could afford to go out to India at my own risk and go about trying to collect capital I dare say I might succeed, though I could not be certain. But that would cost so much money and time, &ndash; cutting both ways, draining my little resources and preventing me from doing anything to replenish them meanwhile, &ndash; that all things considered I cannot at present see that it is my duty to do this, i.e. I do not think you would counsel it.
 
I could however, begin a vast correspondence with everybody in India likely to be able in any way to promote the undertaking and try to float it that way. The only embarrassment here is that; &ndash; if I stay here, and
 
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while I stay, the engagement I have been on the brink of forming with the <u>Pioneer</u> to write letters from there and from here, will be an essential part of my recourse. Now that engage[men]t’ [abbreviation?] will be offered to me in the understanding that I have abandoned all idea of returning to India. There will be no such pledge on my part, and nothing to prevent me from throwing up the correspondentship at any future times and returning to India, but it would hardly be compatible with its continuance at all for me to be busily engaged in a correspondence all over India, aiming after all at the restoration of the scheme, the apparent abandonment of which had been the circumstance giving rise to the engagement. On the
 
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other hand by elaborate explanations I might be able to circumvent this difficulty, and the course here contemplated – going on with <u>Pioneer</u> correspondence from here and trying by letter work all the while to set the <u>Phoenix</u> project on its legs again, is the most practical course I can see before me. The worst of it is, that the results by such a method could only be worked out slowly, and it would not be likely that any paper could be actually started that way before the beginning of next cold weather in India.
 
Meanwhile Mme Blavatsky encloses a telegram from some one at Lucknow which says "Paper project settled" as if some efforts on the old lines had proved successful there. I do not feel much trust in this but it may be possible that
 
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if the Zemindar scheme be abandoned, her agents may within less time than I could do as much by correspondence, succeed in getting the capital on something like the old lines. Then the question to be dealt with would be, when to start the paper. To do this on the plans already constructed, i.e  by means of plant and machinery got out from here, would mean a delay of six months from the date at which the capital was lodged to that at which the first number of the new paper could be issued. If such period came to an end in the middle of the hot weather at Calcutta, that would be a bad time at which to begin operations. But it might be possible to make a temporary arrangement for issuing the paper with some printing
 
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firm in Calcutta. To engage assistants and make editorial arrangements would not exact so long a delay as would be required to get out plant &ndash; say 3 months from the date capital was paid in.
 
Above the 8th sphere. There is no more said in my book than appeared originally in the fragment written for the <u>Theos[ophis]t</u>, and I fancied that its publication there broadly gave it your <u>imprimatur</u>. In speculating upon the possible explanation of the apparent conflict between the obscuration theory in the book, and the state[ment] in one of your old letters quoted by Hume it suggests itself to my mind that the mystery may turn upon the survival on each planet
 
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even during obscuration, of a small stagnant race hemmed in in some narrow limits &ndash; say the poles, &ndash; which would at the same time keep the physical types of the human and other species alive ready for the return of the great life wave and afford stepping stones round the chain for early advanced Egos. This arrange[men]t if so would square with the Noah’s Ark legend in its larger acceptation, &ndash; (the smaller acceptation having to do with race cataclysm)
 
I got this idea into my head one evening ... at Elberfeld, where Mrs Gebhard at the same time thought she saw a shadowy figure in the room for a moment. Could I have been impressed at the time and was her belief as to what she saw
 
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well founded?
 
However I suspect that this matter too, even if I am right in my conjecture, - this planetary Noah’s ark arrangement, - is itself among the confidential topics. Perhaps before I can have an answer to this I may be able to write some Theosophical Essay embodying it, but in that case I will tell the Old Lady, if I sent the MS [manuscript] to her not to print it without express permission.
 
Another notion I have had about the Solomons Seal sign is that as spirit continues to struggle thro’ matter and free itself, the triangles may be conceived to be tending towards this position [thin triangle on top, thick triangle on bottom; within a circle] which tends the next moment to this [thin triangle on top, thick triangle on bottom – separated by a vertical line] in which the central point has
 
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got out of his prison and can become a circle instead of a point by establishing free relations with the circle of infinity, so that as he grows he pushes the triangles far enough apart &ndash; separates by spirit sufficiently from the enthrallments of matter, &ndash; to get them into this position [thin triangle, circle, thick triangle &ndash; one on top of each other surrounded by dotted oval] when the original circle of the first drawing having become an ellipse (as in the dotted line) has supplied the side lines which make up the square. If this solution has any glimmerings of sense perhaps you will tell me. In the other case or in any indeed for even if the glimmerings are there it is very crude, it will
 
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probably give you some passing sensations of amusement.
 
