Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-06-24
WELCOME, KNIGHTS.
CIaremont Commandery, No.
9, K. T., of Rockland,
The Guests of Maine Commandery,
No, |, Yesterday and Today,
Parade and Ball With Visit to Augusta Will
Visit Togus, Today.

For some two months Maine Com
mandery. No. l. Knights Templar, has
been busy preparing for the visit of
Claremont Commandery of Rockland.
to this city. A year ago, Claremont
Commandery invited Maine to visit
their city and be their guest. The in
Vitation was accepted and the Com
mandery went. Such a time they had
as they never before enjoyed. They
We're given the entire liberty of the city
and nothing was left undOne to make
the visiting fraters have a good time.
After their arrival in that city they
were given 4 short march and then re-
turned 10 the asylum, where ban
quet was served. Another march over
the city was then taken and then a ride
on the electric cars to Camden was
had. Here they We're royalty enter
tanned and after a march they return
ed to ROckland. Anothsr banquet was
sat down to and in the evening a grand
ban was rendered to she members of
the Maine Commandery. which they
enjoyed till the small hours of the
morning.
On the next day a visit to Thomas
ton was made on the Electrics and
through the courtesy of Warden Smith
the States prison was thoroughly in
spcted by all. They returned to Rock
land ana partook of another banquet.
and. in the afternoon. took the train
for home, having enjoyed one Of the
best times in the history of Maine Com
mandery.
This has ever been fresh in the
minds of all who went and it was unan-
imously decided to invite Claremont
10 this city. this year. When the idea
was first suggested air went to work
with a will and the result is grand
success. All the committees have been
hard at work and not a thing has been
left undOne to make every part Of the
visit a pleasant one
The visiting Sir Knights arrived on
the noon train in two special cars at
tached to the rear of the regular train.
They We're taken to the asylum where
they were formally received by Emf
neni Commander Melvine J. Powers In
a short speech. To this Eminent Com
mander F. J. Peterson responded in
few words. The dress uniforms We're
then laid aside and the fatigue uni
forms adorned: the guests We're escort
VI ~ Ink ~ ais N Ilflt dillli1I 81
Woodwork had prepared fine dinner
for them.
While the Knights were dining the
Gardiner Band. which escorted them
from the depot to the hall gave a con
| cert from the balcony Of the hotel.
This over. the Rockland Military Band
which accompanied CIaremont Com
mandery. came down from the johnson
house, where they had been having
dinner, and gave another concert which
was greatly enjoyed.
At about o'clock. the two Com
manderies formed in line. tha right
resting at the Evans corner and the
Gardiner Band Of % pieces in the lead.
followed by the Maine COmmandery.
the Rockland Band Of - pieces ana
Claremont Commandery. Following
this We're two teams with Knights.
The line of march was TIP Water
street To- Brunswick. up Brunswick to
school to Pleasant street ana to the
home Of Mayor Patten. Here the
mayor was introduced by Eminent
Commander NJ. J. Powers and spoke as
follows:
Eminent Commander. Sir Knights
Of CIaremont and Maine Commander
les:
When it became known that the
resident Commandcry would De favor
"a with a visit from the Rockland
Knights, our citizens felt a sense Of
pleasure i'm anticipating the day when
our city would be honored ny such
worthy guests. | can truly say that
we are gratifed in seeing such a finely
organized body Of men parade through
the city.
Organizations for worthy and char
liable purposes have become 50 we'll
established ana the benefits derived
from them are 50 well understood that
they have become a permanent part
Of the structure Of our communities
and exist in all civilized countries.
When we note the acts Of Kindness and
the assistance rendered the needy in
your order we cannot doubt that you
are actuated by grand and elevating
ideas and principles
AS the official head Of the city and
in behalf Of our people | extend to You,
our visitors. a hearty welcome. The
password. L assure you, has not been
lost, the door is open. and | place you
for the time being, in possession Of the
city"
Mayor Patten then personally greet
ed each member Of the visiting Com
mandery, who gave him three hearty
cheers followed by three cheers from
the Maine Commandery. He was then
escorted to one of the carriages and
the line moved to the home Of Hon. A.
NJ. Spear, who was introduced as dis
trict deputy commander Of the Grand
Lodge of the State of Maine
He made a few remarks saying that
it gave him great pleasure to welcome
them all to Gardiner and to his home.
He praised them for their good looks
and way in which the strong ties that
bound them was always shown, one to
another. He spoke of the trip to Rock
land and Of the fine time they all had.
not falling to mention a little march
they We're given over a mountain. AT
the close he asked them all up on the
lawn where he had prepared some fine
lemonade. The invitation was accent
ed by all
The line again formed and marched
to the homes of Past Eminent Com
manders j. w. Lash. C. o. Turner ana
p. f. Winslow. Here seats had been
provided and the procession was divid-