The Portland daily press., 1891-01-07
MOST BRILLIANT AFFAIR IN MAINE.
City Hall Was Never more Sea u,IfuIIy
Arrayed
Tnan II Was Last Night For st. AIban
commandep.
DISTINGUISHED Sir Knights and
Ladies' on the Floor.

~~ Se@sJ W ooAA shob buO rNCut Ol last
evening commemoratlng the 25th anniversary
OF the forming Of ST. Alban Comma derry,
Knights Templars. was the most elaborate
and magnificent ball ever given In the State
OF Maine. City Hall was put In the very
best condition for brilliant reception and
hop by most elaborate and beautiful decora-,
tions. The walls were almost buried be-
meath heavy folds and festoons of bunting.
with a perfusion OF banners and insignia OF
Masonry. Streamers Of bunting formed a
complete canopy over the whole. The front
OF the balcony was hung with heavy white
stuff bordered with red while the back and
front OF the stage were artistleally adorned
with harmonious tints. In addition to these
the floor was covered with heavy white
canvass. At the rear were several apart
ment5 luxuriously fitted for the reception.
Although by far the most gorgeous decora-
tions City Hall has ever seon. The chief
event OF the evening was the reception of
RI. Em. Sir Edwin NJ. Fuller, Grand
commander Of the Grand Commandery Of
Maine. At half past eight the Sir Knights
Of st. Alban Commandery formed ia the
lower corridor, and headed by Chandler's
Se%AN AAoAN1CA tnsV buO nall no OH
Knights formed In the centre Of the hall In
double line facing inward. and an escort was
sent for the grand commando. When he had
entered with his suite they were presented to
Em. Com. Dunbar by GeneralIssiu:o John Ell,
Fogg. The grand commander and his suite
were then escorted beneath the arch Of steel
formed by the Sir Knights crossing swords,
to the head of the column, when EN-. Com.
Dunbar addressing the Rt. Em. Commander
welcomed him to the hall.
The Eminent Commander In reply, said
that 1t was matter Of qualification that he
was able to be present upon this occasion.
Inc Grand Commandery were thea escort
ed to the reception room, and the Sir Knights
and their ladies were presented by Sir
knight Albro E. Chase to Grand Command
er and Mrs. Fuller.
The other guests from out of town were
as follows: w. Z. Lord and wife, and l.. O.
Morse and wife. and A. +. French OF Au-
burn, +, 5. French OF Turner, A. M. ROak
and wife. and Sir knight Stevens of Lewis
ton, Fritz H. Twltchell of Bath, Z. E. Kent
Of Salem. Mass, j. W. Lasho Of Gardiner,
Frederick 5. Wells and wife Of Vinalhaven,
). s. Cahill and wife Of Brunswick and j.
A. Whtmore and wife Of Bath.
An historical address was thea delivered
by RI. Em. Sir Joseph A Locke, p. G. G,
He stated that the initial steps toward the
organization OF St Albau COmmandery were
taken December 23i, 1865, when a number Of
Sir Knights assembled In .le old post office
building and petltionei the Grand Com
mander OF Maine for a dlspsnsation fra
new commandery. This was granted ON the
first day Of January. 1866. aud the first con-
clave was held on the sixth day Of the sane
month. Hon. j. FL. Drummond was 6rst
commander, aad NJ. +. King first generals.
simo.
The various events In the history Of the
commandery were spoken OF, as well a. de-
tails OF the many, various and enjoyable pill
grimages the commsndery has made. He re-
ferred to the fire on the night Of Deeembr
22, 1876. which destroyed the Masonic Hall.
and the subsequent moving into the Jose
building.
He considered the most profitable pilgrim
age ever made was that to Gettysburg In
1889, and stated that the next one would be
to Denver.
In regard to clam bakes his words were.
"But 1t is question whether as SipKnights
or members OF the Masonic Fraternity wa
will never again dare tender a clam bake.
Somehow In the past the festive clam has
been sourcs OF delight to visiting Sir
Knights sojOurning this way, as well as TO
their ladies; its succuleut qualities. with the
usual accompaniments. tending to enliven
the heart and cheer the mind. Alas all
this Is past. Future generations will never
eat Of the clans Of which we have partaken,
they have fallen sadly into bad repute,
which, on account Of old age, bad feed, poor
care or lack Of caloric, the records say not"
In closing he said the command was never
more prosperous than now. 1t has now 264
members. an invested fund Of s4344 and
S47S.3S In the treasury-all bills paid.
The grand march was then formed, with
70 couples, headed by Em. Sir Fred r. Far
rlngtOn. Many Of the ladies' were In black
or dark dresses, while goodly number also
were In full evening dress. and there were
many costumes OF exceeding beauty. None
but Sir Knights In uniform were allowed to
enter the march and their appearance was
most striking.
The programme was very beautiful, con-
sisting Of heavy folded card upon the front
OF which In gold letters were the words "St.
Alban Commandery. January 6, 1884," while
In the centre was bleck ribbon bearing a
steel print Of the Commaudery's gnidon, ana
beneath the letters "K T." also In gold, the
work Of Owen. Strout & Co.
The order comprised nine numbers, for
which Chandler rendered most exquisite
music.
At IL O'Clock the banquet was reached and
the entire party proceeded to Reception Hail
where escalloped oyster, salads and great
variety of ices and other delieacies were
served by Robinson.
Dancing was continued until late hour.
but when the partly left the hall an event OF
SURPRISING brilllancy had become history.
The following is complete list Of the Sir
Knights present, most of whom were accom-
panied by ladies, exclusive OF those
from out of town previously named: