Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-10-12
K. OF L. GALA DAY.
THE KNIGHTS PARADE ANDPESTIVAL AT
RICHMOND.
White Men Of the Local Assembly Refuse to March
With the COlOred Msn-GrOans and Cheers
Greet District Assembly 49-The Gen
eral Officers Applauded

RICHMOND, VA, October 11.-To-day
was devoted by the delegates of the Cen
eral Assembly of Kn' 'ghts of Labor to the
enjoyment of the entertainment arranged
in their honor by the Knights of the Local
Assemblies in this city. In accordance
with the Mayors proclamation all the city
offices were closed in order to permit the
employees to take part in the days festivi-
ties. Nearly all the workshops, manufac-
tories and other establishments were also
closed. Early this morning white and
colored Knights were seen everywhere,
dressed in holiday attire, wearing badges
and insignia of their order. The del
egates to the General Assembly were
to assemble at 8O'clock at Armory Hall,
but it was long past that hour when
they received word to fall in line and
proceed to Broad and Fourth streets, where
the procession was formed. After 10
o'clock, when the word March" was
given, the delegates and local assemblies
with headquarters west of Tenth street,
marched down Broad street to Twentienth,
where they were Joined by the assemblies
of the eastern end of the city. Then the
entire body marched to Main street, to
Laurel, thence to the State Fair Grounds
at the upper end of the city. The process
sion was headed by squad of police Be-
hind them rode on horseback Grand Mar
shal Lynch, white and colored aids riding
on either side of him. Behind the march
ing men rode in carriages Mr.. Powderly,
members of the Executive Board, other
leading delegates, and the baby delegate,
the three-weeks-old daughter of District
Master Workman Rogers, of Chicago.
A FEW COLORED WOMEN.
A few colOred women rode in carriages,
bringing up the rear of this part of the pro-
cessiOn. The right of line of the local
Knights was held by Pioneer Assembly
3,572, Of Richmond, composed of cOlored
knights headed by a cOlored band. Then
came white assemblies again, and bringing
up the rear were colored assemblies. The
streets along the route was lined with
spectators. The eastern end of the city
especially was thronged, the entire colored
population seeming to have turned out to
witness the parade. Very few of the white
members of the local Assemblies responded
to the order of the Master Workman TO
participate in the parade. 1t is reported
that a fine of two dollars will be
imposed upon each contrary member. The
refusal of the whites to turn out was due
to the presence of colOred Knights in the
procession. There was not colored
knight of the city who was not in line.
The refusal of resident whites to partici-
pate spurred them up to duty, and they
were highly elated. So far rs could be
seen, good feeling prevails. AS the pro-
CesSion moved up the streets the members
of District 40 received
CHEERS AND GROANS,
but the General Officers were given uni
yersal ovation The procession was exactly
23 minutes passing given point. -Four
men marched abreast, and by actual count
there were 2S65 Knights in line. Adding
those who were not Knights, but were i'll
line. the procession was composed of about
1, 900 persons.
IIC NHllSS "hV NClC hOt
delegates were about equal in numbers,
but of the Richmond Assemblies the blacks
were in the majority. There were many
visiting Knights from Petersburg, Fred
cricksburg and other contiguous cities.
Excursions were run into the city this
morning from nearly all the points within
fifty miles miles of Richmond. The
weather was beautiful and the day was
one of enjoyment for all. There will be
no session of the convention until a. m.
tomorrow.
The entertainment ut the Fais Grounds
concluded with a banquet to the visiting
delegates White and colored delegates
sat together ut the tables. There were
present several women delegates, and sew
cOlOred women.
The idea of giving ball was abandoned
ut the last moment. The committee gave
no reason for the change in the programme.