Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-01-30
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Yesterday in this city the nth annual ~
union of Mt. Olivet Command derry No. II
Knights Templar, was celebrated and proved
in every way an unqualified and brilliant
success.
The incoming trains on the afternoon and
evening Of Tuesday and the morning o.
yesterday brought numbers of Sir knights
and their friends from neighboring towns
The list Of strangers in the city, drawn b.
the attraction of the reunion, was large and
embraced those who came Is far As from the
capital city of the state. Winfield, yelling
ton, Newton, Kingman and Caldwell were
well Represented, and the day was pretty
generelly given over to celebrating this
splendid and popular event.
At 2:30 o'clock p. m. the Sir Knights after
having repaired according to orders to their
quarters and donned their uniforms, appeared
Immediately in street parade. There were
some fifty men in line and they made fine
appearance as preceded by band Of music
they marched and performed their cclebra-
ted drill to large audience who thronged
the streets through which they passed. Mt.
Oliver commandery embraces fne body Of
well drilled members. The Sir knight dress
is celebrated everywhere for its striking
beauty, and it will not be egotisticsl
to say that Wichita was proud,
and justly so, of this organization.
AT 8 o'clock in the evening those who
had been fortunate enough to receive invi-
tations to the ball began to wend their way
toward the Opera house. The hall had been
put into the best possible condition for the
occasion, and presented most beautiful APP
pearance. 1t was entirely and profusely
draped and festooned with handsome and
appropriate decoration and was indeed a
most enchanting bower in which to pass q
delightful evening.
These decorations consisted of evergreen
in drspings, festoons and wreaths; of the
national colors hung in appropriate places
and of bunting in diversified colors twined
about the columns and arrsyed in numer-
Gus pretty designs and emblems of the order,
among which appeared the cross and crown,
the triangle, the square and the maltese
cross. High up upon semi-circle above
the stage appeared the latin motto "Magna
Est Veritas Et Pre- valebit."
At $50 the programme of the evening was
inaugurated by the grand march being beau
tifully executed to the music Of Shaw's Or
chestra. This was participated in by Sir
Knights and their ladies exclusively, there
being fifty couples engaged and
with the handsome dress and bearing
of the Knights and the elegant costumes and
beauty of the ladies made an imposing and
beautiful sight. After the march quadrille
was danced and then the drop curtain was
rung up preparatory to the commandAry
drill. The curtain arose upon woodland
scene. in the foreground of which was por-
trayed in real life an "encampment." Prom
inent in the scene was tent of red,white and
blue, surmounted by golden cross and
containing light for the wayfarer. Bronze
columns were placed here and there, also
urns and banners; horse in full trappincs
gave animation to the picture, and sui
mounting all was the inscription, ain Hoe
Signo-vinces-"
Twenty-four Sir knights were in line for
the drill, and were commanded by Captain
General Sir w. S. Corbett, Senior Warden
Sir Finley Ross being second in command.
A great variety of beautiful maneuvers were
executed with remarkable precision and
were well-nigh perfection. They were of
the most difficult and striking description,
and received marked attention, high COM
mendation and well merited applause.
Among the many movements, the most
pleasing perhaps were the star. the cross,
the hollow square and the triangle.
The sword drill was executed in
connection with the parade move
ments, and combined they made
a most beautiful and pleasing feature of the
evenings enjoyment.
When the drill was ended the regular or
der of dancing began and continued in one
uninterrupted whirl of merriment and
pleasure until II O'Clock when the first table
at supper was served.
There were plates laid for fifty couples in
the up-stair room in the Opera house and
to table laden with great variety of the
most tempting substantials and delicacies Of
the market an almost constant stream poured
until all had been refreshed. Mr.. G. L.
Clouse had the supervision of the culinary
department. and va warmly complimented
upon his success as highly successful
caterer.
After supper dancing was resumed and
enioyed to the fullest until No. IS upon the
programme was announced and the orcnes-
ira at o'clock played the reluctant 'home,
sweet home" This was without doubt, the
social event of the season and to enter into
detail upon its every feature would consume
more space than can be secured
this morning and description Of the ladies'
toilets will not be attempted. Suffice il 70
say that there were many elaborate and SUI
perb costumes worn and that the ladies,
both those of the city and visitors, have sell
dom, if ever, appeared to better advantage.
The arrangements end details of the entire
days proceedings we're most complete and
praiseworthy and the fifth reunion Of Mt
Olivet commandery, No. II, Sir knight
Templars, must be recorded as a most bril-
liant and splendid success.