Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-08-28
\ BIG DAY IN BOSTON.
Knights Templars Get Down to Business.
ECHOES OF THE GREAT PARADE.

BOSTON, Aug. 2S.-An Boston is today discussing the greatest gala day the city has ever seen. For more than five hours the principal avenues were occupied by plumed Knights Templars, and hundreds of thousands of spectators obligingly crowded on to the sidewalks to give them room.
 It was nearly 6 o'clock last night when the last commandery of Knights Templars broke ranks at the foot of Washington street, and the traffic entirely was resum- ed. All the afternoon the street car sys- tenn was almost entirely suspended, even in the streets through which the parade did not pass. When the cars did start up, however, there was the greatest rush ever seen in Boston. Every one was anxious to get home to supper, as the majority of them had been standing with nothing to eat since early morning. They did not re- main at home, however, but hurried back to become part of the great human ka- leidescope which is moving up and down the principal streets tonight.
 / The day was a grand one. Somewhat cloudy at first, the sun came out brightly in the afternoon, but at no time was the heat so great as to cause much discomfort, and every one seemed to enjoy himself greatly, from the grinning urchin who had climbed an electric light pole to the proud bearer of the handsomest beauseant in the line.
 There were none too many grand stands to accommodate the immense throng that clamored for seats although almost every foot of available space along the line of march had been covered with platforms and seats.
 Every inch of space was occupied, and there was hardly breathing room. Both incoming and outgoing local trains were practically deserted during the afternoon, but as soon as the parade was over there was a stampede for the depots, and the early evening trains were crowded to suf- location. This great exodus, however, seemed to make no appreciable difference in the size of the crowd, which still con- tinued to fill every thoroughfare.
 An Evening of Pleasure.
 The Knights presented a splendid ap- pearance on parade, and with very few exceptions completed the entire line of march. As they passed the reviewing stands before Grand Commander McCur- dy and Governor Greenhalge and later be- fore Chief Marshal Lawrence and Mayor Curtis many of them executed intricate military evolutions which won the ex- pressed admiration of the thousands who witnessed them. These tactics were also introduced by the more proficient com manderies at intervals along the line of march.
 Great admiration was expressed at the appearance of the California and other western delegations, but there was slight difference in the manifest pleasure of the spectators as one after the other of all the communicates in line passed.
 The evening was given up by the knights to general merry making. There hoV, fJ ,,>I at every headquarters open house was the order. The conclave was officially opened by exercises in Masonic temple immedi- ately after the close of the parade. Today the serious business of the cOnclave will be in order.
 It was shortly after 6:3O o'clock last evening when tho conclavc was officially opened at Masonic temple Most Eminent Sir. Hugh McCurdy, his excellency Gov ernor Greenhalgc of Massachusetts, his honor Mayor Curtis of Boston and Right Eminent Sir Samuel c. Lawrence pro- ceedcd to the temple where they were greeted by a large audience of sir knights and Masons.
 Sir Lawrence acted master of cere- monies and introduced Mayor Curtis who welcomed the Knights Templars to Boston.
 Mayor Curtis then introduced Governor GrcCnhalgc, who spoke as follows:
 After what has happened it would be SupertluOus for me to add anything fur ther. The welcome is so great that the sound waves will carry love from Boston to San Francisco and from Canada to New Orleans. Events of this sort bring together citizens of a truo r9public-one people, one purpose, one cau,ts. The event today has been an inspiring spcctacle-inspiring in numbers, inspiring in character and n in Si represents a magnificent purpose. The lesson which has gone out today will be needed in every state in the Cnion."
 Most Eminent Sir Hugh McCurdy re- spondcd on behalf of the Knights Ten- plars.
 At the close of Most Eminent Sir Hugh McCurdy'S address every ono not a mem- Der of the grand cncampment of the United States was requested to withdraw, and the enCampmcnt went into active ses- sion. No business was transacted further than to declare the conclave open. An ad- journmcnt promptly followed, the knights dispensing to their various headquarters, which were at once thrown open to visit ors.
 William Gaillard of Palestine Con- mandery No. 6, Knights Tcmplars of New London, Conn.,, dropped dead from ap- oplexy on Washington street, Roxbury. He was returning to headquarters after the parade apparently as well as usual when the fatal attack seized him. The body was removed to the rooms of Under taker Waterman and will be sent home today.
 Grand Encampment Reception.
 The Mecca of the grand officers of the grand communicates from all parts of the country last evening was the Hotel Bruns- " m nf Massachusetts and Rhode Island rendered a reception to the members of the grand encampment, the officers of the grand communicates and the councils of com manderies, with their ladies.
 The east parlors of the hotel, where the reception was held, were beautifully deco rated with flOwers and pottcd plants and the salem cadet band orchestra was in at tendance. Right Eminent Sir Samuel J. Lawrence was present., and many promi- nent knights frole all sections of the Unit ed States called during the evening.
 At the Brunswick also several of the subordinate communicates received their friends. St. Bernard commandery of Sagi. nav, Mich, and the communicates of Vir- ginia and West Virginia held informal re- captions at the hotel, and at Copley hall the grand commandery of Michigan held @ largely attended reception. On one or the main grand stands in Copley square, near the Hotel Brunswick, Marshal's military band of Topeka gave q concert which was enjoyed by hundreds on the stands and in the streets.
 California Commandery No. 1 of San Francisco received at their headquarters on Bosworth street tonight and distribut- ed basket of fruit and bottle of wine, both products of California, to each lady nf vii Sif la bounty of the generous westerners.
 Apollo cOmmandery of Chicago has been tendered an unusual honor by the Algon- quin club, BOstOn's most exclusive organ Ization. The Apollos have been presented with guests cards by the club, which en- title the members of the commandery to share all the privileges of the club while