Middletown transcript., 1894-09-08
TRIP TO WASHINGTON.
A Pythian Pilgrimage to the Nation,
CanftaI

Capital.
| On Monday, August 9th, party of si1
consisting of Mr.. J C. .Jolls and wife, Messrs
J. A. Suydam, William Francis, J. W
Gary and G. N. Dickinson left Middletowr
to 60 to Washington. At Wilmington
they Joined Wilmington Division No. l.
Uniform Rank Knights of Pythias, and
left on the sos p. M, Royal Blue Express
over the B. &. O. R, R., arriving in Wash.
ington about o'clock. In the Whining.
ton party were about Sc Knights, 20 ladies
and the First Regiment Band Of 20 men.
The Middletown contingent were very
much pleased at the polite and accomodat-
ing treatment accorded by the B. & O. R. R.
At Washington the ladies were placed in
charge Of committee and conducted to
the Hotel Johnson. The Division was
escorted by Washington Division No. 1, of
the D. G. in parade to the same hotel.
The parade on Tuesday the 2Sth. was
an event in the lives of the members from
this town. About 5000 Uniformed
Knights taking part and being reviewed
by the President of the United States and
other high officials. Members were present
from every state and territory in the Union,
nearly all the provinces of Canada, Mani
toba and the Northwest Territory, and
from the Sandwich Islands. The divisions
from the latter country consisting of As
men offered the steamship and R. R. Com
panies $145 per man for the round trip
but could not secure better rates than $3.50
at which price only delegation came.
On Wednesday the Grand Dress Parade
and Review in the White House lot before
Major Gen. Schofield and other high Off
GERS of the United States Army and Military
attaches of the several foreign legations
took place and was certainly an inspiring
sight. Thursday and Friday were put in
sightseeing. and the party left Washington
at up. m. Friday, reaching Wilmington at
IA where parade was made to the ar
mory and dismissed. The tired but happy
party from Middletown reached home at
midnight.
Among the many interesting and noyel
sights, first in importance was Camp George
Washington. situated at the base of the
Washington Monument and being occupied
by about 10000 men, it was a great sight |
when viewed by moonlight. One
Division from Florida had the most unique |
fatigue cap ever seen. It was made of white |
duck and on top of each cap was a stuffed |
alligator about 10 or II inches long SYM
bolic OF the state from whence they came.
In front of the Kansas brigade headquar-
ters erected on totem pole" was an i'm
mense grasshopper at least or feet long,
and in several tents Of this brigade were
Ipecimens of Kansas corn stalks with the
ears well set.
But, no trip to Washington would be
complete without mention of Mt. Vernon,
;he beautiful home and tomb of Washing.
;on. Most of the Sir Knights took either
Thursday or Friday for this trip, and the
'avorite way was via Alexandria. Leaving
he foot of Seventh St., Washington, at $50
!. M, pleasant sail of half an hour down
he Potomac lands one at the ancient city
If Alexandra. Aside from its historical
feature, Alexandra is a sort of Mecca to
he Knights of Pythias, as here reside the
wo daughters of Justus H. Rathbone,
irst Supreme Chancellor and founder of
he order. The Supreme Lodge grants each
If these two young ladies pension of $50
yer month. Leaving Alexandria on the
electric Road, ride of nine miles (which
5 made in 70 minutesJ along the banks OF
be Potomac. lands one at the gates of Mt.
Ternon. Here as much time as one has to
pare may profitably be spent in viewing
he many relics of the Father of his Coun.
ry.
Too much cannot be said of the Street
ar Service OF the National Capitol. 1t is
5 near perfect As possible. The Capitol,
White House, Treasury, Army, Navy, State
nd other prominent buildings were visited
nd all came home entirely satisfied with {
heir Pythian pilgrimage.