The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-06-26
PORTLAND CoMMANDERY,
One of the Best Excursions they Ever
Made.


One of the Best Excursions they Ever
Made.
Portland Com mandery arrived home from
their excursion to Providence and Newport
last evening, on special train, reaching this
city at p. M and the Asylum at $50. They
were received at the station by the ST. Alban
Commandery, accompanied by the Portland
Band, and after the usual honors the two
Communicates took up the line of march, the
route being necessarily shortened by the
shower, in the following order
Platoon of Police
Portland Band.
St. Alban Commandery, E. c., Sir Knight L. A.
Gray, 70 Knights.
Chandler's Band.
Hodsdon.
On arriving at the Asylum both Command
cries marched into Egyptian Hall and formed
double square, the st. Alban facing Port
land, when Sir Knight Gray made a brief
speech congratulating Sir Knight Hodsdon on
the fine appearance Of his command and the
pleasant visit he understood they had enjoyed,
to which Sir Knight Hodsdon happily respond
ed. Portland Commandery then gave three
rousing cheers and a tiger for St. Alban Com
mandery. which was reciprocated in good style
by the latter.
The boys say they have had an unceasing
round of amusement and enjoyment since they
left home. The telegraph has briefly given
sketch of their visit. They left Providence in
the steamer Dog Star for Newport, Thursday
morning at $50, under escort of committee
from st. Johns Commandery of Providence,
arriving at Newport, as already announced, at
10.45. They were received by Eminent Com
mander VIM. G. Stevens and others of WASH
ington Commandery, and escorted up Thames
street to Touro street, along Spring street to
the Masonic Hall. They dined at the Ocean
House and afterwards visited the interesting
points. A fine collation. was given them by
Washington Commandery and they returned
to Providence, reaching that city at $50.
They were met at the wharf by the Spring
field Commandery and delegation from st.
Johns and escorted to their headquarters at
the Narragansett Hotel via Dyer, Westmin-
ster and Dorrance streets. The Portlands
united in their appreciation of the many cour-
tesies extended to them by Washington Com
mandery and the proprietors of the Ocean
Heuse. They enjoyed two OR three hours
drive about Newport and found much to ad-
mire and appreciate both along the beach and
about town.
About half-past seven o'clock the command
was given for the formation of the line, it be-
ing the hour appointed for the excur-
sion to Park Gard IN. The visiting Command
cries with their bands, under escort of the
st. Johns, marched to Exchange place in dou-
BILE file, where the "bloomer" cars were in
waiting to convey them to their destination.
The seats were promptly occupied, and the
cars moved rapidly through Exchange, West
minister, Mathewson and Brood streets to the
Garden The Sir knights lost no time in en-
tering the resort, and breaking ranks scattered
over the grounds in quest of amusement. The
majority wendell their way to the lake side,
and witnessed the performance of "The Am
bassador's Daughter frequently expressing
their appreciation of the vocal selections and
spectacular effects. Then they assembled at
the pavilion and witnessed grand pyrotech-
mic display by Prof. Blank, including four
splendid act pieces the square and compass,
Maltese cross and Corinthian pillars, which
were greeted with great enthusiasm, the brill
liancy of the eolors and beauty of design being
especially prominent. This closed the enter
tainment and the Sir Knights took passage for
the city.
The horse cars proceeded to Exchange place
where the Knights alighted, and forming in
line were escorted to Howard Hall where Ar
doene had laid plates for three hundred breth-
rem, three long tables extending lengthwise
through the hall. Eminent Commander VIM.
Husband of St. Johns Commandery, then
rendered a hearty greeting to the Springfelds
and Portlands, and in response Commander
Chaplin of the Springfelds made felicitous
speech, calling attention to the fact that by
some sly maneuvering the St. johns had OF
tanned information in regard to their proposed
visit to Newport and had compelled them to
tarry awhile with them, and in behalf of the
| Springfelds rendered their heartfelt thanks
for the cordial and fraternal reception and hos
FATALITIES. Commander uodsdon of the Port
lands made a brief, pertinent response for his
| Oemmandery, conveying their deep apprecia-
| ton of the courtesies bestowed. Prayer was
| then offered by Prelate Daniel Reynolds of
| Springfield Commandery, and then the order
| was 81 ven to discuss the viands Caterer Ar
doene set the tables in his best style, the del
| icacies and substa ntials of the season being
| supplied in great abundance, while careful at
tention was paid to the thirsty guests in the
| form of light and refreshing beverages. A
| large corps of walters served the cables with
| promptness, and twice as many guests might
| have been easily taken care Of The post
prandi al cigars were then distributed, and
| many of the Knights remained in the hall I'M
| til a late hour, cementing the bonds of fellow
ship and indulging in the happy pastime OF
determination. The reception committee, Sir
Knights Massle, Durham and Earle, labored
| indefatigably to render the occasion success,
| and there was not the slightest drawback in
any of the arrangements to prevent happy
contamination of their most earnest desire.
! Yesterday morning Mayor Doyle, who is one
of the SD degree Masons, visited the Com
mandery at the hotel and took them to the
City Building which was thoroughly inspected
by them, and they afterwards visited all the
places of interest in Providence the time would
allow. At noon an elegant collation. was
served by the St. Johns Commandery at their
| Asylum, and at o'clock the Portlands march
| ed to the train for Boston. 1t was so hot in
| Providence that they had to march on the
sidewalk to the station, and telegraphed to
| Boston for horse cars to meet them at the
| Providence station, which were found ready
on their arrival in that city. On the cars were
found many tokens of remembrance from the
Providence Sir knights, and tho run to Port
| land xuaQ accorn nj icbad in uuick time of 0na