Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-29

Hastings Division, No. 10, of Hastings.
Mich, was organized August IL. 1885. and
has never been defeated in competitive
drill October Is, 1885, the division was
presented at the meeting Of the Michigan
brigade at Lansing, Mich, with $25 in gold
and silver water set for having the larg-
est number of knights in line. October TO-
1886. at the fourth meeting of the Michigan
brigade. held in Grand Rapids. they won
first prize in a competitive drill June 16.
1887. at the fifth meeting Of the Michigan
brigade, held In Kalamazoo, they won first
prize for competitive drill. June Is, 1883, at
the meeting of the Supreme Lodge, Knights
of Pythias Of the World. held In Cincinnati.
Ohio, Hastings Division, No. 10, was award
ed first prize. 81 100; also special prize of
500 from Brigade Commander Gen. H. F.
Hastings. commander Of Michigan brigade,
with score Of 1854. June 3. 1889, at the
sixth meeting Of the Michigan brigade, held
In the city Of Albion, Hastings Division
gave an exhibition drill before Maj. Gen.
Carnahan and the Michigan brigade. and
the sir knights and citizens Of Albion pre-
scented them with a magnificent silver water
set as a testimonial. July ID. 1890. at the
meeting of the SuprSme Lodge, knights of
Pythias of the World. held In Milwaukee.
Wis, Hastings Division, No. 10. was award
ed first prize, $1,000. and their captain. A.
d. Niskern. first prize. 500. as the best
commander at that meeting The, score Of
Hastings Division was 1881: Erie Division
Of Erie. Kan. won second prize: score.
1913 Austin Division of Amsterdam, N.
Y. third prize; score, sS.12. At the Su-
preme Lodge meeting held in Kansas City,
1892, Hastings Division did not enter the
competitive drill for the reason they had
won SO mai.y prizes 1t would make mem
bers of the order think that was all they
cared for. 50. by a vote Of the members, It
was decided to withdraw and then to meet
This meeting takes place, here. and they
will participate. hoping to win some place
and honor :cr Michigan. They. have been
drilling for eight months past seven times
a week-four mornings and three evenings.
They have been travelling over parts Of
Michigan, giving exhibition drills before
members of the order in other cities. The
personnel of their drill corps is the same In
with in 1885 Twenty men IN the present
drill corps have drilled in every prize and
exhibition drill given since 1885. The same
officers command them. The United States
officers who judged the drill at Milwaukee
stated publicly that the drill of Hastings
Division was the most precise and perfect
that they ever witnessed They excelled
the United States army, Knights Templar
and state militia
Capt. Albert D. Niskern, commanding
Hastings Division, is Michigan man.
After graduating from Hastings Michigan,
High School he entered the United States
Military School at West Point as a cadet In
1882. from which institution he graduated
in 1885, He then served for a short time
in the U. s. army second lieutenant, but
resigned to become associate editor Of the
Banner. a republican paper published at
Hastings, Michigan. During 1890 and 1891
he was military instructor at Orchard Lake
Military Academy, Orchard Lake, Mich.
At the expiration of this time he re-entered
the U. s. army, and was sent to Fort
Assiniboine. Montana.
His membership with Hastings Division,
No. 10. u r.. K of p. dates from Novem-
Der. 1887, with q record follows: Elected
captain February 8, 1888, to which posi-
ton he was reelected unanimously for six
successive years With his division he won
first prize at Cincinr att, June. 1883, and
first prize at Milwaukee, 1890. m addition
to the regular prize at Milwaukee. he was
given a special prize Of one hundred dollars
for being the best captain at the conclave.
In military, as well of X. of p. circles,
he has earned a high reputation as a drill
master and tactican.
His physique. carriage, voice, memory
and quick conception of military move
rnents and tactics have been highly COM
mented upon by military judges. He is
very strict disciplinarian, yet was never
known to lose his temper or say an I'M
kind or profane word to any of his men.
His first lieutenant, William II. Powers,
and second lieutenant. Dan. w. Reynolds,
together with sir knight guard, William d.
Hayes. and sir knight sentinel Archie Nc.
Coy, have participated in every drill given
by the division, and have been reelected
year after year. along with their captain.