The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-06-06
KNIGHTS AT SUMTER.
Spartanburg Man Praises the "Game
Cock City,


It was my good fortune to attend
the recent meeting OF Grand Lodge
knights of Pythias at Sumter, and 1
rust say it was an inspiration all
round.
First, i will speak of the meeting,
I was never more struck with the ap-
pearance Of g, body of men. There
were, I judge, about four hundred
present, not the -Four Hundred Of
New York, but the four hundred Of
South Carolina, and they were not
to be easily excelled in individual ap
pearance. Cultured, intelligent and
quiet, manly bearing was the rule and
not the exception among them. And
while in the hall the very large num-
Der rendering it we'll nigh imposs-
ible for them to mingle together yet
when out Of it the fraternizing and
social intercourse was not to be ex-
celled.
Hon. B. A. Morgan, of Greenville,
was grand cheancellor and proved
himself to be the presiding officer
that whom I have never seen bet
ter.
Among the attendants was 4, gov
erner and three candidates for gov
ernor in the approaching campaign,
viz: Mr.. Manning, of Sumter, Hon.
M. L. Smith, speaker Of the house. of
representatives and Hon. Cole L.
Blease Of Newberry
One Of the interesting matters for
disposal was the locating of the
grand castle hall at a permanent
place, but the matter was postponed
for another year and it was evident
that the locality sentiment was not
much in evidence.
Game Cock Lodge of Sumter lived
up to it's name. Upon the assembling
Of the body addresses of welcome
were delivered by the mayor Of the
city and Hon. Richard I. Manning,
representing the chamber Of COM
merce and others representing every
fraternal order in the city and lastly
by Mr.. Haynsworth, chancellor COM
mander Of Game Cock Lodge. The
response was by Hon. B. A. Morgan,
G. C.
On Tuesday afternoon it was an
nounced that an automobile parade
would be given and when the after
noon adjournment took place about
s5 autmobiles ranged in lined and
took the visiting knights all to ride
over the city. This was a grand sur
prise, for no one expected to see au-
tos enough present to do this, but
such was the case and the job was
well done. It could hardly have
been done in any other city in the
State as it is said there are more au-
-.omobiles in Sumter than in all the.
:.est Of the State combined.
On "wednesday afternoon Game
Cock Lodge had a chartered train
and took the grand lodge in body
out in the country about or miles
to a slendid picnic ground and treat
ed the visitors to the greatest fish
fry and fish stew it has ever been my
fortune to see. Twelve hundred
pounds Of fish on a table thousand
feet long, bottled drinks Of all sorts
except whiskey and fried corn bread
and bakers bread by the bushel. The
fish was served on tin plates and cof-
fee in tin cups, and it was served,
too. A rather bashful but handosne
young man from Clifton lodge sat
next to me at table and two men were
helping the places and when he held
up his tin plate for fish the response
was so sudden and so lavish that tflir-
teen fish tails were helped on it before
he could set it down. But there was
plenty left.
rather think the cotton crop is
likely to be cut short there for there
was enough fish and bread left over
to keep all the negroes in the neig-
borhood busy eating for while
Well, the universal verdict was that
it was a great time all round, and
that Game Cock Lodge and the Game
Cock City was up TO the limit. The
next session will be held in Ander-
son. r. F. Peterson, in Spartanburg
Journal.
"a hacking cough is most annoying.