I am very sorry that the Old Lady is held to be getting worse in some way that renders necessary the diversion of my correspondence from that familiar channel. Not that it matters an atom to me how letters are addressed provided they reach you, but I have a very affectionate feeling about the Old Lady and should be grieved to think she were any how getting into disgrace.
 
About Mrs Kingsford’s letter you enclose, I wrote to you already some time ago about my fear that she was not really loyal to the T.S. and nearly trying to annex it to her own inspirations. For some time past I have really been convinced that her selection
 
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as president was a mistake. She is not a general favorite and is too disloyal to “The Brothers” I fear, to realize the amalgamation between your teachings and her inspirations or visions which I hoped for at first – trying to make the best of the situation as I found it. If the Society here, as some of them wish I know, elect me president when the officers are rechosen this winter, then I dare say Mrs K will quietly drop it. If she remains president I am thinking of forming an inner circle of members who on admittance shall solemnly declare their entire belief in and loyalty to you and yours. Then all my own efforts to teach would be concentrated on this inner circle. This wretched little "Kiddle" incident will serve as a test to sift the wheat
 
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from the chaft [''sic'', chaff] in the formation of the inner circle. Has the Kiddle incident attracted your attention? I wrote to the [[H. P. Blavatsky|Old Lady]] to ask you about it if she had an opportunity, but was reluctant to worry about in writing to you hitherto. Is there any explanation to be had, or must the matter stand as a testament suited to weak nerves of our feebless [''sic'', feeblest]] neophytes? The worst of the situation in that case is that feeble neophytes would sometimes perhaps become strong if they were not tested.
 
By the bye I think I am not so truculently rebellious against the test system as you may give me credit for being, judging by several allusions you have made to the matter. I do not “revolt” against them as applied to myself, so much as I have sometimes been inclined
 
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'''NOTES:'''
*
 
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== Page 19 ==
 
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to question their policy, in application to the others. And the only remark I can remember to have made in writing on the subject, &ndash;  ages ago in reference to Ross Scott, &ndash; was partly due no doubt to irritation over collateral matters that I do not now remember anything about.
 
If you have leisure to write about any other matter than the principal business at present in hand, can you kindly tell me anything about [[Mary Gebhardt|Mrs Gebhardt’s]] occult prospects. There is a candidate for notice and help who may be safely tested to any extent; with nothing but her sex in her way I should think. I have written about her more than once to the Old Lady and no doubt if the matter is one you
 
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*
 
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are disposed to refer to all I have said about it will be already brought to your attention.
 
In conclusion if this long budget, &ndash; which I hope you will not find quite too extravagant and tax on your patience, &ndash; I should like to say that though anyone to whom ever you look up with reverence is too far above me to be thought of as the recipient of any messages from me, - still I am very grateful for the special concession in my favour which promises to keep my communications with you still open ; and if possible I should be glad if my grateful acknowledgement should be laid
 
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'''NOTES:'''
* '''budget''' is an archaic expression for a large quantity of written material.
 
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== Page 21 ==
 
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before Him to whom they are due.
 
Y[ou]r affectionate Ward<br>
AP Sinnett
 
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== Page 22 ==
 
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'''Note written by K. H. in blue ink diagonally across the top of page 22, which is otherwise empty.'''
 
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== Context and background ==
'''UPDATE THIS SECTION'''<br>
'''UPDATE THIS SECTION'''<br>
The next known letter from K. H. to Sinnett was [[Mahatma Letter No. 111]] (in chronological numbering system, or No. 59 in the Barker system). That is quite a long letter covering many subjects.
 
== Physical description of letter ==
 
Eleven sheets of paper were written on both sides. Notations by K.H. are in blue ink. This letter is in a private collection.
 
== Publication history ==
 
This letter has never been published before.
 
== Commentary about this letter ==
 
The chief significance of this letter is that it is a rare example of Sinnett's side of his correspondence with the Mahatmas, and that [[H. P. Blavatsky|Madame Blavatsky]] was instructed to show it to [[Henry Steel Olcott]] and to preserve it.
 
