The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-03-16
STATE KNIGHTS rEMpLAR.
Rendered a Reception by New Haven Com
 maudery Last Evening.

The reception to the state command cry, Knights Tenplar given by the New Haven commandery last evening was an event that will not soon be for gotten in the annals of local Masonry The meeting of the state commandery was the seventieth conclave, and was attended by Eminent Sir Knight II. W. Rugg of Providence, who represented the grand master of the United States; Sir Knight II. Wales Lines of Meriden, grand treasurer of the national en- campment, in addition to Right Emi- nent Sir Lyman H. Johnson and the associate officers of the grand comman- dery of Connecticut.
 At the meeting held at the Masonic lodge rooms early in the evening these officers were received with due ceremo- ny. The order of the temple was con ferred upon A, w., MT. Mattoon. At the close of the lodge meeting the Knights repaired to the old Mcintyre store on Chapel street, which had been transformed for the occasion into a beautiful banquet hall, which was dec orated about the sides and ceilings in colored buntings and Masonic insignia, the motto, Tn Hoe Signo Vinces," oc- curing at frequent intervals in the dec orations.
 In the center of the banquet hall stood the table at which were seated the grand officers. This table was pro- fusely decorated in flowers and had as a centerpiece a large circular floral de- sign bearing the inscription, "New Ha- ven Commandery No 9" Opposite this table of honor was a large portrait of President Mckinley who is Knight Templar, underneath being the inscrip- tions, The First Among His Equals" ''The Peer of Kings" Canton Com mandery No. 3S, K. T., of Ohio.' About five hundred covers were laid, the Knights being seated at three long ta- bles extending the length of the hall. At the honor table were seated the first five officers of the Connecticut grand commandery: Sir Lyman H. Johnson, R. F. G. C., of New Haven; Sir Sam uel M. Bronson, V. F. D. c, C., of Hartford; Sir William F. Whitney, F, G. G., New London; Sir William F. Risley, E. G. c. G., Waterbury, and Sir F. S. Davis, F. G. P, Middletown; stllt HUH luS 4NtW IIdNtll SOlllillttiINtSiy No 3, Sir Carleton E. Hoadley, E. C.; Sir Samuel J. Bryant, general; Sir Sol oman T. Riggs, c. G., and F. Sir Willis L. Mix, prelate.
 On this table the flowers were ar ranged to form the Maltese cross of white roses and green, while the cen terpiece, in addition to the inscription mentioned, fo med the crown and sword -embems of the order
 During the banquet Wells orchestra, stationed near the table of honor, play ed several selections, and the New Ha- ven Commandery Glee club sang. A fine collation. was served by Francis, the caterer, and was pronounced by all those present one of the finest they ever attended. The service was partic- ularly good, and it's excellence was ire quently remarked upon.
 Soon after the first course of the ban quet was served a toast to President Mckinley was proposed by Toastmas- ter Sir Carleton F. Hoadley of the New Haven Commandery. The toast was given amid cheers. After full justice had been done to the sumptuous ban quet Postmaster Hoadley introduced Sir Lyman H. Johnson of this city, right eminent grand commander who spoke of the organization of the New Haven Commandery and gave history of the organization up to date. He was followed by Eminent Knight H. w. Ruggs of Providence, who brought greeting from the grand commandery of the United States, and in a brief speech recounted the good that has re- suited from the Knights Templar or ganization. Other speakers were Past Grand Commander Hon. Costello Lip pitt of Norwich, E. E. Fuller of Willi- mantle and Rev. A. E. Hubbard of Danbury, who read an original poem, Faithful Until Death"
 The members of the New Haven com mandery present in addition to those already mentioned were: Sir James R. B. Bolton, s. w.; Sir Frederick NJ Will mot, J. w.; Sir Charles r. Root, treas urer; Sir Francis G. Anthony, recorder, Sir T. Parsons Dickerman, assistant re- corder; Sir William M. King, standard bearer; Sir William A. Waterbury, ! sword bearer; Sir Bruce G. Gilchrist, warder; Sir Frank H. Wheeler, third guard; Sir Edward L. Linsley, second guard; Sir James Totham, first guard; F. Sir Eli $. Quintard, armorer; Sir Miles P. Futile, commissary; Sir AL bert M. Bartlett, organist; Sir John Mccarthy, sentinel
 At the honor table besides those whose names were mentioned were Sir A. s. Comstock, Norwich, E. G. S. W; Sir Frank Street, Norwalk, F. G. J. w.; Sir William R. Higby, P G. C., Bridgeport F. G. T.; Sir Eli c. Birdsey, P, G. C., Meriden, E. G. R.; Sir D. c. Card, Willimantic. F. G. S. B.; Sir John w. Mix, Meriden, E. G. W; Sir Julius W. Knowlton, Bridge port, E. G. S.; Sir Frederick A. Spen- cer, P. c. C., Waterbury, E. G. I.
 The executive committee of the local commandery consists of Sir F. M Arm strong, Eminent Sir w. l.. Mix, Sir E. H. Tucker, Sir c. E. Rounds, and Emi- nent Sir D. R. filling
 The annual conclave of the Grand commandery of the state will be held in Masonic hall to-day.