The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-10-11


PITTSBURGH, Oct. 1O-wlthin the
brilliancy of incandescence emanating
from nearly half a million electric lights
the conclave OF heKnlghts Templar has
fairly started, and tonight close upon
$1,000 pilgrims are revellng in each
others hospitality.
Except a few stragglers every COM
mandery, which was expected to be rep
resented, has now delegation on the
ground. The day was chiefly spent by
the different Communicates In arranging
their headquarters 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 unpretentlous glass Of
ice water up to Kentucky bourbon, Call
fornia wine and even champagne. Sou
venlrs of all shapes. sizes and designs
are In abundant evidence and most of
the knights are bedecked with decora-
tives not unlike major general and
veteran Of at least twenty years.
It is a remarkable thing that the visl-
tors and guests in this city, though their
number Is larger than the city has ever
before had to entertain there has not
yet been complaint for lack OF accom-
mediation. This indeed speaks volumes
for the committees, who have been In
trusted with making the arrangements
for this part OF the event.
Although the business meetings Of the
gathering have not yet commenced,
electoneerlng for the honor of holding
the next conclGve is in active progress.
In this respect the Louisville people are
apparently In the lead This afternoon
the members from the Minnesota COM
manderIes virtually gave up the con-
test, they had expected to make in favor
Of st. Paul. Northern New York dele
cations are plugging" for all they are
worth to have the next conclave held at
Niagara Falls in 1901. However, 1t is
vet dificult to tell what the outcome
will be, because decision VIII not be
reached until Thursday morning.
The foremost event of to-day's pro-
gramme undoubtedly has been the re-
ceptlon and ball of Tancret comman-
derry No. 4s, Of this city, at their head
quarters in the court house, which com
menced at o'clock this afternoon and 1t
is expected the dancing and entertain
ing with unabated musical accompani-
nent Is to continue until II o'clock to-
night.
The sights on the streets have never
been equalled in this city as far as the
crowds are concerned. Street car traffic
is at a standstill and vehicles of all de-
scrlptions are banlshed from down town
thoroughfares, while every inch of
ground Is monopolized by tens of thou
sands OF pedestrians who move along
like an immense wave OF humanity.
There are those on the sidewalks, shout
ing and applauding the paradIng gknights
as they pass in an apparently never
ending column through the streets. An
interesting feature In the informal par
ade of the knights was furnished by the
Boston communicates, who marched up
Fifth avenue, accompanied by their
ladies, and the way in which the latter
kept step to the music evoked great en-
thusiasm and 'hurrahing."
Should the weather continue to shower
It's pleasant countenance upon the
Smoky City tomorrow, the grand par
ade" will be an event that has never
been surpassed in the history of Knights
Templarlsm in America.
The many Communicates scheduled
to arrive tonight came with such a
rush and SO close together that It was
almost impossible 20 keep track Of
them. It can be stated, however, that
all who we're expected up to midnight
have arrived. The question as to
whether or not General Joe Wheeler
will be present to command the mount
ed division Of the parade tomorrow Will
not be decided until the time arrives.
Some claim that he will be here and
others say he has gone through to
Omaha.