Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-08-26
IHE WHITE SQUADRON
Arrives In Boston to Add Dignity and
Grace to Templars' COnclave.
Thousands Of Knights Are
Pouring Into the Hub.
sThe Little commandery" Promises to Be One
OF the Chief Attractions.

BOSTON, Aug. 26.-The four ships of the
White Squadron were moving about Mas
sachusetts bay yesterday and steamed into
port this morning. The four cruisers are
the New York, Montgomery, Minneapolis
and Raleigh.
These vessels compose the most power
full squadron ever assembled in these
waters. More vessels 1t is true, have
been here at once, and In recent years, but
none represented so we'll the power OF
modern naval means of offense and de
fense.
All the four cruisers represent the latest
developments in naval architecture, ord
nance and engineering, as all are brand
new vessels their keels having been laid
but five years ago. and all have been
launched within three years.
On the Hustle.
Little was indoors yesterday as far as
the knights Templar are concerned. The
whole story was pictured on the streets.
There was no hour Of the day that the
hotels, depots and headquarters of COM
manderles were not crowded, but they con-
tinually changed in personality, people
coming and going, staying but few
private affairs or see what they could see,
according to their relation in the present
excitement
Local communicates Of the Knights
Templar We're on the alert all day looking
after the welfare of their fellow knights
who have been coming in at intervals,
some Of them after long and tedious jour
neys from the south and west.
The trains with one exception, were
from one to three hours late, but when
the Knights arrived their welcome was
such that any discomforts they had en-
countered were banished.
At the Union station scene was pre-
sented that had never been witnessed in
this city on Sabbath before. The vast
crowd OF spectators who cheered each ar
irving delegation numbered far into the
thousands, and the strains of music from
the bands of the escorting Communicates
enliyened the tedious waits.
The first delegation to arrive over the
Fitchburg road were the Pittsburg COM
mandery, of Pittsburg, which numbered
100 Knights and their ladies. They were
met with Masonic honors, and escorted by
the Boston commandery to their head
quarters. The Ascalon commandery
brought 20 Knights and ladies from ST.
Louis.
The chief arrival yesterday was that Of
Grand Master Hugh McCurdy, who, with
1876 knights and ladies from Detroit COM
mandery of Detroit, reached here shortly
after 10 o'clock, This commandery is
noted as the crack regiment in the drill
contests, and will no doubt be heard from
in Wednesdays competition.
This afternoon train of 12 cars con-
tanning Iowa delegates to the number Of
300 Knights and ladies were warmly well
coined. The delegation that have excited
the most curiosity Of the citizens were the
Golden Gate of San Francisco, which ar
rived yesterday afternoon. They were es-
corted through the streets by the Boston
commandery. At the head Of this parade
was 4-months-old cinnamon bear,
which caused much amusement among
the spectators. His bearship however,
got tired before the end Of the route, and
Had to Drop Out.
During the early evening and up to
midnight, train upon train brought in
their quota Of living freight. The grand
commandery Of Iowa, comprising 400
knights and 100 ladies' arrived in time for
late tea. The grand commandery of
Maryland were welcomed and escorted to
the Vendome. This delegation were all
from Baltimore, comprising 250 Knights,
accompanied by number of ladies' The
Detroit commandery Of 100 Knights and
20 ladies We're escorted by the Boston COM
mandery to the Vendome.
At the other depots In the city large
delegations arrived, and were taken in
charge by the various communicates The
streets of the city are thronged with visit
ors and citizens, who are viewing the
decorations and waiting for the occasional
appearance OF a visiting delegation es-
corted by a commandery headed with a
band.
A special knights Templar service was
held in Trinity church yesterday after
noon, when that edifice was crowded by
the Knights and their ladies. The sermon
was preached by Grand Prelate Joseph M.
McGrath. He chose for his text Matthew
K, AZ: "And whosoever shall give to drink
unto these little ones a cup Of cold water
only In the name Of a disciple, verify say
unto you, he shall in no wise lose his re-
ward"
After the service the knights, headed by
Grand Master McCurdy, Grand Com
mander Lawrence and the other diQni-
taries of grand encampments, returned in
parade TO the Vendome
Today is the busy day for arrivals.
Over 153 delegations are scheduled to
reach this city
Lads From Louisville.
1t Is no disparagement to the other
bodies to say that the chief interest is
centered In the appearance at the drill Of
the Little Commandery" composed OF
boys from the Kentucky Widows and Or
phans' home. These boys are from 12 to
10 years Of age, three only being over 10,
and the ease and precision with which
they execute all the movements OF Knights
Templar tactics will astonish all behold
ers.
The triennial committee Of Massachu-
setts and Rhode Island requested that
"The Little Commandery" be allowed To
come to Boston as It's guests during the
conclave week, and the answer came from
the directors that, as Sir Knight III. b.
Grant had consented to be responsible for