Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1894-08-29
SORROW IN CAMP.
Pythians Learn with Regret of the
Death of Congressman George
Il, Shaw.

B. Shaw.
Washington, d. c., Aug. 27.-The CAPT
tai of the republic is the Mecca today
towards which the faces of tens of thou
sands of citizens-it types of American
progress, manhood and patriotism; rep
resentatives of finance, and
agriculture, of the arts and the sciences
are turned. Thirty years ago, with a few
months to spare, the first lodge of
Knights of Pythias Of the world was
brought into existence in Washington.
The rosters of twenty signatures that
represented the participants in this initial
gathering has grown into Il roll contain
ing half a million names, covering every
state and territory, and including those OF
some of the most illustriOus and honOred
citizens of the republic. Three decades
have passed away since in the stirring
days of the war thousands of solemn
words were spoken and oaths and
pledges subscribed that gave the order of
Pythians a tangible existence. Thou
sands of its members have passed to an
other land; thousands more, from one
cause or another, nave dropped from the
ranks; but the order, as time has proven,
was built on Il firm foundation. Today,
both In point Of membership and financial
standing, it is stronger than ever before
in it's history, and with the opening of its
biennial cOnclave, it is enabled to make
and maintain the proud boast that it
stands i'll but second place among the Sc
cret fraternal societies of the New World.
All is hustle and animation about the
main streets of the capital this morning.
The pythians in truth have captured the
town. The citizens have made a generous
display of national bunting in honor Of
the visitors, while in addition flags and
streamers with the well-knOwn insignia of
the order and of the uniform rank may
be counted by the thousands. The work
of the various committees has been we'll
done up to the last moment, and he ar
irving PythIInS, with q committee to
meet them and another to eSScOrt them to
quarters already prepared, are realizing,
tired and ravel-Stained as they are. that
there is something in the old adage, "a
friend in need being a friend indeed"
The camp on the square around the
Washington monument, some thirty acres
in extent, and the use Of which was
granted by Congress, is dotted with white
tents which give to the Mall Il picturesque
appearance. "A commodiOus grand stand
has teen erected in front of the executive
mansion, arld from which the President
and his cabinet, members of Congress,
ministers from foreign countries, and
other ~oleciGl guests will review the pa
rade tomorrow. The camp has been
named George Washington and the as
signmentS have been made according to
(lN III u VI SAN
News Of the death of Congressman
George B. Shaw of Wisconsin was re-
ceived with profound sorrow and the
flag floats at half mast from the camp in
honor of his memory He was past SUI
preme chancellor of the order. Resolu-
tons of sympathy were Immediately draft
ed by the supreme lodge and sent tor his
family.
The street assigned to the Wisconsin
contingent had Il deserted appearance up
- .- ~
arrived from the Badger state up to 1
O'Clock, although they were expected LATER
They will haye a double row of tents
running the entire length of the great
camp. Their street will be- designated as
o. the lettered streets, running from A
to- Il. The location of the Wisconsin
street is the highest part of the camp,
and If the next few days are rainy, as is
now indicated, the Badger state boys, will
fare better than many others.
No. business will be transacted at head
quarters today of an important nature.
The question Of the proposed change in
the ritual and other important matters
Will be taken up either tomorrow or
Wednesday. Supreme. Chancellor Black
well was seen by the Wisconsin CORE
spOndent and asked when he thought the
natter OF the proposed change in the
ritual, SO. far as it relates to- the German
or English question is concerned, would
be taken Up. He replied that he could
not tell, as it was a matter that the SUI
Dremp, loIye would determine after the
Session began. He. did not care about
expressing any opiniom about it, but
other high. officials of the order seemed
inclined tca think the decision of the SUI
preme lod4e' at Kansas City would be-
sustained.
Crack companies drilled! This afternoon
on the monument grounds before hundreds
of spectators, and others pald formal Wis
it's to; their members of Congress, notably
the Cleveland Brigade. which was re-
ceived' in a body by Representative JOHN
son of. Ohio. A pleasant feature of the
encampmenE is the presence of many 4
Pythian, sister sO-called, who, will endeavOr
to secure recognition as a. h&RIy from the
ORDER. The state ~brigade5, which are
here, are: Indiana, Kansas. Massachu--
setts;. Iowa, Illinois,, Kentucky, Texas
Pennsylvania, Nebraska. West Virginia..
Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio. Tennessee.
minnesota. Michigan, New York and Con-
necticut. Separate regiments are on the
field from Florida, Georgia. South Caro-
lima. North Carolina, Maryland, Maine,
Rhode Island, LOuisianay. Delaware, Ar
kansas and Colorado.
The weather is damp anGl disagreeable,.
but that does not seem to- affect the Spirr
its of the, knights now here
Three. hundred extra, tents from tile
war department were RAISED today max
ing the number i'm the camp 2000. but
there were complaints of overcrowding
and the Washington. division which had
tented! with the visitors marched out OF
camp and gave. tfieine quarters to- the
Michigan men. Estimates of the number
in camp are abOut 100000 as each tent ac-
commodities five men,. There are also
many, unattached knights III town. Many
divisions arrived durings the day andI there
-.- III +H~NA - ~, ~. -.