The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-04-20
THE EVENING ExRRcIsEs.

The business OF the day having been |
completed the Grand Lodge adjourned |
until eight o'clock this morning, and |
the evening, was devoted to pleasure.
The members of Atchison lodge had ar
ranged program of more than usual
interest, including an elaboration of the
secret work of the order as illustrated
by the Pretorian Guards, and banquet
at the Otis House after the entertain
ment, which was held at Masonic Hall,
and to which the public were invited.
A large and brilliant assembly gather
ed at the hall to witness the initiatory
ceremonies in the case of an adventur-
Gus candidate for knightly honors. The
audience were seated around the four
sides of the hall, while the center was
reserved for the InitIatory ceremonies.
and the mysterious and awful eyolu-
tions of the Pretorian Guards, who look
ed quite capable of performing any deed
of blood that the Cham Tycoon and
Pyramid might direct. They were
dressed in costumes that were calculated
to strike terror to the stoutest heart and
bore upon their backs the skull aud
bones of this branch OF the knight
ly order. They were under the CON-
mand of the Chief Watchdog of the
Outer Post, and were armed with pitch
forks and other implements of torture.
The candidate was first brought in
and marched around to the music of
Phillips band, which officiated on the
occasion, after which he was subjected
to severe and searching examination
into the events of his past life, the num-
Der of his wives, if any, and their views
on secret societies in general and the
Knights of Honor in particular, after
which he was passed from officer
to officer, each giving him some
wise admonltions, and to soothe him
during the ordeal the r. A. r. recited
several selections, as the occasion de-
manded. He was then handed over to
the Pretorian Guards, who first hung
him, then cut him down and carried
him out, restored him to life in some
mysterious way, and brought him in
again, and in the presence of the entire
company, branded him with red hot
poker, and invoked on his head the di-
rect malediction5 if he should dare tore
veal the secrets of the order. Having
passed through this terrible ordeal, he
was further instructed by the Tycoon,
and admitted into full communion with
the order.
The pretorians then executed some
mysterious manouvres, in which the Of
ficers Joined, and finally they all march
ed out with the dilapidated candidate,
who had borne the initiatory tests 80
successfully.
The company then proceeded to the
hotel with the band, and few minutes
after all had arrived the doors of the
spacious dining room were thrown open,
and revealed sight such as is rarely
seen in this city. The tables were load
ed with great variety of delicacies, the
managers of the hotel having aimed to
prepare a banquet which should do
credit TO the house and at the same time
give pleasure to their guests. Phillips
band was stationed in one corner, and
executed grand march, to the music of
which the company entered and were
seated. In connection with the banquet
the following toasts were proposed and
responded to:
THE Supreme Lodge" responded to
by Brother Graham; "Atchison Lodge,
No. 1884," responded to by A. T. Martin;
"The Grand Lodge of Kansas" respond
ed to by NJ. NJ. Miller; 1.-THE City of
Atchison," responded to by Noble L.
Pretis; sour Visitors" responded to by
D. T. Bradford; 1.-THE Ladies' % respond
ed to Mayor w. II. Haskell. The toasts
closed the exercises of the evening. and
the company dispersed after one of the
most enjoyable occasions ever held in
Atchison, and one which reflects the
highest credit upon those entrusted with
it. The visiting Knights were profuse
in their thanks, and will carry with
them, when they leave today, the pleas
ATTEST recollection of their visit.