The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-06-25
Grand Masonic Celebration.

uIdlu ulo0ulklO VOIOu1 pU1oAs
o.. Jshn,s Festival In nLsanAsStiao--
large Atsesdance Of the Crsn-In
sercssisg Ceronsaies-A mensrasfe
Occasion. f.'
For some weeks past the Masons Of
this city and neighborhood have been
making extensive preparations to cele'
brate, in an appropriate manner, their
grand anniversary, the oath of June
familiarly known to all eonversant with
the history of the craft as st. Johns
Day. So much industry had been dis
played in the preparations, and SO many
pleasant anticipations had been in
dulged relative to the event, that when
yesterday arrived it found the mem
beers of the order, their families, friends
and well-wishers all thoroughly
alive to the Importance Of
the occasion, and ready to partici'
pate heartily in the exercises and enjoy
ments of the day. At an early hour
the various branches of the organiza
ton in this city formed in procession in
front of their Hall on Market street
and headed by Vaas' Brass Band, passed
through our principal streets, elicitine
by their goodly numbers and fine ap
pearance, many fattering comments
The order of march having been gone
through with, the procession passed
down the wharf and took passage upon
the steamer Potomac, which waited to
convey them to their destination, the
pleasant village of Moundsville, where
in accordance with previous arrange.
ment it was designed to pass the
day. Accompanying the fraternity
were the families of many of the
members, together with a large mum.
Der of friends, who joined theexcursion
either through interest in the associa'
citation or from q desire to pass q few
happy hours away from the heat and
dust of the busy city. The Masons OF
this city were also favored with the so
ciety of the St. Clairsville branches Of
the organization, who arrived here in
force yesterday morning and took pas
sage upon the Potomac. The appear.
ance Of the boat after she had received
her cargo of living freight was decided
ly striking. Large numbers of fine
looking and richly dressed ladies throng'
ed the upper decks; tho members of the
order in glittering regalia and other
wise decorated with the insignia of their
craft presented au imposing array,
while handsome banners and gaily
floating flags completed scene at once
pleasing and picturesque. After few
moments delay for the benefit of our en-
terprising Photographic artists, who
could not omit so splendid an opportu,
nifty to exercise their art in securing a
fine representation of the gay scene pre-
scented at our wharf, the Potomac
moved of, and the excursionists found
themselves fairly under way. Passing
rapidly down the river, we soon reach
ed Bellair, where we were Joined by
large delegation of the Masons Of that
place, together with many of their
friends and relatives. They were &C
companied by fine band of music,
which, alternately with our own, enliv-
ened the trip with rich strains Of the
choicest music.
When near the mouth Of Grave
Creek, our boat was landed upon
the Ohio side, and securely moored,
while the substantial pleasures
incident to fine dinner, highly appre-
ciated, we're enjoyed. Having done am
pie Justice to this branch of the subject
on yesterday. we do not deem repeti-
ton necessary. 1t will be sufficient to
know that the repast was in every way
creditable to the authorities of the
steamer, under whose supervision it was
prepared, and that its merits were
practically recognized by the hundreds
of hungry humanity for whose consid-
Grafton it was submitted.
This important part of the proceed,
ings having been concluded, the excur,
sionists were quickly transferred to the
Moundsville landing, where an i'm.
mense crowd of Masons and Others
awaited their coming. Drawn up in
line upon the wharf were Masonic dele
cations from Cameron, Fairmont, Graf
ton and other points on the
line of the Baltimore and Ohio
r. r. The fraternity of Moundsville
were also out in full force, and Sunfish
and other neighboring Ohio villages
were well represented. In addition to
these, a fine representation from
GAINESVILLE, Ohio, the members from
which place had passed directly on by
rail, Joined with the others named in
rendering q warm welcome to the ex.
cursionists. AS the members landed
they were formed in lire under the di-
rection of experienced Marshals, and
when the procession was completed it
,vos foupd IN consiat of dolepations from