The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-27
The Drill.

10 tne western Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO, aug. 25-The competitive
Knights Templars drill took place this afternoon
at Bay District Park. Long before the beginning
OF the exercises the grand stand, which seated
5000, was crammed to its utmost, and 10000
more were in the enclosure below. Only three
communicates competed-Raper, OF Indian
apolis; De Molay, of Louisville. and St, Bernard,
OF Chicago. Each drilled with twenty seven
men, except st. Bernard, who only drilled
twenty-five. Forty minutes time was allowed
each drill. The Pacific coast communicates re-
Trained from competing, preferring that the
prize be won by the Eastern knights, whom they
regarded as their guests.
There were five prizes In all. varying in value
from $4,000 TO $500. The rule was made by the
trlennial committee that the prizes should be-
come the absolute property of the winners, and
not subject TO further competition. There were
three judges, all officers In the United States
army The tactics constituted sword exercises
military evolutions and the TemDlar movement
First to appear in the lists were the Raper Com
mandery, of indianapolis, the privilege of the
last drill being conceded TO the ST. Bernard, of
Chicago. At IL sharp they advanced accompa-
MED by the band of the First United States cav
airy to the northern confne of the drill ground.
Ihey returned to the judges stand, and, wheel
ing INTO line, gave the salute This was the Sig
nal for great burst of cheering, in which the
competing communicates heartily Joined Their
drlll was excellently performed. The wheeling
ana marching by threes were much admired,
hut In the movement to the bugle call they made
couple or Dad breaks, calling forth sOrrOwful
cries from the crowd and jeopardizlng their
claim to the first prize.
Raper was followed by De MOlay, of Louis
vile, accompanied by the Eighth United States
Infantry band playing Dixie" 1t seemed as
though half the crowd was Southern, for they
rose one man and cheered and howed so that
the music was entirely drowned No such recep-
ton was gwen to either of the other command
cries. They deserved all the enthusiasm. for they
marched beautifully. Their captain was G. w
Nortbrup, a tall gray-haired gentleman of mar
tial bearing, nimble as youth, who handled his
through the complicated movements ten minutes
before time had expired. The remaining time
devoted to fancy drilling, which was the
best exhibition ever seen on this coast, and
wrought up the great crowd to the dighest pitch
of enthusiasm. When they finally marched out
they were besieged by Kentucky girls who show
cred bouquets and floral crosses upon the heroes
who were then regarded as sure Of the first prize.
After DeMolay came the st. Bernard, with
Lyon u Healy's Chicago band, and were greeted
by an immense crowd with a continuous burst
of applause, Their salute to the judges was the
signal for renewed cheering, kept up until they
began their exercises. During the first five
minutes they drilled with marked precision, but
after that their drill was completely marred by
one unfortunate knight, who persisted in al
ways getting where he was not wanted. Before
the drill was half over IL became evident that
the St BerDards would not be first, and that
the nrst prize woulu Jay between the DeMolays
and Rapers, the unfortunate breaks of the St
Bernards depriving them of that hope When
they retired to their tents the applause was
tremendous, showing in what direction the
spmpathies of the people went
At the conclusion of the drill the tents of the
three competing Communicates were surround
ed by Knights and ladies, who gave them quite
an ovation.
The judges awarded the first prize to the De-
MOlays, of Louisville, the second TO the Rapers
OF Indianapolis, aud the third to the st. Bern
ards, of Chicago.
Calculations show that in addition to the $780,
600 subscribed by the public for the trienual con-
clave, the California commentaries have spent
ont of their own pockets, 1856, 900 entertaining
their visitors. The California Commandery, of
San Francisco, alone spent $40 900, and Dewitt
Clinton, of Virginia City, New, the same
amount.