Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-04-18
FIRST. Anniversary.
The Opening of the Pythian Castle to
Be Celebrated April Both.
The Mecca of Pyth;ans Of This City
and Vicinity-The Debt on the
Building Being Rapidly Paid On.
An Ornament to the Lower End
OF tho City.

"
On the SOth of the month will be the first
anniversary of the opening of the Pythlan
Temple, which is located at the southeast
corner of Twenty-seventh and Chaplne
streets. This event will not be forgotten
by the members of the order who saw the
present handsome and stately structure
built only by making many sacrifices and
by showing an admirable spirit OF enter
prize.
AT the time the erection of the building
was contemplated, a little over year ago.
all the three Pythian societies of the city
had agreed TO share the cost and contrib
ute towards putting up a building which
would be considered as a union meeting
place for the different lodges. Two OF the
lodges withdrew from the plan and it de-
yolved upon the Black Prince Lodge to
finish the project alone and carry IL out
to a successful completion. This they DID,
and they feel a natural pride every day in
the fine and modern structure that adorns
the part Of the city where 1t stands.
The building cost in the neighborhood OF
$4,000. OF this amount $1,000 was secured
by stock subscription by the Black Prince
lodge and individual members. For the
balance bonds are in the hands of those
who loaned the money 10 complete the
building. There bonds draw . per cent.
interest. II is the plan TO pay off about
81 Geo of the debt annually. At this rate in
twenty years time or less the Castle Will
be the unincumbered property OF the
Black Prince lodge and its members. Inc
organization is confident of being able TO
meet its obligations and are hopeIuI Oh
having the satisfaction Of wiping out the
debt long before the estimated time. Inc
lodge now numbers go members and has
beaen growing rapidly during the past
wear. The prospects are that the number
of members will reach 800 by the END OF
June.
The Castle Is now nearly all occupied.
The ground floor is divided into store
rooms. Two of these are occupied by
grocery and meat establishment; the cor
ner room is occupied by a confectionery;
and there are two storerooms still vacant.
The second floor of the building includes
the auditorium. This has large gallery
and one of the best and most convenient
stages in the city The hall has splendid
acoustic qualities and IS admirably ADAPT
ed for exhibitions by dramatic companies
for use for entertainments, balls. muSi-
Gales. etc. The seating capacity of the
hail is 500 about equal to either OF the two
Opera. Houses. This part of the building
has all the requirements Of modern the
atre. including dressing, cloak, toilet ana
reception rooms.
The third floor is taken up principally
by the large lodge room, 5OXGo feet where
the Black Prince lodge holds its regular
sessions. Besides the lodge rooms there is
the armory room. paraphernalia apart
msnts. and a number of ante-rooms. Be
sides the Black Prince lodge, several other
organizations use the lodge room 10 hoId
their regular meetings. including: Pro-
tective Home Circle. Brotherhood of Rail-
way Trainmen. Ladies Auxiliary =. X. l.
Occur de Leon Company No. l. Uniformed
Rank of the X. of p, Dramatic Order
Knights Of Khorassen August Medick Is
secretary of the building association and
has II in custody.