The evening times., 1899-04-19
THE K. oEkP, PILGRIMAGE.
Washington fOdge Of KhOrassan
Royalty Received Mt Reading.

l--
Washington hodge Of khorassan
Royalty Received Mt Reading.
Reading. Pa. April 19-The greatest
event in the history df Pythianism in this
city took place last night when Ascalon
Temple, of the dramatic branch of the Or
der of Knights 81 Pythias, known as the
Knights of Khofassan; made pilgrimage
from Washington. D. c.. to this city. to
participate in the ceremonial of Cashmere
Temple. No. 81. located here. Forty tyros
| were led over the hot and arid desert.
Among them were some Of the most prom
inent men in the State.
Forty members of Ascalon Temple, No.
81. of Washington, D. c.. started on the
pilgrimage to Reading at IL: :05 D. m. yes
terday and arrived here at 5:37 O'Clock.
They were met in the Union Depot. this
city, by the members of Cashmere Temple,
who had with them the Ringgoid Band OF
thirty pieces. and were escorted to the
City Hall, Fifth and Franklin Streets,
where the Mayor, Hon. Adam H. Leader
delivered an address OF welcome, and ex-
tended to the visitors the freedom Of the
city. Col Frank H Hosford, royal vizier
of Ascalon Temple, responded. The guests
were then taken to the Hotel Penn, which
| will be their headquarters during their So
journ In Reading.
The ceremonies in Cashmere Temple. on
Fifth Street above Penn. commenced
promptly at s o'clock when class of for
ty tyros began their long and weary march
over the burning sands. Bagdad was
reached at IL p IN. The ceremonies were
performed by Cashmere's team.
The paraphernalia was new, and was used
! for the first time. the Oriental draperies
having only arrived yesterday. The Co.'S
tunes are beyond a doubt among the fin
est for secret society work ever seen in
| this city. The camel was in fine condi-
ton. With the Washington caravan was
also the camel of AscalOn Temple.
Shortly after II O'Clock the ceremonial
| ended. when an adjournment was taken to
Rajah Temple, Of the Mobiles of the Mys-
tic Shrine. corner of Franklin and Pearl
| Streets, where there was q banquet for
| which there were covers for 800 partici-
pants. There were present the forty men,
| bers. or votaries. of Ascalon Temple: 100
or more votaries of Cashmere Temple, and
/ votaries from Lalla Rookh Temple, Of Phil
adeiphia and from Lebanon. Lancaster.
Harrisburg. Altoona. Pittsbarg. Allentown,
| Wilkesbarre. Scranton and other places
| The menu was an elaborate one, and
was excellently served. large corps OF
| walters having been employed. The ban
quet chamber was magnihcently decorated
| the Khorassan colors and emblems pre-
dominating. An orchestra Of thirty pieces
! rendered music while the feast was in
progress
When cigars were reached the Royal
| Vizier of Cashmere Temple, Ira NJ. Becker
| acting as POSTMASTER, raped for order
and then introduced Judge H. Willis Bland
| who delivered an address of welcome in his
usually eloquent manner
| Col. Frank ii. Hcsford. of Washington
| Royal Vizier Of Ascalon Temple. replied
and spoke for twenty minutes in a witty
manner on ''Ascalons Pilgrimage to Read
! ing
Toasts were then responded to as fol-
| lows: - g.
| Impressions of Cashmere" BY Hon. J
/ McKenna OF Washington, Past Grand
/ Chancellor of the Domain of the District
Of Columbia. Knights OF Pythias.
The Royal Beast Of the Jungle" by the
| Hon. F. W. Mendell., member of Congress
from Wyoming.
| Arabic Courtesy" by Cyrus T Fox. o!
Reading.
| Our Guests Major Israel c. Becker
| Reading.
| The City of Reldin," Hon. Samuel D.
Dibert, eX-President Of the Board of Trade
A letter was read from George B. Cortel-
you. assistant secretary to President Nc
Kinley. addressed to Royal Vizier Ira NJ
Becker, stating that he had been directed
by the President ITO express his regrets
| that the pressure OF his official duties and
engagements will prevent his having the
pleasure of being with you"
The arrangements for this very success
| full khorassan event were in charge OF
Royal Vizier Becker and Imperial Naval
Bonawitz
The return pilgrimage to Washington Of
Ascalon Temple will be made today leav-
ing Reading at $40 p. m. previous to
which the visiting Khorassans viii be
shown the sights of the city and taken over
the Mount Penn Gravity Railroad, where
| from the summit Of the mountain, they
| will have a view of one OF the most fertile
plains in the "desar." of Pennsylvania.