Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-29
knights of Pythias,

The encampment of Pythian Knights in Mil
waukee next month promises to be one OF the
greatest secret society demonstrations ever
seen in this country. The organization is based
on established military principles and governed
by rigid military discipline and the most ap-
proved military tactics. 1t will, therefore. be a
monster military pageant The estimated ex-
pense Tor camping accommodations and enter
tainment has been placed at $4,000. OF this
sum $3.50 will be distributed in prizes among
the competing divisions of the Uniform
rank. The struggle for these prizes will be an
exciting feature of the occasion. Eight prizes
are offered for proficiency in drill: one for the
best Division Commander; one for the division
travelling the longest distance from its home,
by the shortest railroad route to Milwaukee;
one for the best exempli6cation of the ritual
istlc work Of the Uniform rank; one for a
battalion drill composed of four more divi-
sions, and three band prizes are offered that
will be sure to attract considerable attention in
musical circles.
Many of the crack divisions through the
country have already entered for the first prize
OF s., 000 among them being Hastings division,
Michigan, Which carried of the first prize at
Cincinnati: Terre Haute division, Indiana; Am
sterdam division, New York; Oak division,
Cleveland. o.; Chicago and Fit Dearborn d.
visions Chicago. Ill, For the other prizes
there will be numerous entries and abundant
opportunities for exciting contests
Very liberal arrangements have also been
made for public decorations. and the enter
tainment of visitors in public nails, and In
sightseeing. A fine display of fireworks, un-
der the direction Of the celebrated Payne, of
London, will be one of the attractive evening
features of the encAmpment
Supreme Chancellor Ward. accompanied by
the officers Of the supreme Lodge, State Rep
resenIatives, ard most, if not all, divisions of
the Uniform rank will reach Milwaukee Mon
day, July Z, and take possession of camp and
headquarters. At 10 A. M. the following morn
ing the Supreme Lodge will be opened in full
ritualiStic form in Castle Hall. Mayor George
W. Peck will deliver an address of welcome, to
which responses will be made by the Supreme
Chancellor and others. These addresses and
the preliminary business of the session
will occupy the forenoon of that day. In the
full uniform, viii assemble for general parade
This will be the great public event of the
meeting. There Will be about 10000 men In
line. About 100 bands, of various sizes and de-
grees of accord, will furnish music and about
600 ufacers, mounted, will represent the strength
OF the cavalcade.
During the following days of the encamp-
ment, 9Th, 10th, llth and 18th, there will be
prize and exhibition drills, dress parades, in
specJiOn and review and other exercises and
recreauons incident to camp life. The busi-
ness of the Supreme Lodge which Will occupy
eight or ten days. Will be of unusual import
ance. An effort will be made to amend the or
EanlZaton OF the Uniform rank. and the rela-
tions OF the Endowment rank TO the order will
no doubt occupy the attention of the Supreme
Lodge for some time.
Canada and Kentucky are arrayed against
each other for the Office of Supreme Vice
Chancellor, while Tennessee, Minnesota,
Illinois and Wisconsin are pushing forward
taVorite sons for prominent places.