Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-06-13
KNOXVILLE --MEMPH HIS.
Visitors from the Bluff at the
Ancient Capital.
Brilliant Display and Generous Re
ception.

Clarksvllle, Columbia, FulasKl, MUIR
freesboro, Chattanooga, Cleveland,
Rogersville, Jonesboro, Greenville,
Bristol, and other parts Of the state.
1t was representative gathering, in
cluding many of the best and most
prominent citizens and fairest ladies
of the proud old commonwealth.
Knoxville met the occasion with a
royal and unlimited hospitality. The
palatial residences Of the wealthy were
thrown open, and those who en-
tered as guests were made
to understand that they were
at home and that all within belonged
to them while they remained. Speak
ing more particularly for Memphians,
many of whom had never before
visited Knoxville, they were surprised
and delighted at the extensive, com
plete and elegant preparations that
had been made for their entertain
ment The uniform of a Sir Knight, or
even the badge worn by their friends
not members of the commandery was
u sufficient introduction, and gave
the wearer the freedom Of the town.
To give resume of the proceedings
OF each day, the interesting incidents
and all that is worthy of description
would more than fill an entire news
paper. We can only mention in a
general way the course Of events
after the grand commandery as
sembled, reserving more special
notice of the commencement
exercises of the University Of
Tennessee which closed on Wednesday
for another issue. Wednesday night,
or rather Thursday morning, Memphis
Commandery No. A, accompanied by
various friends, arrived and took up
quarters as far as they could be &C
commodated at the Hattie House, a
new and attractive hotel. Nashville
Commandery had headquarters at the
Lamar House, a time honored and
popular landmark Of the city.
Every hotel was overcrowded and
private hospitality SO freely rendered,
was quite essential to accommodate
the crowd that poured in on every
train. The weather had been very
threatening, but Thursday morning
dawned clear and bright and as cool
as the mountains brow. The city
appeared in radiant holiday attire, a
: solid bridge dressed in flowers, flags
and evergreens, spanned Gay street
from the Lamar house to Staub's
Operahouse; nearly all the public
buildings, prominent business houses
and private residences in the city
were prolusely decorated with flags,
and many OF them bore the standards
and symbolic devices of the knights
Templar. This was not confined to
the principal streets but could be seen
far out towards the limits Of the city,
A colossal white banner. with a
blood red cross in the center, cleaning
like the sword that Constantine saw in
the sky, hoated and rippled high over
the street in front of the Masonic
temple. Welcome" welcome" was
written everywhere; it appeared on
walls, over doors, on flags, in ever
greens and flowers, skillfully wrought
and above all, on the faces and in
the hearts Of generous, chivalrfc
people. The streets were crowded
with people, strains Of music swelled
on the air, and a scene of life, beauty
and animated enjoyment was presented
which seemed to fill all with a COM
plete sense of satisfaction. The pro-
cession Of six commauderies and long
line Of carriages, preceded by music
and led by Sir Knight j. NJ. Mel
ton as chief marshal, was very
imposing and greatly admired
After passing through the principal
streets it reached the NJ. q. church
south, on Church street, where large
and refined audience had already as
sembled to witness the imposing and
beautiful service that followed, con
Quoted by Rev. Sir H. 81. Sneed, grand
prelate. Addresses appropriate to the
occasion, and full Of fine thoughts vel
expressed, we're delivered by R. E. Sil
H. NJ. Aiken, past grand com
mander, and by Rev. Sir Knight Com
mander c. H. Strickland, past grand
In the afternoon the visitors werc
escorted about and around the city tC
points of interest, notably to the
celebrated model farm Of Colone
Perez Dickinson, up and south Of th'
river, and about which so much hal
been written. This is the most ele
CANT and attractive farm in the south
if not in the United States, and it
cultivated and generous owner nevei
tires Of showing its many beauties
to visitors. 1t was quite
ehSpter of revelations to some Of ou
Memphis people, whose ideas o
Knoxville we're rather vague and in