The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-05-17
I. o. o. F.
Its esd Anniversary in Pike.
SUMMIT, Mss, May II, 1882.

SUMMIT, Miss, May II, 1882.
EDITORS CLARIoN-Your correspondent,
with number of others not within the
pale of the Order, arrived at Magnolia two
hours before the special $3.50 A. NJ. train
from Summit and McComb City, furnished
by Major Anderson, OF. the C., st. L. and
\. Q. r. r. Co., to the members of the
Order and their friends and families from
these two places, and thereby had an op-
portunity of witnessing the preparations of
the citizens and brethren there, for the
event. The Central House and Magnolia
Hotel were thrown open to their widest
capacity for all visitors; and the former at
which we made our headquarters for the
day, presented throughout its interior and
exterior surroundings a neat, comfortable
and inviting appearance; and when We re-
turned to the office therein, from our rounds
of observation, to congratulate "mine host"
of the hotel, Mr.. John West, upon the fair
presentation thereof, he politely informed
US that since the entire building had been
repainted without and renovated within,
it was his purpose and pride to keep it III
the same condition for all occasions and all
visitors. The parlor, with its inviting set
tees and chairs, a large mirror and piano,
walls adorned with presentations Of Con-
federate celebrities, aud all fragrant with
blooming magnolias and other floral offer
ings was thrown open for the expected lady
guests; and in the reception-room there
was displayed a huge bowl Of harmless but
refreshing "punch," surrounded by in
Vulnerable little goblets-all furnished by
that never-forgetful friend of this writer,
Mr.. T. H. McGowen, (the "Coot" boy of
Summit in past years. whose popular saloon
is hard by the Central House, proper.
When the special train had arrived, Capt.
Jack Montfort. Of McComb City, was de-
tailed as the puneh-dispenser, and his in
sinuativeness of address induced not only
the ladies present to partaek Of the re-
freshing draughts, but we actually saw pull
pt-occupants for the Sabbath day being
led as willing captiyes up to the flowing
bowl"
We found the Courthouse square had
been cleared up and the shade trees trim
med of their lower Instructions to the view,
un der the supervision of Sheriff McNulty
and his deputy, D. NJ Walker, assisted
therein by the citizens of Magnolia; while
a long table, extending across the entire |
square almost, surrounded with barrier Of
rope, was awaiting its load of good things
for the general feasting.
On the arrival of the participating mem
bers of the Order from the Summit and |
McComb City Lodges and Mamre Encamp- |
ment, they were fraternaIly received by |
their brethren of the two Lodges at Magno-
liza, all being arrayed in full regalia, and |
with the greeting airs of the Crescent |
City Band" of New Orleans, whose instru-
ments resounded as to the clangor Of trump
cts, and were escorted in procession to the
Lodge-room of the Order there. Soon af-
they all emerged therefrom, with
the insignias of the rites of the Order and
positions therein, and, with the above band
at the head, paraded through the various
streets of the town designated in the pro-
gramme. Besides this display, there was a
subsequent presentation of a more martial
one by the uniformed encampment members,
with plumed chapeaus and glistening swords,
belted and epauletted with gilt adornings,
under command of Chief Captain, J. D.
Burke, whose manual of side-arms and
attracted general attention as an
unusual display for such occasions here.
Their uniform for this purpose Is indeed
quite attractive. But, to return:
Having concluded the public exercise
upon the streets, great throngs followed the
members of the Order to the Courthouse, :
which was soon filled to overfowiug from
foot of stairways to the speakers stand, !
while many on the grounds without were all
eagerly awaiting the appointed address of
Past Grand S. A. Matthews, of Summit, as
the befitting Brother for this duty. The
ceremonies here were opened by Rev. J. I.
Zealy, after which the choir of ladies and t..
gentlemen rendered the Thanksgiving and /.
hymns of the Order in melo-
1ious tones and voice. Grand Representa-
live, John II. Mckenzie, of Summit Lodge,
and d. D. Grand Master, Z. Smiley, of l
Reliance Lodge, Magnolia, conducted the
exercises of the Order, at the conclusion of d
which Capt. Matthews was introduced, as >
above, with his anniversary address. He
lnly occupied the time OF his hearers about !.
forty or fifty minutes, but he had much !
in that short space that was in :
structiye, entertaining, historical and pa
thetie. Besides his statistical references to
The past and present of the Order-its pur- 1
poses for secrecy to the outer world, as to
It's inner workings, with historical prece-
dents supporting the same-he made timely j,
md appropriate allusion to the simultane- !
ous observance ofour Memorial Day, which
was then being in progress at the adjaceT |
burial ground of the Confederate dead
from the hospital established there during {
he late war. e
We would We might occupy your time
and space to follow the speaker in detail
through all his presentations of these and
other subjects of his address, embracing his ! !
tribute to a departed judicial trio. who
aad but a short time since c0nseeTsted that
Temple of Justice with the halo of their j,
egal acumen and display /; but We fear that
sven this much is crowding upon the ere of
Tour publication this week. 1t is promised
and generally hoped that Capt. Matthews
brother members of the Order here will see
to it that his address shall be published ia
I'll It's entirety, and thus perpetuate it in its
syery beauteous and statistical proportions. !
At the conclusion of the address there
ollowed an excellent patriotic ode, "Our
rendered to the air of "dy Mary
and, which was most appropriate in its