The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-02-19

music, WHICH was heartily applauuou.
Shortly after S o'clock tho following
were warmly greeted: Mayor W. &.
Evans, DIR. l.. q. Pedigo, w. l.. Olivier,
Isaac Diggs and Rev. j. III. Boyd.
DR.. Pedigo introduced Mayor Evans,
whom he said would welcome the Grand
Lodge of Virginia on behalf of tho city.
Mayor Evans said: "Mr. Chairman
and Brethren of tho Grand Lodge of
Virginia: l trust that the welcome
which shall extend to you tonight
will not be measured by the length,
breadth or height of my esteem. l well
come you only on the merits of the city
of Roanoke, in tho bosoms of whose
citizens trust you will receive that
attention duo you. TO say that it af-
fords me qualification to welcome you
in the relation you now hold to this
great fraternity would be treating the
matter lightly.
sin my official capacity must say
that have never met better lool1ing
body of men, and | might say you are
the finest looking ever assembled in
Roanoke, were it not for three reasons.
One is that once had the pleasure of
welcoming the Virginia physicians to
Roanoke, and if | were to say you were
finer looking than they, they might
possibly seek revenge through faulty
prescription.
''Then again we had the Press Asso-
citation with us. If were to say YOU
were finer looking than they, some OF
its editors might take notion to write
me up-or, perhaps, down-view it in
which light you may.
Later, and not long since, it was
my pleasure to welcome the Virginia
Real Estate Exchange to this city. If
| were TO say they were better looking
set Of men than you, | might be
charged five times too much for lot
when l wished to buy from them
Naughter.)
1.-The people of Roanoke arc alive to
every interest, and filled with push and
energy. They are always busy, but
when strangers como into their midst
they arc ever ready to extend well
come. And now, gentlemen, on behalf
of Roanoke and her %, 600 citizens, |
again extend to you cordial and hearty
welcome, and trust that your sojourn
among us will be one OF pleasure, and
that when you go away you will carry
with you many fond recollectionS of
your stay"
DR.. Pcdigo then introduced Rev. j.
ii. Boyd. who welcomed. the grand
lodge on behalf of the local organization
-Osceola Lodge, No. At.
The speaker said: "Grand Chancellor
and Brethren of the Grand Lodge of
Virginia: l am commissioned to extend
to you the hand of knightly courtesy on
behalf of Osceola Lodge, No. AZ, in
whose Castle Hall We are assembled
tonight The mayor of Roanoke, who
is brother among US, has welcomed
you on behalf of the city, but mine is to
welcome you for and on behalf of the
warm fraternal bosom of this lodge, in
whose midst the llindliest feeling throbs
with glorious enthusiasm for the noble
order its members love SO we'll.
81 feel like speaking to you about the
wonderful growth and prosperity of
Osccola Lodge. had hoped the mayor
would have done the same on behalf of
his city, but he has let the mention of
her magic growth pass untouched. But
Osceola Lodge is due worthy notice,
more so than can give, yet always
feel ready to speak well Of it wherever
l may be-"
Mr.. Boyd then spoke of the marvel
lous growth Of the lodge, and said that
it now was composed of the very best
material the city afforded that no ono
was taken in with shady character,
and whose record was not proof against
the requisites of Pythianism. Its nom
bers were all of sterling integrity. hos
pitable, generous, and fully imbued
with the pure spirit of the order. "And
now" said the speaker. ''in the name
of these brethren, | extend you a frat
ernal welcome. When it became first
known that you would meet with us,
we felt like a divine benediction was
resting upon us.
1--WE want you to come again among
us, and we wish this occasion to be the
cause that will prompt that motive,
even though it be in the years to come
And now on behalf of Osceola Lodge,
No. AZ, and it's 203 members, extend
again fraternal welcome to the Grand
Lodge, Knights of Pythias, OF Virginia,
to our hearths and homes"
Isaac Diggs, grand vice-chancellor-
elect, responded on behalf of the grand
lodge.
The speaker said he merely arose to
announce that the grand chancellor had
been taken suddenly i'll, and conse.
qucntly it fell to his lot 10 respond on
behalf of the grand lodge to the cordial
reception they had received. The i'll
ness of the grand chancellor was, how
ever, only momentary CLaughter), and
he supposed he would be all right by
the time the banquet was over. The
grand chancellor had been noted for
this kind of thing. and whenever any
thing OF the kind was on he ALWAYS got
i'll.
Mr.. Diggs was a pleasing speaker,
and delighted his hearers. He spoke
warmly of tho generous reception ex-
tended the grand lodge by the people
of Roanoke and the local lodge, and