The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1904-03-22
DAMON AND PYTHIAs.
The origin. Aims and OBJECTS Of the
Order Knights OF Pythias.

The origin, Aims and OBJECTS Of the
Order Knights OF Pythiss.
This order was founded February
49, 1864 at Washington, u. c.. by
Justus H. Rathb.ne. at a time when
war was in the heart Of man and sor.
row i'm his home when from ocean
to ocean. from lake to gulf. our glori-
our land was engaged in scenes of
carnage and deatn Brother Rath
bone saw in the following bit of Gre
clan history the germ of an order that
should prove a power in dispelling
/ the warmth OF sectional strife and
restoring the hearts Of men 10 a basis
/ Of universal brotherhood.
The reign e Dionysius. the elder.
marked an era of soldshncss in me
4 world's history Following the eN.
ample OF a tyrant, his adhereuts in the
isle q. Sicily WED IN oblitcrating from
their memory every yestire of that
noble principle OF mankind which
recoguilss mans foalty TO ais fellow
/ ramuu senator .i Syracuse. by his
. opposition Co Dionysu- r hi. attempt
go u.wpatol of power wa, placed
uni,r sentence OF immediate death.
/ PytaI.- the timeuod friend of pa.
m-r. begged ihe tyrant to grant his
irieu. a respite that he mirat bid
farewell TO those he loved
The denial OF this trust was follow
ed boy the most striking eNcmpuGca-
tion of true friendship that mas ever
illumuei the pages OF history.
Pythias. who well knew the honor
of his friend, offered himself as a
pledge fer Damon's return. agreeing
10 pay the penalty with his own life
should Damon prove false Dionysuis
accepted the pronerel hostage and
PLACED pythias in darkness and chains
while his friend of years fastened 20
his nome whore his loved ones dwelt.
His earthly affairs are speedily ar
ranged a last fond embrace is given
to his loved ones ne looks a last lool,
ubonh is dear ones now frantic with
grie. and turning TO leave them, finds
tina. Lis slave has slain his steci.
Syracuse Is leagues away; ne saw
his day of respeite fading ntomrht. his
friend led TO the soaTold; he heard
his pledge of honor, the cry of mock
cry without the prison walls. Crazy
with the thought of honor lost friend
and friendship sacrificed, he seized
a passing steed, and swifter than the
winds. few on towards Syracuse and
certain death-aye more, to the res
cue of his friend and the maintenance
of his honor-to him sweeter than life
and home.
At the last moment as the eXecu
toners ak is uplifted over the head
of Pythias, he rushes through the
: gates, springs upon the scaffold, re
deems his honor and saves the life OF
ms friend
This display of manhood and true
courage, led captive the tyrant's heart
who remitting the death sentence OF
Damon, sought admission to their
, friendship
This bright spot on the pages OF
the past was the cornerstone upon
which Brother Rathbone built wiser
than he knew, w,"-founding an order
which starting in weakness, has
grown and spread until the sun ne'el
) sets up Pytaian Castle Hail.
The beautiful drama Of Damon and
Pythias, which mas so long been the
. delight of play lovers, will be present
ed by the accomplished Miss May
Stewart, assisted by local talent, at
| Robisons opera house Friday night
April /, next.
The cast OF players will be largely
selected from the members of the or
der in Ardmore, and the play will be
under he auspices Of Myrtle Lodge
No. 7, knights of Pythias of Ardmore