The Portland daily press., 1889-04-02
ST. ALBAN coMMANpERY.
a Full Description Of Their Proposed
Tour to Richmond.

Tour to Richmond.
st. Alban Commandery, K. T. Of Portland
has completed arrangements for escorting
the Sir Eminent Grand Commander of Maine
and his suite to Washington to attend the
triennial conclaye of the Grand Encampment
to be holden in that city October Sth to 18th.
In connection with this the Commandery
win visit Gettysburg, Caverns of Luray,
Richmond and Mount Vernon.
The time of the year is the most desirable
that could be chosen for an excursion to the
South. For hundreds of miles the route lies
through region which Is rich in associa-
tions with our country's early history and
the late war. Scores of battlefields, besides
that Of Gettysburg, are scattered along the
route, which in fact, is through some OF the
most historic and picturesque sections Of
Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia.
The Commandery will leave the Asylum
on Thursday, October 3rd, at D. m, headed
by Chandler's Band, for the Portland &
Rochester station and embark upon spec
ial train Of Pullman parlor cars for Worces-
ter. where the first stop will be made for the
purpose OF taking supper, after which the
journey will be continued to New London,
where steamer will be in waiting to carry
the Pilgrims to New York. Each Sir knight
will 6nd state room accommodations in readi-
ness for him, and all cares for train fees, Of
baggage, assumed by the special conductor
of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, who
will accompany the Commandery on the en-
tire journey.
Friday morning the Commandery will ar
rive in New York, and will be Immediately
transferred to Jersey City where breakfast
will be taken, after which the Sir Knights
will embark upon special train made up of
the PENNSYLVANIA railroads finest East Lake
coaches for Harrisburg, arriving at about 3
p. m. eredinner will be ready, after which
theijourney will be continued to Gettysburg,
where supper and lodging will be provided
at the Eagle Hotel son s,o7c
Saturday, October 5th, breakfast over, the
Commandery will be conveyed in carriages
over the battlefields, accompanied by guide
who will explain the various positions Of the
different regiments and point out the most
important points of interest. The battle
field Of Gettysburg Is acknowledged to be the
best marked Of any in the world, nor is there
any on which memorials of valor are more
abundant. The memory Of heroes and the
perpetuation Of noble actions are kept alive
by shaft or tablet, and the entire course of
the contest can be traced by these monumen-
tai stones. Ii Is the Mecca Of American
valor.
Returning to the Eagle Hotel for dinner,
the pilgrims will leave Gettysburg at d. M
retraclHg their steps OF the day previous
eyaE.tpa-G, &. e. railroad, and take the
where supper will be served. Following the
line OF kthe Shenandoah Valley railroad
from Hagerstown, almost every name recalls
"reminiscences of the late war The battle-
field of Antietam, dotted now by the white
gravestones Of fallen heroes, is skirted by
the RAILROAD. The entire length Of the Vir-
ginia valley was battle ground. Continu-
ing their journey through this historic re-
giOn, the Sir Knights will arrive at Luray
Inn during the evening, where quarters
have been engaged for them.
Sunday. Oct. 6th,, aftersbreakfast, a visit
will be made to the caverns. The caves
were discovered in 1873. and shortly after
were opened to the public. The full extent
OF their subterranean depths was not then
known or even dreamed of, and not until
thoroughly equipped exploring parties had
their boundless. riches disclosed. and made
accessible to visitors. A party sent out
from the Smithsonian Institution reports
that, comparing this great natural curiosity
say that there is probably no other cave in
the world more completely and profusely
| decorated with stalactite and stalagmite or
namentation than that of Luray. Plank and
| cement walks have been laid, stairways
bridges. and railways have been constructed
where needed, and the entire cave is illumi-
mated by electricity. Singularly free from
| dampness or dripping water, no special
| preparation for the visit is necessary in the
| matter of clothing. The vegetable garden,
| fish market, Elm ramble IAN open plateau
| 500 feet long and 100 feet in breadth), Pato's
| Chasm, Hovey's Hall, Giants Hall, Sara
| Gems Tent, cathedral, Crystal Lake are some
| of the attractive and wonderful parts OF
| these now world renowned caverns. An at
tempt to describe the wonders Of these cav
| erns in detail would prove hopeless task
Actual experience and close observation Is
| the only mode whereby any conception oi
the vastness and variety Of the caverns can
| be gained.
After dinner at the Luray Inn the Com.
mandery will re-emoark on the train and
proceed to Richmond where they will ar
| Hotel.
Monday. October 7th carriages will be
provided 70 visit the various. points of inter.
ST. Of that Iisstr historic city At LA II m. the
the the NATIONAL n5EaiS Capital p isSys oVer tho hS
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potoma'
railroad Points of note on this route ar,
| the ancient towns of Fredericksburg anC
Alexandria. The Potomac Is crossed by tn,
historic Long Bridge and the Pilgrims enteI
the handsome station Of the Baltimore &
Potomac railroad to which a tragic entire,
has heengiyen by the assassination of Pres
ident Garfield which occurred in its waiting
room, arriving in Washington on Monday
Oct. 7th, at about p. m. The Sir Knights
will have donned their uniform for the frs
time since leaving Portland and, headed by
the franklin Band Of Philadelphia, marcel
to the Arlington, their home while in tn,
city. The headquarters Of the Grand Com
mandery OF Maine will be in the Annex {,
Arlington. the historic Reyerdy johnson
house which St. Alban has secured for tha
purpose. The Arlington ID acknowledged
as the pest hotel In Washington, centrally
Treasury and the Executive Mansion, ant
within easy access to all public buildings
tuesday, Oct. Sth, the grand parade will
take place In which fully twenty-five thous
and knights Templar will participate
wednesday or Thursday will be devoted t,
ayisit to Mt. Vernon. sacred to the hear
Of every American. The remainde
OF the time will be devoted to. sightseeing
which the handsomest city in the world pre-
sents every opportunity. :,
start for home on the same train of Eas
Lake coaches which carried them there, go
ing over the Pennsylvania railroad. stopping
at Philadelphia for dinner and arriving ii
New York In time to take one of the Fal
River line of steamers. Supper and stat
rooms will be provided on hoard, the Com
mandery arriving In Boston Saturday morn
ing in time for breakfast, after which tn
Sir Knights will take special train Of Pull
man parlor cars for home, arriving in Port
land at 1880, giving ample time to those 81
Knights from the interior Of the State I
reach their homes the same day,
The pilgrimage will extend over perio
| of nine days, and will be in charge Of th
Pennsylvania Railroad Company. 1t will i
fact be one Of those se''Pennsylyania Tours"fo
which said company is so well known. Their
will be no opportunity for any Of tn
knights to spend any money, as everythin
for their comfort and welfare Is provided
and is included In the ticket, the price 0
which will be ST5.
The chairman Of the committee, Eminen
Sir A. g. Schlotterbeck, Is ready TO give an
additional information that may be wanted