Rock Island Argus., 1897-02-23
SIR KNIGHTS FEAST
Distinguished Gathering at Ma.
sonic Temple.

sonic Temple.
RED GROSS DEGREE CONFERRED.
rwsn'y-ons Companions From Aledo Put
Through the Ceremony After which
the Tsmpiars and Their Frisnds Meet at
the Festive Board ana In the Bail Room.
Masonic Temple shone out in all
its glory and gayety last night on
the occasion of the celebration
o. the comforting of the de-
gree of the order of the red
cross on 21 companions from Aledo
by Everts Commandery Is. K. T.
The temple was brilliantly lighted,
aud contained al assemblage Of
Knights and ladies in numbers which
nearly taxed its capacity. There
were many from abroad. The COM
mandery had flushed confer, ing the
degree at o'clock The ceremonies
were conducted by Past Eminent
Commanders d. j. Sears, s. j. Kea-
tor and F. C. Denkmanp, and the
officers of the commandery. 1t was
the largest number of candidates
which the mm-ndery ever handled
at one time; in fact it is claimed that
no other commandery outside of Chi
csgo in the state has ever done so
much work in such brief period.
The comforting of the degree was
only witnessed by members of the
com mmandery. Al its conclusion the
Sir Knights and their ladies met at
the banquet board. Two hundred
and twenty-five we're seated at the
tables. The supper was served in
courses, Mrs. johnson being the Ca
terer. Eminent Sir Harvey Dewitt
Mack, eminent commander Of Everts
commandery 18. K. T., presided
made the address of welcome and
officiated as toastmaster. Mr.. Mack
said in part, after expressing his
qualification in behalf of the com
mandery of meeting in such an
agreeable manner so many compan.
ions and Sir Knights from the sur.
rounding communicates: "We are
both pleased and proud to have you
present at our festival. We extend
to you all fraternal and hearty
greeting. We trust your enjoyment
of these festivities and participation
in our labors will make the scenes o.
the present hour memorable in your
future recollections. and that al
present may feel animated and en-
couraged to the better Performance,
Of their several duties and ennob,ee
in their aspirations for the hon or
the renown and the lasting success
OF the order"
"Everts Commaudery IS. K. t.
Its Growth and Prosperity" was tn,
toast which followed, and which wa,
responded to by v. M. Banding, it,
first eminent commander.
H. G. Cleaveland, grand junio
warden of the grand commandery
was called upon to ans yer the toast
The Grand Commandery Of Illiuoi
Our Alma Mater. and Illustrious il
the Annals of Templar Masonry,
but being somewhat indisposed h'
asked to be excused.
Guy G. Scott Heard.
Guy c. Scott, OF Aledo, answered
the toast. ''The Good Fellowship o
Our Visiting Sir Knights-Welcom,
to Seats of Honor in Oar Mid dst-
Thrice and Four Times Welcome t.
Our Festive Board" Prof. X. q
Young, superintendent of the Rocl
island public schools, 1.-The Missio,
of the Sir knight Templar-Charity
Unbounded Hospitality, and tn,
Practice of Moral and Masonic Vir
tues" and j. X. Scott ITO the Mem
ory OF the Illustrious Fraters of A,
Times, Whose Best Thoughts an.
Noble Intellects Have Been Directe,
to Adjoining and Rendering Impres
sive the Profound aud Eanoblius
Principle Exemplitied in Templa
Masonry" There were also remark.
by Sir knight Holmes, eminent com
mander of Galesburg commandery
and Companion Witham, of AIedo.
After the inner man had been sat
isfied and the several speeches en-
joyed. the ball room was repaired
co. Here program was carried out
Mrs. j. X. Scott, Miss Dorrance, Mis-
Bixby (accompanist) and DIR. Nc
Candies and j A. johnson, of tn
Broadway church choir, renderiu,
several numbers, which were greatl
epjoyed. Miss Hammell, an in
structor in elocution who has q clas
in Rock Island. gave two readings
the second being demanded bv th
audience as an encore, and Mrs. j
F. Robineon played a piano solo
Then followed the dance, music be
ing furnished by O.to's orchestra.
The degree OF the order of tn
black cross is being conferred on sew
eral Templars from Aledo at tn
Rock Island commandery this after
noon.
NY Neighb0r Told Nc