Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-10-23
GRAND LODGE KNIGHTS OF Ply.
THIAS.

The Grand Lodge of West Virginia
K. OF p, was organized in 1869 al
Berkeley Springs; shortly after the
Order was engrafted in the State, the
first lodge being Washington No. /.
The following knights who assisted
In the organization of the Grand
Lodge were present on this occasion
who may justly be styled among the
veterans of the Order: P. G. Chan.
celiors, VIM. Gerhardt, G.. F. Smith,
and q. r. Smith. Prominent among
the members of the Grand Lodge at
this convention as live workers in the
Order were P. S. Representatives,
Manner Jenkins, Bernard Stanley, j.
ii. Stout, P. G. Chancellors, Il. d.
Bennett and G. P. Warner, besides
many other knights as active and
energetic workers in the Order.
The Mountain State" is not as
thickly settled as many of her sister
States, and is not dotted over with as
many towns, and here the Order cam
not be expected to be as strong nu-
merically as in some other jurisdic-
tions. Nevertheless, West Virginia
was one of the first to wheel into line
in the march of the Order in its ear
lier history, starting at Martinsburg
with Washington Lodge No /; at
whose invitation the Grand Lodge
convened this year in their Castle
Hall.
The Grand Lodge Officers were
present and representative from
nearly all the Subordinate Lodges,
together with number of Past Chan
cellors, so that the Grand Body mum.
bered about 60 members. The morn
ing session was consumed mainly in
reporting on credentials and organi-
cation in proper form. The Grand
Chancellor, Grand Master of Exche-
quer and the Grand X. of r. & S.,
read their annual reports which gave
evidence of the good condition of the
Order in the jurisdiction both as to
the composition of its membership
and of its finances. The report of
the G. c.. was referred to a special
committee consisting of p. G.. Chan
cellors, VIM. Gerhardt, Bernard
Stanley and Grand Rep. l.. Davis.
Tho Gro,,1 o1o e.,
the afternoon, having accepted an
invitation from Washington Lodge
to join in the parade at p. M, at
tend the lecture at 1880 p. M. and
afterwards partake of the banquet.
Delegates from Grafton, Piedmont,
Parkersburg and Keyser joined the
knights of Martinsburg, together
with number of visitors from vari-
Gus Subordinate Lodges of the State.
One pleasant feature of the parade
was the part taken by the uniformed
Knights of Magnolia Lodge ofSharps-
burg, Maryland. Their ardor and
zeal in the good cause deserve the
commentator Of all and the thanks
of Washington Lodge. In all, the
line of procession numbered perhaps
800 and presented fine and impos-
ing appearance. The procession was
headed by the Martinsburg City
Band, whose music so tastefully dis
coursed gained universal applause.
At 1880 p. M, the Grand Lodge, all
the visiting knights, and a large
number of citizens assembled in the
Opera House, where the exercises
were of very interesting character.
After an appropriate invocation Of
fered by Rev. J. r. Andrew, the adj
dress of welcome on behalf of Wash
ington Lodge and the Mayor of the
City, was delived by p. G. G. VIM.
Gerhardt and responded to by the G.
X. of r. & S., j. r. Smith. The
former Knight then introduced Past
Supreme Chancellor, J. ii. Rathbone,
of Washington City, the founder Of
the Order, who delivered a lecture on
True Pythianism," prefaced by a
brief sketch of the origin and aims of
the Order. The venerable lecturer
held the large audience spell-bound
for nearly an hour. The perfectquiet
and rapt attention of the audience
gave evidence of the merit of the lee
ture and the appreciation of the large
and intelligent assembly.
The Grand Lodged visitors, and
number of ladies and gentlemen of
the City then repaired to Feller's Hall
to partake of the banquet rendered by
Washington Lodge. This banquet
was gotten up by Knight John Eel
lers, and was grand affair, eliciting
praise from all present, who enjoyed
it with perfect gusto.
The Grand Lodge convened again
ON Wednesday morning at 9 A. NJ,
and took up the revision of the Con-
stitution and By. laws for Grand and
Subordinate Lodges, which consumed
the greater portion of the time Of the
session. At night the final session
was held which lasted until nearly
midnight. The usual routine of bus
mess was transacted, together with
the exemplification of the secret work,
the election and installation of Off
GERS; appointing standing commit
tee, selecting place of meeting for
the next session, &c.
The officers for the ensuing year
are p. G. &C. p. Warner G..
C.-J. H. Moore; G. V. &C. H.
Shives G. P.-J. w. Mather; G.. NJ.
E.-J. F. Smith G. X. of r. & S.
j. r. Smith; G. NJ. at Al. Fl.
Smith; G. L. G.-E. A. Frost; G. o.
CT. F. Staub.
The session was very pleasant and
harmonious one, and will long be re-
membered. The next convention
will take place. at Wellstown, Oct.
18th, 1887. g.
Fine weather, but rain much need
ed.
The proprietors of Salvation Oil, the
greatest cure on earth for pains, will pay
| a large reward if any certificate publish