Omaha daily bee., 1897-03-09
SHOWN ALL THE MYSTERIES
Members of Legislature Become Knights oi
Ak-Sar-Ben.
INITIATION AT THE BIG DEN IN OMAHA
Lawmakers Come over on Special
Train and Are Led Through
Devious Paths 10 state
of I<nigbthood.


II was increased by the allegiance OF nearly
400 state officials, members of the state SEN
ate and house and prominent citizens OF
Lincoln. The size of the visiting delega-
tion outgrew all expectations and indicated
the fame that the monarch had acquired in
the distant portions of his dominion, An
unfortunate accident delayed the visitors
and 1t was after IL o'clock when they ar
rived at the Den. But while some features
OF the initiation had to be cut short on ac-
count of the immense crowd that thronged
| the court, the new knights were made ac-
quainted with the innermost mysteries of
the royal domain and 1t was 3 o'clock when
the last test had been encountered and the
successful aspirants for knightly fame had
been declared tried and trusted subjects
| Of their king.
| The occasion served to bring the members
Of the two houses and other state officials
| into close contact with Omaha citizens
| that would not be possible except in the
| genial gooifellowship which holds sway in
| the court Of King AkSar-Ben. The visit
ors entered enthusiastically into the spirit
OF the realm and in spite of adverse cir
oumstances which could not be avoided, the
| occasion was highly enjoyed both by the
| knights and their guests
1t had been arranged that The Lincoln
delegation should come to Omaha On two
special cars attached to the regular Hur-
lngton train, but the invitation to become
sir knights proved to be popular that
at the last minute it was decided to provide
O. special train for their benefit 1t was to
arrive in Omaha at S:55, but the engine
blew out nue at Chalco and another IN
gine had to be sent from Omaha TO pail
them in. 1t was nearly IL o'cloc'; when
| the delayed special pulled into the union
depot and here the guests were met BY the
board of governors Of the Kni shs .! Ak
Sar-Ben, who were attred in their full
armor. After hurried intercnauge ,f
greetings the party was transferred to spe-
cial motor trains that were in waiting and
carried on to the den. During the trip a
party of Omaha young women passed
through the cars and pinned a big rose
and q souvenir badge on the lapel of each
OF the visitors and thus arrayed they were
led into the den and lined up for the or
deal that was 20 follow.
Governor Hocomb was unable to be pres
ept but Stste Treasurer J. B. Meserve, Sec
retary of State w. f. Porter, Auditor j.. F.
Cornell and Attorney General Smyth, to-
gether with Representative Wooster of Mer-
rick county, were escorted t. honorary seats
by the side of the grand multi, from which
they had an opportunity to watch the prog
ress of their fellows through the difficult
paths which lead to the inner court. Nearly
all the senators were in the party, among
them being Nick Fritz of Pender, Watson of
Saline county, Spencer of Lancaster, Gering
of Cess Miller of Burt, Mutz of Keya Paha
Steele of Adams and Howell, Ransom and
Jeffcoat of Douglas
Speaker j. N. Gafin of the house was
alsd given a place of honor, and the follow
ing members of the house took the oath of
fidelity to the king: Ankeny. Bernard, Bill
lings, Blake, Bower, Burkett, Byram,
Clark, Cole, Curtis, Dodson, Eager, En-
dorf. Felkar, Fernow, Fouke, Gaylord,
! Gerdes Given Goshorn, Gradstaff, Grell,
Grosvenor, Givens, Hamilton, Henderson,
! Hie, Hclbrook, Holland Horner, Hyatt.
Jones Of Gage, Jones of Nemaha, Jones of
Wayne, Kapp, Keister. Lemar, Liddell,
Loomis, McCracken, McGee Mcleod, Mann,
| Marshall, Mitchell. Moran, Nesbit Pollard,
Prince, Rich, Roberts, Robertson, Severe,
| Sheldon, Shul, Smith of Douglas, Snyder of
| Nemaha, Soderman, Stebbins, Straub SUIT
| ton, Taylor of Douglas, Taylor Of Fillmore,
| Van Horn, Waite, Webb, Wiebe, Wimberley.
Winslow, Woodard, Wooster, Wright and
Young.
| Among others in the party were Rev.
| James Mailley, chaplain of the home; Assist
ant Attorney General Ed p. Smith, J. Fl.
| Edmiston, state oil inspector; j. Fl. Dahlman,
Werrick Saunders, DIR. ]. w. Abbott, Benton
Marat Tom Allen. Clerk Frank d. Eager
| Of tho house. and Assistant Secretary Stewart
| of the senate.
| The bulk of the prospective knights were
| allowed to become members of the court by
simply taklhS me opilSttioh anu ohiy N.Y.
| five were compelled to follow the devious
F.! paths which lead 10 it's secrets. or the diff
| fculties they encountered and the perils that
| they successfully combated none can know
| who have not also taken the oath OF allegi-
ance Of King Ak-sar-Ben but in spite of the
| tremendous jam that made it almost impos-
| sible to carry out the initiation ceremony
| the visitors were given an experience that
| they will not forget when they again return
| to the capital city.
In the interval between the ceremonies the
usual refreshments were served and short
speeches were made by Speaker Gafin, Rep
resentatiyes Wooster and G.. r. Fouke OF
Gage and Paul Clark of Lincoln. The speak
ers expressed themselves enthusiastically in
appreciation Of their entertainment and de-
ciared that they were henceforth loyal sub
tot. of ISino