Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-09-22

q lite generally GEN. J. C. UNDERWOOD
suspended during the afternoon and the
streets were jammed with hospitable
citizens All classes joined to do honor
to the fraternity. and it was noticeable
that members of other organizations dis
played their badges and jewels, and
warmly applauded the marching cantons.
The Great Parade.
At $3.50 o'clock the signal gun doomed,
the drum tapped, the trumpets sounded,
and the great parade started, the pro-
gramme being observed exactly as prear-
ranged. Along the line of parade tens of
thousands of men and women had gath
cred, all eager to witness every move
The streets, though very wide, failed to
adequately supply standing room for the
spectators, and the masses surged to the
center of the streets, allowing only a few
feet of space FOR the pageant The police
were powerless, it being impossible to
keep the people in check. Five miles of
solid human bodies, the marching Odd
Fellows presented sight never before
witnessed in this city. Perfect order was
observed, and the procession moved stead
lily, the men marching like veterans
On the Reviewing Stand.
As the vat ious divisions and cantons
marched. the men yelled, the women
shook their handkerchief and the chill
dren were wild in their ecstacy Such
scenes are not often witnessed and the
enthusiasm OF the spectators was evidence
of their appreciation, and they were not
enthusiastic without reason. The review
ing stand was occupied by Deputy Grand
Sir Campbell and staff, Lieutenant Gen
eral John c. Underwood and staff Mrs
-. Il 8 I
Francis and various dIgnitaries The
passing cantons saluted the reviewing
officials and marching past, turned aside
into the side streets and disbanded, thou
sands visiting the exposition. The free
dom of the exposition is extended to all
the delegates of the grand lodge
Welcomed by Governor Francis.
The Music hall auditorium OF the expo-
sition was filed to overlooking last night.
The ceremonies began by selection by Gill
more's caleb ated brass band, when Gov
ernor David r. Francis was introduced
by Edward Wilkerson, chairman of the
committee on arrangements, and adj
dressed the listeners with short but well
chosen speech, which was heartily ap.
plauded. Governor Francis welcomed
the sovereign lodge to the state and re-
ferred to the growth of the lodges On
behalf of the city of st. Louis. Mayor T.
A Noonan extended the liberty of the CITY
to the sovereign lodge, declaring during
the conclave that the city belonged TO
them and eXhorted the citizens to see
that they got it. He was frequently and
loudly cheered
Produced Great Laughter.
Storms of applause greeted the intro
duction of Rev. !. B. Jewell, grand mas
Il ,is IL.
order he welcomed his brethren He de-
clared that St. Louis was the greatest city
this side of New York, not excepting the
city by the side of the great lake This
remark was greeted with loud laughter
and applause. the Chicago canton, how
ever, doing the most laughing Rev Mr.
Jewell read his address and was elaborate
in his welcome to the visitors. Dr. c. T.
Campbell. deputy grand sire of New
London, Can, in response to the well
coming speeches, accepted on behalf of the
sovereign lodge the freedom and hospi-
tality of Missouri and the city of St.
Louis.
A Grand Spectacle.
Gilmore then rendered selection which
was Immediately followed by tableaux IL
Illustrating the commands of Odd Fellow
ship, which was a grand spectacle. There
were fifteen applicants for the order of
decorations of chivalry which were con-
ferred by Lieutenant General John c.
Underwood. The recipients of the order
knelt and solemnly repeated the OF der's
obligation and went through the remain
der of the impressive ceremony with great
solemnity. The ceremonies ended, the
band struck up america" and with the
cheers of 10000 voices filling the hall the
audience dispersed well pleased with the
ceremonies