The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-10-12
ALL RECORDS BROKEN
KNIGHTS TEMPLARS' PARADE AT
PITTSBURG THE GRANDEST
EVER SEEN
RAIN WAS NOT A DAMPER
Crowds Estimated at From Five
Hundred Thousand to One
Million Persons Witnessed the
Grand DispIay-The Kentucky
knights Were Especially Popular
With the Spectators.

PIITSBURG, Pa, Oct. 1.-THE pa
rade of the twenty seventh triennial
coEclaVe Of the knights Templars is
now an event of history. Whatever
had been anticipated in the way of gor-
geousneSS, Splendor and general all
around success was amply realized
that is, all but the rain-which was not
expected. But even at that it was the
grandeSt parade ever held in this city
from whichever view one may take It,
In point of numberS-there were %, 00O
Inarchers in line-it easily doubled SIM
liar occurrences of the past, and as far
as the appearance OF the men, their
uniforms, the trappings Of their horses
as well as the perfection of their move
ments, were concerned Pittsburg has
never seen anything to equal it. The
day started with not a cloud in the sky,
a soft. gentle breeze blowing, just to
keep the atmosphere pleasant and cool
1t was morning tempting enough to
bring out even the most sluggishly in
clined. The result was that long be-
fore the booming cannon announced the
start OF the marcherS there was a null
t1tude of people packed together in an
1mpenetrable thrOng along the line of
march, extending from the heart of AL
legheny City over into Pittsburg, out
on Fifth avenue to Schenley park, a
distance of seven miles. Not only the
paraders, but also the spectators, made
sight the impression of which will
never be forgotten. The number of on
lockers on the streets, in the windows
on the roofs and in the reviewing stands
has been Variously estimated at from
100000 to 100000 people. At 10 O'Clock
the wonderful caValcade had completed
It's formation and the march began,
and three hours later the last detach-
ment passed the same point
The rain commenced at 100 o'clock,
and for a while 1t looked as if the pa
rade might be broken up, but no, the
Knights walked along with the same
spirit and displayed the same martial,
dignffied bearing in the rain as they
had done under the shining sun. The
crowd soon began to reOrganize and the
Volleys of cheers and applause that had
been thunderous before now burst
forth in perfect tornadOes. Such en-
couragement could not but have it's eff
feet and the result was the line remain
ed unbrOken until the end came.
ARRANGEMENTS PERFECT.
The arrangements were all perfect.
Streets were roped in, and guards COM
posed of the members of the Eigh-
teenth regiment, N. G. P. and of Bat
terry b, who have recently been mus
tered out, were stationed all along the
line. Hospital corps had been organ
lied and accompanied the parade in
various places; but fortunately their
services were not in good demand, 10
serious mishap of any kind having TAX
en- place.
The splendid uniforms Of the Cali
fornia communicates, their golden
swords and their mettled chargers at
tracted 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 always heartily cheered.
Owing to the heroic work the Ken
lucky Knights have already done since
their arrival here to have the next
conclave held in Louisville, the Knights
from the Blue Grass state have gained
particular prominence among the peo-
pie here, and wherever the Kentucky
banners were recognized the cheering
became more animated than ever. The
crowd realized that they were getting
the best they had ever seen and WerA
not slow to appreciate it.
BUSINESS MEETING
Immediately after the parade the
formal opening of the twenty-seventh
triennial conclave of the grand
encampment of Knights Templars OF
the United States of America took place
in Carnegie Music hall, Scheniy Park.
Grand Master Thomas, Grand Com
mander Kuhn, of Pennsylvania; Mayor
Ford, the executive and reception COM
nitteeS assembled in the ante room,
while the other members Of the grand
encampment assembled in the music
hall. Those in the ante room then
came upon the stage, Grand Master
Thomas and Chairman Wigley, of the
oiJ0Cc oct
Chairman Wigley introduced Mayor
Ford, who welcomed the grand master
and Sir Knights to Pittsburg in a few
well chosen, appropriate remarks. The
mayor was followed by Grand Com
mander Kuhn, Of Pennsylvania, and
Sir Knight Smith, the chairman of the
local executive committee, both of
whom INDUCED in a few words of well
come to the meeting. Gov. Hastings
| was expected to have been present also
| to welcome the Knights on behalf OF
| the state of Pennsylvania, but he was
absent in New York city. Grand Mas
ter Thomas was then formally intro
! duced, whereupon he delivered the an
| nual address. The grand master stat
| ed that warrants had been issued fol
new grand commentaries in Oklahoma
Indian territory and the District Of
Columbia. He said, in conclusions:
THE best, the purest, the noblest mer
| in our country acknowledge fealty to this
grand body, and practice the virtues they
| have learned in our asylum. Our beautiful
| banners occupy the loftiest heights borne
and upheld by loyal and loving hands. The
| great truths we teach, founded they are
| on the Word Of God as eXemplifed in the life
of His Blessed Son, have taken deep roo
| In the hearts of men, and will continue t
| grow and spread until they shall permeate
| the darkest spots Of the earth. Mankind shall
| be lifted from the thraldom of darkness and
sel1shness and all the baser instincts Of hi:
nature and occupy the proud position hi
| should as the living image Of the God who
made him. Then shall be the fruition Of oul
| hopes, then will the mission Of order bt
! fulfilled, then will the reign of Emanuel
the Prince of Peace, the Grand Captain o
our salvation, be perfect and everlasting ,
After the formal opening the grand
| master ordered the roll call and the
organization of the grand encampmen
took place. Thereafter the reports O
Grand Treasurer Lines and Grand Re
corder Mayo were read and referred Il
the proper committees.
The report Of the grand treasurer, H
! Wales Lines, showed receipts of $26,
791 and disbursements of $9,727. The
net cash resources are $42,15
The report Of the grand recorder
William H. Mayo, contained much sta
tistical information. The gains since
| the last conclave have been: Knight
ed, 1856; affiliated, 973; reinstated, 4O6
total, 1914. The losses have been
| Died, 1858; Identified, 1,789; suspended
unknightly conduct, Ga; suspended 70,
non-payment Of dues, 1850: expelled
81; total, 1888. The net gain was 1855
The social feature of the conclavt
| took place tonight at the Duquesnt
garden. This was the reception ex.
clusively for members of the different
YtnHr Jn,. a4,,-t