St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1883-09-01
AN IMPOSING SPECTACLE.
Four Thousand knights TempIar in Line
at the Grand Parade in San Francisco

Four Thousand knights TempIar in Line
at the Grand Parade in San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO, aug. 20.
The grand procession of Knights Temp
lar which took place this afternoon is adj
mitted to have been an unqualified success.
The entire population Of San Francisco and
seventy thousand strangers decla' sd it so'
cheering throughout the entire ro'1te. To
the people of this city it was eteinently
gratifying. As early as eight o'slock in
the morning crowds began gathering on
the streets along which the procession
would pass, and by nine o'clock Market
street was rendered impossible, except
the roadway which, by police orders. had
been kept clear for the passage at the
knights. At half-past nine O'Clock the
Communicates began to arrive, takirE UP
uns positions assigned them in the streets
off Market reserved for the pur-
pose. At ten O'Clock all had
arrived and at that hour the scene pre-
sented from the gallery OF the Baldwin
Hotel was one not readily to be forgotten
by San Franciseans who had the good for.
tune to witness it. On one side mass OF
decorations extending as far as the Ell
umphal arch; on the other side, 4,0oo rich
ly-clad Knights, representing every o'ate
and Territory of the United States. 10 the
old California pioneer it was something be-
yond realization. His mind reverted to the
sand hills, and he was dazed. At half-past
ten the order was given by the Captain
General to move forward. A platoon OF
mounted police spurred their horses onward
to clear the way, followed by detachment
of police on foot. The first Commandery
that led off was California Commandery,
No. /, their slver-embroidered velvet
cloaks and plumed hats, with richly ca
parisoned horses, attracting marked atten-
ton. Following them came the Golden
Gate and Oakland Communicates, the
Grand Master, Governor Sir George Per-
kins, riding milk-white charger specially
presented to him for the occasion by Judge
Denison, of Sacramento, following accom-
panied by his staff. Next in order came
various Communicates from California,
Oregon, Washington Territory, Ne
yada and Arizona, each preceded by
their respective bands. These completed
the first three divisions, after which, up to
the tenth division, came the Communicates
of States east of the Rocky Mountains.
Among the latter particularly remarked
from the snallness OF numbers and pluck OF
coming were Arkansas, De Molal OF Fort
Smith; Washington, No. |, OF Hartford,
Conn; Damascus, No. 3, of Jacksonville,
Tla.. and Cyrene, No. 8. Of Middleton,
Conn, which in the person of Sir
Knight Brainard Leroy is repre-
sented. The approach Of Lyon q Healy's
band Of Chicago with their ST striking
uniforms made every one en- ask: WHO are a.
these Knights coraing?'' 'sThey are the st.
Demands, of Chicago, who by the knights
of this coast are held in especial esteem"
AS they passed by, the knowledge of what
they were and the appearance, they Pre-
scented excited long and hearty cheers. The
tenth and last division was composed OF
the Grand Encampment Of theU United States,
| led by Sir VIM Knox, Past Grand Com
| nander of California. The Royal Hawa-
| iian band, selected bythe Grand Command
| ery of this State as official orchestra OF the
| Conclaye, immediately preceded the Bos-
| ton Conmandery, which acted as especial es-
| cort TO theGrand Master Of theU United States.
/ The Bostonians were highly complimented
| for their excellent appearance, and cheer
! after cheer was given them as they passed
| by, marching in close order and with marx
| ed precision. Following them, on white
| chargers, came Grand Master Dean, accom-
| panied by numerous and brilliant staff,
| and the procession terminated with Dew lit
| Clinton CommanderY of Virginia City.
| New, mounted on black steeds end acting
/ as grand guard of honor to the Grand En-
campnent. The Virginians merited COM
| pliment in dress, horses and Announcements.
| 1t was generally acknowledged that they
bore off the honors Of the day. The knights
| first proceeded TO the pavilion, where adj
/ dresses were delivered by Gov. Stoneman,
/ of California, ex-Gov. Perkins, Mayor OF
the city, and others. T1en they marched to
Vanness avenue, where they were reviewed
/ by the Grand Master, after which the march
through tho city began. It occupied an
hour in passing given point. AS near as
| can be determined 3,7S9 knights took part,
representing 366 Communicates, from Tor
/ ty-six States and Territories. In word,
every State and Territory in the United
/ States was represented