The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1894-09-08
west VIRGINIAKNIGHTS
WIN MANY BIG PRIZES AT
WASHINGTON.
Morgantown Gets one of the Finest
And Gallant Col. Poster is Pleased
Accordingly Words for Flyod
Utterback and Other Fest Tirginians

1t will be gratifying to our people
to learn that more prizes were cap
tured by West Virg mia at the late
X. of p. encampment than by any
other State. Among the prizes was
the stand of colers offered by the
Washington Evening Star to the
regiment that should make the best
appearance in the great parade.
This was awarded to the first West
Virginia Regiment commanded by
Col. S. A. Poster, of Morgantown.
1t is a magnificent United States
flag surrounded by a golden spread
eagle, heavily fringed with bullion,
and accompanied by a pair of regu
lation guidons.
On the staff OF black ebony is a
handsome solid silver plate bearing
the inscription Presented by the
Evening Star of Washington, d. c.
Awarded to the First Regiment of
West Virginia, u. r. K. p, for con-
spicuous excellence on parade and
review. Encampment of 1894.
This inscription tells briefly the
story of an award that will bring
pleasure and satisfaction TO the
Pythians of the whole State of West
Virginia.
The credit which attaches to the
first regiments victory is all the
greater when it is stated that this
was the first occasion that it had
ever participated in national en-
campment as regiment.
When Col. Poster, the command
ing officer of the regiment, was in
formed that he would carry home
with him the stand of colors he was
immensely surprised, but even more
gratified. 81 had no idea that we
would be successful in carrying off
the magnificent trophy" he said.
ave shall take it back home with
US to West Virginia, with all the
pride that we are justified in feeling.
1t certainly is handsome stand of
colors, and | am afraid that when
we get back home the state will
hardly be large enough to hold us.
An older regiment than ours might
win such a trophy as that and not
be so much overjoyed, but we natur-
ally feel, as this was our first APP
pearance, that we must have done
pretty well to warrant the judges in
awarding us first place. Much of
the credit for our success is due to
our adjutant, C. E. Vance of Clarks
burg, who, unfortunately, was pre-
vented by illness from coming to
the encampment, but he has devoted
great deal of time and energy to
the interests of the regiment.
Col. Smith Albert Posten is one of
the most soldierly and at the same
time attractive of men. He is an
enthusiastic Pythian and takes the
greatest interest in the Uniform
Rank. He was born in Preston
county, W. Va, April IL, 1858. He
joined the order Knights of Pythias
in 1883 and Uniform Rank, X. of p,
in 1891. He was commissioned
quartermaster and lieutenant of the
first regiment, West Virginia bri-
gade, U. r. K. of P, October 10,
1898. He joined the Grand Lodge,
X. of P, of West Virginia October
10, 1891, and was elected o. G. of
Grand Lodge October, 1898. He
has been a faithful worker for the
Uniform Rank and for the order of
Knights of Pythias.
The members of Col Posten's
staff are as follows: G. S. Spates of
Clarksburg, lieutenant colonel; A. S.
Warder, M. D., Grafton, surgeon; w.
P. Megrall, Wheeling, assistant sur
geon; G. E. Vance, Clarksburg, ad
jutant, and F. j. Utterback, Nor
gantown, quartermaster.
Adjutant c. E. Vance is division
member of Pinnickinnick, No. 5. He
is resident of Clarksburg, where
he is known as a prominent hard
ware dealer. He is a graduate of
the West Virginia State University
at Morgantown and he was an effi-
cient officer of his cadet corps. He
is also a commissioned officer in the
National Guard of West Virginia.
He is known as one of the best mill
tary men in his state.
Quartermaster F. j. Utterback is
commercial traveller for Wheel
ing house. He lives in Morgantown
and has been a member of the
Knights of Pythias for about three
years past.
The first regiment reached Wash
ington Monday morning, having
come through in special train. 1t
has remained in camp during the
week and has maintained the best
of discipline. Of the twelve divis-
ions in the regiment Col Poster had
eight in line on Tuesday, an unus-
ually large number for one regiment