The times., 1899-10-17
ROYAL MASONS BANQUET
Members Of the Order Of Scotland
Elaborately Entertained.
Masters of Craft From Many states
Assemble Around the Board-The
Scene One of BriIlinncy-Fratern
Toasts One of the Features of the
Evening-Covers for Two Hundred.

About fifty Masons, representing the
Royal Order of Scotland, sat down with
their ladies to the annual banquet of the
Provincial Grand Lodge and Provincial
Grand Chapter of the order in the United
States at the Riggs House last night and
enjoyed one of the most elaborate dinners
ever served in this citys The guests num-
Masonic fraternity from many States, and
the occasion was pronounced the most sue
cessfui in the memory of the Oldest and
most exalted members present
The banquet hall at the Riggs House was
converted into bower of beauty for the
vote of commendation for his preparation,
Roses, asters, chrysanthemums, and other
flowers were scattered everywhere. while
the alcoves and ceiling were covered with
vari-colored autumn leaves Several hand
some incandescent illumination5 of the in
sigma of the order were placed around the
walls, and the ensemble was magnificent.
While discussing lengthy and rare menu,
which included everything desirable, the
guests were entertained by an orchestra
and it was after 10 O'Clock when the toast
master arose to introduce the first speaker.
William Oscar Roome, the secretary gem
eral OF the order, presided, owing to the
absence of Joseph II Drummond, of Port
land. Me-. and called upon w. Page Browne,
or Kansas City, No. to respond to tbs
toast, Our Country
Mr.. Browne responded briefly stating
that this was .'our country and that every
American loved it. There is no North,
South, East. or West, he stated, and every
Mason loved America as the greatest and
best land in the world. Gen. G. w. Bal
loch responded to the toast, The Royal
Order Of Scotland, !" stating that ne had sell
dom witnessed such a brilliant assemblage
as that gathered around the board, and ex-
pressing desire to be a member of the
order forever.
T. S. Parvin, Of Cedar Rapids, Ia, re-
spcnded to the toast, "The Southern Su-
preme Council of the United States" The
speaker stated that he had been Mason
fer more than sixty years and expected to
be Mason for some time in the future.
He said that the supreme council would
always live and would be In existence un-
I'll the last man had passed away. The
Northern Jurisdiction of the United
States was responded to by Martin Col
lins, CT st, Louis Other toasts and the
respondents were "The Free Masonry Of
the World,ii' e. H. Doyle, OF the Indian
Territory; The Ladies Represented in
Masonry by the Order CT the Eastern
Star, l.. Cabell Williamson.
The guests did not begin to depart until
midnight, and all were highly pleased
with the splendid entertainment afforded.
QOfs H@ nil ir fh1 ,,ol
grand steward, who had charge OF the
banquet, was highly complimented on the
splendor OF the occasion. The menu card
was very attractive and costly souvenir
and was prepared from special design.
Among the local members Of the order
present were the following:
c. H. A. Anender Aaron Baldwin, c. w.
Ballocl, NJ. D. Brainard, n. B. Coolidge, c. T.
Corson, C, II. Fowler n T Haller ID. p
Hickling. ir.. John McGregcr, Allison Nailor. jr..
Halvor Nelson, J. H. 0lcott, W o. Roome H.
W. Smith, W. r. Speare, ]. H. Trimble A. H.
Van Gedsen, G. II. Walker, E. NJ. Willis, and F.
J. WooGman
The members from other points who
were present were:
II. c. Bowman, Topeka, Kan; S. s. Buist,
Charleston. S. c.. Martin Collins, st. Louis, Mo-. !;
Evan Davis, Topeka, Kan: J. +. Ewing, St
Louis; Judge =. II. Fiitcraft, st. Louis; T. w
Harrison. Topeka, Kan.; +. NJ Highley, Phla-
deiphia; Richard Maris, Philadelphia; J. f. Mayer
Richmond, Va; NJ NJ Miller, Topeka, Kan !;
c. A. Neshitt, Richmond, Va; r.. ]. Num-
Savannah, Ga; T. S. Parvin, Cedar Rapids, Ia :
w. +. Pierce, San Francisco; H. p c. stewart
Detroit; c. G. Stefe, Reading, Pa; A. C. Stewart
St Louis; J. A. Whitcomb, Boston; W H. viii
son, Topeka. Kan; T. S. Wyckof Beverly n j. ::
IL. Henninger, Reading, Pa.
At the business meeting of the order
held yesterday morning, degrees were con-
ferred upon fifteen new members, and Bos-
ton was selected as the meeting place in
1ann