The Portland daily press., 1898-12-16
DEGREE OF CalvALRY.
Conferred Last Night ON Col. William
E. Plummer.

Successful BaTS and Entertainment OF
Canton RidsseIey in City H"ll--It
Was a Brilliant Affair.
City hall, crowded with handsome
women in brilliant costumes, WIFE gai-
liant men in ali the glory OF martial
dress. ablaze with light, handsomely
6eeorated with inspiring music OF hne
orchestra, was the scene of most sue
cessful and charming ball last Night
Th, object of this ball, which was CIV
on by Canton Ridgeley, No. l, Patriarons
Militant, was to raise funds to entertain
the Cautons of the state of Maine who are
70 visit Portland in June OF next year
on their annual field day, when it is estl-
mated that there will be no less than lou0
visiting chevaliers in our city.
Previous to the grand militant ball
occurred well rendered concert by the
American Cadet Orchestra. @. L. HIg'
rims. director which was much enjoyed.
Following this came the comforting OF
the degree of chivalry upon Lieutenant
Colonel VIM. E. Plummer OF Portland,
which was one of the most attractive feat-
ures of the evening.
Three tents were erected on the floor OF
the hall, opposite the stage. The central
nav,lion was occupied by Gen. IL. u
Foster of Watervilte and his working
staff consisting of Col. Colby, acting
assistant adjutant general; Major Hill
of Wateryille, acting judge advocate gen.
eral. and Major Wheeler of Rockland, act
ing chaplain. little after half
past eigh5 O'Clock the three cantons OF
Canton Ridgeley, commanded by Capt.
5. w. Shaw. Capt. j. B. Brown, anu
Capt. ]. H. johnson, marched into the
hall and after executing some movements,
took up their position in front of the
tents. Then the candidate for the degree
OF chiyalry, Col. Plummer, appeared at
the door of the hall and was halted by
the guards. He produced his credentials
showing that he was entitled to this
honor at the hands of the Grand Com
nander, and after answering the many
questions which were asked him by the
guards. he WAS conducted into the hall.
The Cantons formed the arch of steel
crossing swords in long lane, through
which Col. Plummer passed to the water
front where with pleasing ceremonial the
first obligation was taken. Then he
uassed on before the Grand Commander,
Gen. Foster, who administered the obli-
cation. Having taken the oaths admins
tered by the Grand Commander, Gen. Eos
ter asked the four lady assistants to pro-
duoe the symbols OF the degree. These as
sistants were Misses Lizzie Scholes, AbDle
Sbaw. Ella Scholes and Annie Lindsey.
The one conferred upon Col Plummer,
the golden spur; the second, sword; the
third, a steel gauntlet, and the fourth,
a silken glove. Then the Grand Com
nander called upon the adjutant general
to produce the jewel of the degree. This
consisted of a beautiful maltese cross OF
handsome s enamelled design, pendant
from gold pin,in which glittered cost
IL diamond. The judge advocate general
then led forward pretty little maiden,
Miss Bessie Marguerite Lombard, who
pinned the jewel on the breast OF Col.
PIummer, and the ceremony was at an
end.
Col. Plammer has always been most
prominent member of the Canton, always
having taken great interest IN Odd Eel
1owship in all it's branches from the sub
ordinate lodge to the highest branch OF
the order, and for this reason the degrees
was conferred upon him.
Following this came the ball which was
a most delightful one in every way. The
following is a list Of the committees IN
charge of this most successful affair:
General Committee-Col W. E. Plum
mer, chairman; Clerk E. b. 9. Iomp-
SON. secretary; Accountant W. A. Smar-
dom. treasurer; Major T. l.. ID oseley.
Capt. S. W. Shaw, Capt. G. b. Cloud
man, Lieut.. L. C. Blaisdell, Ensign o
w. Bateman, Cheys. Simeon Malone, job
w SWEET. T. Il. Smardon, g. w. Lom-
bard, Geo. E. Trefethen. Fl. J. Dyer, q.
q. LeaFy.
o. B. Written. Col H. Z. Colesworthy,
Floyd, Major A L. Perry, CAPTAINS VIM.
e. Garter, :, ohm B. Brown, Charles T.Tobie.
81. w Rich, James L. johnson, Chevs Geo.
Il. Ksnworthy, John S.Cushman, james N.
Head, Perley l.. Chase, Frank W. Jewett.
Floor Director-Capt. G. II. CloudmaD.
Assistants-Capt S, W. Shaw, Lieut..
L. C. Blaisdell, Cheys. John W. SWEET.
Ensign o. w. Bateman, Cheys. Fred IL.
Smardon, C. W. Lombard, Carl T. A.
Weber, II. j Dyer, Perley L. Chase.
The Young Peoples Utility club of the
New Jerusalem church had charge of
the catering, and this feature OF the