The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-02-18

Grand Lodge Last Night-The Dele
gates Presept-Hines Memorial Con-
sidered-ImpOrtant Committees APP
pointed-Other- Business Transacted.
Representatives officers and members
Of the Grand Lodge, Knights of Pythias
of Virginia, came in on nearly every
train yesterday. The greater number
came on the $50 o'clock Norfolk and
Western from the East where the order
is by far the strongest
They we're met by tho reception COM
mittee and driven to Hotel Ponce de
Leon. The committee had prepared
beautiful red badge, trimmed with
gold fringe and rosettc, and engraved
with the namo and emblem of the order.
The spacious lobby of the hotel was
we'll filled at o'clock with band of
Jealous workers, who represented the
spirit and energy of tho order. Num-
berS had not met each other for a year,
and there was general Misunderstanding
and friendly recognition, known only
among those who cherish the golden 'sF
G. b."
Richmond was there with her nine
representatives and several past chan
ccllors, Norfolk with three representa-
tives, past chancellors and officers, and
Petersburg, Portsmouth and Alexandria
with two each, and their usual quote of
past officers. The other towns through
out the State, as previously published
in TIE TINES, all had representation
with tho exception of four or five, and
they arc expected to be on hand to-day
a TIMES reporter went among the
knights for the purpose of finding out
the growth and progress of the order
throughout the State, and found in
every one expressions of the greatest
enthusiasm either for the good work
done, or that which lay before.
Past Chancellors Charles II. Loehr
e. =. Hulcc and others from Richmond
report the condition of tho order in
that city as holding it's own and steadily
increasing. There arc nine lodges, with
a membership of about 1000.
Some Of tho lodges have increased
wonderfully during the past year. while
others have not done so we'll. Two of
the lodges confer the amplificd rank
and have regular teams to do the work
There arc also two sections of the
endowment rank with about $50 mem
hers.
"To say the least" said Mr.. Loehr
"Richmond will always be alive with
Pythians, for it was there that the he
roic Hines laid down his life many years
ago to save brother. That ono event
built up the order in Richmond. l was
member then, and the impetus given
to the name of Pythianism by that sad
event, was phenomenal. Everybody who
could get in wanted to join, and since
that time Richmond has been the center
of Pythianism."
"How about the Hines Memorial Hall
which you arc endeavoring to erect to
his memory?"
'Well, we will have something inter-
esting about that matter which will be
brought up in the grand lodge. at
present l cannot speak about it: but we
will let you know in due time. 1t is an
understanding that it will be carried
out, however"
Grand Keeper of Records and Seal
Walter A. Edwards, of Norfolk, spoke
we'll of the flourishing condition of tho
order i'll that city, and especially of
Portsmouth. Said he: "Thero are three
lodges in Norfolk and two in Ports
mouth near by. The Norfolk lodges
are all in good healthy condi-
ton, and have been taking in members
steadily during tho year. Cur boys
take big interest in the work, and the
lodge rooms are crowded every night.
"The Portsmouth lodges are some
thing to be proud of. No. 16 is the
strongest numerally in this jurisdiction,
and the Atlantic, No. "a, is the strong
est financially. The Pythians took a
great hold in Portsmouth several years
ago, and have maintained their grip"
The Petersburg representatives., A. c.
Baxter and Edward c. Owen, said the
progress of the two lodges in that city
had been slow, and there had been
falling off in the membership. The
trouble seemed to be lack of interest,
but an effort Is now being made to get
up a general revival. "Thc material is
there, and the prospects are blight for
the future, and ere long Petersburg will
have her old-ti.ne meetings. Both
lodges are we'll off, however, and arc
put to but little expense"
Representative Brown, of Phoenix,
No. 62, Danville, said the Pythians in
that city were always alive to the in
terests of the order. The lodge now
numbers about 90 members and appli-
cations were frequently coming in. The
lodge in North Danvillo had unfortun,
ately become defunct.
Many other representatives were in
terviewed, and the report throughout
the State shows a net gain in member
ship during the year of about 300, not
withstanding the falling off in ono or
two localities.
The visitors were favorably impressed
with Roanoke and the hospitality