The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-01-17
Action Of the Grand Lodge.
The Impressive Ceremonies Of the
Installation.
The Ball, the Music, and the Final
Presentation Of 1 Silk Banner BY
Mrs. C. B. Trowbridge.

Not every nj in this Territory
recognizes the importance Of tn
order known Is the knights o.
Pythias. The public generally art
unacquainted with its secret work
ings. Its membership, the great good
it has done, the moral influence sur
rounding every member, or the re-
suits Of its labors. Secret In all uc-
derstandings pertaining to the inside
workings Of the different lodges, Its
external demonstrations of Friend.
ship, Charity and Benevolence are
countless. Its charity is beyond cal
culation, its benevolence untold, its
friendship extending to the earth's
end. Every move made by a mem
Der Of the order. as q member, carries
with 1t an unpublished. meaning ;
every order executed bears upon its
face an earnestness Of good purpose
and intention, and every intention is
fraught with blessings bestowed, be
cause there Is never an intention
without a beautiful execution.
THE ORDER OF PYTHIANIsM
Was first conceived by JUsTUs Fl.
RATHBoNE. of Washington. D. Z.
With the assistance Of Jas. T. Plant
the first five members took the oath
of Pythianism and instituted the
first Lodge on the 10th Of February,
1854.
Leading men of the world soon be
came aware Of the organization, its
precepts and teachings, recognized
the great beauties and virtues so
modestly promulgated, and made
application for membership. The
ranks were swelfed until in q short
time nearly every nation on earth
was known in the order. Ontario,
England, France, Italy, Germany,
Scandinavia, are represented by
branches of the order. The nobility
of foreign countries. the mercantile,
agricultural, mechanical and labor
ing classes are numbered a. hOnora-
BILE members, and the order Is yet
more harmonious aud brotherly,
guided by its pure motives and gen.
erous principles.
THE FIRST LODEE IN MONTANA
Was established in Butte City, No
vember 7th, 1879, and is now known
as Damon Lodge No. l. It was first
instituted, with II members, by Bro.
P. A. Miles, q member of Myrtle
Lodge No. l. of Salt Lake. Damon
Lodge 80 increased in membership
that new lodges were instituted, and
every city or town of any importance
soon claimed kin to the, order. At
present nine subordinate lodges owe
allegiance to the Territorial Grand
Lodge just organized, as follows:
Three in Butte, one in Bozeman, one
in Deer Lodge, one in Benton. one in
Helena, one In Miles City, one IN Dill
lon, and the membership numbers six
hundred. The first Grand Lodge
convened In Butte January 4th,
1885. and is now in session.
The total membership of the order
universal now numbers over 100, 600.
At the afternoon session yesterday
q pleasing and happy event occurred
which will be cherished In the minds
of those present rs long as they may
live.
P. A. MILES,
Though young in years proves to be
the father of the Knights of Pythias
in Montana. In ,nsideratlon of
the deep interest he has ever man
lfestt d, the Jealous care he has exer-
cised over its welfare, the scrupulous
regard he has cherished and demon
strated was duly appreciated and be-
fore the close of yesterdays work
the Grand Lodge conferred upon
Brother Miles the rank of Past Grand
Chancellor, the very highest rank a
Knight can receive IN che grand insti-
tuition. There are but two others of
the same rank in the Territory, viz.
T. n. Kleinschmidt and W.T.. Breth-
ertop.
The Supreme Representative for
four years, p. q. G. w, T.. Brother
ton.
For two years, P. G. G. X. Cole.
Recognizing the importance of this
event and approaching the honor
conferred upon Butte by the meet
ing and organization of the Grand
Lodge, the members of Butte's three
subordinate lodges resolved upon
clarifying the occasion In a manner
becoming the Knights of 30 wealthy
q city.
Everything the most refined taste
could suggest has been forthcoming
and every device known to the COM
mittees employed to make the entire
affair q brilliant success.
THE AMPHITHEATRE,
The largest building in the Territory,
capable Of accommodating 5000 pso-
pie was secured and promptly at 81
o'clock last night the impressive GER
emonies of Installation were per-
formed. The North end Of the
great hall was ornamented by dis
play Of swords, spears, battle axes
aud armors belonging to theerder in
tersperced with flags and festoons of
ribbon. On the right hung the ban
ner of the subordinate lodges, on the
left the American dag. Underneath
the words in colors I" Welcome to the
Grand Lodge Kni1hts of Pvthias of