National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-10-09
THE CRUSADERS.D
Annual Reunion to be Held in this City
A History OF the Crusade.


Annual Reunion to be Held in this City
A History OF the Crusade.
In the summer Of 1869, during the annual
conclaye of the Grand Commandory of Knights
Templar of Pennsylvania at Williamsport,
Mary Commandcry No. 80, Of Philadelphia,
announced their determination to make pill
grimag0 10 California the following summer.
Some of the members of Allegheny Command
cry, No. 80, Of Allegheny, Pa, jocularly pro-
posed that, not to be outdone. they would make
pilgrimage to Europe. The pilgrimage to
California was abandoned for the reason that
the Pacific railway companies would not make
any concession from their regular rates; but
the pilgrimage to Europe, conceived in mirth-
ful moment without any idea Of being carried
out, resulted In grand success, fOrty-one
/ Tcmplus enrolling themselves under tho
standard Of Allegheny Commandery for the
trip, or, as the participants termed it, n cru
SADIE"
! On their departure from Allegheny, May 30,
1871, they were the recipients of u grand ova-
ton in the shape of an escort to the depot by
/ lfcaths Zouaves and Pittsburg Commandery,
No. l, knights Tempar, the latter accompa-
nying them to New York. Arriving in Phila-
/ delphia on the morning of June l, they were
received by delegations from the vari'us COM
/ M anderics, banqucted at Masonic Temple in
the evening, aud on the morning Of the 3D.
with st. Johns Commandery No d. knights
]
York. where they were met by all of the com.
mandcries Of the city and escorted up Broad
way to the st. Nicholas Hotel, which had been
selected as their headquarters. just before
crossing from Jersey City to New York tho
pilgrims were captured by Hugh Dc Pacjens
Commandcry and carried into captivity for
short time ut Tavlors Hotel, where they we've
treated TO an elaborate collation..
Saturday, juno D. they were escorted to the
steamer Oceanic, ofthc White Star line, which
sailed from her moorings at o'clock in the
afternoon with many Il '60n roydge' and
god speed" Landing ut Queenstown on tho
morning of the l0th of June, they received u
telegram from the celebrated comedian, w. j.
Florence, who is himself Templar, bidding
them welcome to Ireland" At Cork, Dublin,
Enniskillcn and Londonderry they were foted
and dined by the Irish Masuns. At Belfast
they were banqueted in Ulster Hall, 500 ofthc
fraternity being in attendance. Crossing over
| to Scotland, they were also wincd, dined and
fetod ut Glasgow and Perth At Derby, Eng
land, they were met by deputation of the
brethren and escorted to Alton Towers, and
were the special guests of the Earl Of Shrows-
bury then Provincial Grand Master of MasOus
Of Staffordshire) on the ith of July. In Lon
don they were royalty entertained by the
Grand Conclavc of Knights Templar of Eng
land, the Right Hon. Earl OF Limerick pre-
siding. Leaving their uniforms in London,
the pilgrims made tho tour of the continent,
disguised as gentlemen" to use the words
of one of them, taking in Belgium, the Rhine,
Germany, Switzerland, Italy aud France.
They arrived back in New York ON Sunday
morning, September II, just in time to par
ticpatc in the triennial meeting of the Grand
Eucampment Of the United States, which met
| in Baltimore the same week.
| The members of the party afterward Or
| gained an association to he known us "Tbe Cru
sadcrs," to meet annually and talk over the in
cidents of the trip. During this annual re-
union banquet is spread for the whole party,
whether present or not. Seven have deceased
since the pilgrimage, and for these seven
chairs are turned up at the banquet table.
This year the annual meeting will be held at
| the National Hotel in this city on the 2Sth
inst. The following programme has been
blocked out by Sir W. A. Short Of the execu-
tive committee; Tuesday, visit the National
Fair evening, election of officers and visit to
Masonic Temple. Wednesday. to Mount Vcr-
non, where appropriate exercises will be held /;
evening, annual banquet. Thursday, visit the
President public buildings Arlington and
Soldiers Home.
The list of membership of the Crusaders in
cludes Sir and Rev. w. V. Tudor aud J. G..
Bowen of Washington Commandry No. l.
Sirs II. ii. Taylor, s. t. g. MOrsel and w. A.
Short of Columbia Commaudry No. 2, James
Dickson of Potomac No 3 aud Brother General
H. W. Barry-the last trio being now mum
bered with the dead. Sir w. A. Short was
selected rs Marshal of the Commandry for the
pilgrimage.