, 1889-02-19
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Silver Anniversary of the Young,
but Powerful, Society.
How Organization was Quietly Ef-
fected in 1864.
History Of the Birth and Progress
of the Order insWyoming.

strongest as 1t Is one OF the youngest oil
our many fraternal societies.
1t is just twenty-five years ago that at
Temperance Hall" in the city of Wash
ington, "a number of gentlemen met"
so runs the record, and laid the founda.
ton of the order OF Knights of Pythias.
Never did men moro truly build wiser than
they knew. for even in that city of mag
nificent distances, the little handful of
earnest, perhaps romantic, men could
scarce look along down the vista of years
to the present anniversary day and ina
CINE the result OF their handiwork.
To-day a quarter of a million Knights
of Pythias are celebrating the silver an
niversary of the birth of their order
throughout every state and territory of
these United States, in Canada, her
maritime provinces, Manitoba, British
Columbia and aver across the stretch of
troubled waters which separate us from
the Hawaiian islands.
The story, the teachings of which are
embodied in the principles of this order,
the story of Damon and Pythias, is one
OF the most beautiful of all the wealth Of
legendary lore and the practical embodi-
ment of the lessons inculcated by the
story in the very essence of the order af-
fords the key to the wonderful success of
this young fraternity.
Recognizing the universally of human
brotherhood, its organization is designed
to embrace the world within its jurisdic-
ton; intended solely and only to dissent
nate the great principles of friendship,
charity and benevolence, nothing of a
sectarian or political character is permit
ted within its portals. liberation in re-
hgion, obedience to law and loyalty to
government are its cardinal principles.
Misfortune, misery and death being writ
ten in fearful characters on the broad face
of creation, the order was instituted to
upGft the fallen, to champion humanity,
to be his guide and hope; his refuge, shell
ter and defence; to soften down the asper-
tiles of life; to subdue party spirit and by
the sweet and powerful attractions of the
glorious trinity OF friendship, charity and
benevolence, to bind in one harmonious
brotherhood men of all classes and opin-
ions. The brightest Jewels which it gar
ners are the tears of the widows and or
phans, and its imperative demands are to
visit the homes where lacerated hearts are
bleeding; to assuage the sufferings of a
brother; bury the dead, care for the
widow and educate the orphan; to exer-
else charity toward offenders; to construe
words and deeds in their least unfavorable
light, granting honesty of purpose and
good intentions to others, and to protect
the principles of knighthood unto death.
Its laws are reason and equity; its cardi-
nal doctrines inspire purity of thought and
life; its intention is peace on earth and
good will toward men,"
With this declaration of principles the
order has gone out to fulfil its mission in
the community and with such practical ex-
hibitions of sincerity as to thoroughly win
the success it has achieved. Misfortune
throughout the land and pitiful disaster
have afforded opportunities for exercise of
friendship, charity and benevolence which
have not been carelessly or indifferently
overlooked. The order has furnished
nurses and poured from its Golfers sub
stantial aid to the fever ~scourged districts
OF the south; lessened the sufferings ofthe
earthquake shaken and fire devastated cit
les and in every community has given hui
mainly occasion to thankfully acknowledge
its faithful mission. The order, yet in
the strength and bloom of youth, has
called to its ranks the ardor and enthusi-
asm of the prime of life before the lessen
ing fires hare cooled aud approaching win
ter chilled the warmer impulses of the
heart.
The endowment rank af the order has
paid to the widows and orphans of the
order about 1000, 900 ofdollars; hundreds
of thousands of dollars have alleviated the
distress and sufferings of the worthy af
flicted, and at the chamber Of death the
open hand of sympathy has been extend
ed without stint.
The order has a mission and has faith
fully filed it. Hence its remarkable
growth.
In Wyoming are seven organized
lodges-one in Cheyenne-with an
active membership of some less than
five hundred. Cheyenne lodge No. 2, of
this city is the Oldest of the lodges in the
territory having been organized in 1875
succeeding Rocky Mountain Lodge No.
/, organized five years previous to that,
or within a half dozen years after the
establishment of the order. Cheyenne
Lodge No. has an active membership of
something more than 100, owns one of
the finest castle halls in the west and
stands well to the fore among our secret
societies.
In the uniform or military rank OF the
knights, Wyoming occupies a position of