The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-25
MERRY KNIGHTS.
Athol Commandery Cele.
brate 25th Anniversary.

Athol, Jam 24.-Last evening was
red letter occasion for the Sir Knights
of this part of the state, it being the
twenty-fifth anniversary of the insti-
tuition of Athol Commandery, knights
Templars. The early part Of the even
ing was taken up with the official in
spection by Eminent Sir Charles A Pea
body of Worcester, Eminent Grand Lee
turer of the Grand Commandery of
Knights Templars of Massachusetts, and
Rhode Island, accompanied by a num-
Der of distinguished Sir Knights
At the conclusion of the inspection
the order of temple was conferred upon
Companion Frank Henry Rainey, who
was the musician of Co. f. Second Mas
sachuSetts regiment, and has not as yet
fully recovered from the effects of his
experience on Cuban soil.
The inspection and work being con-
cluded, a grand banquet was served in
honor Of the twenty-fifth anniversary,
which was one of the most interesting
occasions in the history of the COM
mandery. Speeches were made by Chas.
A. Stott of Lowell R. E., p G. c., who
was grand commander in 1874, and as
such officially constituted Athol Com
mandery; E. V. Wilson, captain general
of Athol Commandery, who gave an in
teresting historical address; William
w. Fish, P. C. of Athol Commandery
gave pleasing "reminiscences of the early
days of the organization, and other
speakers were Hon. ]. B. Farley of
Orange Commandery, Frank L. Nagle
of NnWtOnXrilIp TIoy1lppsf n "
d. G. c., Roxbury; E. G. Best, Turner's
Falls. e. c. of Connecticut Valley Com
mandery; A. P. Derby, E. C. of Ivan
hoe Commandery, Gardner: George S.
Richardson, e. C. of Jerusalem Com
mandery, Fitchburg; P. L. Rider, E. c.
of Worcester County Commandery;
George w. Bishop of Newtonville, p
=. c. of Atho1 Commandery, and num-
Der of the Athol Sir Knights who are
past commanders of the commandery.
Inc speaking was interspersed with
me singing by the Masonic quartet Of
Worcester.
Inc constituting of Athol Commandery
70 years ago was a great occasion for
the Masonic fraternity of this part of
the state, and was largely attended by
the Sir knights from long distances.
Inc name of the commandery has a
slgnlncance not only as the home of the
organization but in a Masonic sense
also as the Duke of Athol in Scotland
was prominent member of the knight
mood, but more than a century and a
nalf ago was the grand master of Eng
fand and Scotland.
Ihere were 27 charter members, and
the lotal number who have at any time
peen members is 246. The present mem
oersh1p IS 123. DIR. Vernon o. TAYLOR
now OF PrOVi1pnpa
eminent commander, and those who
nave served since are: Cephas L. Saw
yer, James H. Waite, Lucien Lord
William w. Fish. William H. Heustis
george II. F'oye, Othello A. Fay, George
W. Bishop, Walter NJ Wright. Henry
z. Fay, Charles H. Forbes, Sidney p
Smith, Charles A. Crossman. Edmund
7. SheDardson, Henry w. Harris. ali
put two of whom are now living. The
E. Wing. aim
Among the visiting Sir knights were:
Charles A. Peabody Worcester. r q
L. Charles A. Stott, Lowell; r. +. p q
e, p. G. Best, Turner's Falls. E. C. Con
nectlcut Valley Commandery; Hon, 7
Is. Farley, Orange, C. G. Orange Com
mandery; Arthur p. Derby, Gardner
=. q. lyanhoe Comma ndery; Prank w.
smith, Charles A Cowee, John n TEd.
gen, Gardner; George S. Richardson
Fltchburg, E. c, Jerusalem Command,
cry; Phineas L. Rider, Worcester, r G
worcester County Commandery; Geo
W Bishop, Railroad Commentary
NeWtonville; James H. Waite. Maiden;
.. =; carpenter, of Manufacturers Re
cord, Baltimore, Md: Frank 7, NaoTa
NewtonviAe, c. G. Gethsemane Com,
mandery; c. P. Day Of American Ma
chlniSt, New York. -4e'