The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-20
THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS.
Arrival of the California Delegations-COm-
pletiOn of Arrangements for the Conclave.

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 19-Early last evening the
the Union Depot, to act as reception committee
and escort to the arriving knights. Up to the
arrival of trains this evening, however, they had
little to do. but few Communicates appearing as
organized bodies. Every train, though, brought
Its quota Of visitors to the twenty-third trien-
NAL conclave and it was estimated that by 5
o'clock fully 1000 Knights were already in
the city, and large additions to this number
were made when the evening trains discharged
their cargoes. Despite the threatening weather,
a vast amount of work in the way of decorating
streets and buildings was done during the day,
but many of the fne and more perishable displays
will not be exposed until Tuesday morn
Ing in order to preserve them from the
clements. The event of the day in the matter
OF arrivals was the appearance OF the California
delegation. who came in on three trains. With
their ladies they numbered fully 700. They were
accompanied by the First Infantry and Second
Artillery bands. and a grizzly bear cub which at
tracted even more attention than the bands
The Californlans were the first arrivals, COM
ing in commanderies and comprising besides
representatives of many others. the follow
ing eommanderies California, No. l, 100 Knights
and go ladies; Golden Gate, No l, 160 knights
and 70 ladies'; Sacramento, No 2, 80 Knights and
ladies' Nearly every commandery in the
State was represented by one or more
members. The visitors were escorted
to the hotel, the Laclede, by Ivanhoe Comman-
derry, No g. mounted, of ST. Louis. and the
march from TIE depot to the hotel was the chief
Htrset event of the day.
At 2:30 this afternoon the first number of the
weeks programme was given in the devotional
exercises held at the Exposition Music Hail. An
Immense audience. numbering fully 1000 peo-
ple including fully 1900 Knights. was in at
tendance, and hundreds were turned away. The
services were from the ritual were conducted
by Very Eminent Sir DR.. George c. Belts, grand
prelate of the Grand Encampment. assisted by
Right Eminent Sir DR.. John D. Vincil, and in
terspersed by unusually fine musical pro-
gramme, in which several local societies partici-
pated forming a chorus of nearly six hundred
voices, under the direction of Prof Egmont
Proehlich.
The actual work of the conclave.will not begin
until Tuesday The day tomorrow will be de-
voted to the reception of visitors the majority
of whom are expected to arrive before tomorrow
night In the evening the city will be illumin-
ated, and the various local Communicates will
hold receptions at their respective headquarters.
The meetings OF the Grand Encampment will be
held in the small hall of the Exposition Building,
which has been appropriately decorated with
emblems and banners for the occasion, The
stage setting has been specially prepared the
scenes being historical and emblematical of the
Masonic order The committee having in charge
the arrangements and conduct of the conclave
held its final meeting this afternoon, and at the
conclusion announced every thing complete and
working without the slightest friction. Nothing
is now needed TO make the concave q success
but good weather, and the outlook in that regard
Ia excellent at the prese ut time