Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-21
The PYTHIAN HOSTS
The Men Who Are Arranging for
the August Conclave.
GROWTH OF A POPULAR ORGANIZATION
The Various Subcommittee and
Their Work.
THO ANDS OF VISITORS

The conclave Of the Knights of Pythias
and the encampment of the Uniform Rank
knights of Pythias, are to be held in this
city during the last week in August The
event Is expected to attract hundreds of
thousands of people to Washington for The
dual purpose of seeing the capital of the
columbian world and sharing in the glories
OF the Pythian celebration. The order of
The Knights of Pythias is stated in its con-
stitution to be founded on naught but
the purest and since-est motives; its aim
Is to alleviate the sufferings of brother.
succor the unfortunate zealously watch at
the bedside of the sick. soothe the dying
pillow, perform the last sad rites at the
grave Of a brother, Offering consolation to
tne atfiicted. and caring for the widow and
orphan Having these principles in view,
they will endeavor to exemplify them by
practical tests. and If, by the grace of God
II shall successfully carry out this object
they will feel that their mission has not
been In vain"
Record to BE Proud of.
Perhaps no other charitable organization
IN the country has labored under greater
disadvantages and brought forth more
beneficial results. Organized during the
heat OF the late civil strife. when society
was In a disrupted state it has steadily
advanced N numbers and importance, and
Is now in a nourishing and prosperous con-
oition. The beautiful lesson Of friendship
between Damon and Pythias is sought to
be practically taught by a ritual which,
for beauty and perspicuity of language, is
highly commended The strong ties with
which the members of the order are bound
together, the interesting and attractive
ceremonies OF the degrees, the unfailing in
terest shown for the welfare of the order.
and the generous manner in which the
membership have ever responded to the
n v-h
have contributed to the success Of the
order.
The Grand Lodge was organized on the
9Th of April 1864 with j. T. Il Plant as
grand chancellor. and A Van Der Veer as
grand scribe. and set about forming lodges
elsewhere, and succeeded in locating one
at the Navy Yard. known as Franklin
Lodge. No. 2, with the following charter
members: Robert l. Middleton, Daniel
Carrigan. Edward Fox, Clarence NJ. Barton,
James Gill, Nicholas Wayson. Joseph H.
Lawrence. Hudson Petit, Edward Dunn
James W. Kelly, Jasper Scott George
Norton. ]. H. Wheeler. The lodge was
instituted on the 18th of April at the Ana
costa engine house by the officers of the
Grand Lodge.
On the 18th of May. 1864 the Grand
Lodge organized Columbia Lodge, No. 3,
located at. Temperance Hall. On the I'd OF
June Potomac Lodge. No. 4, was also or
ganized at Temperance Hal, Land afterwards
located at Island Hall, on the island On
the LIST of February, 1865, Alexandria Lodge
NO. L. OF virginia, was organized through
the efforts of Mr.. John II. King of Frank
lin Lodge, then engaged in the United
States naval service near Alexandria Mr.
King was appointed deputy grand chan
cellor OF the state of Virginia.
On Whom the Work Falls
Since those early days the order in this
District has increased in numbers and in
influence. AS the hosts on the occasion of
the great gathering of the Pythian forces,
the Washington fraters have undertaken a
great task; but they are equal TO the emer-
gency. The men on whom the burden of
planning and arranging for the event rests
are those Of the executive committee. This
IS body Of men well fitted for their task
The names of the members are as follows
Richard GOodhart, chairman; Geo. w Heis-
ley. vice chairman; A. F. Medford. recording
secretary. b. 7. Doyle. corresponding sec
Rotary; John Humphrey. treasurer; J. H
Mitchell, W. H. DOhrety. ]. B. Conner Col
H Coggins, J. W. Carter, T. H. Gladmon
y. Bunch. ]. c. Yost. Motley anderson, J.
W. Cronie, ]. NJ. Kline. F. B. Grown. F. w
Helbig. w. T. Mockbee. Ed. Brown and J.
z. Smith.