Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-02

embraced them saw, by the very simplicity
OF the work. and the practical lessons
taught by the ritual. a glorious future for
the order in the state Of Pennsylvania and
elsewhere.
The constitution Of the knights Of Pythias
sets forth that 1t is Founded on naught
but the purest and sincerest motives; Its
aim is to alleviate the sufferings OF q
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 brother, Offering consolation
to the afflicted. 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,
it shall successfully carry out this object,
they will feel that their mission has not
been in vain"
AS will be seen from the foregoing the old
est lodge in the order is Franklin. The sec.
ond oldest is Mount Vernon. An outline OF
the history Of the latter is as follows:
The Second Oldest Lodge.
In the spring of 1860. the order of Knights
of Pythias was in a precarious condition
and nigh unto death. Washington Lodge.
No. 1, Columbia, No. 3, and Potomac, No.
A. had ceased holding meetings, and the
Grand Lodge, for want of sufficient num-
Der of subordinate lodges, had become de-
funct Franklin Lodge, No. 2 alone re-
manned, and it's membership after failing
in a determined effort to resuscitate the old
lodges. proceeded to organize a new one.
AT a regular meeting held on April 2, 1895.
Thomas Hamilton moved that a committee
of five be appointed to canvass for the pur-
pose of organizing new lodge of the order,
and on April 16, 1866 Mount Vernon
Lodge. No. ), was il stituted under dis
pensation from the post chancellors of
Franklin Lodge, No. 2, the following gen.
tlernen being present and receiving the de-
grees of the order: Albert Anderson, John
Bauman, VIM. A. Cooper, VIM. l.. Chiids.
John b. Daughton, John l. Downs, George
r. Dyer, b. c. Daughton, John ]. Griggs,
Chas. Gardner, Thos. Gosnell, Samuel G.
Hunt, Thos. e. johnson, Geo. Langley,
Thos. Lynch, john Nj. Mitchell, Henry l..
Oliver, Richard 7. Sears. Geo. Schultz, Jno.
II. Simms and Jno. II. White
Officers were elected as follows: John I.
Downs. venerable patriarch; VIM. L. Childs,
worthy chancellor; John B. Daughton, vice
chancellor; John j. Griggs, worthy banker;
Richard T. Sears, financial scribe; George
Schultz. recording scribe; VIM. A. Cooper,
guide; Chas. Gardner, inner steward; John
Bauman, outer steward.
The officers were then Installed by the
past officers of Franklin Lodge, No. q, and
the lodge proceeded to business and has
held regular meetings ever since
OF the above named the following are
still members Of Mount Vernon Lodge: Al
bert Anderson. B. c. Daughton and John
M. Mitchell. John B. Daughton is a men,
Der of Harmony Lodge, No. q. VIM. L.
Childs, John 1. Downs and VIM. A. Cooper
are dead. John J. Griggs and Geo. Schultz
are living, but not in the order. The where
abouts of the others are unknown.
Owing to the circumstances under which
Mount Vernon Lodge was instituted it is
sometimes referred to as the savior Of the
order. 1t has membership of 11S, and
meets every Wednesday night at Elks Hail.
corner of Pennsylvania avenue and 9th
street northwest.
The present officers of the lodge are:
Louis w. Stmons, chancellor commander;
Henry Yenney, prelate; Robert d. Crupper.
keeper of records and seal; John NJ. Kline
master of finance: James Frank, master Of
exchequer; Willard 8. Robbins, mastcr-at-
arms; -, inner guard; Z. o. Gunson, outer
guard.