The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-06-19
WITH THE PYTHANS
The Grand Lodge in Session.
Election of Officers.
wins!on-SaIem Next Place of Meeiing---To
Select Site for Proposed 0rphansge
---0sher Matters.
---0lhsr Matters.
Especial to News and observer.)


Wilmington, N. c., June 17.-Morning
and afternoon sessions of the Grand Lodge,
during which officers were elected for
the ensuing year; an elegant luncheon
compliment to the visitors at 10 o'clock
an excursion down the Cape Fear River
on the steamer Wilmington" at p. m,
and the semi-annual business and cere-
monial sessions of Suez Temple No. rs,
ID. o. K. K, tonight at the Seashore
Hotel, Wrightsville beach, followed by an
elaborate banquet, were the features of
the thirty-third annual convention of the
Knights of Pythias of North Carolina here
today. The attendance upon the sessions
grew with the arrival of nearly every
train during the morning and afternoon
and veteran members of the Grand Lodge
say unhesitatingly that the present is
the greatest convention ever held by the
order in the State.
Owing to Vice Chancellor L. d. Robin
sons refusal to allow his name to go be-
fore the convention for grand chancellor
there were some complications in the cleo
ton of officers and the contest was spirit
ed among friends of the several nomi-
nees. The result was as follows: SUI
preme Representative, R. H. R9kert,
Statesville; Grand Chancellor, w. NJ.
Lyles, Charlotte; Grand Vice Chancellor,
VIM. f. Robinson, Wilmington; Grand
Prelate, Ben Nooe, Pittsboro; Grand
Keeper OF Records and Seals, W. T. Hol-
lowell, Goldsboro Grand Master of Exche-
quer, ]. c. Mills, Rutherfordton; Grand
Master at Arms, j. F. Hurry, Concord;
Grand Inner Guard, F. w Miller, Waynes-
vile; Grand Outer Guard, ]. NJ. Boyette,
Albemarle
Fraternal greetings from the Grand
Chapter. Royal Arch Masons, also in SEES
sion here, were received and reciprocal
greetings sent. An invitation from the
Chamber of Commerce of Wilmington ex-
tending the courtesies of its rooms to
Grand Lodge visitors was received with
thanks. The Lodge then enjoyed an Off
cial visitation and an address by Supreme
Vice Chancellor Charles E. Shively, Rich
mond, Indiana, who is guest in the city
of Supreme Master of Exchequer T. d.
Meares The visitors then repaired to the
former castle hall of the Wilmington
Lodge, where the ladies served lunch
At the afternoon session upon cordial
invitation of Past Grand Chancellor E. A.
Evart, and Representatives A. " Bynum
and ]. F. Crause Winston-Salem was
chosen as the next place of meeting, and
the gentlemen mentioned above were au,
thorized to name the date and report at
tomorrows session.
The Committee on Widows and Orphans
reported through its chairman, Rev. P. r.
Law that the Orphanage fund of the
Grand Lodge now amounts to SO, 2S9. 81,
an fha4 he -. f<1,,
per cent. A special committee with Rev.
p. r. Law as chairman, was ordered ap-
pointed to look over the State with
view of choosing a site for the proposed
Orphanage, and to report at the next
session OF the Grand Lodge
The Committee on State of the Order
reported through A. e. McCausland, of
Charlotte, that Pythians have gone forward
steadily during the past year, and that
the prospects are indeed bright for furth-
er achievements during the next year
In this connection the death during the
year of Grand lecturer ]. Robert Jordan,
of Asheville was reported and a fitting
memorial was adopted, a copy of which
was ordered sent to the family of the
deceased. The Committee on Neurology
reported through Rev. W. r. Coppedge of
Rockingham, that only fifty-three deaths
had occurred in the 5000 membership of
the order during the year, being less
than one per cent A page in the min
utes suitably inscribed was ordered set
apart to the memory Of the deceased mem
bers.
At five O'Clock the visitors went for the
excursion down the river, returning al
7:30 p. m, and leaving at once on the
trolley cars for Wrightsville Beach.
Tonight in the handsome ball room of
the Seashore hotel on the beach, Suez
Temple No. 70, D. o. X. K, was called to
order by Past Royal Vizier ]. A. Dorrittee.
of Charlotte, in the absence of Royal
yizier Charles A. Bland, who could not
be in attendance Ali other members of
the official Divan were in attendance with
over hundred votaries Thirty or more
tyros were introduced into the palace
after hazardous trip across the burning
sands of the desert. after which the an
nual banquet took place