New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-19
ksights Teunplar.


The Grand Commandery Of knights
Templar, State of Louisians, held ito thir-
tesnth annual conclave in this city yester-
day. In the morning the Sir knights of
the different city communicates, under the
command of Sir knight w. L. Stanford,
as Captain General, paraded as an escort
for the grand officers, who we're received at
the st. James Hotel, and marched on Canal,
Camp, Delord and St. Charles streets, to
tho Masonic Hall. One hundred and twen-
ty-fve men we're in line, marching in three
divlsions, composed Of the Knights OF In
divisible Friends Commandery No. l,
Jacques De Molsy No. 2, and Orleans No.
8, each commandery being headed by its
Eminent Commander. The snowy uniforms
of the Tenplars, with the excellent march
ing. even step and true alignments kept,
made an imposing street show. The pro-
ceseioa was headed by the full band of the
Thirteenth United States Infantry.
The election of new officers at the con-
clave of the Grand Commandery, yester-
day, resulted in the choice of the following
named officers, to serve for tie ensuing
year:
Sir knight Berry Russell, grand COM
mander.
John w. Madden, deputy grand COM
mander.
L. T. Murdock, grand generalissimo.
Samuel Alston, grand captain general.
10. A. Fellows, grand prelate.
George H. Braughn, grand senior warden.
Claudius Mayo, grand junior warden.
s. M. Todd, grand treasurer.
Edgar E. Adams, grand recorder.
George Suule, grand standard bearer.
Edward Baker, grand sword bearer.
C. w. Hotchkiss. grand warder.
j. w. Mcguire, grand cap :ain of the
guard.
These officers were duly installed by
Past Grand Commander Joseph H. De
Grange assisted by Past Grand Commander
Joseph p Hornor, acting as deputy grand
commander.
In the evening grand ball was given at
| St. Patrick's Hall, which included drill
by the Sir Knights and . reception of the
grand officers. The immense hall was
filed with visitors, and it never before has
been SO simply artistically and beautifully
| decorated. This effective decoration con-
sisted of various arrangements of American
flags, with the signal colors Of the merchant
service. Some four hundred flags we're
used in trimming the hall. On the
sides, over each panel between the doors
and windows we're flags looped in
bouquets, pinned with shields, on which
| were in each case the figure of q Templar's
| cross. The Camp street end of the hall
was cut off for about twenty feet by flags
draped and arched to represent q mammoth
tent Of grand encampment of Templars;
| in this alcove the grand officers were seated
during the drill. The opposite end Of the
hall was also tasrefully decorated, showing
| q smaller tent of flags in rear Of the musi
clans.
The grand officers appeared on the scene
soon after ten O'clock, when the Templars
were drawn up in line, open ranks. facing
| inward, to allow the officers to march uI
the hall under the long arch of knightly
steel. A few words of welcome were
spoken by Sir knight George H. Braughn
and responded to by the eminent grand
commander.
The drilling was az we'll executed az
could be in the midst Of the throng of ladiei
and gentlemen crowding every available
space. The evOlutiOns of wheeling, facing
marching and countermsrching, forming
crosses and returning to ranks of six, single
and double files, was soon over, and thu
merry dance went on till morning came, q
mornings are won't to follow Knights.
The parade. the reception and ball wa
one grand success. Noticeable in the stree
parade was seen score or 80 of Metropoli
tan police, who flanked the Templars t.
keep away the crowds, and who were a
handsomely and soldierly as the Templars
The effective decoration of the hall was du
to the taste and skill of Sir knight W. L
Stanford, of Orleans Commandery. Th
music for the BALL was also furnished b.
the Thirteenth Infantry band, and it prove
m ost satisfactory to the dancers.
|