The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-12
Indiana Represented by Command
cries from Anderson, Muncie and
other Cities.
ANNUAL CONCLAvE OPENED
FIRST SESSION OF THE GRAND COM
MANDERY ENCAMPMENT.
Address by Warren Larue Thomas,
and Reports of the Treasurer and
RecOrder-COnditiOn of the Order.

PITTSBURG, Oct. 1.-THE parade of the
twenty-seventh triennial conclave of the
Knights Templars is now an event of his
tory. Whatever had been anticipated in the
way of gorgeousness, splendor and general
all-around success, was amply realized
that is, all but the rain, which was not ex-
pected. But even at that it was me grand
est parade ever held in this city, from
whichever view one may take it. In point
of numbers-there We're 10000 marchers in
line-it easily doubled similar occurrences
of the past. and, as far as the appearance
of the men, their uniforms, the trappings
of their horses, as we'll as the perfection
of their movements were concerned, Pitts
burg has never seen anything equal to it.
The day started with not a cloud in the
sky, soft, gentle breeze blowing, just to
keep the atmosphere pleasant and cool. 1t
was a morning tempting enough to bring
out even the most sluggishly inclined. The
result was that long before the booming
cannon announced the start of the march,
ers there was multitude of people packed
together in an impenetrable throng along
the line of march. extending from the heart
of Allegheny City over into FlItsburg, out
Fifth avenue to the Schenley Park, dis
tance of seven miles. Not only the par
aders, but also the spectators, made sight
the impression of which will never be for
gotten. The number of onIookers on the
streets, in the windows, on the roofs and
in the reviewing stands have been variously
estimated at from 100000 to 100000 people.
At 10 o'clock the cavalcade had completed
it's formation and the march began ana
three hours later the last detachment passed
the same point. The rain commenced at 1:}O
o'clock, and for while it looked as if the
parade might be broken up; but no, the
Knights walked along with the same spirit
and displayed the same martial, dignified
bearing in the rain as they had done under
the shining sunshine. The crowd soon be-
gan to reorganize and the volleys of cheers
and applause that had been thunderous be-
fore, now burst forth in perfect tornadoes.
Such encouragement could not but have its
effect, and the result was the line remained
unbroken until the end came.
The arrangements were all perfect Streets
were roped in and guards composed of the
members Of the Eighteenth Regiment and of
Battery E, who have recently been mustered
out, were stationed all along the line. Hos
pital corps had been organized and accom-
panied the parade in various places; but for
tunately their services were not in great
demand, no serious mshap of any kind hav-
marshal. The Indiana Knights were in the
fifth division. The communicates in line
were: The Indiana Grand Commandery;
Anderson, of Anderson; Apollo, of Kendall
Vile; Charlottesville of Charlottesville; Cy-
rene, of Columbia City; Frankfort, of
Frankfort; Huntington. of Huntington;
Muncie, of Muncie; Plymouth, of Plymouth:
Warsaw, of Warsaw
The splendid uniforms of the California
communicates, their golden swords and
their mettled chargers attracted a great
deal of attention all along the line The
Detroit Commandery, the winner of many
trophies at the different prize drills, went
through various marching evolutions at
some of the prominent places along the
route, for which the members were alwavs
heartily cheered
Owing to the heroic work the Kentucky
Knights have already done since their ar
rival here to have the next conclave held
in Louisville, the knights from the Blue
Grass State have gained particular promi
nence among the people here and wherever
the Kentucky banners were recognized the
cheering became more animated than ever.
But it would take too much space to chron-
icle the applauding remarks and admiring
encomiums with which each and every COM
Indnuery was greeted. The crowd realized
that they were getting the best they had
ever seen and were not slow to appre-
ciate it.
Sir Knight Edward Du Laurens, charter
man of Columbian Commandery, No. 81, of
New York, who has been Knight Templar
for fifty-six years. and enjoys the distinc-
tion of being the oldest Knight in point of
service, in this country, participated in the
parade, and whenever his venerable appear
ance was recognized he was applauded.
The social feature of the conclave took
place tonight at the Duquesne Garden.
This was the reception exclusively for mem
bers of the different Knight Templar com
manderies, and no laymen, or anyone. ex-
cept ladies, without a Templar uniform.
was admitted. The guest of honor was the
grand master of the Grand Encampnent
Warren Larue Thomas. After the reception
there was a grand ball and the gathering
did not break up until after midnight. The
committee which had the details for the ar
rangements of this affair in charge left no
stone unturned to acquit itself as well as
possible, and the function proved to be
highly successful Duquesne Garden is an
immense building and it is estimated more
than five thousand Knights. with their la
dies, attended the reception.
THE GRAND COMMANDERY.