The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-12-05
LOCAL MATTERS.


TVoodr,,fl, of Macon, Ga, the highest ex-
ncu,iye officer OF the Knights OF Pythias,
arrived in this city on yesterday morning
from Baltimore. He was met at the depot.
OF the Richmond, Fredericksburg and 20
tomac railroad by the members OF the Grand
Lodge OF Virginia residing in this city and
accompanied to Ford's Hotel, where ne re-
ceiyed during the day many visitors. Mr..
Woodruff, though native OF connecticut,
located in early manhood in Georgia, and
fought through the war with the soldiers OF
the State OF MS adoption in the army OF
Northern Virginia. He was elected Su-
Dreme Chancellor at the late session OF
tbs Supreme body. and, endowed with
rare executive ability, he blls the lm-
portant duties OF his office with great
est acceptabiIity. As speaker he
is ready and forcible. and impresses hs
auditors with the sincerity OF his purposes
and bis earneStness in propagating the
principles OF the Pythian order. The brlef
notice given OF his proposed visit to this
CITY was sufficient to elicit the livelest in
terest among the members OF the fraternity,
and at an early hour the Castle Hall Of JET
ferson Lodge. No. %, was crowded with
mcmbe Of that lodge and members repre-
senting in large numbers every other lodge
Of this city and Manchester. For years
there has been no such gathering OF Pyth-
aans in this city.
At the Castle Hall the Supreme Cbancel-
lor. accompanied by S. L. L. l.. Bass, and
members and officers Of the Grand Lodge,
was received and introduced in the appoint
ed manner. OF this iorma.reception no re-
Dort can be made; otherwise it may be said
that its heartinesS was tribute that no man
could regard lightly. The Supreme Cham
ccIlor was introduced by 5. Il. l.. l.. Bass,
and was received OH behalf OF the Grand
Lodge OF Virginia and subordinate lodges
OF this city and vicinity by g. &. A. e. Att
kisson. ..
MIR. Woodruff addressed the lodge at
some length, but was heard with undivided
attention from beginning 10 end. He stated
that the order was now in q most satisfac-
tory condition throughout the country.
With, probably, a single exception, every
Grand Lodge was prospecting. Especially
in the western States the progress was
great. The order had well passed its day
OF experiment, and-the dangers which
threatened its very existence a few years
ago are now happily removed. [He detailed
fully the causes OF these dangers, and the
means by which they We're removed, land in so
doing related history not generally knoWn.]
He believed that mea were daily becOm-
Ing better and wiser, and that much Of the
social and intellectual progress Of the age
was due to the influences OF this and kindred
associations. Then giving the history OF
the introduction OF the - Endowment
Rank" or the order, and its successful
operations during the past year, the speaker
pointed out some instances Of good that
had been accomplished by the order, and
with genuine coquence indicated the posi-
bities OF the yet comparatively young fra
ternity. We do not oyerstate it when we
add that Il splendid impression was made
upon the crowded audience by the speaker.
Brief addresses were then made by
MessrS. L. l.. Bass, W. z. Grctter, II. A.
Atkinson, D. G.. Richardson, J. E. Teller,
and others. nr@ g'-.
The secret work OF the order was then
fully eXempl6ed 10y the Supreme Chancel-
lor and at late hour the lodge diourned.
The Grand Lodge OF Virginia was among
the earliest formed. Ten years ago there
were not 10000 Knights Of Pythias in the
country; to-day there are nearly 100000.
The ten lodges of Richmond represent a
membership OF nearly 1000; the majority
OF these lodges are in fiouriShing coudi-
ton. Several OF these lodges have in their
treasures over $1,000, and one over $1,000.
All are in healthy financial condition. In
several of these lodges "scctions' OF the
Endowment Rank have been in successful
operation during the past twelve months,
and In accordance with late provisions of
the Supreme Lodge" divisions" Of uni
formed corps Will be established. There
are now not less than 400 members in Rich
mond who have the full uniform as pre-
scribed. .. .....,. ..~.,..,y