Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-07

scented at the conclaye and the knights who
have come to Washington to represent this
grand body are well qualified for the duty.
The commandery dates from 1s49, in which
year it was granted an existence without a
charter. The first commander was Right Emil
nent SIR Athanasius Colo Veloni, in whose inn,
The Goat and Grldiron," the early meetings
were held, attended by such men as John W..
Timson, Chas. g. Waterbury. John b. Ewing,
Robert E. Roberts, Thomas Hyatt, John ].
CrOwell, NJ. J. Drummond. Daniel Sickles, Jno.
lnniss, Azariah Fisk, W. II. Apologize and
Chas. W. Willets.
and informal. being written on the fly leaf of
an account book.
The uniform adopted was that OF a black
velvet scarf and shield-shaped apron; the
former had nine-pointed star, in the center
OF which was Latin cross entwined by SER
pent; above the cross a cock and paschal lamb
and at the point where the scarf crossed the
shoulder a hve-pointed star; below the star,
which rested upon the breast of the wearer,
appeared Templar cross in silver, while at
the point of intersection OF the scarf below
hung a pearl-handled silver dagger inches
long. The hat was a Spanish sombrero with the
rim turned up on the right side and fastened
with silver passion cross. and the crown was
ornamented with black and white ostrich
plumes; black leather belt. from which hung
sword somewhat similar to that worn by the
United States infantry; black coat and trousers,
with buff gauntlets, completed the outfit.
The encampment first appeared in public on
the occasion Of the obsequies CT the late Ma
Gen VIM. Jenkins Worth in their uni
forms in June, lS49. In 1880 the encampment
participated in the mock funeral at Troy, Ny,
commemorative of the death Of Gen. Zachary
Taylor. under the commander. Eminent Sir \.
Colo Neloni and were the lions of the city on
that occasion. In February, 1851. Most Emil
nent Sir James Hageman, grand master, on
petition, granted this body a disDenSation to
continue Its labors under the jurisdiction of
the Grand encampment of the state and at
the annual conclave Of the Grand encamp-
ment IN June a warrant granted. In
March number of the members Identified foi
the purpose of entering Morton commandery.
No. 4. which was lahguishing. and managed to
put 1t on a successful basis From this time on
for several years Palestine was lettering her.
self, and it was only through the most strenu-
Gus efforts OF a few devoted men that the body
was Kept together. The election Of Sir
Cornell as eminent commander in 1856 was the
beginning of better DAYS, although at this time
the commanderys treasury was not at all
plethOric. Bot Palestine beginning to
gain name among other Templar organiza-
lions because o. the form and manner in which
the ritual was rendered. The membership
was GROWN. and 1t seemed as though the days
Of darkness had passed forever. Among the
members admitted in 1856 was Gen. J. Ii.
Hobart Ward, who distinguished himself as a
brigade commander during the war and as a
prominent Templar since then.
In 1859 Sir Cornell, aftsr having served the
commandsry thrss terms and bringing ii from
chaos to solidlty, retired from office. In this
year began disssn.lOns in the ranks OF the
IemPlaTs, breaking out in open disorder ut the
election OF officers ia April. 1860 when several
memosrs, among them Sir Cornell, Identified.
Inc commandery was nearly bankrupt, and it
was with difficulty that sufficient money was
raised to entertain the visiting knights Of the
Washington commsndery, making pilgrimage
TO New \ ork that year. This was DONE how
ever, IL such . manner - to call forth resolu-
tion OF thanks, signed by b. b. French, grand
master. The disssnsion did not cease until tn.
year 1854, whom good feeling returned to the
ranks aud the commsndery was in . heslthfuI
condition once more. June 3, 1861, John III.
Author, who was subsequently elected grand
master of Masons of the state of New York
was admitted to the order Of Red Cross in
Palestine commandsry.
December 20. 1863. Companion Robert NJ. c.
Graham petitioned for the honors of knight
hood Since that date this sir knight has been
promoted to the hig and exalted office Of state
soverelgn grand commander, 33d, for New York,
In Scottish Rite Masonry.
June ., 1870, the commandery participated in
the laying OF the cornerstone Of the new Ma
sonic temple, which was afterward partially
DESTROYED by fire.
The commandery made a pilgrimage to the
Philadelphia centennial in May, 1876, carrying
one hundred and fifteen knights and fifteen
ladies. They made a splendid show and were
the heroes of the march.
April IA, 1873, the commandery gave the first
Of those annual receptions that have become
famous and that bring into the treasury u large
sum yearly for charitable purposes, and later in
the year nearly hundred knights made grand
pilgrimage to Detroit, Mich, where they were
royalty entertained.
In 1882 the commandsry visited Boston, and
In 1854 Buffalo and Niagara were visited. Wash
ington was the objective point Of the pilgrim
age of 1856, 65 knights with ladies making the
trip, there being l03 in the party. They were
the guests OF Columbia commsndery, and were
given a welcome such as the knights of Wash
ingtOn always extend to their brethren.
The commandery reached this city Tuesday,
November IL. ami returned home the Thurs
day following. In recognition of his services
Is entertainer Eminent Sir James T. Waugh.
past commander of Columbia. was elected an
honorary member Of Palestine. On June q.
1857, the membership Of the commandery was
Active members, 1858; life members, II; honor
airy members. "a total Of 1871.
Those who have held the Office OF eminen,
commander are follows: A. Colo yeloni
49-5l-54-55; John b. Ewing, 52-53; Charles II.
Cornell, 56-55; Enoch p. Breed 59-Gl; John A.
Letferts, 62-67; John f. Baldwin, IS; Geo. Van
Nhet, 6s-12; Ellwood y. ThOme, 1916; Henry
v. Myers, az; George W. Skellen, 1879: Thos.
b. Rand, s0-S2; Eugene s. Eunson, 80; j. Mar
tin Layman, 81; Jas. W. Bowden. 1851
The present uniform of the commandery
which was adopted December 10. 1882, consists
ehapeau. with one white and two black plumes
buff gauntlet, white baldric emblazoned with
star and trimmed with black velvet, a red belt
and sword.
The present officers are: E. Sir Alfred TAYLOR
commander; Sir Stewart 4. Brsdburn, general
tssimo; Sir Wallace A. Downs captain general
i. Sir John +. Baldwin,
excellent prelate; r. E. FY.AA
Sir John ". Worrall, ID. &SS
D.. Sir Chas. i. Deems, ~ S
DID, associate prslstss; n NSN
Sirs Joseph II. Barker, - 49,. NJ
senior warden; Geo. +. 4 CD ESE M
Lawris. junior warden; \ u ~ ]"
Jas A. Rich. treasurer; 4ml -
Chas. =. Champlin. re- HXA n
corder: J. Fred. Acker, 6aA
IT., standard bearer; n
VIM. p. Mitchell. sword N>yz
bearer; Chas. G. Brax-
mar. wardsr; Robert G. I~0SEA
Larson, Fred. L Barnes w ~
ii. w. Schsidemantle
third guards; George I'm COW r.xrop
Michel, Edward Il. Slayback y = Con,.,o,L
second guards; Geo. ". FngIisb Geo NJ S,;i,
:. =. Hitchcock. first guards; Fred. A. Burn,
ham, Judge advocate; S. II. Ellison, II. ID
EdsOn- ID 80