Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-09-15
MARrINsBuRG, September l3tI

MARTISsBURG, September 18th.
knowing your wish to be informed oil
any thing unusual and worthy OF notice
taking place in any part of our State, l
will give you brief sketch OF the largest
assemblage of people that has ever yet
been connected in this section OF the
State, certainly since the war.
There is in the Potomac river, near
Harper's Ferry, beautiful island OF fiji
teen acres of land, which passes by the
name of Byrne's Island, after the Origi-
nal patantee. This property, until re-
Gently, belonged to the United States
government, but was purchased, some
thing more than year ago, by the Baltl-
more and Ohio Railroad Company, since
which time il has become a great resort
for excursions and picnic parties. In
addition to its great natural beauties OF
trees and grass, it has become connected
with the railroad by asubstantial bridge,
and many tasteful and ornamental build
ings have been placed upon the island
for the accommodation of visitors.
Scarcely day has passed this summer
that Byrne'S Island has not been the
scene of some reunion or festive party
from Maryland, Virginia or our own
State.
The immediate occasion OF the gather
ing which am now attempting to de-
scribe was a proposition OF the two
Masonic Lodges of Martinsburg to have
a reunion, upon that Island, of the fra
ternitv from the States OF Pennsylvania,
Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.
While this was the avowed object OF the
gathering, an invitation was extended
generally to all citizens, ladies' and gen
temen, TO be present. The smallest es-
innate that | heard placed upon the as
sembled crowd was seven thousand,
many estimated il at ten thousand. Of
this number Baltimore and Washington
contributed about four thousand,
Pennsylvania and Virginia many car
loads, while West Virginians from this
Pan-H Handle, and as far distant as Hardy
county, were everywhere seen among
the crowds.
The music was abundant and of the
highest order. The Marine Band, of
Washington, was in attendance, also
Webber's celebrated band of Baltimore,
besides other bands from Shepherds
town, Harper's Ferry, Martinsburg and
other contiguous towns, There was no
lack of the most excellent music
throughout the day. The arrangements
for dancing were OF the most perfect
order, and the young people enjoyed
that portion OF the entertainment with
unalloyed pleasure.
About half past eleven o'clock Hon.
Chas J. Faulkner, President OF the day,
called the vast assemblage to order and
after music from the Marine Band, rose
TO introduce 10 the meeting
the distinguished gentleman, General
Pike, who had been selected to address
them upon that occasion. He alluded
TO the extraordinary spectacle OF so
large a gathering of the Masonic frater-
nifty in the country, remote from the
large cities, and referred to it as an evil
denCe that the spirit which for Centu-
ries had animated their order, still sur
vived in those who now prOfessed its
principles, and practised its mysteries.
He referred to General Pike as one who
had been for years conspicuous in the
history of the country; distinguished i'll
the realms of literature, the affairs of
government, the field OF politics, and the
walks Of science. When he closed his
address and presented the yener-
able orator to the large assemblage,
there was a shout from the vast
crowd, welcoming the venerable and
distinguished speaker, that might have
been heard for half mile around.
General Pixies address occupied some
thing more than an hour. 1t had all
the appearance of being eXtemporane-
Gus, but was marked by profound
thought and by a remarkable acquain-
tance with the condition and history OF
Free Masonry throughout Europe, in
Egypt, Mexico and the South American
republics. No speaker ever more COM
pletely enchained his audience. There
was so much homely good sense, prac-
tical wisdom and interesting illustration
in his remarks that the
audience would gladly have
listened TO him for hours. A portion of
his remarks was severe rebuke to the
cOldneSs and apathy of Free Masonry in
tnlS country WHEN COiullTtu WITH llS
educational and charitable results in
other less favored countries. He adj
vocated the establishment of a National
Lodge, to give power and effect to the
National Masonic sentiment OF the
country. His remarks were greatly ap-
plaudcd at their close.
When the speaking was over hun
dreds of beautiful white cloths were
spread upon the grass, in some charm
ing nook or delightful shade, and the
baskets emptied of their contents to
crafty the hunger and thirst of those
who brought them, and OF all who would
partake of their proifered hospitality.
In one hour there was not a hungry nor
thirsty man upon the island
There was not a police officer to be
seen anywhere, nor was there any oc-
casion for any. A universal sense Of
decorum marked all who were upon the
island, and better order could not have
been preserved in any private parlor
than marked a crowd Of seven thousand
persons in West Virginia.
The number of MasonS present was
about twenty-five hundred, the residue
were ladies and gentlemen from the
four contiguous States. PoTOHAC.
Rise in Timothy Seed.
CHICAGO, September l3.-The recent