The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1894-06-28
PICNIC AND EXCURSION.
THE KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAs AT
THE GRANITE CITY.
About 8 900 People Attend the First
Annual PiCnic-The Addresses
Good Dinner-Money Realized

About 8, 900 People Attend the First
Annual Picnic-The Addresses
Good Dinner-Money Realized
| Reported for THE SENTINEL.
The Knightssof Pythias' excursion
to Mt. Airy on Friday, at which time
their beautiful annual picnic grounds
we're dedicated and opened for the
first time, was perfect success in
every way.
| The excursion party from this point
numbered about four hundred, In
which were included about forty mem
beers Of the Grand Lodge. This num-
Der was increased by the addition of
| about three hundred more from
| Greensboro and vicinity, who arrived
| on another special train about twelve
o'clock. To these were added many
| Of the good people OF Mt. Airy and
| surrounding country, making crowd
varieusly estimated at from twenty
| five hundred to three thousand people
on the grounds by the hour of noon.
The business men Of the White City
Of the mountains, all closed their
places CT business from IL to o'clock
in honor of the occasion as a mark of
special respect.
The dinner which was served at one
o'clock out of 247 well filed baskets,
was most bOuntiful. Every one was
.'flled to OVERLOOKING" entirely salts
fed, and all were very profuse In their
praises of the bountiful supply and
perfect manner in which the meal was
served. When all had been amply
supplied, it was found that one hun
dred and forty pounds of hams, and
one hundred pounds of bread, togeth-
er with an unlimited supply of cakes,
pies, ETC., still remained untouched.
The exercises at the pavilion, which
was beautifully decorated with ever
green's and bunting OF, three colors Of
the order-blue, yellow and red
which was also very noticeable all
over the grounds, commenced at2 D.
m. After selection by the famous
Salem Orchestra, especially employed
for this occasion, Rev. Mr.. Alexander,
Of the Presbyterian church, and
member of the Order, offered fer
vent prayer. The Mayor of the
city, Mr.. Carter, also a member Of
the Blue Ridge lodge, in well chosen
and eloquent remarks, welcomed the
vast concourse Assem- bled, to the beau
tfful Granite City. The address of
welcome was responded TO by MesSrs.
H. l. McDuffie, of Fayetteville, and
Il. A. Ebert, or Salem.
Rev. G. A. G. Thomas, of Green's
boro, delivered a very good address
upon Friendship, which was followed
by very fine exposition of the second
teaching Of the Order, namely, "Char-
ity," by Rev. A. D. Thpler, OF Win
ston, while the theme of "Benevo-
lence" was accorded to Rev. 2. r.
Law, of Lumberton, which he han
died in a very acceptable and compre-
hensive manner.
At the close of the remaks upon the
beautiful teachings of the Order, the
new Grand Chancellor, G. e. HOlton,
for few minutes. The closing ad
dress was accorded to Mr.. Gilmer, of
Waynesville, whose former home was
Mt. Airy. In his most excellent adj
dress he very elOquently and effective
ly dWelt upon the teachings of the
Order, the immense amount Of good
it has already accomplished, giving
considerable attention to the su bject
of Pythian widows and orphans.
Mr.. Geo. w. Sparger was master Of
ceremonies and very efficiently did he
discharge his duties.
The order throughout the day was
perfect in every particular, and the
excursion trains were entirely free
from the least disturbance or annoy
ance to any OF the large company who
occupied the same.
The various committees in charge
of the different and varied arrange
ments for this very enjoyable occasion
deserve especial mention for the adj
mirable manner in which they were
executed.
Quite a sum for this first effort will
be realized for the Orphans fund Of
the Grand Lodge. 1t is thought the
net amount OF same will probably
reach two hundred and fifty dollars.