Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1894-08-30
SORROW IN CAMP.
Pythians Learn with Regret OF the
Death of Congressman George
r Shaw.

Is. 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 types OF American
progress, manhood and patriotism; rep
resentatives of finance, commerce and
agriculture, of the arts and the sciences
are turned. Thirty years ago, with 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 roll contain
ing half 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 tangible existence. lhou-
sands of it's members have passed to an
other land; thousands more, from one
cause or another, have dropped from the
ranks: but the order, as time has proven,
was built on 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
and maintain the proud boast that it
stands in 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 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
off the various committees has been we'll
done UP to the last moment, and the ar
irving Pythians, with a committee to
meet them and another to escort 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 q 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 a picturesque
appearance. A commodious grand stand
ha> teen erected in front of the executive
mansion, and from which the President
and his cabinet, members of Congress.
ministers from foreign countries, and
other special guests will review the pa
rade tomorrow. The camp has been
named George Washington" and the as
signments have been made according to
the seniority of brigade commanders
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 III
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 to his
family.
The street assigned to the Wisconsin
contingent had a deserted appearance up
10 70 a al lo
arrived from the Badger state up to
O'Clock, although they were expected later.
They will have 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
matter 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 su-
preme lodge would determine after the
session began. He did not care about
expressing any opinion about it, but
other high officials of the order seemed
inclined to think the decision of the SUI
preme lodge at Kansas City would be
sustained.
Crack companies drilled this afternoon
on the monument grounds before hundreds
of spectators, and others paid 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
encampment is the presence of many a
Pythian sister so-called, who will endeavor
to secure recognition as body from the
order. The state brigades which are
here are: Indiana, Kansas, Massachu-
setts, Iowa. Illinois, Kentucky; Texas
Pennsylyania Nebraska, West tr wirsinia'
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, Louisiana, Delaware, Ar
kansas and Colorado.
The weather is damp and disa greeab!e,
but that does not seem to affect the splr-
its of the knights now here.
Three hundred extra tents from the
war department were raised today max
ing the number in the camp 1000, but
there were complaints of overcrowding
and the Washington division which had
tented with the visitors marched out OF
camp and gave their quarters to the
Michigan men. Estimates of the number
in camp are about 10000 as each tent ac
commodities five men. There are also
many unattached knights in town. Many
divisions arrived during the day and there
was jolly time in camp notwithstanding
the damp, uncomfortable weather.