== Additional resources ==


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
<references/>
<references/>


[[Category:ML from Koot Hoomi]]  
[[Category:Lecturers|Munson, Eugene]]
[[Category:ML to A. P. Sinnett]]
[[Category:TS Adyar|Munson, Eugene]]
[[Category:ML with images]]
[[Category:Nationality American|Munson, Eugene]]
[[Category:Krotona Hollywood|Munson, Eugene]]
[[Category:Co-Masons|Munson, Eugene]]
[[Category:People|Munson, Eugene]]

Latest revision as of 21:37, 31 October 2023

Eugene W. Munson was a member of the American Theosophical Society and lecturer for the Krotona Institute of Theosophy.


Personal life

On November 9, 1877, Eugene Webster Munson was born in Marshall, California to Miron Munson and Fannie Aldrich Munson.[1] He had two older sisters and one younger brother. By 1880, the family had moved to Spokane, Washington.[2] Little is known of the life of Miron, but by 1900, Fannie had remarried to Joseph E. Cohenhour. They lived in Chicago with three of the children, including Eugene, who at age 23 was working as an electrician.[3]

At some point Eugene moved to Roswell, Idaho, a small town near Boise, where he was part owner of a general store, and regarded as "one of the substantial citizens of that community."[4] On August 1, 1908, he married Mattie Doll of Saugatuck, Michigan, and they moved into a well-furnished bungalow.

Theosophical Society activities

Munson joined the San Buena Ventura Lodge of the American Theosophical Society on October 10, 1904. In 1909-10 he became president of the newly formed branch in Salt Lake City.[5] He was temporarily lodging in Utah and working as a draftsman, while lecturing weekly at Theosophical meetings.[6]

Krotona Hollywood staff, Munsons at right

Krotona in Hollywood

In late 1912, he disposed of his Idaho property, including a ranch, and in early 1913 moved to Krotona in Hollywood.[7][8] As the local newspaper reported:

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Munson will soon leave for Krotona, California, near Los Angeles. Mr. and Mrs. Munson are moving so as to be near the new headquarters of the Theosophical society. They are thoroughly devoted to the Theosophical cause and feel it their duty to take a move active part in the work at Krotona.[9]

He wrote articles for Theosophical periodicals, such as "Tesla's Wireless Power and Mr. Leadbeater's Prophecy"[10] He demitted to the Krotona Lodge in 1917.[11] Beginning in 1917, he served as treasurer of the national Society.[12]

During the Hollywood years of Krotona Institute of Theosophy, Eugene Munson helped to arrange activities for the many visitors:

It is becoming the custom for members of the Society living in nearby towns, to come to Krotona for their vacations. Here they may enjoy the soft climate of our Hollywood hills, pleasant even during the summer months, and attend the lectures of the krotona institute of Theosophy, as well as assist in the work in the offices. Weekly excursions to the beaches or mountains, arranged for by Mr. Eugene Munson, are indulged in by the visitors and students.

Mattie Munson also worked for the Institute as a printer and multigrapher. When the Besant Lodge of Krotona was established in October 1920 with 56 members, Eugene was a charter member and vice president, with Marie Poutz as president.[13] In 1922 he coordinated a national campaign to relieve hardships of Russian Theosophists, raising over $600.[14]

Annie Besant visit to Ojai on October 3, 1926. Munson in white.

Krotona in Ojai

Munson was instrumental in moving the Krotona Institute from Hollywood to Ojai, California. The Munsons were the first residents at the new Krotona, initially living in the Kerfoot Ranch House while supervising construction of the new buildings.[15] For many years he assisted George Hall in managing the estate.

Lecture tours

After Krotona had become established in Hollywood, Munson became more active in the national organization. George H. Hall, Manager of the Krotona Estate, wrote:

Later he entered the service of The Theosophical Society in America as a National Lecturer, and traveled throughout the United States lecturing and organizing study classes and lodges. He was one of the best lecturers for the Society and made many friends all over the country. It was from this work that I called him in 1923 to help me at Hollywood before we moved to Ojai. When we sold the Hollywood property, he and Mrs. Munson were the first to move to Ojai, and for nearly thirty years we have worked together to build the new Krotona in the Ojai Valley.[16]

During the years 1916-1922, Munson worked as a National Lecturer of the American Theosophical Society, touring for months on end. In the years 1919-1920, for example, he lectured in at least 50 cities of 19 states and Canada.[17] His presentations received excellent reviews from local newspapers. After speaking in Pueblo, Colorado, a reviewer wrote:

Mr. Munson has just competed a very successful course in Denver, speaking to capacity houses. He is a pleasant speaker and uses anecdotes, stereopticon and blackboard illustrations freely in demonstrating the more unfamiliar phases of his subject.

