Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-08-24
PYTHlAN KNIGHTS IN COUNCIL.
The Supreme Lodge Begins Business
Grand Parade of knights.

The Supreme Lodge Begins Business
Grand Parade of knights.
KANSAS CITY, Aug. 24.-It is now esti-
mated that 60 600 strangers are in the city.
The seventeenth biennial meeting of the
supreme lodge, Knights of Pythias of the
world, commenced yesterday morning and
will continue in session for ten days, or
until the business before it IS completed.
The first thing was asreception to the su
preme lodge at which were present the
governor of the state. mayor of the city,
prominent citizens and all the officers of
the supreme lodge.
business in the Lodge.
Welcoming speeches and responses were
made, and then the supreme lodge met for
business. The proceedings consisted of
the initiation of new members and the
hearing of reports of the credentials com
mittee and the various supreme officers.
After the initiation of members Supreme
Chancellor Shaw presented his report. In
his report the supreme chancellor congrat-
ulates the order upon its steadily increas-
ing progress and its continued prosperity
and upon the harmony which universally
prevails.
Three Hundred Thousand Members.
One year ago 36S 900 names were enrolled
upon the roster of membership. Within
the past twelve months this number has
been increased to 30S. 900. making an in
crease during the year of A, 900, or about
one-sixth. The development of the uni
form ranks marvel. The record shows an
increase of 153 new divisions during the
past year, with a total membership ex-
ceeding 81, 600, being an increase during
the year of 5000 members or over one
fifth. After other reports were made and
all referred to the proper committees.
the lodge adjourned for the day.
The Phythian Sisterhood.
A feature of the meeting of Pythians is
the number of Pythian sisters in attend
ance. First class preparations have been
made for their entertainment and amuse-
ment. The we'll arranged reception room
at Bullene, Moore, Emory & Co.'S store is
largely patroniZed. Music, dancing and
a literary programme Will furnish enter
tainment every afternoon unit! the close
of the session. Mrs. Emma Bacon, of
Canton, o., the supreme protector, came
in late Monday. She is very enthusiastic
over the attendance of sisters and the in
terest generally manifested in the work.
Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, and California are
all largely represented and other dele
gates not yet arrived will swell the ranks
greatly.
Next Place of Meeting.
Minneapolis and Louisville are at oppo-
site ends of the rope in the great tug of
war for the next encampment The Min
the record of the Flour City in handling
the Repu blican national convention, and
the Louisville men to the well-known rec
ord of Kentucky for hospitality. One Lou
isville man said that while Falls City peo-
pie didn't care much for Repu blicans they
would be happy to extend to them the
freedom of the city, but would give the
Pythians the city free of charge.
Paraded for Two Hours.
Promptly at 4 o'clock p. m. the big
Pythian parade started from Fifteenth and
Woodland avenues. While there was
counting done close tally was kept on the
marchers, and it is estimated that 1900
knights were in line. No fancy evolu-
tons We're permitted, but it WIS a straight
away walk for two hours, the only
changes made to break the monotony be-
ing the changing from tours to platoons.
The line was two full hours passing Il
point, and before the end of the march a
light rain began falling which quickly
scattered those wearing plumes, who were
afraid they would get their fine apparel
spoiled.
Serenaded by Business Men.
Last night the business men of the city
took it upon themselves 70 have a parade
of their own in honor of the visitors, and
with umbrellas of Pythian colors they
marched to the various hotels of the city
and then to Camp Shaw, where the- ser
enaded all the knights, and then Went in
a body to Exposition park, where they
viewed the fireworks which were the feat
ure of the evening.
Records at I'rottinE Meetings