The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-20
THE PYTHIAN CELEBRATION.
The Twenty-Second Anniversary of the
Order Appropriately Observed.
Sir Knights Dedicate the Remodeled Castle
Hall to the Work of Wonderful
Growth and DeyelopmentofP ythianism.

Commemorative of the twenty-second ami
versary of the order, the indianapolis lodges of
the Knights of Pythias dedicated, last evening,
their new hall to the work of Pluto" relating
to the '.Ampliied Third Rank" This rank or de-
gree is the highest attainable thus far among
the knights, and the ceremonies attending it
are said to be OF magnificent pretensions. vieing
In these with the best Of other orders not ex-
cepting Masonry or Odd-fellowship. Castle
Hall, at the corner of Pennsylvania and Market
streets, to meet the demands of this rank, and OF
Its highest work, has been arranged with com
pleteness in appurtenances and paraphernalia
1t is claimed that it is the only hall in
the United States especially fitted
for the amplifed work. OF course the
ceremonies were secretly conducted
but it was an occasion of more
than ordinary interest in the presence of Pythian
notables and many brethren from ali parts of the
State For weeks arrangements for this event
have been in progress, and during this time the
invitation committee, l. N. Walker, J. M. Ryder
and G. G. Koerner, have diligently sent out hun
dreds of requests for the attendance of the or
ders leading men. Many kilograms and letters
of regret were received. but the non-attendance
of the writer's was due solely to some local or
State observance of the anniversary The SUI
preme vice-chancellor. Howard Douglass, of Gin
cinnati, who is likely to be chosen supreme
chancellor of the world at the next meeting of
the Supreme Lodge wrote that he could not
leave Cincinnati, although he would like to meet
the indianapolis knights, because he
had been selected to preside at the
ceremonies in that city. However, the
supreme chancellor, John Van Valkenburg,
Of Fort Madison, Ia, came as did the supreme
keeper of the seals and records, Judge R. E.
Cowan, of ST. Louis. The grand chancellor Of
Indiana, "a. a. Francis, of Michigan City and
grand vice-chancellor, Charles E. Shively, were
also here. The following knights of local lodges
attended to the reception of visitors: Marion,
No. l. Charles A. Park and James Johnson
Olive Branch, No. g. W. Fl. Orpwood. secretary.
and Theodore McCune; Koerner, No. 6, c. G.
Koerner and Charles j. Schmidt STAR No Z. I.
N. Walker, chairman, and w. l.. Heiskeli; Ex-
celsior. No. 25 Robert Smith, treasurer. and
James Maudin; Indianapolis No. Sc. j. M.
Ryder and D. M Purman
The ceremonies in the hall were under the di-
rection of Dr. w. L. Heiskel, of this city, who
has had much to do in accomplishing
the work of changing the castle to
During the evening the "Amplifed Third Rank"
was conferred six esquires, which brought
the proceedings up to a late hour. A pleasing
feature OF this quiet celebration was the means
.. soclai entertainment AFFORDED by the local and
visiting brethren.
Twenty-Five years ago last night the first
knights of Pythias lodge in the world was
opened in Washington, d. c., with very limited
membership, by Jas. H. Rathbone For two
years the new orders interests were confined to
that city, and it was not until after the war, in
1866, that the second lodge was instituted. Since
then the Pythians have had marvellous growth
OF membership and influence, giving
them lodges in every State and Terri
tory of the Union, as we'll as in
the Dominion of Canada. From scarcely hun
dred members, twenty years ago, the order has
advanced to a membership of 200, 600, which gives
it third grade with the Masons and Odd-fel-
lows In this State there are 6odges with 15 900
members. There is also. auxiliary to the knights
Of Pythias, an endowment and uniform ranks.
The first is doing great work in the payment
OF benefits. and the latter maintains military
excellence and display that have made it very
popular feature. Of the uniform rank, James
r. Carnahan, of this city, ia major general 1t
has large numbers formed into brigades in Cali
fornia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri,
Ohio and Pennsylvania and new regiments are
being organized rapidly in other States.