Omaha daily bee., 1898-10-11
PITTSBURC ACTS AS HOST
surrender Internationally to the Invading
Army Of Knights Templar.
CITY GAILy DECORATED IN THEIR HONOR
Masonic Emblems Wrought in Elcc-
trio Lights visible Everywhere
Reception Committees Are
Kept busy.

PITTSBURG, Oct. 10.--Fre threatened
early this morning to throw mantle Of
gloom over the first day OF the trieDnial
conclave of knights Templar. The RICHIE
lieu hotel, a four-s story structure on Liberty
street opposite the Union depot, caught fire
at s O'clock and for a time the entire block
was in danger OF destruction. The guests Of
the hotel included number Of knights from
different Communicates, but fortunately no
one was hurt. g. M Yohe of Pittsburg was
narrowly saved from suffocatlon and George
Rupp, sergeant Of the United States
regular infantry, fell from the second story
while making his escape from third floor
window on rope. Neither will die. The
FIRE was confined to the cellar and first
floor. OF the hotel building and the loss will
not be heavy.
The conclave today issweil under way and
the streets are fairly alive with white
plumed knights. Over 100 command
cries came in from north, south and east
during the day and the men on the Pitts
burg reception committees arose before
dawn to be in waiting at the various rail-
way stations to act as escorts to their
guests. g.. .....
| Grand Master, Warren Larue Thomas ex-
pressed the general opinion OF the visiting
knights when he said during brief breath
ing spell; 1--WE are going to have one OF
the greatest weeks in the history Of Tenn
| plarism. The crowd is going to be one OF
/ the greatest that ever attended triennial
eonclave and the work which Pittsburg has
! accomplished in the way OF entertainment
borders on the marvellous. The gorgeous
ness of the decorations and the hospitality
of the people overwhelm u.s.
| City brilliantly Illuminated.
| The briliancy Of the citys street decora-
tions marks an epoch in the history OF cleo
| trio illumination. Within radius OF four
blocks from the heart Of the city 100000
incandescent lamps burn every night. Huge
| electric crosses and other emblems of tenn
plarism are suspended on the sides and
fronts of the city's tallest buildings and
there Is hardly a store or shop In the down
town district which has not an illuminated
design of somc Masonic significance in Its
| windows. The result at night Is that Pitts
burg presents perfect blaze of electric
glory. with an effect that has probably never
been equaled. Nothing but bad weather car
now interrupt the reign. Of festivity and
goodfellowship that was inaugurated today
Forecaster Ridgewaye is fearful Of slight
showers tomorrow and even. heavy rain to-
morrow evening. but it, is hoped that the
skies will be bright during the remainder oi
the conclaye.1.1N iacS'fs7 az 80 i.,.l 80
The five grand Communicates opened; thell
headquarters and started the ball rolling
The day was largely taken up with receiving
and welcoming the influx. Of visitors, fol-
lowed by a reception in honor Of Grant
Master Thomas and Governor Hastings o.
Pennsylvania. TheIreal work Of the con-
clave will commence tomorrow, when the
grand .encampment will be called to order a
the conclusion OF the big parade.
| Three communicates from; the Blue Grass
state5 the grand seemmandery of iKentuck,
and DeMolay and louisville, ,Noo of Louis
Vile, came in this(morning and marched t.
their beadquartersslo the strains Of Dixie
and "The OldN, Eentucky Home" TIL,
Louisville men are making the strongest eff
fort possible to secure the oonclave of 1901
with apparently good prospects of success
The leaders in the fight for Louisville are
T, L. jefferson, De Molay, No. II. chairman
T., G. Timberlake, Louisville No. /, secretary
G.. g. Voght, w. H. Meffert, j. A. Stratton
J. H. Sandman, T. H. Sherley w. r. Wood
ruff T. R. Satterwhite jr., and R. H
Thompson. The Kenruckians brought 10, 90
white satin badges with the inscription
Louisville for 1901" and declare with al
the assurance of certainty that they will
, telegraph victory to their city before tn
close of the week. Niagara Falls, Indian
apolis, Minneapolis and Detroit are tn
other cities in the race for the next conclave