The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-05-23
GRAND LODGE x. OF P.
m the Daily Item May %.

From the Daily Item May %.
Every train that came to Sumter
yesterday brought delegates to the
Grand Lodge that is now convened in
this city. Already the streets are
thronged with the visiting Knights,
and there are more to come. 1t is es-
timated that there are not less than
400 delegates already in the city.
The proverbial hospitality of the
Game Cock city is again conspicuously
evident. There is not a house in Sum-
ter without doors wide open to the
visitors, and spirit OF cor
diality and fellowship everywhere
abounds. The visiting knights are
at home in Sumter; it is the
endeavor Of the local brothers TO en-
gender in them the feeling that so
long as they remain in our midst that
they belong to US, or rather that Sum-
ter belongs to them. How we'll they
have succeeded the most casual OBJ
server could not fail to notice. The
very atmosphere that they breath BIDS
them greeting, and the spirit of the
Sumter people can be summed up IN
this expression: .You are Thrice Wei
come.'
Last night at 8 o'clock Game Cock
Lodge met in regular session in Cas-
tie Hall for the purpose of conferring
the rank of Knight upon six Esquires.
There was such a large number OF
visitors present that the seating capac-
ity Of the hall was taxed to its utmost
limit. The exemplifcation Of the
work was of such fine order as to
call forth from Past Grand Chancellor
Patrick the statement in open lodge
that the rank work Of Game COCK
was the finest that he had seen since
| the time that the work was done be-
fore the Supreme Lodge upon the oc-
casion of the adoption Of the new
ritual. This expression was highly
gratifying to the officers and members
| of Game Cock Lodge. After the for
NAL closing of the lodge, smoker
was held which was greatly enjoyed
by the visitors and the local knights.
The delegates again gathered this
morning in Armory Hall, the Castle
Hall being entirely too small to ac-
commodate the larger number OF
Knights in attendance, and many ac-
quaintanees were made and renewed.
Men of prominence and in all
walks of life and from all sections Of
the State were gathered together, ex-
employing the strength Of the bonds
that unite the Knights of Pythias.
The Grand Lodge was called to or
der by Grand Chancellor, B. A.
Morgan, of Greenville, who stated that
before the work of the Grand Lodge
was commenced there were ad-
dresses Of welcome to be made, and
that they would then be heard. Dis
trict Deputy Grand Chancellor Geo.
W. Dick, then introduced the follow
ing speakers who made welcome the
visitors in the order below Indicated:
Mayor w. B. Boyle, for the city.
Hon. R. I. Manning, for the Cham
Der of Commerce.
Mr.. Geo. L. Kicker, for the Masons.
Mr.. y. G. Osteen, for the Improved
Order of Red Men.
Mr.. Geo. E. Beaumont, for the Ju-
nior Order American Mechanics.
Mr.. C. M. Hurst, for the Woodmen
of the World.
Mr.. J. C. Huger, for the B. P. o. E.
Mr.. H. c. Haynsworth, C. c., for
Game Cock Lodge, No. II, K. of P.
Response by Hon. B. A. Morgan,
Grand Chancellor Of the Grand Do
main Of South Carolina.
The Grand Lodge then went into ex-
ecutive session and all Knights who
had not taken the Grand Lodge rank
were requested to retire.
1t is stated authoritatively that the
committee appointed at the last meet
ing Of the Grand Lodge to determine
upon the advisability Of a permanent
home will report favorably, and that
bdis from the various cities desiring
it will be entertained by the committee
this afternoon. This will bring about
very determined fight by both those
who favor and the opponents of the
movement. If permanent home is
to be established, Sumter wants it; but
it seems expedient to follow the course
so long pursued and change the meet