Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1889-10-18
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, d. G. Oct. 16.

clJy lS tnelT6. Martlal music from
every quarter of the city an
their arrival and settle
ment in quarters secured for them,
in many cases months previous to
their coming. Friday and Satur-
day, Washington was the receiv-
er of unfriendly blasts from the
north west, premature hints that
hoary headed winter was hanging
cl 1se to the hem of summer gar
ments; and house keepers here
went deeply into their cedar chests
and camphor wood boxes, unearth-
ing over coats, furs and blankets
and the odor of camphor and tar
balls was waited you in passing
along, as the necessity was 80 sud-
den the usual airing was dispens-
ed with. This was the weather
Washington had on hand to well
come the gallant knights and their
winsome ladies'. They came from
the so called chilling North, the
region of the Sunny South to find
it metamorphosed.
The wind howled and tossed the
branches of the trees, lavishingly
scattering the leaves upon the
side walks, it nipped the fingers
and redeemed the noses in a most
lunbecoming way. Great fears and
doubts were entertained that
Tuesdays grand parade would be
marred by unfavorable skies and
piercing winds as the great clouds
gathered and rolled and tumbled
in towering masses overhead.
Snow was predicted for the morn
ing, instead, however, the gladdest
of sunshine burst upon them, and
the keen wind hied them away.
Winter was postponed, and the air
softened and warmed before the
genial rays of the sun, and no
failer day was ever vouchsafed
than the one set apart for the
parade and review. The parade
was one unbroken success, the
uniforms were magnificent, the
banners and emblems gorgeous,
horses proud and richly caparison-
ed and the marching unrivalled.
1t would be difficult in any land to
duplicate SO handsome a body of
men. The bands were specially
numerous and their music beyond
question the finest ever heard in
l the City, and from the beginning
to the end Of the parade it was an
: unparalleled triumph.
\ The president reviewed them
from stand erected in front OF
: the White House and the time
consumed in the march was quite
e three and half hours, and fully
: 10000 men were estimated as be-
ing in line. The entire length OF
Pennsylvania Avenue had been
roped, In order to keep the space
clear for the march, and the
q streets were never in better con-
:. dit1on for a mammoth parade than
g just at this time, the concrete
pleted this past week. All along
a the line, during the passing of the
;. knights, dense crowd of human
ity stood interested and attentive.
This crowd, like all crowds in
Washington, had large proper
: ton of the colored race, large and
small, stout and lean, they swell
j, the numbers whenever the band
begins to play.
The marvellous marching and
( counter marching, the discipline,
dignity and soldierIy bearing,
manifested by his vast concourse
of men, brought forth from SO
many points of the compass we're
common matters of remark and
:, approval.
i After the march was ended, the
Knights spent the hours in greet
ing and interchange of hospitali-
, ties; and all the comm anderies
; kept open house to their friends.
The Californians, as they always
are, were magnificent. Their ap-
pearance on parade called forth
bursts Of applause. They rode on
jet black chargers loaded with
trappings of silver, and they all
hail from the land of the setting
sun, having been conveyed hither
J to participate in the grand parade.
The Californians were entertained
In the Hotel Normandie, and had
sumptuous quarters. 1t costs each
member from there $500, while
twelve of the knights gave $1,000
each towards a fund to be used
for the entertainment of their vis-
iting friends. The car loads of
wine and fruits were freely given
away, and all the ladies' were pre-
sented two pound box of choice
California raisins in addition.
Michigan had pleasant quarters
and kept CHEEKY welcome for all
friend 8.
New York, Arkansas, Indiana,
Kansas, New Hampshire, Ken
tucky, Georgia, Massachusetts,
Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Illinois,
and indeed all the communicates
from all the states stretched forth
their hands to their brother
knights and babe them welcome.
The pilgrimage to Mt. Vernon,
the Presidents reception, Mrs.