Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-09-23
KNIGHTS TEMpLARS.
rHS rwyxrY.rHrRD rRIxrErAE CON.
cLAvE AT ST. LOUIS.
rhs City Tbropgea with People 70 WIZ
mesa the Days fessivities-Ihe
Grand Competitive Drill
and Grand Concert.
inv ,elesr.pb 70 The Dlspstch.l

lBy telegraph 70 the Disps'on'i
ST. LOUIS, September 22.--The
KNIGHTS Templars "a attendance upon
their twent, third trienuial conclaye,
Thousands Of visitors, and numbers
of citizens devoted their time to-
dsy to the charity exercises at the
fairgrounds for the benefit Of the
widows and Orphans Masonic Hall.
Early this morning the streets were
tbronped with thousands on their way
thither. There was no room for one
more on ANY Of the street-cars run to
the grounds. and vehicles Of every de-
scription were utilized TO convey eager
spectators 70 the scene OF the knights
Templars' competitive drill and the Gil
more concert The Merchants Ex-
change held no session In honor OF the
event, and released their clerks as well
as their employers. They wasted little
time in proceeding to the grounds. AS
the morning passed away, the usually
busy streets became almost deserted,
so many awaited themselves Of the OPP
portupity Of contributing to the chari-
table cause. The only class Of people
present in the city who did not general
ly attend the exercises we're the men,
bers Of the Grand Encampment, whose
meeting at ii O'Clock made it absolute
ly impossible for them 10 leave the city.
They were represented however by
few who obtained leave 10 absent them
selves from their meeting.
An hour before the time for the grand
drill, which was TO open the proceed
ipes of to-day at the fairgrounds,
streams OF people began pouring
through the gates, and by 10 o'clock
the free stands were more than half
filed, while the grand and other re-
served stands were occupied by hum
dIeds. The ladies seemed TO form at
least half the audience. The fair
grounds, which are among the finest in
the world, presented a beautiful appear
ance. The rains of yesterday had
cleansed every thing, while the winds aud
bright sunshine OF the morning had dried
the grass and rendered promenading
q decided pleasure, although the turf
was little soft for the purpose of
driving. The huge platform erected
within the race.track for the concert,
which is to form perhaps the chief
attraction Of the day, was gaily deco.
rated with banners and emblems, as
were the grand stands, booths, exhibit
balls, and the snowy tents pitched on
the lawn for the use Of the commando
ries entered for the drill. The bands
and Communicates entered for the drill
were early in the grounds, and were
escorted to their positions by squadrons
from the local Communicates. BY III
O'Clock fully 10000 spectators were
on the ground, and the stream of
newcomers was unchanged and
more dense than ever. The COM
manderies as they marched to the
psIade-gIouDds were received with |
loud applause, which grew into tn.
multi as those OF national repute APP
peared. Jackson, No. Q, Of Jackson,
Mich, was the first on the grounds, |
and the other competitors in the drill
came in the following order Detroit,
No. l, of Detroit, Mich. Louisville,
No. /, of Louisville, KY; st. Bernard,
No. Is, Of Chicago; De Molay, No. IL,
Of Louisville; Roper, No. l, of Indian
apolis, Ind, and Zion, No. 2, Of Mime
spolis. Owing to the fact that no
prizes or diplomas we're to be awarded,
and no official decision as to the merits
OF TIE competition was to be announced,
the utmost good feeling prevailed.
The competitive drill was success
and was witnessed by many thousands
Of persons.
In the afternoon occurred the great
concert, led by P. S. Gilmore. A con- |,
seryatiye estimate Of the number of au-
ditors would place it at $4,000, though |
il was estimated as high as 100000.
Whatever the actual number, it was |
sufficient to prevent those on the out
skirts Of the crowd hearing much of the
music.
Among the pieces played were the
following Concert Polka, for comets,
by 1873 comets, with accompaniment
by united bands; Columbia by |
united bands, with artillery sccOmpani.
ment; Pilgrims Chorus, from ~
Lombardi," by $50 trombones, tenor
horns, baritones, and euphoniums. ac-
compsnied by united bands " Anvil
Chorus" performed by united bands
and drum.corps, with accompaniment
Of fifty anyils.
Tonight the second illumination OF
the city occurred, continuing from 8
O'Clock until midnight. Tomorrow the
grand parade will follow the plans made
for the parade interrupted Tuesday,
and promises to prove as successful as
it would have been but for the post
ponement.
RICHMOND COMMANDERY IN ST.
LOUIS.
ST. LOUIS, NO., September o.
Richmond Commandery, No. 2, was
prevented from parsdipg on account of
rain. Grand-Commander Withers is |
still confined to his bed and unable to
appear in public.
Most of the Virginia knights will re-
turn ria Chicago, leaving here Thurs
day night after the trades parade.
Prominent among the decorations are
the flags loaned by General Lee.