Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-04-28
THE PYTHIANS.
Imposing Demonstration at Pitts
burg.
Uniformed knights ia Line-The
Supreme Lodge of the World.


From the Pittsburg Post, April 2s.l
By many the objects of the Pythian
order are not understood. 1t is beneyo
lent and semi military in its character
not unlike its elder. the Masonic order
1t was started in Washington eleven
years ago, aud came very near being
complete failure. 1t was resuseitated in
Philadelphia and since the time that the
first lodge was. started in that city the
order has grown into power and has
spread rapidly. There are now said TO
be one hundred and twenty-five thousand
members of the order, and lodges have
extended to England, Canada aud the
Sandwich Islands
AS heretofore stated, the Supreme
Lodge Of this order is holding its annual
session in Pittsburgh, and is attended by
large delegations from subordinate lodges
in various parts Of the country. Yester-
day afternoon q public demonstration
was given by the home aud visiting
lodges in honor Of the Supreme body
All morning the streets we're alive with
martial music and moving bodies OF
Knights in their gay uniforms. After
noon the scattered lines were formed,
with the right resting on Water street,
at the corner Of Wood.
At two o clock the procession moved
up Water street to Smith6eld, thence to
Third avenue, Grant street, Fifth ave-
nue., Market and Sixth streets, across
Suspension Bridge to Ohio, Marion,
Ridge, Irwin, North and Cedar avenues;
thence to Ohio, Chestnut street and
across Mechanic street bridge, thence
by Sixteenth street to Penn avenue as
far as Third avenue, when the column
passed in review before the CHIEF Mar
shal and his staff, after which it was
dismissed The procession numbered
over fifteen hundred men in line, occu-
pied about three-quarters OF an hour
passing given point, and about two
hours and a half in completing the
route.
The display was creditable in the ex.
treme; the Knights marched we'll, and
nothing occurred to mar the demonstra
ton. Perhaps the finest appearance was
made By the Baltimore delegation, num-
boring about one hundred and sixty.
Their uniform and marching were ad-
mired by all. The Columbus and Wash
ingten delegations looked well also
Among our home lodges Leonidas and
Great Western lodges carried off the
palm. Altogether the procession was a
notable success, and afforded great salts
faction to the large throngs Of specta
tors who lined the streets along the
entire route.
Last night a grand ball was given at
Lafayette Hall by the home in honor oil
the visiting lodges The hall was ele-
gantly decorated; the galleries were ies-
tooned with evergreens, the emblems OF
the order being set in the apices, and
flags distributed at intervals around the
hall. Across the front Of the stage, in
evergreen letters, we're the words, Wei
come to all the Valiant Knights" the
chain being hung 80 as to support an
arch. When lighted up the hall pre-
scented handsome appearance. The
supper room was handsomely decorated,
and the tables at midnight, when the
Knights sat down to the boHnteous ban
quet, fairly groaned beneath the weight
OF floral ornaments, CONNECTIONS and lux.
urious viands. Dencing, music and
mirth was kept up until late hour, and
the vast concourse of guests hied them
to their homes or hotels about the wee
sma hours" highly delighted with the
entertainment.