White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-10-21
...,5issry spectacle Midnight
y.rsds Of the Suns Of Malta

Parade o. tns OS'A' v
-,,.ordiuarY spectacle was wit
- by thousands Of citizens last mid
ns.ssa T = mingled emotions Of curiosi
nlsnt;tbfalpess, and wonder. The Sons
~ G.I,s 4 secret benevolent organiza'
o. A; !" ..istence here bat few months,
toa' - far the FIRST time, with the insig,
P M decOrations of the Order. and
ma = la Ssnds Of music filling the atmosphere
". melancholy strains Of funeral har'
WIZ We Our descriptive faculties shrink
n' ."DfusiOn before the task of Picturing
!, ts.i;citously in ink anil type, 1t was so
..nss 30 weired, so queer SO impressive;
'u ;,;Sg the curiosity Of all into wonder;
60 a, children and women. like the ap-
.nssb and presence Of ghosts; amusing
P;~.oinstivs urchins; provoking the
S.no1 IF unpostic men its solemn grav-
~ ;,soiriuc emotions as diverse as the
= .i.men.s Of human nature in the thou
s.aJ. Who gazed upon it, uncomprehend-
~ and manipulating in short, it
70 utterly dissimilar in respect to any
"A m poIyoramic spcctacles conceived,
:--.0tsa or arranged heretofore for the
.,o.temulstion of men, women, or chill
~ n the good Queen City ofthe West.
IN. ,ol.mnity Of midnight; the awe
= a.kusss and profound stiffness the
y r.,;c.sce Of the seemingly animated hu-
- .utematons whose facial features
~ r closely imprisoned by inpcnetrable
I,,k eavls : the slow, measured, stately
s,.,d of the men; the mournful swell Of
4. d;rce BY which they marched the
sbo,tlT uniforms aud frightful masks !;
tbs prOiOund mystery which enveloped
them As with Z veil of imperviable dark
ness. the associations connected with
them. al eOnspired to constitute the pa
rad. equally interesting AMI extraerdina-
~ Il seemed to some as il the demons
Of the ancient InquisitioR had revisited
earthly scenes to fright the soul into pious
confessions Of Enacted guilt. To face
tiOus minis il presented featJres Of pro.
yOcAtive, of boisterous mirthfulness.
tn. procession numbered some Eve
hunlrei men. 1t organized in the lodge
room in the Mechanics Institute, and de-
scribsd the following line of march: Up
Vine to Eighth; down thence to Elm |;
west to Seventh down to Western Row;
southtO Fourth; east to Broadway; south
to the wharf, where it counter marched,
and returning to Third it proceeded west
to Vino, and thence direct to the lodge
room.
Three musketeers abread, with black
eoWls, masking their features, and rObeI
in long white surpliees, confined at the
waist with sirdles. from which were sus-
pnlsl crosses, led the column. Menter's
Band followed playing dirges. Two
Knights Of Malta, in glittering Greek ar
nor, carrying bright swords, escorted the
Grand Chancellor, who was robed in a
dense black flowing suit, confaed with
girdle, long snowy beard, concealing
thsaOWer part Of his face, and resting
upon his bosom, and tall black felt hat
covering his head. Behind this triple
unity the venerable Vice Chancellor, with
shirsuts appeadage rivalIing that which
rested on Abraham's bosom, followed,
hearing the sacred text. His frosted head
was crowned with dark turban, and his
body was concealed by flowing black
robes, decorated with various symbols.-l
Other officers, in Grecian armor-helmets, |
shields. plumeS, golden, crimson and sa-
bsarmOr-led long procession of cowI-
Cd apprentices, most of them wearing
crosses upon thei: left shoulder. Behind
these another row Of officers in priestIy
gTOa, other knights and the standard
bearer, holding aloftt he standard, a black
cross on field of white another band of
music, then the second division of ap-
pFsntlce', who strobe majestically with
Their q arms EMBODIED upon their breasts.
d ! .. Grand Commander, (Mr. Charles
Collins, who ordered the weired array,
.S clothed ia a brilliant uniform of black
sIk velvet, ornamental with gold SPAN
ss and glittering symbols, and was
a. nme'! with aswOrd of dazzling brilliance
us Llentenant appearing in green uni
,e'al' like the armor of the ancient
Knights Of Malta.
VA u: line of march they proceeded
PAT p oil the time in close order, double
uH; separating. they formed two long
PARALLELS OF white, through which the
H'Oad othcer in command occasionally
ml'ehed IN review. Viewed in receding
ea'er' and from a commanding point Of
new As they passed this Office, they re-
Tm'ed long double lines of -four stretch
" out upon a surface of coal.
HprOiuced an intense sensation thou.
.a'S' OF people bIockaded the streets
en- TnS the line Of march dense throncs
, ."o%ed IN eager pursuit. Some con-
s;aplatcd the spectacle with curious grav-
~ y; many snickered some exploded in
. %'a'Iy bursts Of laughter timid women
a 'ak pack alarmed foolish girls litter
sno the boys had rare fun.
A.seOnelu'lon. weremark, it likely that
O ,..ss VINO need the aid of-charity, will
r. saip' aWAken this morning to realize
S...pa Pleasures resulting from generous aims
~ S'O"sa upon them in secret. It is oui.
NJ; NJ, sAld that the poor. last night, were
corgotten BY the Sons of Malta.-CTn. |