The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-05-21


In Appropriate Places-Exhibition Drill
was Both Difficult aud Intricate Bot /,
was Wen Done.
The elite, composed of the beauty and
Intelligence Of the city, were out in force
last evening at the Auditorium TO ten
der a farewell TO the visiting knights
who have been the guests of the city du-
ring the past week. The local members
arranged very fine dancing program,
with an exhibition drill The drill corps
Of the Uniform Rank giving the drill
during an intermision of the dancing.
The Auditorium last. evening was one
mass OF artificial lights, and they shed
their lustre over the scene and were re-
fiected on fair and beautiful faces and
handsome men. The large building had
been previously decorated for the occa-
sion. Around the railing of the bal
cony red, blue and yellow bunting was
attached in graceful folds. From four
corners OF the octagon, festoons of brill
liant col0red cloth were carried 10 the
center, where they were taken up by
an invisible string, which gave the ap-
pearance that the festoons were hanging
IN mid air without support The eff
feet was simply beautiful. All over the
hail flags were strewn, bearing the Pyth-
ian emblems. a platform had been erect
ed Immediately in front of the stage.
where the orchestra discoursed the sweet
est Of music throughout the evening.
The orchestra was surrounded with
palms and other flowers which emitted a
fragrance throughout the hall.
Promptly at $50 the grand march was
formed, being led by Sir knight A. T.
Payne and Mrs. A. l.. Reynolds of OF
tumna, Iowa, and Sir knight w. A.
Hart and Miss Dorsey. Following them
came about forty couples which were
materially increased when the dancing
began. The floor was under the direct
supervision Of Mr.. Dave Kelchner and
he acquitted himself in a most admirable
manner. The floor committee. composed
Of the following well-known gentlemen,
Messrs. Mcpherson, Hartle, Reynolds,
Glaze, Longacre, McManaman and Greg
DRY. saw that all were taken care Of,
and had partners for every dance. They
were particularly kind and thoughtful
and they made an ideal committee
After the grand march Shaw's full or
chestra struck up a beautiful strain and
the floor was covered with couples in
the maize Of the waltz. The floor was
l,se a sea Of glass and 1T made dancing
delightful, despite the warmth of the
evening.
Just before eleven o'clock the drill
corps marched to the middle of the floor
and gave an exhibition drill which was
loudly enoored from the friends and
spectators. who were seated around the
hall and ~ the balcony. The corps was
under the command of Captain J. F. !
Bennett and Lieutenant Frank Beleau. !
They went through some difficult fig |
ures, making the turns, abouts and /
crosse with precision and in perfect |
time. This was a very difficult matter, |
as the floor was very smooth. They |
were frequently encored. After going |
through the movements they came on
into line and went through a sword
drill which was very pretty.
Last iAlc.EN " do bllt llISL Nllilc III
years that the corps has drilled, and il
seems simply marvellous that they were
SO we'll drilled. being virtually without
practice. The corps last evening con-
sisted OF Messrs. Earl Blake. John Nc
Naghten, Phil Lapes. Harvey Fresz. \.
7. Payne. Frank Redfield, W. E. Reeves
H. Q. Kincaid. II. l.. Piper, o. f. Bill
inger. Thos. Turner, c. w. Espich. A.
:. Husey, Fred Buckley, and VIM. F.
Meyer.
After the drill the dancing was re-
summed and continued until a late hour
The party was largely attended and was
complete success in every respect. II
vas most BETTING close 20 a week
which will long be remembered by the
knights Of Pythias throughout the
state.