Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1889-02-21
PYTHIAN ANNIVERSARY,

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PYTHIAN ANNIVERSARY.
The Silver Anniversary Of that Noble Or
der Auspiciously Celebrated by Audu-
bon Lodge No. r6a.
The twenty-ffth or silver anniversary
of Pythianism was auspiciously and
worthily observed at Castle Hall Of Au-
dubon Lodge No. 1853, last Tuesday eyc-
ming, and by the assistance of the ladies
was made noticeable and memorable
occasion in the history of the local or
ganization. The first lodge of the Or.
der was established in Washington, ID.
G, February 10, 1864, the mode of work
being conceived and the ritual written
by Justus ii. Rathbone in the preced-
ing winter months and while he was
engaged In teaching. Rathbone was
member Of no other secret society, but
had been q thoughtful student of the
story of Damon and Pythias, and from
that immortal incident of self sacri.
ticing brotherly love, no devolved the
scheme to bind brothers together In the
band Of Fraternity, whose strands are
Friendship, Charity and Beneyolence.
The conditions of the country at that
time We're peculiarly favorable to the
growth of the Order. Brothers under
one flag returning from fields of fratra.
cidal strife found harmonious society
and inviting fraternity within its por-
tals, and so 1t spread rapidly
over the country, through north and
south, until today there are enrolled up
on Its roster 100000 names of persons
who make obeisance before its affairs.
The growth has been phenomenal, and
demonstrates the force of association,
harmony and unity. In its youth and
vigor, and the paramount mission of
promoting good will among men, its
future Is indeed promising.
The program of Tuesday evening was
most appropriate and entertaining.
Chancellor Commander j. A. Wheatley,
presiding, called the assemblage TO or.
der, and after the lodge joined In sing,
ing the opening ode, he made very hap.
Ply Introductory remarks in which he
characterized the occasion and wclconl,
ed the visiting guests. Then was an
nounced the first number on the pro-
gram proper, n selection by Stones or,
chestra, which was rendered in the Gus.
tomarily artistic style of that organiza,
ton. Miss Florence Brooklield follow.
ed In an excellent rendition of "'Ostler
joe" The little lady Is almost o strang.
er to Audubon society, but by her UNI
hesitating performance of the duty as.
signed to her late In the evening by the
committee won many friends. A vocal
quartet by Messrs. ID. G. Abrams, NJ.
NJ. Kennels, w. II. O'Connell and w.
II. Negley followed, when the address
of the evening, by Mr., Seth Paine, was
announced. The address paid eloquent
tribute to the objects, aims and accom-.
plishments OF the Knights of Pythias
in particular and standard secret So
cieties In general. The history and
growth of the Pythian order was re-
counted, with accurate data, and its
benign objects eloquently portrayed.
Mr. Paine's effort was well timed, In
fine diction, and elected hearty and
unanimous response from his hearers.
The Ladies' Band won now laurels In the
rendition Of the Peri Waltzes." They
were followed by the Misses Mabel and
Alice Walker In vocal duet. Mrs.
Jno. A. Nash, Mrs. Jas. L. Russell and
the Misses Anna Williamson and Liz
zie Moore favored the company with Il
well rendered quartet, after which the
concluding number of the program was
rendered by the orchestra. But the
fair ladies of the lodge had connived to
save the best for the last, and while the
company was waiting for the signal Of
dismissal, Mrs. Jno. A. Nash stepped to
the station of the Chancellor Commau-
der, and In the name of the Calanthes
presented the lodge with q large silver
water pitcher, In recognition of aud
thanks for the many pleasant entertain
ments enjoyed by the ladies in Castle
Hall upon invitation from the Knights,
hoping 1t would serve as q souvenir Of
the anniversary and testimonial Of
the ladies regard for tho Order of the
Knights Of Pythias. The presentation
was Il complete and joyous surprise to
the knights, and the absconded COM
posure Of the Chancellor Commander
was sufficient to convince the ladies that
they had introduced number not
down on the bills. But he made very
neat response, expressing the surpass-
ing surprise of the lodge and prophe.
sled that no Knight would ever again
doubt the ability Of bevy of ladies to
keep secret, rs this one had been so
successfully guarded. He expressed
sincere appreciation of tho gift, and tho
benefits the lodge had derived in its so
cial endeayors from the hearty cooper.
atlon ana participation OF the ladies',
The pitcher is especially appropriate as
q souvenir Of the Silver Anniversary.
II Is quadruple silver plate, highly en-
bellished, and upon its smooth surface
will be engraved Presented to Audi.
bon Lodge No, lGa, X, T., Silver Ami,
yersary, by Lady Friends" Anelcgant
painting, in oil, the handiwork of Mrs.
&. II, Russell was presented by Capt.
Jno A. Nash. 1t was received with
cordial thanks, and will be appreciated
as an adornment to the elegant Gas,
tie Hall. The program and its pleasing
embellishments completed, the orches-
ira adjourned to Russell's opera house
and furnished excellent music, where
devotees of Terpsichore found pleasure
until q late hour, while cards and other
games furnished entertainment i'm the
reception room. 1t was q most enjoy
able occasion to all in attendance and
a worthy celebration of the anniversary.
There were present from abroad Miss
n