The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-16
SIR KNIGHTS PREPARING
Grand CQmmandery Conclaye Prom
ises to Be Big Affair.
MILL BRING 1900 STRANGERS
Extensive Preparations for the Parade
on Tuesday. the 28th. nnd That
Nights Baii-Thcrs Arc Other
Important Features.

day and Wednesday, or, on May 70, 70
and %, this city will practically be
given over to the Knights Templar
comprising the grand commandery or
the state Of Pennsylvania. 1t is estl-
mated that on Tuesday and Wednesday
the city will contain from 10000 to l2,oo0
strangers, who will come especially ON
account of the conclave, while Tues
days crowd will number also the thou
sands attracted by Barnum's circus and
the every day thousands of transients.
OF the 10000 or IL. 200 attracted by the
conclave. over 1000 will be members OF
the Communicates which will partici-
pate in Tuesday mornings parade, 1000
will be members of the Masonic order
but not Sir knights. and the remainder
will be strangers who are not Masons
and the wives and daughters of the
Sir knights. II being an unwritten
Templar law that the women shall en-
Joy the pilgrimage and other features
attending the annual conclaves
But aside from the large crowd, an
important fact Is that 1t will contain
scores Of men who enjoy prominence
and repute beyond the localities in
which they live. the knights Templar
Ii is said. possessing more men of
distinction than any secret order eX-
tant. Several of those who will be here
hold high state Office, some are repre-
sentatives at Washington. and many
| are financiers or professional men of
| no little note.
ScrantOn's six largest hotels have
been engaged for months and each is
equipped with u sufficient number of
cots to fill all its halls and other avail
| able space. The smaller hotels and
large boarding houses. too. will have all
their unused rooms occupied.
BEGINS ON TUESDAY.
While the conclave proper does not
begin until Tuesday morning. the larg
est portion of visiting communicates
will reach here by midnight Monday.
Tuesday morning the parade will take
place, and in the afternoon will begin
the meeting of the grand commandery
in the rockingham theater. That
night the ball will be given. Wednes-
day morning the grand cOmmandery
will continue its session In the theater
and will install its newly elected OFF,
GERS in the afternoon. That will con-
clude the conclave.
But there are many attendant fea-
lures which will keep the members of
the order and their wives busy from the
time they enter the city. On Monday
night levees will be held by a number
Of the communicates officers at their
respective halls and In halls procured
especially for that purpose.
The biggest Monday night reception
will be that of the two Scranton COM
manderies. Occur de Lion, No. II, and
Melita, No. 6S. In the Rowing associa-
ton rooms on Spruce street No cards
will be issued but Sir Knights will be
expected to wear their fatigue caps,
thus securing without delay their own
admission and that of the ladies ac-
companying them. There will be music
and refreshments. The wives and
daughters of the members of Melita
and Occur de Lion will assist at the re-
ception. The electric decorations will
include the cross and crown emblems.
Early Tuesday morning a long string
of open carriages containing the wives
and daughters of the Sir knights will
leave some central point for trip over
Elmhurst boulevard, returning before
the heat of the day and in time for the
parade.
FORTY COMMANDERIES.
1t appears now that about forty com.
manderies and nearly that number OF
bands and drum CORPS will appear in
the parade. 1t will be reviewed by the
grand commandery officers from stanC
to be erected at the corner Of Lacka
Whnila anu wyoming avenues. During
the progress of the parade in the bust
ness section there will be no street cal
traffic. This will be necessary owing tt
the magnitude Of the parade and tn,
evolutions which will take place. Al
, ready the police officials are Arranging
their plans so that there will be n,
, street intersection blOckades or crowd
ing from the sidewalks.
The ball at the rockingham theate
. Tuesday night promises to be a gals
affair." The arrangements are bein.
made by a committee Of thirty Of whicl
, ex- Mayor w. l.. Connell is the chair
man. A band and orchestra will furn
ish the intermission and dance musi
respectively under the direction o
Bauer. The musicians will occupy
platform which will be suspended from
. the ceiling over the stage. thus insur
= ing every possible amount of standin,
: and sitting room. 1t Is promised tha
, thte floral and electrical decoration
, will be something magnificent No in
vitations will be issued. Only 81
Knights in complete regalia and tn
ladies with them will be admitted. Re
freshments will be served beginning a
, 1890 o'clock.
:, The installation Of the grand com
, mandery officers will take place in tn
, theater Wednesday afternoon. It is
= most impressive ceremony and will b
semipublic; that Is, admission will b
given to only such ladies and gentle