Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 August 1892 — CONCLAVE IN DENVER. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CONCLAVE IN DENVER.

THE TRIENNIAL. MEETINQ OF KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. thousands of Pooplo Witness the Grand Parade and Bevtew—The Order's First Cabin la Colorado and Its Present Magnificent Temple. Greatest In Its History. The twenty-fifth triennial eonolavo of the Knights Templars, which opened In Denver on Tuesday last, marks a new era in the history of the order. This has been the most meihorablo gathering the order has ever known. Over 150,000 visitors pre in attendance, and nearly a quarter of a million dollars has been spent in preparations and entertainment. For almost three years Coloradoans have been preparing for the event, and, according to the dispatches, never in her history was Denver so beautiful and in such gala attire. The national, ting, the banners of the Knights, bunting and thousands of .the emblems of the cross and crown float everywhere. Many miles of streets have stringers of incandescent lights at the crossings. Those lights, glowing with the brilliant colors of the Knights Templars and national flags, mingled with the private eleotrio display of merchants and professional men, make Denver seem almost like fairy land at night. From the tops of nine-storied buildings great search lights of many thousand candle power will illuminate the oity with almost the brightness of day. The Knights Templars have practically taken Denver and the city surrendered unconditionally. The lowest estimate places the number of visiting Knights at 50,000, accompanied by about 18,000 ladles. The Knights Templars conc ave have been held every three years for over half a ceutury, principally for the election of a governing body and an oxchange of opinions which might be benefloial to the order. The first encampment held In 'this country was in New York, June 20, 1816. 'J ho attendance was Jess than three hundred. Binco then conclaves have been hold as follows: Now York, Sept, 16,1810; New York Sept. 18,

1826; New York, Sept. 14. 1829; Baltl 7 more, Nov. 20, 1882; Washington, D. 0., Dec. 7, 1835; Boston, Sept. 12, 1838; New York, Sept. 14, 1841; New Haven, Sept. 10, 1844; Columbus, 0., Sept. 14, 1847; Boston, Sept. 10, 1860; Lexington, Ky., Sept. 13, 1853; Hartford, Sept. 9, 1866; Chloago, Sept. 13, 1869; Netv York. Bopt. 2, 1862; Columbus, 0., Sent, 5, 1865; St. Louis, Sept. 15, 1868; Baltimore, Sept. 19, 1«71; New Orleans, Dec. 1, 1874; Cleveland, Aug. 28, 1877; Chicago, Aug. 17, I 860; San Francisco, Aug. 21, 1883; St. Louis, Sept. 21, 1885; Washington, D. C., Oct. 8, 1889, and Denver, Aug. 9, 1892. According to latest statistics in, 1870 there were in the United States 25,844 Knights; in 1880, 60,681; in 1890, 84,923, while last year the census showed 88,094. It will be noticed that in JH years there was au increase from 25,844 members to 88,094.

The grand parade and review of tho Knights Templars was au imposing affair 1 , arid it is eaje'nlatrfd ttiSt at loam 45,000 Knights participated. From early n orning preparations had been going on for the big event, and the streets wore crowded with people seeking posltipns on the numerous stands along the lino of march. The handling of the Knights was accomplished with doneiderable dexterity. 'The separate divisions were formed on side streets, - and the arraneements were so. perfoot that every division moved into the line in excellent order. All along the line the people crowded so as to form an unbroken line three miles in length, and there could not have been less than 200.000 people viewing the magnificent pageant. One hundred and fourteen military bands turnlshed music for this great procession. A Masonic Temple of Logs. The first Masonic temple In Denver, and also said to be the first in Colorado, was the old Jog cabin of W. G. Bussell on what was then known as Ferry street. The date is usually placed in the year 1859, but tho first meeting was held in this cabin, according to the statement of Andrew Bagendorf, in December, 1858. Mr. Bagendorf was born In Columbia County, New York, Aug. 26, 1828, moved to Nebraska in 1864, and in 1858 following the gold rush to Pike’s Peak. Among those present at the first meeting in this old log.cabin “Masonic temple” were Mr. Bagendorf, Jud«e W. M. Slaughter, Henry Allen, Janies Winchester, W. G. Bussell, Bobert T. Willis, J. D. Barnage, Dr. L. J. Bussell, O. E. Lehow, Oliver Bussell, C. H. Blake, and Samuel Bates. Instead of the old cabin of Bussell, where the Masons used to meet in 1868-59, the order now has a magnificent temple at the corner of 16th and Welton streets, Denv« r. The building lots and furniture have a value of about $600,000 —a remarkable contrast to the cabin of pioneer days. This temple has been erected since Denver was selected as the place for the present conclave.

MASONIC TDMPLE, DENVER.