Fergus County argus., 1902-08-20
MONTANA ELKS
TRIUMPHANT
The Contingent From the Treasure
State Was All Right and Showed
the Mormons a Thing or Two.
A RoUslNe WELCOME HOME.
Repres entatives Of Montana Elkdom
Met by Two Thousand Citizens Of
Butte at the Depot.

Butte. Aug. 16.-rfe Montana der.
ceatior 10 the grand convention Of
the Benevolent and Protective Order
of Eli at Salt Lake returned at 2:30
Friday afternoon. aud 1000 Butte men
met the triumphant representatives
OF Montana Elkdom at the depot. It
was a merry throng and the band was
cheered, and the delegates were cheer
ed. Butte was cheered, as was Hell
cna. Virginia City. Bozeman and
every other city in the state that SEM
delegates. Montana was cheered ami
the Montana yell, which was whoop
and three-decked shout. was given.
All along the line of march the mul.
titude had gathered to give the return
ing gang the happy shout OF approval
The Boston and Montana band play
ed and every measure OF the tune
was cheered. Ladies' waved their
arms in frantic glee and some threw
their arms around the necks OF the
musicians who had distinguished
themselves in Zion.
Early in the forenoon there was
fluttering OF censure on account of
the Boston and Montana band not
taking up the last selection OF the
final In the contest with Denyer's
band. but before the toot of the re-
turning special train from the south
was heard. all semblance of dissatis-
faction had given place to hearty
inclination to welcome the boys with
open arms. and the outpouring at the
depot was gratifying.
The Elks and band in their uni-
forms OF white and purple marched
and countermarched. up the hill and
down again. and the crowds swelled
and the band played some more. Butte
has not seen the like OF II since the
intensely hot campaign days and this
days celebration differed from those
in that there was no opposing faction.
Salt Lake. Aug. 13.-The grand
lodge OF Elts today selected Bali
more as the place Of meeting for the
annual reunion pf the grand lodge In
1903. and practi.al. completed is.
business. with TIE exception OF IN
siallation of tine new grand officers
Tfis will take plS,C tGT.orrow.
But two cities were in the field Tor
the honor of ente,taing ,he Elks next
year. Baltimore and Saratoga Springs.
and lively canvassing was done In
behalf OF these cities.
The spectacular feature of todays
program was the parade OF uniform
ed bodies of Elks, In which over 5000
of the fraternity took part. Prizes
amounting to s1,75O had been offered
for the marching clubs, and many
beautiful and unique uniforms were
displayed by the lodges taking part.
The Park City Elks of Park City
Utah, was given first prize for the
most unique display. Each member
was arrayed as a miner. and each
had with him a burro ladden with all
the supplies necessary to prospectors.
The Cotton Pickers" of Greenville,
Miss. with black faces and garbed In
the outlandish rags OF southern plan
tation negroes. cake walking and dane
ing, and following float laden wita
cotton bales. was awarded the second
prize, while small but select body
from Joliet, ILL.,. in penitentiary stripes,
keeping prison lock step. were given
the third prize.
For the display. prizes were CIV
en- as follows:
Montana, first; Quien Sabe lodge,
OF FL Paso. Texas. second; Omaha.
third. The first prize in this case
was $1,000.
Seattle received the prize for the
best float, a model OF the battleship,
Seattle, fully manned.
Helena, Mont, was given the hon.
ors for the handsomest banner, and
the Third regiment band of San Fran
cisco took first prize for the best
band.
A number Of the members of Buf.
falo Bills wild west show and Colonel
Cody himself, who are Elks, took part
In the parade, adding one more pic
turesque feature to the remarkable
parade.
With the installation Of the new
grand lodge officers and transaction
Of some routine business. the grand
lodge will conclude its session to-
morrow and an exodus home will be.
gin. Several hundred Elkes will visit
however. before returning
their stems eastward