The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-04
PYTHIAN KNIGHTS GALA WEEK
GRAND LODGE TO MEET IN sAVAN-
NAH IN MAY.

Two Thousand Five Hundred
knights Expected From Georgia
and Adjoining States-The Uni
formed Rank to Parade-First Reg
iment to Celebrate Its Anniver-
sary-A Week of Paradcs and Dis
plays.
The grand lodge of the Knights Of Py-
thias of Georgia will be held in Savannah
May 1920, and the occasion gives promise
of being Of such magnitude as to over
run the city with the visiting sir knights
Great interest among the local lodges
has been aroused by the prospect of the
grand lodge coming here and the mem,
bers viii do everything possible to see
that their visitors have a good time. Not
only win Georgia lodges be represented,
but all those of North and South Carolina
and Florida have been invited, and it is
believed that many will accept.
The companies of the uniform rank Of
North and South Carolina are attached to
the Georgia brigade, under command of
Gen. r. F. Harmon, and this will induce
many to come who would not, if the con-
clave were that of a state in which they
had no interest beyond that Of the general
fraternity Of the order.
The occasion will also be an annual
celebration by the uniform rank and the
twenty companies of Georgia, and the Wis
iting companies from the neighboring
states, will engage in prize drills and other
features. The knights expect to have at
least $500 of their visiting brothers here.
The headquarters during the meeting viii
be at Y. M. H. A. hall, in Masonic temple,
in which the conclave will be held The
uniform rank expects to have the largest
parade ever held by the order in the south.
General Harmon is at the head of a gen.
eral committee, which is soliciting aid
from the citizens to provide attractions
for the occasion. The committee wants
to have the event take the place of May
week, and it is expected that the number
OF people to come will give the city its
usual appearance during those festive
times. The railroads have offered rates
for the occasion, and arrangements will
be made for accommodations with the
hotels.
The officers of the First Regiment of-the
Uniform Rank have been ordered by Col.
John Juchter TO report at Savannah, May
IS, for the purpose of attending the annual
meeting of the officers of the Georgia
brigade All the other regiments have had
their officers similarly instructed, and the
additional order to bring their full COM
panies has been given the captains in or
der that proper tribute may be paid the
grand lodge. In his general order Col
Juchter eXhorts every sir knight to use his
best ende6vor to come with his company,
not only as a mark OF interest in and res
pect for the grand lodge, but also in cele-
bration of the first anniversary of the
Georgia Brigade, and to assist in the en-
tertainment of Maj. Gen. Jas. R. Gamma
han and staff and the officers and Sir
Knights of the neighboring states. 1t is
particularly desired by its commander
that every company in the First Regiment
enter the prize drill. These drills will be
spirited, and will be held
not only for the companies. but also
for the best drilled Sir Knight in the
sword exercise.
All field and staff officers and captains
of companies are ordered upon arrival to
report at headquarters. The captains
will report the number of Sir Knights of
their companies in attendance and whether
their companies will enter the prize drills.
The drill manual will be strictly enforced
throughout the competitive drill, and not
less than three companies of the Georgia
brigade must enter each contest.
The judges of the contests will be mp
pointed soon, so that they may have am
pie time to familiarize themselves with
the programme. No company outside of
this domain will be allowed to compete
for the prizes set apart for the competi-
ton of the Georgia companies, but spe-
cial prizes will be drilled for by such COM
panies other than the Georgians that at
tend. The several events, with the prizes
offered, are as follows:
For the best drilled company of not
less than twenty-one Sir Knights, first
prize $100, second prize $50 and third prize
$25; for the company having the largest
number of its roster present with no ad-
ditions after arriving in Savannah, a
prize of SIS; for the best company in sword
exercise. first prize $25, second prize SIS,
and third prize $40; and for the best drill
ed Sir Knight in sword exercise, first prize
SIS, second prize So and third prize So.