He appears practical and level-headed, being an engineer by profession.[18]

During the First World War, he often lectured about topics related to current events, such as an occult view of the war and the rebirth of those who died in wartime in his lecture "What Comes Out of the War;" "The Occult Relations of France, Great Britain, and the United State;" and "The New International Ship of State" [referring to the League of Nations].

Usually Munson spoke more directly about Theosophical subjects, using the stereopticon slides of thought forms and the astral body developed by C. W. Leadbeater. Titles included "How Many Lives Have You Lived?," "Do the Dead Return," "The Path of Achievement," "The Inner Gates of the Soul," and "The Science of the Borderland" [Theosophical explanations of spiritualistic experiences]. A reviewer in Great Falls, Montana, wrote of "The Hidden Side of Things":

In the course of his address, which was heard by a large gathering of interested men and women, Mr. Munson described how telepathy is possible, explained what thoughts are, showing them as tangible objects, with shape and color visible to the occult eye. Mr. Munson also dealt somewhat at length on the evolution of the soul toward perfection.

The lecture was the first of a series of four to be given here... The purpose of the lectures is to arouse interest in the science of theosophy with the idea of perfecting an organization in this city.[19]

In 1939, he assisted Marie Russak Hotchener, Marie Poutz, Henry Hotchener, and Eugene Wix in conducting a dedication of new lodge rooms at the Compton Lodge.[20] Munson had helped to organize that lodge.

Other activities

George Hall wrote:

In addition to his interest in Krotona and its activities, he took a keen interest in public affairs, and was always generous with his time and contributions to many outside interests. He did much to acquaint the people of the Valley with Krotona an to win for us the respect and friendliness of the community.[21]

Eugene Munson was a 32° Co-Mason.

Later years

Munson continued lecturing from time to time, and also spoke in live radio programs.[22] At the time of his death in 1952, Munson was a member of the Krotona Board of Trustees. He died on October 31, 1952 in Los Angeles.[23]

Notes

  1. ↑ 1926 Passenger list...........
  2. ↑ 1880 United States Federal Census.
  3. ↑ 1900 United States Federal Census.
  4. ↑ "A Roswell Wedding" Caldwell Tribune 29 (August 1, 1908): 2.
  5. ↑ "Salt Lake City" The Theosophic Messenger 11 no. 10 (July, 1910): 633.
  6. ↑ 1910 United States Federal Census.
  7. ↑ Caldwell Tribune 29 (December 20, 1912): 4.
  8. ↑ Caldwell Tribune 30 (January 10, 1913): 7.
  9. ↑ Caldwell Tribune 30 (January 3, 1913): 4.
  10. ↑ "Eugene W. Munson, "Tesla's Wireless Power and Mr. Leadbeater's Prophecy" The Messenger 3 no. 6 (November, 1915): 164-165.
  11. ↑ Membership Ledger Cards roll 5. Theosophical Society in America Archives.
  12. ↑ Eugene W. Munson. "Treasurer's Report" The Messenger Statistical Year Book supplement 5 no. 4 (September, 1917): 4.
  13. ↑ "Besant Lodge, Krotona" The Messenger 8 no. 7 (December, 1920): 577.
  14. ↑ "Relief of Russian Theosophist" The Messenger 10 no.1 (June, 1822): 12.
  15. ↑ Elena Doval Santos email to Janet Kerschner. August 20, 2023. Theosophical Society in America Archives.
  16. ↑ "Mr. Eugene W. Munson" The American Theosophist 40 no. 12 (December, 1952): 240.
  17. ↑ See multiple references in The Canadian Theosophist 1 no. 1-4 (March-June 1920).
  18. ↑ "Lecture Course in Theosophy" Pueblo Chieftain (March 12, 1922): 6.
  19. ↑ "Theosophists Plan to Organize Here" Great Falls Daily Tribune (September 12, 1921): 9.
  20. ↑ "Compton Lodge Dedicates New Home" The American Theosophist 27 no.12 (December, 1939): 287.
  21. ↑ "Mr. Eugene W. Munson" The American Theosophist 40 no. 12 (December, 1952): 240.
  22. ↑ "San Buenaventura" The American Theosophist 37 no.5 (May, 159(: 101-102.
  23. ↑ 1952 California, U.S., Death Index, 1940-1997.
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