The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-11-18
ONLY ONE GREATER
WICHITA SECOND LARGEST CON
sIsT0RY IN SOUTH JURISDICTION

For This Reunton, an Increase of 20
Per Cent over Any Former Class-Mat-
ter of Building u New Cathedral Under
Consideration by the Consistory-De-
grees Prince of Jerusalem and Knights
of the East and West Conferred
| This is the last day of the Scottish
Rite convention, that has been in ses-
sion in this city since Monday evening.
The remaining degrees viii be conferred
upon the candidates during the day and
early part of the evening, and the most
| interesting reunion OF the rite in this
valley will then terminate with a ban
quet at Garfield hall, which, in addition
| to the customary good things served,
will toe aolaze within eloquent addresses
in response 10 the various toasts offered.
and an entertaining program Of music.
| In addition TO the candidates who pre-
sented themselves on Monday evening
for the degrees, the following have since
been aided: Roland P. Murdock, ELS
L. Martling, John F. Crib. Wichita
! Benjamin F. Sippy Of Belle Plaine, and
William B. Washington OF Leoti, max
ing a total of tairty-six novitiates for
| this reunion, an increase Of twenty-five
| per cent over any former class.
This addition to the present member
ship Of the Scottish Rite bodies in this
valley makes total membership OF
40, easily the second largest consis-
tory in the Southern Masonic jurisdic-
ton.
With such a rapid dncrease in men,
bership the present Cathedral is found
altogether too small for the proper work
of the reunion, and the entertainment
of the members and their guests who
annually visit these reunions in large
numbers. 1t seems almost absolutely
necessary, therefore, for more commo-
dious accommodations TO be secured.
This is being considered by the officers
OF the various bodies, and will result no
doubt in the purchase OF another build
ing, or the erection of a fine temple on
the site OF the present Cathedral. The
latter Is probably the most desirable So
luton of the matter, owing to the fact
that much more desirable arrangement
of rooms and furnishings can he had in
building constructed after approved
plans, than 10 buy and remodel another
building.
With the Characteristic energy and
ability of the men In charge Of the up
building of the Rite IN this valley, it IS
qr ite safe to say that the reunion for
the fall OF '9S will be held in q Cathe-
dral betting this powerful organiza-
ton, and where the fine dramatic talent
of the several officers who present the
work, can be enjoyed TO much better ad-
vantage.
At yesterdays session Of the conven-
ton rapid progress was made in the
upward climb ON the Masonic ladder.
In the forenoon the 10Th degree. prince
of jerusalem" and 18th, knight of the
East of the West" were ~rerred with
elaborate ceremony. Commencing at
2:3O the 18th degree Knight of the Ea-
gle, knight Of the Pelican, or Prince
Rose Croix," was conferred, thus clos
ing the work of the Rose Croix. The
musical program presented during the
work in these degrees was an important
feature. The Consistory quartette, CON-
sisting OF Messrs. Sweet, Hull, Westgate
and Berry, sang several fine numbers.
The violin solos OF Miss Alice Goldberg
ana Fritz Huffman were very much
enjoyed, while the several numbers rem
dered by Mrs Beaumont and Miss Dora
Woods elicited the most favorable CON-
ment. and were greatly appreciated.
Henry Huffman, musical director Of the
Conystory, had the program in charge.
Messrs Charles NJ. Jones. Henry Wal
lenstein, Elmer E. Bleckley Thomas G.
Fitch. j. H. Mccall, C. w. Biting, F. H.
Stuckey, George L. Pratt Edward Vail,
A NJ. Goldstandt, August Anderson and
Edward Goldberg, assisted by an able
corps OF officers, presented the work IN
the various degrees.
The 17th degree was presided over by
A. X. Wilson OF Topeka and was pre-
sented in very effective manner.
At the evening session, number Of
the degrees in the council OF the knights
OF Kadosh were presented, the 21st,
'eNoachite, or Phusstan knights" being
the principal degree conferred. Viii
liam NJ. Shaver OF Topeka presided in
This degree in his usual able and effec-
tive manner, and this ancient chivalric
degre was OF deep interest to all who
were present During the noon hour
the customary class picture was taken
by Israel.
The visitors present during the day,
in addition 20 those already enumerated.
were Colonel H. c. Loomis. 80. OF Win
field; ". NJ. Shaver, Topeka; B. F.
Mouser, Chetopa; John r. Ballard. iWn-
field: ]. d. Leonard, Edmond, o. T.:
Edward Cre5o, Eureka; OrviAe Smith.
Wellington; S. z. Busser, Emporia; Jno.
". Page. FL Dorado; ]. A Sterling, Ar
kansas City, Kan; James 7. Crosby,
Fort Scott; II. II. Woolsey. Kingman;
W a. Sullivan, Portland, Oregon; JOS
eph B. Harberger. Pueblo. Colo; y.
Bowditch, Aurora, Ill; Ed Hayes. Wei
lington: J. NJ. Pugh, Woodward, o. T.;
Otto A. Myer. Alma, Kan.
There was a military drill ani gen.
eral social "6oins'' az the armory last
night under the direction ot Colonel
Perry Hoisington of Newton. Captsin
Minick was presented with a sword.