Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-12
PYTHIANS AT GOLDEN CATE
San Francisco in Blaze Of Glory Welcomes
Knights to Grand Carnival
DECORATIONS ON A GIGANTIC SCALE
sInrket street Covered By a Canopy
of Glowing Electric Bulbs,
Spreading Halo of Light
over Entire City.

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 1i.-san Fran
cisco was turned over to the knights Of
Pythias today. and gold lace and uniforms
have taken possession Of the city. Fully
5000 visitors arrived yesterday, and today
1000 knights Of the Uniformed Rank reached
the Golden Gate. many Of them having
travelled over 5000 miles.
General Carnahan stated this morning
that, considering the distance most OF the
Pythians must cover to reach the western
camp and the time. consumed. the present
conclave would be the most remarkable in
Pythian history
Market street was niied with bands and
brass buttons all day, as the arriving dele
cations were escorted to the encampment
by the California knights
Eight companies OF the Indian knights
of the Uniform Rank came in today.
A detachment of California knights was
kept busy today doing escort duty to the
arriving Pythians. At 1925 an installment
Of Pennsylvania PythIans we're met and well
coined with drawn swords and military sa-
lutes. They were escorted to the pavilion
and the escorts marched back to welcome
the next delegation from Mississippi at 1890
O'Clock.
The Missouri delegation is due at 1855
a, m. and the New Workers. at a. m to-
morrow. G. F. Neal, president Of the
Board OF Control of the Endowment Rank
of the Knights Of Pythias. arrived from
Chicago today. Two members are to be
elected to the board, and the president
will make his report.
In large vacant lot at Twelfth and Mar
ket streets 600 tents have been pitched
and model military camp established by
the Uniformed Rank
First Formal Exercises.
The first formal exercises in connection
with the conclave we're held this afternoon
when an exhibition Of the products of the
various counties of California was opened
In the hall Of the Union Ferry building.
Mayor Schmits extended the hospitality of
the city to the visitors, and Insurance Com
missioner Wolf, representing the governor,
spoke in behalf Of the state. A feiicitious
response was made by Major General ]. r.
Carnhan Of the Pythian order.
At D. m. the military camp was formally
turned over to Supreme Chancellor Ogden
II. Fethers, who at once placed General
C.--shen IN command The American flag
was then unfurled and the duties Of camp
life begun. Early in the evening the COM
manding officer of brigades and regiments
assembled at the headquarters OF Major
General Carnahan at the pavilion to receive
orders and instructions for the general
parade.
Later there was a reception in the pa
vilion which was attended by thousands OF
knights and citizens. When darkness had
fairly settled over the city the elaborate
electric decorations were revealed FOR the
first time in their full beauty. Never be-
fore has San Francisco presented so gor-
geous a spectacle and words failed to ex-
press the admiration of the city's guests.
Tomorrow the grand lodge win begin it's
sessions in an elaborate council chamber
which has been arranged for the occasion
at the Palace hotel.
Decorations Are Grand.
The decoration of the city has been car
ried out on a scale never attempted before.
Tonight Market street was covered by
a canopy of glowing electric bulbs, the glare
from which spread a halo Of light over
the entire city. The grand court Of honor
at the intersection OF Market, Kearney,
Geary and Third streets, is the most strik-
ing feature Of the display.
For some distance along the curbs at
either side Of the crossing there have been
placed twenty-seven tall, white columns
outlined with frosted lamps and loops Of
frosted lamps interlinkine them. In the
center OF the crossing and $50 feet above
the street has been hung disc twenty five
feet in diameter. The inside of the disc
is studded with 500 incandescent electric
lights in the colors OF the order, red, yellow
and blue-one string showing the knights
OF Pythias shield surrounded by red lamps
From the disc have been stretched In
every direction loops 25O feet In length OF
clear lamps. supporting six festoons, with
sixteen lights each. altogether about $500
lamps. This elaborate affair Is only one
feature Of the great plan OF decoration.
The Mechanics pavilion which will be
the headquarters Of the knights. has been
almost transformed into a military camp.
with many tents and thousands OF cots in
perfect order. ranged in line. The head
quarters OF Major James r. Carnahan, who
is In command Of the united forces. Is the
most picturesque place In the pavilion. The
generals tent is hanked by palms and
potted palms. Old glory flying from the
nagstaf and a sentinel marching up and
down before the entrance give a realistic
aspect.
CTAAE RnAHu 10 MfDEAKEn