Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-15
AT BANQUET BOARD
Prominent Masons Assemble at Ar
mory Hall, Alexandria.
GRAND LODGE MEMBERS as GUESTS
Opening Session of Grand Body
in Opera House.
THE OFFICERS PRESENT
OFFICERS PRESENT
THE
special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

ALEXANDRIA, Va, December Is. 1890.
Armory Hall was brilliantly Lighted and
beautifully decorated Wednesday evening
for the banquet and reception given by the
local MaSonS to the visiting brethren.
the members of the Grand Lodge of Vir-
ginia. 1t was almost eleven o'clock before
the function began. The Grand Lodge, which
had opened its annual communication in
Lannon's Opera House at 6 o'clock, did
not adjourn until after 10 o'clock. and the
members were late in reaching the hail.
When once within the building the spirit
Of the occasion was heartily entered into by
all present, and the work of satisfying the
appetite was speedily commenced. Over
six hundred seats had been prepared at
numerous long tables, extending from end
to end of the hall. These were supplied
with every delicacy of the season and
tastefuly adorned, the work of feminine
hands. To Mrs. James E Alexander and
her assistants on the ladies' banquet COM
mttee belong much credit for the hand
some style in which everything pertaining
to the tables had been arranged. Probably
never before had Armory Hall been clothed
i'll such gay and elaborate attire. From the
ceiling and the walls hung bunting of the
national colorS in great profuSion Numer-
Gus electric bulbs dangled from wires and
shed a flood of light over the tables. Ma
sGnic designs deliberately made up and pic
lures of Gen. Washington were interspersed
along the walls.
Attractive Emblem.
One of the most attractive emblems
hibited was that of the square and compasses
of Freemasonry, dotted with electric lights.
This hung from the south wall. adjoining a
handsome picture of General Washington.
Music contributed its charms. At short in
tervals the strains of popular melodies
would burst forth from grand stand, con-
tanning an orchestra of many pieces After
the supper which was served IN courses,
had been finished the Speechmaking began
DR.. William NJ Smith, chairman of the
banquet committee, acted as POSTMASTER
The following responded, in short and APP
propriate terms, to the toasts proposed:
Judge R. T. W. Duke, jr., grand master of
Virginia; r. W Woodbury., past grand
master IF Colorado; F. B. Hay of Washing
ton; Col. Robert White of Wheeling. w.
Va; w. H Lambert. ex-Mayor E. f.
Downham. X. Kemper and Hubert Snow
den. all OF Alexandria, and Charles Wood
bury of Massachusetts. 1t had been ex-
pected that Senators Daniel and Martin of
Virginia would be present and make ad-
dresses, but at the eleventh hour kilograms
were recel yed from both, regretting their
inability to attend. At a late hour the
Masons sought their respective homes
Grand Lodge Session.
The Grand Lodge for the state of Vir-
gina, ttIclcIl, fTte anu Acttpltu 4hSSOiSs
convened in Lannon's Opera House at
O'Clock the same evening in annual commu-
nication. For the first time since the lodge
was organized has its annual session been
held elsewhere than in Richmond. AS the
date for meeting corresponded with that of
the memorial ceremonies at Mount Vernon.
1t was considered appropriate to meet in
Alexandria, and special dispensation for
that purpose was secured. The session,
which was, of course, held behind closed
DOORS lasted until 10 o'clock Grand Mas
ter Duke occupied the chair and Grand
Secretary George w. Darlington was in his
place. Other Grand Lodge officers are:
Deputy Grand Master George w. Wright,
Grand Senior Warden H. .. kerns, Grand
Junior Warden Edward N. Eubank, Grand
Senior Deacon Thomas N. Davis. Grand
Junior Deacon *. kemper, Grand Treas
urer Fred. Peasants.
There were present at the meeting Past
Grand Master J. H. Drummond of Maine
and G. NJ. Mclean, representative of the
Grand Lodge of New Hampshire. A pres
ent was received from the grand master
terial obtained from the elm tree III Ter
which Washington stood when assuming
command of the American continental
army. The handle was made of wood from
old South Church, in Boston.
Visitors Introduced.
The following visiting Masons were intro
duced by Grand Master Duke and made
snort addresses. j. oilS EOch, grand
master of Maryland; Silas B. Wright,
grand master of Florida; Grand Master
Kruger of Belgium, Past Grand Master Nc
Cleary of Texas, Past Grand Master Har
per of Kentucky, Grand Master II. c. Arm
strong of Alabama, Past Grand Master
Rice of Indiana, Past Grand Master Ewing
of New York. Grand Master c. II. Briggs
of Missouri, Grand Master Henry C. Looms
of Kansas. Grand Master Frank T. Lodge
of Michigan and Reputy Grand Master K.
G. Hungerford of Canada, Grand Master
Alphonso A Beirnaud of Colorado, Grand
Master A. T. Stebbins of Minnesota, Grand
Master Small of Washington, Past Grand
Master Robert White of West Virginia,
Grand Master w. Scott Nay of Vermont,
Grand Master r. NJ. Smith of Arkansas,
Grand Master w. l.. Eagleson of Okid-
homa territory, Grand Master Thos. Lam
bert of Iowa and Grand Master w. w.
keyson of Nebraska.
Early yesterday morning the doors of the
church where Washington's pew is yet pre-
served were thrown open for religious wor-
ship Rev. Bergman Green, pastor Off ciat-
ing. Throngs of Masons attended the serv-
ices, which were in line with the memorial
occasion.
Conveyed to Penitentiary.