Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-05-25
Of Massachusetts and RI,
Knights Temp|ar.
About 5000 Sir Knights in the
Parade at Boston.
Conclae Of Grand Commaadery and a Ban
quet in the Evening.

Boston, May 24.-Something of a holi-
day garb was assumed by Boston, to-
day. in honor of the centennial celebra-
ton here of the Grand COmmanderv.
knights Templars OF Massachusetts
and Rhode Island. Buildings on many
of the streets through which the par
AIDE of Knights was to pass bore exten-
sive decorations especially symbolic Of
the Knights Templars branch of Ma
sorry and the number OF visitors who
came to the city from points outside.
especially from Massachusetts and
Rhode Island was very large. Many of
the Is communicates who had planned
to take part in the procession. arrived
last night but the majority did not
come until the early part of today
The observance of the centennial was
to take three forms. First. the parade
of the members of the order in the two
states: second the conciave of the
Grand Commandery IN Masonic Temple,
in the afternoon, AMI third, the BAN
quet arranged for the evening in Hotel
Somerset.
In order to accommodate the hosts of
visitors several large stands had been
erected along the Mall Of the fremont
street side Of Boston Common and from
this place the parade vas to be review
ed by the officers Of the order. Special
police arrangements had been made to
handle the large crowds o: people.
The parade itself was headed by a
squad of mounted police under the lead
crchip if Deputy Superintendent of PO-
lice Or:ington M. HanscOm. who is
himself a prominent member of the
Knights Templars. At the head Of the
knights rode Right Eminent Sir Dana
J. Flanders, grand commander of the
Grand Commandery of Massachusetts
and Rhode Island. He was followed by
Grand Warden Charles T.. PIERCE of
South BOSTON. The parade itself was in
four divisions and was participated in
by about 5000 Templars.
Much interest attached to the musical
feature of the parade on account of the
objection raised by the union musicians,
y no are affiliated with the American
Federation of Labor, TO the participa-
tion Of a non-unionist band from Fort
Adams. which had been secured by Tx;
Godfrey De Boullion COnmandery Of
Fall River. This cOlrrIandory insisted
upon it's contract and the result was
|
been hired refused to take part in the
procession. However. arrangements
were made with UniteI States army
b;inls at various points and about a
dozen Of these were in line during the
parade. The unonist bands had pick
cts placed about the line of march TO
observe whether any of the unionists
played with any of the enlisted bands.
the announcement beng made that IL
such occurred fines would be levied up
on the attending members.
The Grand Commandery officers as
scmblcd on time in the Back Bay from
the co,nmandery headquarters at Hotel
Vendome and the parade was formed
and the line of march vas taken up
shortly after the stated hour OF IL
O'Clock. The procession moved from The
Back Bay 10 the South End and thence
20 the business district in the region
of Summer street. disbanding at Park
Square after march up fremont
street past the reviewing stand.
One union band played during the
parade. the Stevens Baud Of CnicOpee.
The Havcrhill City Band came to town
with the Haverhill Commandery and
marched with the Knights to the place
of formation. but here the musicians
decided to Withdraw. which they did.
After luncheon a special conclave or
the grand body convened in COrinthian
hall, Masonic Temple. which was dec
GRATED with flowers. Grand Commander
Flanders opened the proceedings and
the devotiOns were conducted by Rev.
George Perrin of Boston.
In his annual address, the grand COM
narder said that they might well fell
citate themselves upon the accomplish
mcnt Of a century IF organized exis-
trnce. for. starting with three organiZ-
ed communicates and probably less
than 100 knights in May. 1905. they now
had the proud record If 46 comman-
dcries and almost 1900 knights en-
rolled.
The historical address was delivered
by Ri Rev Sir Henry w. F;ugg. deputy
grand master of the Grand Encam?-
sion he said:
Modern Templary is Free Masonry
Christianized. 1t is cause of rejoicing
that the Masonic AMI Christian ele-
ments so fundamental u the order have
been safeguarded through all these
years. Today marks not an end, but the
parting of the ways between the old
and the new. The life Of this grand body
goes on with augmented resources and
responsibilities"
After the singing Of the Doxology and
the benediction by the grand prelate
the Grand Commandery was closed.