Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-08-28

WASHINGTON, D. c., August 27.-
The flag over camp George Washing
ton was lowered to half mast to-day on
account of the announcement Of the
death of Congressman George B. Shaw,
Of Eau Claire, Wis, who was Past Su-
preme Chancellor of the Knights OF
Pythias, the predecessor in office OF
Chancellor w. W. Blackwell. Resolu-
tions were drafted at once by the Su-
preme Lodge, TO be sent TO his family
Three hundred extra tents from the
War Department were raised to-day
making the number in the camp Two
thousand, but there were complaints
of overcrowding, and the Washington
divisions, 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 10, 1000, as each tent accommodates
five men. There are also many unat-
tached Knights in town.
Many divisions arrived during the
day, aud there was jolly time IN camp
Notwithstanding the damp, uncomiort-
able weather. Crack companies drilled
on the monument grounds before hun
dreds Of spectators, and others pald
formal visits TO their members or
Congress, notably the Cleveland brig
ade. which was received in 8 body by
Representative Johnson, OF Ohio. A
pleasant feature Of the encampment is
the presence OF many Pythlan sisters,
so-called, who will endeavor 10 secure
recognition as a body from the order.
The State Brlgades which are here
are: Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts.
Iowa, Illinois. Wisconsin, KentucSy,
Texas, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, west
Virginia. Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio,
Tennessee, Minnesota, Michigan, New
York aud Connecticut.
Separate regiments are on the held
from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina,
North Carolina, Maryland, Maine,
Rhode Island, Louisiana, Delaware,
Arkansas and Colorado.
Srt,arle Chancellor Blackwell, o. th9
X. of P, issued an order TO postpone
the reception to be given by citizens
committee tonight on account OF the
| death OF his predecessor in office, Con-
gresham Shaw, Of Wisconsin. Later
on representations OF the citizens com
mittee, the order was withdrawn.
Vice President Stevenson delivered
the address OF welcome to the visiting
Knights at the reception this evening.
! de said:
The pleasing duty has been assigned
me Of extending to the representatives
/ OF the order OF Knights of Pythias
\ welcome 10 the nations capital.
| l may be pardOned for OBTAINING you
| for a moment before this formal vel
come is extended.
This is no ordinary gathering. 1t Is
/ literally the coming together OF honored
representatives of great brotherhood
] from everv State and section OF the
/ American Union. 1t is indeed an honor
10 the city 10 claim as its guests
the knightliest representatives. OF
an order whose membership
| falls little short OF half !
million, whose faith-the beautiful leg
end Of Damon and Pythias-whose shib
boleth friendship, 6snevOence anc
| charity" "aud the greatest OF these /:
/ charity" / trust divulge no secrets
which would bring upon my poor head
4 the dread penaity-wnen l say
\ that have heard that a
each regular assembling of the
! Knights OF Pythias, the official inquiry
/ is made, does any one know OF sick
brother, or of brothers family In dis
! ;ress." II this be true, then even the
wayfaring man may know whence
| came the inspiration that formu'
! lated the ritual and founded the or
der II is too much to say
that truly this is religion in action"
/ Whatever troubious times the rolling
years may bring to the State, who car
I doubt that the Knightiy men OF thi:
great brotherhood will stand as ada
mant for the preservation and perpetua
/ tioa OF all that is best in our civiliza
I tion-of all it has cost centuries o.
/ tiresome erdeavOr 10 achieve. Repre-
senting every portion Of the republic
every vocation and calling in life, II il
yours 10 bind by vet stronger cords
every section aud State into one indi
visible, indestructibie union.
And now it out remains 10 welcome
you, Knights OF PythIas, TO Washing
ton. I cordially bid you welcome L
the most beautiful city in the world
Here is the ymool Of the au
thority, the grandeur, the power
/ of the greatest government known
/ TO men. You will 6nd it, Indeed
mo mean city" You are not strangers
"out fellow citizens" 1t is your CAPT
tai. and you are welcome 10 your tath-
/ er's house.
Welcome, thrice welcome, knight
OF Pythias."
/ Wat Vtrrinia Poatal Affair."