The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1904-02-25
K. OF P. ANNIVERSARY
Hesperia Lodge No. 33, Knights of
Pythias Celebrated their 39th
Anniversary Friday Evening.

Hesperia Lodge No. SO, K. of P. last
Friday evening celebrated the 39th an
niversary of the founding of the order
by delightful reception rendered to
tho members, their wives and sweet
hearts by the ladies of the Rathbone
Sisters, which is an auxiliary of the
order for the benefit of the ladies who
are prohibited from joining the mems
lodge, the reception being held in the
fine X. p. hall, which>is owned by the
lodge. Chancellor Commander w. j.
Edwards had charge of the program
which consisted of splendid address
by Knight l. N. Beard, who gave a fine
history of the order, it's wonderful
growth, and the aims of the society, the
address being greatly enjoyed by all
present. There was instrumental
music by Beryl Ellinwood, a piano duet
by Mrs. w. E. Myers and Miss Blanche
Woodard, and several solos by Mrs. j.
B. Davies, musical director at Grace
land College, Lamont, who received a
hearty encore each time she sang. Mrs.
Davies is a fine musician and her sing
ing added greatly to the pleasure of the
evening. At the close of the program
the ladies served delicious refresh
ments and then everyone visited and
had good time generally.
1t was on Feb. 49, 1864, that five men
met in Marini's hall in Washington, D..
c., and took the initial steps toward the
foundation of the order. The five men
were Justice Henry Rathbone, who con-
ceived the idea, Robert A. Champion,
DIR. e. S. Kimball, David l.. Burnett. and
William H. Burnett. Messrs. Kimball
and d. L. Burnett are still living and
are active members of the fraternity.
Justice Henry Rathbone is famous as
the actual founder of the order, and the
person to whose dramatic inspiration is
due the most beautiful features of the
Pythian ritual. He submitted the first
draft of the ritual based on the story of
Damon and Pythias to members of the
old Arion club, musical organization
which existed in Washington in the
later years of the civil war. From this
small beginning sprang Washington
Lodge No. 1, K. of P, afterward merged
in Franklin Lodge, No. 2, which is still
in evidence. This latter lodge is the
fruitful mother of nine thousand Pyth-
ian lodges now flourishing in fifty-four
grand domains, and carrying upon their
rosters an aggregate of nearly six hnn-
dred Thousand members. There are also
about fifty thousand of the Knights who
belong to. the uniformed or military
branch OF the order, known as the "Army
Of the Lily"
1t has long been supposed and gener-
ally believed in this fraternity that the
idea. Of a great society based on the inn
mortal story of the friendship OF Damon
and Pythias first came to Mr.. Rathbone
while he was teaching school at the
copper town of Eagle Harbor on the
Keewenaw peninsula, Lake Superior, in
186O-61. Later Mr.. Rathbone removed
to Washington and became clerk in
the surgeon generals office. He was a
vocalist and ritualist of note, and his
skill was displayed in many ways, but
in none more remarkably than in his
first draft Of the Pythian ritual, which
is recognized as remarkably beautiful
and effective. Mr.. Rathbone died at
Lima, Ohio, in the residence of Past
Supreme Chancellor Walter B. Richie
about thirteen years ago.
According to Pythian history the rit-
ual was read and the first steps toward
organization we're taken just forty years
ago, when Mr.. Ratbbone and his friends
met at the room of Robert A. Champion
on the evening Of Feb. 18th, the occa.
sion being rehearsal of the Arion
Club. Later in the same week another
meeting was held and the preliminary
organization completed. The supreme
lodge was organized in 1868 and incor.
porated by congress June %, 1894
Once, founded, the fraternity grew mar
velously, and today, while one of the
Youngest orders it is one of the largest
and most fourishing from any view
point. In addition to the grand lodges
in every state and territory in the Unit
ed States, the order has jurisdiction il
British Columbia, the Maritime prov
inces, Manitoba, Ontario, Hawaii, Alas
ka and Cuba.