The record-union., 1893-03-06
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Election by the Second Regiment of
the Uniform Rank.
Something About This Important
Branch of the Order-The
Several Regiments.

The Second Regiment, Uniform Ronk
knights of Pythias, held an election at
Armory Hall in the Pythian Castle on
Saturday night, it having been called to
elect Colonel and Lieutenant-Colonel
for the regiment.
DIR. c. B. Nichols of Sacramento pre-
sided at the election, and some twenty
line officers of the regiment and proml-
nent men of the State were present. This
is the largest number of line officers and
members of the order that have been to-
gether in this State, and the occasion was
an enthusiastic one throughout.
Brigadier-General F. A. Mcguire of
Oakland, Colonel L. Burke of Fresno,
acting Secretary, and visiting delega-
ton of officers and members from Fresno
and other places were present.
The election resulted in the selection of
w. D. Crichton of Fresno for Colonel,
and J. F. Magaini of Suisun for Lieu
tenant Colonel.
During the evening the assemblage was
addressed by number of the officers
and members of the organization. Its
affairs were reported to be everywhere in
fiourishing condition, and great inter
welfare.
Arrangements were made for the Sec
ond regiment to go into camp at Nevada
City on the second Tuesday in May,
where an enjoyable season is anticipated,
and preparations for which are now be-
ing made.
The camp is to be conducted under the
regulation military rules and discipline,
as, In fact, are all the work and proceed
1ngs of the organization.
The Uniform Rank is an auxiliary
branch of the order of Knights of Pythias,
OF comparatively recent origin, and by
some means many have conceived a
wrong impression of its importance and
Its connection with the order. In reality
IL is the highest rank OF the order, and
none are eligible to the Uniform Rank
but knights of high character and certain
qualifications.
The organization was first started in
the United States, originating in 1884, and
the California Brigade was among the
nrst to form. 1t now numbers mem
bership of upward of 10000 and the Cali
fornia Brigade is one of the most i'm
portant.
The organization is conducted upon the
regular military tactics and drill of the
United States army, and is divided into
brigades, regiments and companies. w.
w. Blackwell of Henderson, Ky, is
Commander-in-C Chief and James r. Car
nahan of Indianapolis, Ind, is Major
General.
The organization is commended by
prominent officers of the army as being
one that can be readily converted into
troops for the regular service should oc-
casion require it.
The California Brigade, formed in 1884,
is composed of three regiments-First,
Second and Third-officered as follows:
Frank A. Mcguire of Oakland, Brigadier-
General; DIR. G.. b. Nichols of SacrTnento,
Adjutant-General; staff officers, Judge
Walter G. Graves of San Francisco, Judge
Advocate-General; Colonel A. w. Hill
lard of San Francisco, Commissary-G Cen
eral; DR.. A. L. Osborne of Glen Ellen,
Surgeon-General Colonel L.. Burke Of
Fresno, mastering Officer.
The First Regiment, consisting of eight
companies, has its headquarters at San
Francisco; the Second Regiment, consist
ing ten companies, has headquarters at
Fresno, and the Third, consisting of five
companies, at San Diego. There are 700
men of the Uniform Rank fully equipped,
and in most places are provided with
armories of their own.
The uniform adopted by the rank is the
same as that of the regular army, with
the exception that the higher officers
have red epaulettes and badges upon
their chapeaus, and bear the badges of the
order of Knights of Pythias. The Off
GERS uniforms are of the most tasteful
and elaborate description, with appro-
pirate and costly swords and other equip
ments.
w. d. Crichton, elected to the Colonelcy,
is a well-known resident and native Cali
fornian, having been born in Eureka,
Humboldt County, July u, 1863. He
was educated in the public schools of the
State, and served as Second Lieutenant
of Eureka Guard. n. q. c., in 1885; in
1886 he was elected Captain. In 1887 he
removed to Fresno, and was there elected
Second Lieutenant of Company T, n. G..
c., and in 1889 was promoted to Aide-de-
Camp, with rank of Captain, on the staff
of General Muller. He was admitted to
practice law before the Supreme Court in
April, 1889, and was i'll November last
elected Justice of the Peace of Fresno,
and is now serving his second term. He
married Miss Alice Stevens in Dyers-
burg, Tenn, in 1891.
The Uniform Rank, like the order of
knights of Pythias, is a charitable and
benefcent organization, and provides for
sick members, etc. 1t is well and thor
oughly organized. in good financial con-
dition, and is conducted upon the strict
discipline which characterizes regular
military organizations.