The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-18

The greatest daylight parade ever seen
i'm Indianapolis. That is the unanimous ver-
Dict of all who witnessed the splendid
demonstration Of Odd Fellowship of Amer
lea made on the principal streets of this
city yesterday afternoon. Newspaper writ
ers could not begin to give an adequate de-
scription Of this event, for they have not
space at their command sufficient to paint
word pictures of ali the interesting and at
tractive features of the pageant.
The great parade was several miles IN
length, as may readily be believed when it
is stated that three hours elapsed while II
was passing a given point. Its great length
and its remarkable compactness combined
with the number of horses and equipages
scattered throughout the column made the
demonstration imposing, and the many
varieties of handsome uniforms set on by
cords and braids of gilt, rich regalias and
helmets with flowing plumes of many col
ors combined with a bewildering variety
Of pennants, banners and flags carried by
marching or riding men or on gorgeous
floats to present a scene of picturesqueness
that will be the talk of Indiana and its
capital for many a day to come. Every
State in the Union was represented in r,iis
procession either by grand representatives
in carriages or by cantons of Patriarchs
Militant or lodges of Odd Fellows, not in
frequently by both. Men came from across
the border that separates this country
from Canada to help make the demonstra-
ton one Of the greatest in the history of
Odd Fellowship, and the union jack and
the stars and stripes looked very congenial
as they passed along side by side.
A noteworthy feature of the imposing
spectacle was that it was in large measure
a funeral pageant, for scarcely a division
failed to have upon its banner some in
sigma of mourning. Most OF the marohers
wore bits of crepe on their regalia or on
some article carried in the hand, whether
cane, flag. baton or umbrella. This feature
was remarked by the throngs that were
massed in all the streets on the line OF
march, and it was frequent comment that
odd Fellows are patriots to the CORE
FORMATION OF PARADE
The formation of the parade began as
early as noon in the streets crossing Me-
ridan, from Tenth north to Twentieth and
the various divisions rested in the squares
running east and west from Meridian. The
head of the parade formed at Sixteenth and
Meridian, and as IL proceeded south the
divisions fell in according to their num-
bers. Some conception of the vastness of
the procession may be gained from the
statement that when the head had reached
the reviewing place, on the north OF Uni
versity Park the tenth, or last division.
was just wheeling into the main line. In
reaching the reviewing stand the head OF
the column had gone to the Capitol along
Market street, thence south to Washington,
thence east to East street, countermarched
back to Meridian, proceeding thence north
to Vermont
A great deal of surprised comment was
INDUCED in by witnesses Of the event on
account Of the large number of bands.
Where on earth did the Odd Fellows get
all these bands?" was an exclamation fire.
quently heard. The only answer that can
be made to this is that Indianapolis fur
nished all the musical organizations il
could muster, and the remainder came
from outside points. The Knightstown Sol
diers and Sailors Orphans Home Band
was in line by special invitation, as was
also the band from the Illinois Odd Fellows
Orphans Home. The musicians must have
been nearly worn out by the time the end
came. for they played almost without ces-
sation throughout the three hours OF
marching.
When the start of the big cavalcade was
made from Sixteenth street roar of cheers
and applause came from the waiting null
titudes along the roped-in sidewalks few
squares away. The advance guard OF the
procession was the corps of bicycle police
which rode ahead to clear the way Just
behind the wheelmen came Chief OF Police
James F. Quigley, mounted on a superb
! coal-black charger that pranced and cur
vetted with dainty grace, and by his side
rode Police Captain Charles +. Dawson,
sitting like statue on his handsome bay
steed They commanded a platoon OF
mounted patrolmen. each OF whom was re-
splendent in a brand-new snow-whte he'll
met. Then came the commander-in-chiei
of the odd Fellows. Grand Sire a. G. Gable
looking 10 the life a gallant war general
with his broad-brimned soft black hat
the crown set OF by a gold cord. and the
regalia OF his rank stretching across his
chest diagonaliy from left to right. The
grand sire's costume delicatey typified his
dual position as commander-in-chief Oi
both civil and military branches of the
order. With the grand sire rode his nu-
| merous stan. troops OF Hussars and aids
majors. lieutenant colonies and colonels