Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1895-02-22
The Grand Lodge Of Knights o.
Pythias.

u
Staunton, during part of this week, has
been turned into a Pythian camp, and
very pretty sight it has been. The Uni
formed Rank of Knights constitutes the
military part and is largely composed Of
young men, who wear one Of the uapdsom-
est uniforms worn by the members of any
secret order. The streets somehow recall
ed the days of Sixty-one, when they were
thick with the very flower of the youth OF
that day arrayed in pretty uniforms.
Among those here is Major General
James R. Carnahan of Indiana. who is the
commander chief of the Uniformed
Rank in the United States.
THE UNIFORMED RANK.
On Monday night the line officers OF the
fifteen divisions in Virginia met at Pythian
Hall and formed two regiments (instead OF
the one already existing) and assigned
them as follow:
First OIL Tidewater Regiment, First
Battalion-two Portsmouth divisions and
one each from Norfolk and Berkeley.
Second Battalion-N Newport News, Suf-
folk and Hampton.
Second OF Western Regiment, First
Observation-Disclosures, Fredericksburg, AL
exandria and Leesburg divisions.
Second Battalion-Roanoke, Staunton,
Clifton Forge and Danville.
Hon. d. J. Turner of Norfolk, late col
onel of the Virginia regiment, was made
brigadier- general. Capt. L. H. Vernelson
of Portsmouth, was made adjutant general
of the brigade with the rank of colonel.
The election of the remainder of the brig
ade staff was postponed.
The Second OF Western Regiment was
organized by the promotion of j. II.
Featherston of Roanoke, Major Of the old
regiment, to the colonelcy; e. Collins Tay-
lor of Clifton Forge. Lieutenant Colonel
Frank B. Berkely of Staunton, Major OF
First Battalion; e. r. Boyer Of Alexan-
dria, Major of Second Battalion. All the
regimental officers of the second regiment
have not yet been selected.
The organization of the first regiment
Wd6 uclCllCu uIUll uCAU WCChs OWlhS5 w ohS
fact that three of the seven divisions con-
stituting it were unrepresented. A meet
ing of line officers will he held in N orfolk
which is easily accessible to all seven divis-
ion points-for this purpose next week.
THE GRAND LODGE.
The Grand Lodge, which represents
about 5000 members in Virginia, met or
Tuesday evening at Pythian Hall.
The reports of the chief officers were
very encouraging. That of the Grand
Chancellor showed that Notwithstanding
the great depression in the financial times
situation that retards all secret orders
the Knights Of Pythias in Virginia had
increased instead of falling off, and added
two more lodges. The report Of the Grand
Keeper of Records and Seals, showed a
total of 50 lodges in the State, with a mem
bership of 4,4s1. The report Of the Grand
Master of Exchequer, showed for the
year total receipts of So, 1858; disburse-
ments, 81, $3.50; balance on hand 50, 1862.
At the opening meeting of the Grand
Lodge, addresses were delivered by the SUI
preme Chancellor OF the World, Walter B.
Richie, of Lima, Ohio, and Gen. Carnahan,
Commander int chief of the Uniformed
Rank.
Valley Lodge No. IS of Staunton, serv-
ed handsome lunch in the room under the
lodge room which was partaken Of after
adjournment.
The chief work of the session was to
adjust the laws Of the order to the recent
new system adopted by the Supreme Grand
Lodge, a system exactly resembling the
government of the United States, which
was done. The following Grand officers
for the ensuing year were elected:
E. P. Hulce, Richmond, Past Grand
Chancellor: r. T. Hutchinson, Smithville,
Grand Chancellor; w. E. Garrett, Lees
burg, Grand Vice Chancellor; w. T. Ljth-
Cow, Manchester, Grand Prelate; Walter
A. Edwards. Norfolk, Grand Keeper of
Records and Seal; 7. L. Courtney, Rich
mond, Grand Master Of Exchequer; Harry
Wooding, ,Danville, Grand Master of FL
nance; II. M. Darnell, Roanoke, Grand
Inside Guard; M. L. Walton. Woodstock,
Grand Outside Guard. D. g. Richards,
Richmond, and d. J. Turner, Norfolk,
Supreme Representatives
The Grand Lodge on Wednesday night
spent an hour at the Opera House listening
to concert rendered them by the Stone
wall Brigade Band, and then returned to
business. a part of which was the adoption
Of the following resolutions offered by Col.
Baker of Woodstock
Resolved, Thvt the thanks of this Grand
Lodge be returned to the StOnewall Brigade
Band for the highly enjoyable entertainment
rendered its members this evening, and that
we desire to express our high appreciation,
as Virginia Pythians. of the artistic skill and
proficiency of this historic band, which. in
our Judgment is unexcelled by any band OF
equal numbers in this country
Resolved, That the members of this Grand
Lodge highly appreciate the kind attention
shown them by the proprietor of the Virginia
Hotel during their stay in Staunton, and that
we desire to express our appreciation of the
same.
A vote of thanks were also rendered the
Superintendent of the Western State Hospital,
the Y. M. q. A., Valley Lodge No. IS, and
the citizens of Staunton generally for cour-
teSies extended.
The Lodge adjourned sine die yesterday
morning.
Directors Meeting.
The Boards of Directors of the East Au-
gusta Mutual Fire Insurance Company,
and of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Com
pany met here on Saturday last. There
were present, Messrs. John j. Larew,
President; A. H. Towberman, Secretary;
John Towberman, Treasurer, and Jacob
Bowman. D. f. Hoover, r. N. Page, j.
W. CAnrchman. and G.. w. Swink. The
same gentlemen comprise both boards.
The treasurer report was read. 1t
shows balance Of $669.75 in the treasury