The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-10-10
EXHIBITION DRILLS.

EXHIBITION DRILLS.
Several Communicates Display Their Pro-
fciency I'm Templar Tactics at the Ball Park.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9.-The feature of the
second day of the grand triennial conclave
was the exhibition drill, which was given
at the grounds of the Washington Base
bali Club. Tempered as it was by the rays
of the warm autumn sun, the chilly wind
which swept through the grand-staD
proved of little discomfort to the numero a.
spectators, the majority of whom were
handsomely attired ladies. The bleaching
boards were not crowded, although there
was liberal sprinkling of on-lookers bask-
ing in the sun and admiringly applauding
the graceful exhibitions of the command
cries taking part in the drill. The first
organization to put in its appearance with
in the white-washed diamond was the
Apollo Commandery, No. Is, of Troy, N. Y.
Marching over the level green sward with
precision of movement which surprised
and pleased the assemblage, the command
cry fell into hollow squares. tri angles.
circles and crosses with rem arkable
accuracy and precision. While the band sta
toned at the stand played martial airs the
commandery formed battalion front and
marched firmly towards the grand-stand,
the occupants of which We're liberal with
their applause. A sword-drill followed.
and the fencing was of the highest order of
merit. Again ranks were formed, and the
most attractive evolutions of the drill were
made. Marching in single file in a con-
centrate circle untll the whole body of men
stood statuesque in n solid mass. the APP
pearance presented was very fine. Again
assuming battalion front, the cOmmandery
made the sword salute to the exhibition
committee and retired. giving place to
Louisville COmmandery, No. ], of Louis
Vile, KY, which, as it marched into the in
closure twenty minutes later, preceded by
its military band, playing my Old Ken
tucky Home" was greeted with generous
applause. The commandery, which had
twenty-seven Knights in line. was dressed
in the regulation uniform. The music was
furnished by the bands belonging to the
respective bodies participating In
the drill. The marching and counter
ticularlys fine. The several intricate
ev0lutiOns of the drill were executed with
an exactness that elected almost constant
applause from the spectators.
To the inspiring strains of "DiXie" the
DeMolay Commandery. No. 10. of Louis
Vile, paraded in company front before the
grand-stand amid the plaudits of the on
lockers Then the twenty-seven men form
front and saluted the committee. This
organization drilled without music, and its
evolutions were unique, its marching in
double cross form and IN open ranks being
especially effective. The drilling was per-
lection ITSELF the members of the Organiza-
tion moved with the accuracy of SO many
pieces Of complicated machine. At the
close of their evolutions they ranged in
battalion front with drawn swords and re-
ceived through their officers magnificent
floral tribute from the hands of lady who
was escorted by the grand commander of
Kentucky.
The next commandery to enter the field
was Detroit, No. !. of Detroit. Mich. There
were fifty-six Knights in line. and they
marched in battalion front across the
grounds in front of the grand-stand. they
presented a truly magnificent appearance.
They were commanded by Col. Eugene
EcbinsOn. mounted, and were escorted by
a guard bearing the stars and stripes aud
comm; ndery banner. The drilling of this
commandery was confined strictly to mill
tary movements which were perfected in
a seeming faultlesS manner. The allgn-
nents and wheeling were something mar
'velOus. Altogether the commandery acquit-
ted itself with great honor. The applause
which followed each mastery executed
the the admiration Of the 1000 specta-
tors present. Although tho cOmmandery
man9uvred for more than an hour there
was no weariness manifested by the spec
tators, and when, as the climax, the body
ranged itself at swords rest. and after per-
forming the duties of dress parade, sheathed
its weapons in soldier like manner. and
retired, preceded by it's band. resplendent
popular Yankee Doodle" the enthusiasm
was great.
Under the escort of the De MoIay Com
mandery. of Louisville. the lads composing
the Little Commandery,n of the Masonic
Home of that city, made their salutatiOns
Their appearance and military bearing did
credit to their training, and in precision of
step and fine evOlutlOns they Out-mastered
many of the older and more experienced
organizations. Elastic circle was an at
tractive feature of their drill, and their
sword exercise was worthy of the high
praise which was freely accorded it.
No other, organizations participated in
the drill, which was purely one for the pur-
pose Of exhibiting the degree of perfection
in military man9uyres attained by the
Templar Communicates. A small admission
fee was exacted, and the receipts Will be
expended in Masonic charities.
Parade of Mystic Shrine Mobiles.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9.-TO-day's spectacu-
lar feature of the grand encampment,
Knights Templars, was the parade of the
Mobiles of the Mystic Shrine. The proees-
sion formed near the Treasury building and
marched thence, by Fifteenth, X and Ninth
streets and Pennsylvania avenue, to the
Capitol, countermarching thence to the
place of starting. Owing to its novelty
and the air of mystery surrounding
the order, the affair attracted con-
siderable attention, and the pavements
along the line of march were thronged with
spectators. Lulu Temple. of Philadelphia.
turned out over 200 Mobiles nearly all in
the regulation uniform, and was altogether
the most notable body In the gathering. AT
its head marched the Shrine Rand of
twenty pieces, the only one in the country.
Their uniform was of the fancy-dress ball
order.
Osman Temple, of ST. Paul. Mimi. caused
much amusement among the spectators by
carrying the blanket" strong canvas
sheet with convenient handles upon which
candidates for admission are tossed during
initiation. Mr.: A. w. Kelly. of Almas
Temple, of Washington, was chief marshal.
Almas Temple. headed by the Marine
Band, had the right Of line, and
was followed by Pyramid Temple.
of Bridgeport, Conn. FL Jebel Temple. of
Denver came next followed in succession