The herald., 1898-10-11
PRETTY WITH PLUMES OF THE
VISITING KNIGHTS
AN UNB0UNDED HOSPITALITY
A Hundred Communicates Arrive
During the Day-Street Decora-
tions Are Very Gorgeous
Associated Press Special Wire.

lieu flOtel d IOuI-6tOEy otb oH ~|ADSA
ty street. opposite the Union Depot. caught
ire at o'clock and for a time the entire
block was in danger Of destruction. The
guests of the hotel included a number Of
knights, but fortunately none Of them
were hurt c. M. Yohe of Pittsburg was
narrowly saved from suffocation, and Geo.
Rupp sergeant Of the Seventh United
States Infantry, fell from the second story
while making his escape from third floor
window on a rope. Neither Will die. The
fire was confined to the cellar and first
floor Of the hotel and the loss will not be
heavy.
The conclave is today well under way,
and the streets are fairly alive with white
plumed Knights. Over hundred COM
manderies came In from the north, south.
east and west during the day, and the men
on the Pittsburg Reception Committees
arose before dawn to be In waiting at
the various railroad stations to act as es-
corts to their guests
Grand Master Warren Larue Thomas ex-
pressed the general opinion Of the visiting
Knights when he said:
1--WE are going to have one Of the great
est weeks in the history Of Templarism.
The crowd s going to be one Of the great
est that ever attended triennial conclave
and the work which Pittsburg has accom-
plished in the way Of entertaining board
ers is marvellous. The gorgeousness Of the
decorations and the hospitality Of the peo-
pie overwhelm u.s."
The brilliancy Of the city's street decora-
tions marks an epoch in the history Of
electric illumination. Within radius of
four blocks from the heart Of the city, AGO.
900 incandescent lamps burn every night.
Huge electric crosses and emblems of
Templarism are suspended on the sides
of the city's tallest buildings, and there Is
hardly a store or shop in the down. town
district which has not an illuminated de-
sign of some Masonic significance in its
windows. The result at night Is that
Pittsburg presents a perfect blaze Of elec-
trio glory, with an effect that has prob
ably never been equaled.
Nothing but bad weather can now inter-
rupt the reign of good fellowship that was
inaugurated today. Forecaster Ridgway
Is fearful Of slight showers tomorrow. and
heavy rain tomorrow evening. 1t is hoped
that the skies will be bright during the
remainder Of the conclave.
The five local communicates opened their
headquarters and started the ball rolling.
The day was largely taken up with re-
ceptions and welcoming the visitors fol-
lowed by a reception in honor Of Grand
Master. Thomas and Governor Hastings of
Pennsylvania. The real work of the con-
clave will commence tomorrow when the
Grand Encampment will be called to order
at the conclusion Of the big parade.
The Louisville men are making the
strongest effort to secure the conclave of
1901. The Kentuckians brought 10000 white
satin badges with the inscription Louis
Vile in 1901" and declare with all the as
surance Of certainty that they will tele-
graph victory to their city before the close
Of the week. Niagara Falls, Indianapolis,
Minnesota and Detroit are the other cities
In the race.
Scenes at Night
Within the brill!ance Of incandescence,
emanating from nearly half million
electric lights, the conclave Of the Knights
Templar has now fairly started and to-
in each others hospitality.
The day was spent chiefly by the different
commanderies in arranging their head
quarters and getting ready to receive their
guests and visitors. In this respect the
various delegations wed with each other In
the matter of putting up the most inviting
refreshments. ranging from the glass Of Ice
water UP to Kentucky bourbon, California
wines and even champagne. Souvenirs of
all shapes, sizes a nd designs are In abundant
evidence, and most Of the Knights are be-
decked with decorations not unlike a major
general and veteran of at least twenty wars
Although the business meetings of the
gathering have not commenced, election
eering for the honor Of holding the next
conclave is in active progress. In this re.
spect the Louisville people are apparently
irl the lead. This afternoon the. members
from the Minnesota commanderies virtual
~ gave up the contest they had expected to
make n favor Of St. Paul. Northern New
York delegations are plugging for all
they are worth to have the next conclave
held at Niagara Falls in 1901.
The foremost event Of today's program
undoubtedly has been the reception and
ball of Tancred commandery, No. 4S, Of this
city, at its headquarters in the court house
which commenced at 2 o'clock this after
noon, and 1t is expected that dancing and
entertaining with undated musical ac-
compartment Is TO continue until IL o'clock
tonight
The sights on the streets have never been
equaled in this city as far as the crowds
are concerned Street car traffic Is at a
standstill, and vehicles of all kinds are
ban.shed from downtown thoroughfares,
while every inch Of ground is monopolized
by tens of thousands Of pedestrians, who
move along like an immense wave of
humanity, shouting and applauding the
parading Knights as they pass in an ap-
parently never-ending column through the
streets.
A Aparnell Convention
DUBLIN, Oct. 10-The Parnell conyen.