Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 June 1890 — KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.

PREPARATIONS FOR THE GREAT CONCLAVE IN MILWAUKEE. The Cream City to Royally Entertain Her Visitors—Big Features to Be Made of the Uniform Rank Prise Drills and Parade—The Pyrotechnic Display.

ILWAUKEB, Wis., June 2. —Tn« sixteenth session of the Supreme Lodge ot the Knights of Pythias of the World, and the first encampment of the Uniform l ank of that flourishing secret society, will, together, form the most attractive gathennr of<he kind to be held on the Western continent during the year 1890.

For the week of July 7-12, inclusive, the hospitable people of Milwauk"e will open the gates of the c ty. and of their hearts as well, and will give to the visiting Knights, uniformed and without uniform, a most royal welcome. They will also welcome the wives and daughters, the neighbors and the friends ol the noble band of citizens who comprise the order of Knights of Pythias throughout the United States and Canada. Each and every citizen of Milwaukee, “the Blonde Beauty of the Lakes,” will, during

that week, constitute himself a committee ot one to attend to the pleasure of the thousands of strangers who will be here. From the information now in hand, and from the enthusiastic letters received from members of tho order in all parts of the country, there Is every reason to believe that this will be the most successful gathering the oider has ever had. The Milwaukee conclave will mark a new ora iu tho history of the Uniform Rank, which will on that occasion, lor the first time, carry out the military idea to tho extent of going into camr —and a beautiful camp it will tie, too. Located on the edge of a thickly populated part ot the city.

near its western limits, the view from the proposed eamp-ground takes in on one hand the tall buddings of the manufacturing and business establishments and the numerous church spites of the city, the blue waters of Lake Michigan showing in the distance; while on the other hand, the view includes the beautiful curves of the valley of the Menomonee River, beyond which are the green trees and cultivated fields of the country. Tne magnificent ground* of the Soldiers’ Monp are within sight and but a few minutes' drive or walk from the spot.

While the conclave Is an affair of great interest to all the members of the Knights of Pythias order, the main features of the week will be those parts In which the Uniform Rank will participate. The prize drills by competing divisions will form an especially notable feature. Milwaukee citizens have offered eight prizes for proficiency in drill, which will be hotly contested for by divisions from every State In the

Union. The aggregate amount of money set apart for the payment o( prizes to di-* visionsis S4,M)J. The best battalion drill will merit a prize of S4OO. The division traveling the longest distance from home to Milwaukee by the shortest route will receive $100; and an equal money prize will be awarded to the division that will best exemplify the ritualistic work of the Uniform Bank before the Supreme Judge. The judges will be regular army officers, am.l the gentlemen selected will be thoroughly competent to decide as to the proficiency of the contesting divisions. Cold Spring Driving Park, which has been used by the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society for the State Fair for several years past, has been chosen for the drill ground. It is in fine condition. The covered amphitheater will seat several thousand people who will witness the drill.

and the open space within the mile track will make a magnificent drill ground, and, at the same time, afford standing room for thousands more. The programme for conclave week will open on Tuesday morning. July 8. although it is expected that the Uniform Knights will

arrive in time to go into camp on the previous evening, and that a vast crowd of ununiformed lodge members and visitors, who arc not members ot the older, will have arrived in the city and be comfortably fixed in their quarters by that time. Officei s and members ot the Supreme Lodge will rendezvous at the Plankinton House at 9 o’clock Tuesday morning, and will march to the Exposition Building, the mammoth auditorium of which will be arranged for the royal welcome which will there be tendered to tho delegates. The cordial greetings of the State ot Wisconsin and the city of Milwaukee will be extended in a fitting manner by Gov. W. D. Hoard. Mayor Geo. W. Peck, and Chancellor Hoskins. of Wisconsin. Responses will be made on behalf of the Sunreme Lodge by Supreme Chancellor Ward, of Newark, N. J., and other members of the Supreme body. Following this reception, which will be an elaborate affair and will be attended by a vast audience, tne Supreme Lodge will go into session and will hold meetings every day until the business before it is completed. On Tuesday afternoon, promptly at 4 o’clock, General Carnahan’s Pythian army will move forward on a grand parade over a line of march extending three miles through the principal parts of the city. The column will be reviewed by the Supreme Chancellor and Major General There will be fully 12,000 Knights in the line, all fully equipped in their attractive uniforms. Including the officers of divisions and half a dozen or more mounted divisions, there will be nea ly 2,000 men on horseback in line. This will be one ot the most magnificent military displays ever seen in the United States. Following the parade of Uniform Knights will come a long procession of lodge members without uniforms. On Wednesday morning the competitive drill will commence and will be continued all the morning. In the afternoon the entire Pythian array will be drawn up in line for inspection and review. Thursday morning will be given up to

prize drills. In the afternoon the Supreme Ledge delegates will be given a complimentary drive around the city by the citl-

zens of Milwaukee. At that time or some other convenient occasion during the week, it is expected that the Supreme Lodge will enjoy an excursion on Lake Michigan to Whitefish Bay. a beautiful pleasure resort five miles north of the city. The pyrotechnic display at Cold Spring Park on 'lhursday evening is intended to eclipse all similar efforts so far made in the West. The bombardment will open at 8:30 o’clock, and will last an hour and fifteen minutes. Among tho pieces which will make the fireworks display so attractive a feature will be a gigantic equestrian knight in lull armor, with the shield of the order In appropriate colors, and bearing aloft un emblematic banner. The railroads a e all making tho lowest excursion rates, and It is expected that the rate wars will reduce to a still lower point

the cost of traveling to Milwaukee during the conclave.

MAJ. GEN. CARNAHAN, OF UNIFORM RANK.

SHOWING THE LOCATION OF THE PYTHIAN CAMP.

WM. WARO, Supreme Chancellor.

GEO. B. SHAW, Sup. Vice-Chancellor.

R. L. C. WHITE, Sup. Keeper Record and Seal.

HOWARD DOUGLASS, Past Sup. Chancellor.

MAYOR GEO. W. PECK, Milwaukee.

W. C. WILLIAMS, Manager Conclave Com.

JUSTUS H. RATHBONE, Founder of the Order.

JOHN A. HINSEY, Sup. Representative, Wisconsin.