The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-08-27
KNIGHTS OF pYTHIAs.
The biennial Convention OF the sa-
preme Lodge Draws Crowds
Ia indianapolis.

mus <Auks hc Tt-
preme lodge Knights of Pythias began
fits biennial session at the hall of the
house OF representatives at the state
capital Tuesday. The supreme officers
were escorted from headquarters a.
the Denison TO the state house by the
supreme representatives and a special
guard of honor from the uniform rank.
The rooms were beautifully decorated
with the Pythian colors and emblems
of the order. and the galleries, which
were thrown open at an early hour.
were soon crowded with the wealth
and fashion OF the city.
Caleb 5. Denny, ex-mayor OF Indian
apolis, who is chairman OF the citizens
executive committee, called the meet
ing 10 order. Mayor Taggart in brief
address welcomed the supreme lodge
and hoped that it's session would be o.
great value 10 the order throughout
the world. On behalf of the state OF
Indiana Gov. james A. Mount well
coined the lodge, and on behalf OF the
grand lodge of Indiana Grand Chan
cellor Union b. Hunt made an address
OF welcome. Supreme Chancellor Col
grove replied for the supreme lodge in
a speech Of about ten minutes.
There are about $4,000 strangers in
the city. of whom $4,000 are in uniform.
More than 5000 members OF subordi-
nate lodges are in attendance. The
great Pythian parade in the afternoon
was witnessed by $4,000 persons.
About 10000 members of the uniform
rank and 5000 members of the subor
dinate lodges participated. The pa
rade was reviewed by the supreme and
grand officers and the officers Of the
state and city.
The report OF r. L, G. White, supreme
keeper OF records arc seal, was in part
as follows:
The total number OF subordinate lodges
December 81 1897 was G.6S3. and the total
number OF members. 4GS. 269-a net gain dur
ing the calendar year or iG lodges. and
net loss OF LOOP members, and net gain
during the years 1896 and 1897 OF l79 lodges
and 3, 100 members. We sustained n net loss
OF membership during the last year-the
first since 1878. But. when we take into
consideration the depressed condition OF
the country. we should congratulate our
selves that the loss was not larger We
have done as well as any Of the fraternal
organizations. and better than most OF
them.
The report of James X. Carnahan,
major general of the uniform rank,
showed that the receipts had been So
$50 and the expenditures $3,52S. Not a
debt was due anyone. During the last
two years 100 new companies had been
warranted.
The report OF the board OF control,
endowment rank, stated that the prog
ress and continued success Of the rank
had been exceedingly gratifying in
every particular. During the last BIZ
ennial term there had been added $50
new sections and 10, 500 new members,
with insurance to the amount of $27,-
500, 900. There are now 3,347 sections,
with 80, $40 members carrying an en-
dowment OF 500, O00. 900. The last quar-
ter ending June 80, 1898, gave promise
for the present year, the books show
ing 90 new sections formed, 2,227 new
members added and endowments SCI
cured TO the amount OF SO, 100, SOC. Dur
ing the last two years there had been
paid TO the bene6ciaries OF the de-
ceased members So, 1872 800, making the
total paid TO widows and orphans in 81
yenrs $l2, 445, 900.