When Opie Taylor (Ron Howard) attended a secret meeting inside Jubile Foster's barn, he learns about the 'Curse of the Claw.'  This curse was placed on any of the club members who dared reveal information about the secret club.

Club rituals included growling at the sacred candle...a candle which was stored in a small match box with a tiger face on it.

When Jubile Foster's farm burns down, he blames Opie and his club members for the damage.

Opie's father later discovered that Jubile's moonshining operations was responsible for the fire that ruined down the structure.