The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1901-08-03
Catholic knights of America.

last, with twenty-eight insurance
and nine social members. The
branch was Organized by W. A.
Malr, Supreme Organizer South
ern States and Lieut.. Col. Uni
form Rank, aided by Edgar F.
Riviere, First Assistant Organizer.
At Il meeting held for that pur-
pose at the Catholic church at 5
O'Clock Sunday afternoon the
following officers were elected: !:
Rev. Father j. Engberink, Spirit
ual Director; L. Bienvenu, Pres
ident; HI. E. Estorge, Vice-Presi-
dent; III. D. Larcade, % Vice
president; j. J. Perrodin, Secre-
tary and Treasurer; F. Dietlein,
Financial Secretary; J.B.Sandoz,
Trustee, three years; l.. I. Cas-
tile, Trustee, two years; Gustave
Cahanin, Trustee, one year;
H. A. Dominique, Sergeant-at-
Arms; Jos. Lafond, Sentinel; ;
Miss Agathe LassalIe, Infrma-
rian; and DR.. W. r. Lastrapes,
Medical Examiner.
The public initiation of the
members and installation of Off
GERS took place at the church at
g O'Clock that night, the beautiful
and impressive ceremony being
witnessed by Il large number of
relatives and friends of the MEM
bers. An exquisite musical pro-
gram was rendered by Prof.
Mayer and Miss Jagou, which
added much to the attractiveness
of the proceedings.
AS the organ pealed forth, the
notes of a grand march, the mem
bers proceeded up the central isle
and formed il semi-circle inside
the altar rail. The Organizer
then told them of the high duties
they were about to assume and
asked them the necessary ques-
tions, after which they all knelt,
and as slow, solemn music softly
fioated through the church to
mingle it's notes with his voice, he
submitted to them the pledge that
made them Catholic Knights of
America. They were then ex-
tended the hand of fellowship in
the name of the $4,000 members
of that order.
The officers were next installed,
the Organizer charging each of
them individually with the duties
belonging to his Office, after which
the President and Secretary were
requested to take their proper
places in the meeting.
Mr.. Mair next, in beautiful and
impressive language, presented
the branch with its charter. Faith
er Engberink, on receiving same,
in few well-chosen words, com
plimented Mr.. Mair very highly
on the success that had attended
his efforts among our people and
pressed bis qualification al
the organization of branch OF
this splendid order in oul
town. President Bienvenu then
made few graceful and appro-
pirate remarks, after which an
eloquent and touching address
by the organizer closed the pro-
ceedings.
Mr.. Mairsis a cultured gentle
man, of broad mind and en-
gaging presence, and during his
short stay in our midst he made
many friends who will always be
glad to welcome him, should he
return. In the work of organic
ing the branch, he received the
earnest cooperation of the local
pastor, Father Engberink, who
has ever shown his readiness to
assist in anything that might tend
to promote the spiritual or mate,
rial advancement of our town.
The branch starts out under
most favorable auspices. It's
charter membership is exceptions
ally large for a town of this size
A glance at the names of its off,
lcers will show that it includes ir
Its list of members some of oul
most prominent and Influential
people. It will likely grow rapidly
and, considering its high aims and
noble purposes, it will doubtless
be the means of accomplishing
much good in our community.
The Parish School Board vii
meet in extra session Monday fol