The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-06-27
Masonic CeIebratiOnASt. John the
Baptist Anniversary.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.I

correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.I
CHARACTERISTICS, June 18th, 1874.
Yesterday was Il gala day in this place.
The trains OF the night previous, and extra
trains early in the morning of yesterday,
brought hundreds of the Masonic fraternity
to celebrate with the Charlottesville lodges
the anniversary Of ST. John the Baptist.
The following lodges were present ON the
occasion Staunton Lodge, No. 10; Mar
shall Lodge, No. SO Day Lodge, No. IS !;
Rockti>h Harmony Lodge, No. 10j; Fork
Union Lodge, No. ~ Independent Orange
Lodge, No. l3S: Hill City Lodge, No. 1S3 !;
Lee Lodge, No. 2O5: Stella Lodge, No. 2l4 !;
Waddell Lodge. No. DDS: Charlottesville
Lodge, No. %; King solomon Lodge, No.
1914 Blue Ridge Lodge. No. Il: George
Lodge. No. 3: Scolt>yilC lodge, No. IS ::
Widows son Lodge, No. 90.
The lodges in the town made ample pre-
parations for the reception and accommoda-
ton of their visiting brethren: and Us each
train arrived welcome addresses were made
and provisions. ample and good, were par-
taken of with relish. Al II O'Clock Il pro-
cession was formed, headed with the Char
lotteSyillc Cornct Band, and marched 10 the
lodge-room of No. 90. The Staunton Lodge
was also accompanied by the brass band
from that place, whose performances re-
ccived the highest cncomltlmS OF praise from
our citizens and the whole Masonic body.
In the lodge.room there were kindly and
brotherly greetings.
At12 O'Clock the procession formed and
marched through the public streets 10 the
BAPTIST church. The choir sang an anthem.
After which the Grand Chaplain addressed
the Throne of Grace. The choir sang an.
ToIopal u ~ w tlnEa in,
short and appropriate address, introduced
the orator for the occasion, Colonel h. +.
Withers, the Lieutenant.G overnor of Virgil
mia. The Grafton of Colonel Withers was
well received by his brethren and the large
audience present. The choir sang another
anthem.
After the services in the church the pro-
cession was reformed, and returned to the
lodge-room. Here letters were. read, and
short, pithy speeches made By the members
of the Order. At 8 O'Clock superb and
ample dinner was partaken of by several
hundred persons at Mr.. PARROTS Central
Hotel. After which toaSts were drunk in
champagne and native wines, and speeches
followed. The feast ended after O'Clock,
and the rest of the time till the departure of
the railroad trains) was passed in happy, So
cial intercourse equally happy to the fra
ternity here and their guests.
At night, in the Town Hall, there was an
Old Folks Concert, which drew very
crowded audience. The.performances were
unique and highly entertaining. 1t was
laughable enough to see the old-time dresses
and costumes. The Local of the JcterSo-
nian DANES Alexander, Esq., represented
Horace Greeley-white beaver, white coat,
yost and nants and buckled shoes. Lady
Washington, The Old Virginia Gentleman,
and other characters, were admirably per-
sonated. Aud 'Ang Syne, Home, Tooth
psalm, quartettes, Duets, and solos were
also sung. One OF the latter was sung Dy
the Local of the Jetersonlan from remem'
brance of fifty years past, who received
encore.
such musical performance was never be-
fore witnessed in this place, and it gave gen.
eral satisfaction. The ladies served up, tree,
= feast of good things, in the courthouse, to
all of the large audience who attended the
. . our.