The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-11-22
ENDED TN 0RATORY
MASONIC MEETING WINDS UP WITH
A FINE BANQUET.
Hall Beautifully Decorated for the Occa-
ate Spread of Delicaeies Served by the
Ladies' of st. PauPs-Toasts Responded
from Abroad Enjoy the Hospitality of
the Home notwithstanding Pro-
ceeding During the Last Day.


The sixteenth semf-annlIal reunion o.
the various bodies Of the Ancient Ac-
Wichita has passed into history and II
VIII long be remembered as the most
successful session held by these organi-
cations up to the present time.
Elmo Lodge OF Perfection, No 9, was
chartered June %, 1887, Wichita Chap
Gil knights Kadosh, No. 5, Nov II,
1887, and Wichita Consistory, No. 2, on
Dec. g. 1887, the perpetual charter being
granted in JAN 25, 1883.
Organized under a charter member
Ship in the lodge of Perfection Of twelve
members, the bodies have grown to 800
in membership.
The present reunion has added TWEEN
ty-eigFst additional members 10 the RITE
the largest class Of candidates ever pre-
scented at one of the Wichita reunions
being Initiated at this session.
The growth of the Wichita bodies has
been phenomenal. Their membership
now enrolls 800 During the last four
years fthey have reduced a $4,000 IN
debtednerss to $500. besides expanding
about s., 600 on parapheqnanfa and 81. 500
on irnporvem ents on their property The
receipts from the present class Will prac
tioaily clear UP THE remaining indebted
ness
Yesterday proved another very busy
day with the workers Ait O'Clock a
M. work on the T'hirtietth degree was
commenced, and except for a short re-
cess at the noon hour the entire day
Was consumed Until $50 O'Clock with
the Thfrtistih and Thirty-first The
Thirty second-the last and final degree
conferred WITHIN the Wichita bodies
the Master Of the Royal Secret
A large numbers of visitors and men,
bers were in attendance during the con-
ferra7 of the degree
At 1920 O'Clock the members adjourn
ed to the banquet served in Garfield
hail by the ladies of st. PauFs NJ. F..
church, in a manner appreciated by all
present TO the fullest extent possible.
The table was arranged in the form OF
Tentonic cross, occupying the floor
space from wall to wall. Between the
two western arms Of this cross was plac
ed the table of the POSTMASTER, Mr.. G..
NJ. Jones. at which also sat the leading
gentlemen of the Scottish Rite lodges
lnt -NTllTu degree members.
The table and banoueters presented a
beautiful picture from the gallery above
The 200 members fauitlessly attired ar
ranged around the table. lighted with
the rival lights Of the Pickering cam
dies. and the large arc lights In the
candle an emblem of the peaceful quiet,
simple home life of the years gone by;
in the electric lamps the brilliant,
sparkling, vigorous light of this age
the end Of the Ninteenth century. In
the center Of the table was a beautiful
floral maltese cross: in the center of
which rested the seven arm candle
stick. brought down to us from the
ancient candle-sticks in the Temple Of
Solomon-the first grand master of the
oldest order in existence The entire
length Of the table glittered with the
brilliant cinfillition of the thousand re-
fracting surfaces, while clear along the
entire length sflone the brilliant wit
and hearty laughter seen and heard at
no gathering except at those where the
culture. education and refinement of the
entire country are gathered together in
its almost absolute entirety. The bright
genial. intelligent faces arranged along
the table; the soft light of the candles
and lamps upon the table oVershone by
the brilliant electric lights; the glitter
ing Of the beautiful glass and silver
ware. and he rudy darts Of opalescent
fire from the jewels here and there
among the gentlemen: together with
the merry clink Of glasses. the genial
laughter from the exhibition OF wit
among the gathering here and there,
made a picture which will long be re-
membered by those who saw it as a
scene from fairy land.
After the address of welcome by Mr.
Harry Gordon. in which he euloeizei
the beauty and taste of the dainty
ladies who prepared the bounteous re-
past. and served ii in the manner of the
refined hostesses they are, the toasts
were INDUCED in with the full zest of
all those present.
Addresses followed in the order NAM