The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1891-05-22
K. OF P. TOURNAMENT.
TWO THOUSAND PERSONS CON
GREGATE TO WITNESS THE
EXCITING CONTEST

! EASl lANG CONIESI
played by the Victorious knights il
Choosing Their Beautiful Queens ant
no Less Lovely MAIDS of Honor
A Perfect May Atmosphere Add
Luster to a sure Enough Gala Day
Notes, etc.
II Ocala ever INDUCED in tournament
before Wednesday, it must have beer
many long day ago--so long that i
h2s never been enumerated to the pres
ent generation as one of its features O
amusement. The splendid organization
the Knights of Pythias, are thereiore
entitled TO great credit for inauguratins
this rare, exciting and pleasing amuse
ment, and to be commended for the
happy manner in which it was exc.
cuied.
May 20 will long be remembered by
the people of 0cala for the rare sport oi
the day aud the gala day, the event
made for us.
At ten O'Clock the entries began for
the morning contest. Their names were
&. j. Bowden, merchant and mayor OF
Brooksville; George Badger, Junius
Counts, Geo. Morton, Willie Taylor, A.
Mcintyre. Hy Alfred, r. S. Clark and
Whitamure, all Of Ocala; Bob Furgrls n.
of Old Town; +. Mills, Of Blichton ami
Nj, Seckinger, of Fellowship.
Majors Lancas er and Saussy acted as
Judges, Geo. K. Robinson and A +. Bur-
melt as time-keeper; ID. s. Woodrow,
keeper Of riugs; DR. r. z. Izlar, starter,
and Irving Low. jny starter.
Samuel w. Ttayue WAS marshal Of the
dav and performed his services most ac-
ceptably.
The winners for the respective prizes
were, G. ]. Bowden. tirst prize, SIS, time
25 = 5 seconds and rings; Morton, Sec
Ond prize, SO; time % 8 5 seconds,
rings T. Third prize, Alfred, So; time
22-4-5 seconds and six rings
There was only fair al 'endance at
the morning exercises.
The PythiAn contests in the afternoon
drew the crowd. Fully, two thousand
persons were on the grounds, in the
grand stand and in carriages, aud finer
never rolled in and out OF Ocala, nor
were they tiled with richer dressed or
more lovely 10 king women.
The turnt uts and their fair occupants
were the admiration of the immense
thrOng, and their bright faces and sweet
smile. captured all hearts.
The entries were r. S. Clark, A. McIn-
tyre. j. B. Steele, Ed MOODY, Walter
Hawkins. +. w. Hunt, U. r. Waterman,
l.. j Haisley, /. Lovejoy, Geo. N. VInal,
Ed Helveston, T J. Flood and Geo. X.
Robinson. The last five did not contest.
Those who won the prizes and in
their order of rank were, Hawkins, $50,
time 25 seconds, rings 8; Clark, second
pr!ze, $25 time q 2-5 seconds, rings Z;
Hunt and Waterman tied on rings, ran
1t over, when Waterman beat him "a
seconds.
The RACES were Archie Waterman,
Nathan Mayo, Willie Strobhar, John
Reaidon, Ed Hooper and Willie Bull
lock.
Some Of the riding WAS very fine and
elected warm praise, but none sat on
their steeds with more grace and perfect
command than the victorious knight,
Walter Hawkins, and when he was
iknosvts 40 loss stsca vtCUUE tlO MAS gs~0t~Sa
with rousing cheers.
The evening and night was devoted to
choosing queens and their maids, and
listening to the coronation speech by
Walter NJ. Davis, of Palaika, son of
Captain Robert W. Davis, who is known
as one of the finest and most magnetic
orators in the State.
Major Saussy acted as master of cere-
monies, and introduced Mr.. Davis who
delivered very appropriate, eloquent,
and chaste address, which enlisted the
ear and captured the hearts Of his de-
lighted audience. Space will not per-
NIT us to even give Synopsis of his
truly beautiful and poetic speech. That
he is chip of the "old block" socially
and oratorically speaking, there can be
no doubt, afteI hearing him.
All eyes were centered on who would
he the beautiful queens and their no less
lovely maids of honor.
Mr. Hawkins good taste was displayed
in selecting Miss Laura Snowden, one Of
Ocala's sweetest, most winsome and
fairest bells.
Mr.. Bowden, of Brooksville, true to
the high standard of Hernando county's
female lovliness, selected Miss Bessie
Wilson, of Brooksville.
Mr. r. s Clark chose as his maid of
honor, Miss Welch, of Welshton.
U.R Waterman designated Miss AM
bier, of S. G.
Mr.. Geo. Morton selected Miss Mamie
E,geltOn, Lake Welr's chaste and fra
grant orange blossom.
Henry Alfred displayed his good taste
in comforting similar Savor on Miss
Pierce, Of Ocala.
To complete the set, who opened the
lance, Mr.. E.. G. Hood and Miss Mamie
Bevel, of GAINESVILLE, took their position
among the queens and their maids.
The attendance was very large, esti-
ma'ed at 500 to 1000 persons and the
dancing was kept up to an early hour
Thursday morning.
Professor Colby's orchestra supplied?
the music
In looking over the field, and noting
those present, every section of Marion
county was represented. as well as those
of hnr neighbors. knights were pres
ent from Palstks, Gainesville and Or
lando.
-rha Gainesyille colorei band sup
"lsPd the music or the day md played
we'll.
The Ocala knights kept open house
and those who wished to smoke ira
grant cigar or imbibe a cool glass Of
lemonade, were represented in their
hall over which Mr.. 7. j. Owen, faith
fully presided.
The 5:S5 p. N. train over the F. $.
r. r. WAS held in Ocala until IL o'clock
IS. that people from Lake Weir, Lady
Lake aud Leesburg could return home.
NOTES.
General Ackerly, general passenger
agent of the J. T. & X. W. system.
graced the day and it's interesting incl
dents with his presence. He took 9
drive around 0cala and was delighted
with our homes and the lovely lay oi
the lard.
DIR. Pierce, who has seen the iourna
ments of the world, says the X, P's was
an unqualified success.
A DELIGHTFUL OCCASION.