The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-10-17
WASHINGTON.
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR, THE MILITARY
FEATURES OF FREE MASONRY
WIN GREAT APPLAUSE.
Perfect Drill With Beautiful and Faultless
Evolution, Excites the Admiration
of the Spectators.

WASHINGTON, October 9.-The feature of
the second day of the grand triennial con-
claye was an exhibition drill, which was
given at the grounds of the Washington
base ball club. The first organization to
put in an appearance was Apollo Com
mandery No 10, of Troy. N. Y, marching
over the level green sward with precision
OF movement which surprised and pleased
the assemblage. The commandery fell
into hollow squares, triangles, circles and
crosses with remarkable accuracy and pre-
clsIon and received great applause
They then gave place to the Louisville
Commandery No. l, of Louisville, KY,
which, as it marched into the enclosure
twenty minutes later, preceded by its mill
tary band playing my Old Kentucky
Home" was greeted with generous APP
plause. The marching and counter march
ing OF this body was particularly fine.
Several intricate evolutions Of drill were
executed with an eXactness that elected al
most constant applause from the specta-
tors. To the inspiring strains of Dixie"
Demolay Commandery No. II, of Louis
vile, paraded in the company's front be-
fore the grand stand amid the plaudits of
the on-lookers. This organization executed
its drill without music and its evolutions
form in open ranks being especially effect
i've.
The drilling was perfection ITSELF Mem
bers of the organization moved with the
accuracy of so many pieces of a compli-
Gated machine, and at the close of their
evolutions they were arranged in battalion
front with drawn swords and received
through their officers a magnificent floral
tribute from the hands of lady, who was
tnl tl,Nf i ,lnr .
lucky. 1t received hearty round of well
merited applause.
The next commandery to enter the field
was Detroit No 1, of Detroit. There were
fifty-six Knights in line, and as they
marched in battalion across guards in
front Of the grand stand they presented
truly a magnificent appearance. These
were commanded by Col. Eugene Robin
son, mounted, and were escorted by the
Colon Guard bearing the stars and stripes
and the commandery banner. The drill
ing of this commandery was confined
strictly to military movements, which were
performed in faultless manner. The
alignings and whirlings were something
marvellous. Altogether the commandery
acquitted itself with great honor. The APP
plause which followed each mastery eX-
ecuted movement plainly showed that De-
troit COmmandery No. l had the admira-
ton of the 1000 spectators present.
Under escort of the Demolay Comman-
derry, of Louisville, the lads composing the
Little Commandery," of the Masonic
Home of that city made their salutation.
Their appearance and military bearing did
credit to their training, and in precision Of
step and fine evolution they administered
many of the older and more experienced
organizations.
The elastic circle was an attractive fea-
ture of the drill, and the sword exercises
were worthy of high praise, which was
freely accorded No other organizations
participated in the drill, which was purely
one for the purpose Of exhibiting the de-
gree of proficiency in military maneuvers
attained by Templar communicates.