The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1891-09-10
.uR THK RErokTrK
Pilgrimage to Moosehead Lake

fus THK REroKrEK
Pilgrimage to Moosehead Lake.
The date of Sept. lst 1891 will ever be
1 memorable one In the annals of De Mo
lay Commandery No. 10, Skowhegan, as
upon that morning, band of the Sir
Knights and their ladies set forth upon q
long anticipated pilgrimage" to Moose
head Lake.
In spite Of hopeful predictions the
weather proved uupropitious, the rain
falling in torrents as the Knights march
ed from their asylum to the depot to the
inspiring music OF the Watervlle band
led by Prof Il. b. Hall. However,
with brave and dauntless hearts, like
rue Knights, they boarded the special
train III waiting for them and pursued
their way to Dexter, where carriages
| quickly whirled the l4dies away to the
/ hospitAble shelter OF The Exchange,
whittier their Knights soon marched.
Although the rain prevented the expect
ed parade Of the Knights, and the drive
for the ladies', yet the few hours spent in
| Dexter passed only too swiftly, and the
time consumed in disposipg of the fine
par qnet served by Landlord Blackden
was certainly most ENJOYABLE. The tables
| adorned with hasntifnI hounuets and
dishes Of fruit, with the handsome menus
and buttonhole bouquets laid by each
plate made an attractive picture, which
vas a pleasant augury quickly realized
when the viands were tasted. Not tn
least delightful feature of the sci urn
lere was the atmosphere of hospitality
making everyone feel entirely at home
At 4.lJ he party took possession Of
heir traiu ard proceeded on their Jour.
ley as far As Greenville Junction, where
hey had engaged quarters at the Moose
aead Inn.
Meanwhile the frowning skies had
cleared and most charming evening was
pent in sitting ON the spacious verauda,
"hlch overlooked the Lake, listening TO
tne concert given by the Waterville
)and. Prof. Il. b. Hall, Maine's first cor
meter, favored the audience with some
exquisite solos, then Eminent Command
er Joseph Z. Oak announced that the
osnd would play the new De Molay March
composed and arranged for this pilgrim
ase by Prof. Hail. and dedicated to this
Commandery. The enthusiasm reached a
climax after this was played, eliminating
in three cheers and tiger for Prof
Hall and his band. The dining hall was
| then cleared, and those who wished to-
ianced.
At 5 O'Clock Wedne sdsy morning the
party set sail in the well known steamer,
Gov. Coburn, commanded by Capt. Rob
nsOn, aud went directly to X neo, only
stopping to take on board two Sir Knights
who came out from Greenyille to meet
the steamer. TO those who had never be.
| e., a
wonderful Lake and mountain scenery of
Moosehead this sail was revelation, and
to those to whom it was an old story, |
am sure it could never be a stale one
A famished crowd, to all appearances,
assembled in the capacious dining room
of the kineo House, and did full Justice
TO the delicious dinner prepared express
" for the Sir Knights and their ladies' at
II so Over one of the dining room doors
was a Masonic emblem in the shape of a
triangle in gilt CD a red background sur
rounded by cedar, and by the side of it
g red Maltese cross with No. 10" In gilt
upon it, this also having cedar border
rne menus were very dainty, and were
inscribed on the outside with the words
welcome Commandery' in gilt letters
After dinner they again embarked on
the GOV. Coburn and sailed around the
mountain, until under the rugged and pre-
cipitous cliff, the boat came to a stand
still, while one after another tested the
echoes The day was glorious, the wat er
calm and beautiful. and the Flushing
touch to this ideal scene. was added when
Prof. Hall wakeped the echoes again and
again with the sweet strains of his cor.
net
On the return to the wharf those enter.
| IL l.
departed to make the accent of Mt. Klneo
while the more indolent ones wended theil
various WAYS in search of pleasure. s,mt
to walk to Pebble Beach Others to il dulgt
in blackboard drives. Will, enc. furtunat,
in being an expert rider. secured The
roads on horseback.
The afternoon and evening passed like
a dream of delight. and it was with heart.
heavy Mt parting from this beautiful spo,
that the party again took the steamer fol
their sail back to Greeuville Junction
The morning was nerfect. and the sail al
so.
Reaching the Jaaction thew took pos-
session once more of their specisl train
and proceeded to Dover and f, xcroft
arriving there at 80. Here there ia NJ
Commandery, the Sir Knights residing
> here belonging to the St, Johns of Ban
- gOr. However, by special dispensatiol
they had received permission to act as es
cort to the DE Moiays, so it was an uuex
pected pleasure to the latter to tlnd await
ing them at the depot a body of SiI
knights in full regala commanded by Sil
Knight Wainwright Cushing, and headtt
by Dyer's band.
It. was as great a surprise to the Ia iies
of the party / be met by the Dover anc
Fcxcroft ladies' in carrisges. who took
them in the train of the Sir knights
through some of the lovely streets of the
twin villages, to the residence Of Sill
Knight Orman Brown, upon whose beau
tlful lawn were spread tables of liquio
refreshments of mild but delightful ii AZ
or. dear to thirsty souls. Dainty button
hole bouquets were also provided fol
each Sir Knight and lady. Here Si
Koight Brown babe the weary pilgrims
to ait down, rest and refresh themselves
which they willingly did, and after listen
ing to several selections from the Water
vile band, the line of march was agai,