The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-27

Yesterday was the first and big day
of the Grand commandery conclave.
1t was the big day as far as the
general public was concerned. because
IL included, In the morning, the mag
niiicent parade and review, and In the
evening the grand ball In the Frothing-
ham theater These are the two tea-
lures of the annual cOnclave the ENJOY
ment of which Is shared by the Sir
knights with the whole public in the
first case and with their wives, daugh-
ters and ladies in the ball event. The
afternoon from to nearly O'Clock
was occupied by the grand commandery
members in the first session at the
rockingham theater
Everything conspired to make the
day, the weather and everything else
almost ideal, Notwithstanding the hard
and pouring rain which began at
o'clock in the morning and continued
until after 6 o'clock. The rain In the
surrounding country Is reported to nave
heen greater in volume and to have
lasted longer than here, which II such
was possible. had something to do with
lessening the crowds. However. the
throngs on the streets during the par.
ade were said to have been the largest
that ever congregated in the city.
PARADEs COME TOGETHER.
Through Jan ,sunfortunate delay In
starting the Tenlplar parade 1t returned
to the business section half hour be
hind time and ran counter to Barnum
circus pageant which started on sche-
dule time but. the head of the Tempiar
procession had not passed the inter-
section Of Spruce street and Washing
ton avenue before the Barnum parade
reached there, consequently the latter
was given the right of way and disap-
peared down Spruce street before the
Sir Kn.rhts started OH the final four
blocks !, fore passing the reviewing
stand on Wyoming avenue near Lacka- =
wanna avenue.
The afternoon was spent by the Sir
Knights and their ladies in viewing
the points Of interest about the city,
: only commanders and past commanders
being members Of the Grand body
which met at the rockingham.
=, During the early evening the COM
manders Of many communicates dis
missed their organizations and large,
number Of the Sir knights returned
home. but greater number remained
to attend the ball and to witness the
closing scenes OF the conclaVe. OF
course all the Grand commandery nlcnl-
l bers are still here and will stay to at
\ tend this mornings election and Sc
Ncret session in the thaater and this
Nfternoon' semi-publc installation.
y WAS A GRAND AFFAIR.
Che ball. which is reported in detail
2 in\another column. was. by the way
.one\ of the finest events of its
kinA ever witnessed in the history OF
the \pnclaves. This fact is no less due
to TIN active and capable ball commit
u ,tE p to the beautiful theater itself
The a Rir included elaborate decora-
stions, munifcent collation., the best
of ban. and orchestra music and al
else that usually conspires to make such
q thing pronounced success.
A fact overlooked by the public. owing
TO no previous announcement of his
coming. hut which was we'll appreciated
by the Sir Knights was the presence
Of r. F. Sir Warren Lnrue Thomas
grand master of the United States. the
most exalted Masonic officer in thu
country. He rode with r. T.. Sir Crane
Commander Spencer and r. F.. Sil
James II. Hopkins. past grand com
mander and past grand master of tn,
United States. in the parade and wa.
present at all the other of the days do
ings.