Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-02-28
GALLANT KNIGHTS.
Annual Red Cross Banquet at
Masonic Temple.
HAPPY INNOVATION, TOO.

A HAPPY INNOVATION, TOO.
An Always Pleasant Festive Occasion
Made More so by the Presence of
Ladies-The Tables and the spec ches-
ThesGuests in the Dance HalI-The Work
OF the Order and the Attending Fea-
lures.
Masonic temple was the scene OF
brilliant and highly enjoyable event
last evening. Incidental to the work
of the Red Cross degree, it is always
taken as a happy occasion for the Sir
Knights OF Everts commandery, No.
Is, to assemble about the banquet
board for a feast of reason and flow
of soul. Last evening a pleasant in
novation was made by the Sir Knights
of inviting their ladies to participate
in these festivities, and the represen-
tatives OF the gentler sex. together
with representative of each of the
daily newspapers. constituted the
only persons outside of the order so
honored.
Work in the Red Cross.
From 5 O'Clock in the afternoon
until 9 in the evening the command
cry was busily engaged with work
in the Red Cross degree Ten can
didates were thus advanced in the
solemn rites of the order to the first
stages of Knighthood. the ceremonies
being distinguished by the presence
OF Sir. Knight William jenkins. of
Mendoza. grand standard bearer of
the grand cOmmandery of Illinois.
who reviewed Everts commandcry.
Considerably before the work in
the temple had concluded, the guests
began to arrive and assemble in the
parlors. and it was shortly after 8
when the doors OF the temple were
thrown open and the procession
formed for the banquet hall. Three
tables were set in the main dining
hall. while long table was also
spread in the parlor adjoining.
| 4 Scene of Beauty.
! These tables were all beautifully
and tastefully decorated, red crosses
being artistically displayed down the
centre interviewer with lovely smilaX.
white towering plants and pyramids
of fruit. and frosted cakes here and
there lent the perfume of nature
and beauty of art to the scene.
lCovers were laid for 1872. and al each
plate cut roses were placed.
While all stood about the tables
Eminent Commander Samuel
j. keator, presiding, Sir Knight J.F.
Robinson acting as prelate, pro-
Inounced the invocation. The ban
quet followed. Strasser's orchestra
meanwhile discoursing appropriate
music, in an adjoining room. Will
liam Hawthorne was caterer of the
occasion. Steward O'Day, of the Rock
Island house. being in charge of the
corps of walters.
| The Menu.
The menu which was appreciated
to the fullest extent. embraced the
following:
Roullion with Crackss.
Croqustts of Chicken with Aashsd Po;at, 5.
4 Green Peas
i Oyster PAtties with slaw
l Cold Tongue. Ham. Veal.
| French Rolls
| Pickles Celery.
| Cream Pie. Hot Cofee
Nu1. Fruit. Rai-ins
Ice Cream. Assorted Cakes
| The Time to Talk.
After an hour had been happily
passed, during which the foregoing
was subjected to discussion of a
highly complimentary nature, Sow
lereign Commander Keator in gal
liant and graceful speech introduced
Grand Standard Bearer jenkins. who
in responding in behalf OF the grand
commander extended his thanks for
the greeting that had been rendered
him. He spoke of the pleasant limo
walton of having ladies present on
such an occasion. He was pleased
with the idea and hoped it would be
extended. He prophesied that the
time would come when the ladies'
would have more to do with Masonry
than they now have, q circumstance
that would be beneficial to the order
and to the ladies. He alluded briefly
to the erroneous impressions
THAT had gone abroad
in relation to the mysteries of the or
der. The predominating secret of
the order could be told in few
Iwords-Truth is Mighty and viii
Prevail. Wherever q red cross altar
is erected men kneel to learn the
truth. There the truth is tauuht.