Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-19
COLUMBIA COMMANDERY, NO. y.
1t Celebrates Its Twenty-Ninth Anniversary
in the Most Enjoyable Manner.

1t Celebrates Its Twenty-Ninth Anniversary
in the Most Enjoyable Manner.
Columbia Commandery. No. 2, Knights Tenn
plar, was twenty nine years old yesterday, and
last night the members held q gigantic birth
day party in the National Rifles Armory and
invited several hundred friends to partake Of
their hospitality The entertainment was
termed reception and levco, though it in
| cluded the features OF q drill, O dance and q
banquet. There was something enjoyable for
every one, for the lover Of colors and pretty
effects, the lover Of music, the lover of crowds
the lover Of dancing and the lover OF the good
things of life that are to be found on plates and
| in glasses.
The evening was one of the greatest successes
| OF the many successful occasions that have been
managed by this popular organization during
its career. The hall was exqulsiteIy adorned,
| the main feature of the decorations being a
unique effect in electric lights. Hanging over
the stage, which was set as field. with tents
| and other knightly symbols strewn around, was
| the segment Of q circle, done apparently In
green stuff. Beneath it was suspended floral
representation of the badge of the order. q
Maltese cross bearing the skull and cross bones.
From the eyes, nose and mouth Of the skull
| cleaned tiny incandescent lamps. Suddenly
! the arc above began to glow with letters Ill q
| Weird fashion. First there flashed out .'C''
and then an "O," followed by an a."
after which appeared ~" and an
| M, !" when there was to be seen "B and an
IL" all climbing up the curve of the segment
and close upon the heels Of the a." near the
apex of the arc, the word Columbia" was COM
pleted by the flashing out OF an "a" Then
the scheme was made apparent, and the eye
waited for the word "Commandery" to be sent
forth i'll u regular rhythm Of flashes with that
pleasure that comes from partly anticipated
surprise. When the name Of the commandery
had been fully spelled there was a momentary
rest, with both words blazing, and then with q
sudden jump the letters disappeared, to be re-
spelled once more with the same regular ad-
herence to the dictates of Worcester.
A section of the Marine Band was stationed
in the gallery and at 9 clock the seductive
music of the ''Cavalleria Rusticana" was started
and the rapidly arriving guests began to circu-
late around the hall. In n short time the rhythm
was noted to change to the positive markings
Of q march, und the tramp Of many feet,
trained to move in order, was heard, and the
commandery marched up the stairs and into
| the hall in full uniform, with plumes noddine
and swords glinting. A few apparently con-
fused movements and whirl of color and the
seemingly tangled lines OF men were straight
ened and the commandery was ranged in per-
feet order in front of the stage.
Eminent Commander Z. B. Hay and his staff
were called foi tn from the ranks to the stage
by the committee in charge and welcomed and
then in a few minutes the space in front of the
platform was cleared and filed again, this
time with the knightly visitors of the evening.
Mr. Hay delivered short speech Of welcome
to them, complimenting the commandery upon
the beauty Of the occasion. the presence OF the
number OF fair guests and upon the completion
of another year in its long and honorable
career.
Then followed q grand promenade, which
soon merged into the dance program Of four
teen numbers. At ll:30 o'clock there was an
intermission of about half an hour and the hall
was nearly emptied as the guests filed down to
supper in the drill room. Dancing was con-
tInued until nearly o'clock.
Among the distinguished persons present
were James II: Hopkins, past grand master, and
Myron NJ. Parker, grand sword bearer, repre-
| senting the Grand Encampment, X. T., OF the
United States: s. X. Mason, grand commander
John II. Miller, grand recorder; Past Grand
Commanders Z. I. Schultz, q. c. Isaac. G. w.
Halter, Jacob Z. krebs, and L. II. Uhrig, emil
nent commander, representing the Grand Com
mandery Of Maryland; Frank Reed, past
grand commander, and Mr.. Davis, eminent
commander, representing the Grand Command
cry of Virginia; Harrison Dingman, eminent
commander, and the council officers and C. w.
Bennett, past commander OF Washington Com
mandery, No. 1; Il. W. Darby, eminent COM
mander, and the council officers of Potomac
Commandery, No. 3; C. G. NJ. Loeff1er, eminent
commander, and the council officers, Thomas
Somervile and X. L. Hieston, past commanders
OF De Molay Commandery, No. 4. The last
| three communicates are Of the District Of CO.
lumbia.