Evening journal., 1907-07-19
LOCAL ELKS
WITHSTOOD HEAT
Wilmington Lodge Held Up
Its End in The Big PhiIa-
deIphia Procession
SOME AMUSING INCIDENTS

Notwithstanding the intense heat and
the rays of one-hundred degree sun
beating down upon them, none of the
members of the Wilmington Lodge of
Elks was prostrated during the long
march in Philadelphia yesterday. There
were some big men in the local dele
cation, too, and many of them remained
in line from start to finish. The Will
mington lodge made an excellent show
ing. The uniforms were of neat blue
serge, and there was no attempt on, n,the
part of the Wilmington men to getiup
a showy or grotesque appearance
Possibly no lodge of one hundred and
twenty-five men had a more imposing
array Of stout men IN line than did
Wilmington. Webster BialSely, Harry
Schnepf and Harry Bothman were the
heaviest in the local delegation.
Guess your weight" exclaimed a
man with a weighing machine as Sena-
tor Blakely and some other Whining
tonians approached him.
Cant do it," returned Blakely.
II ] don't guess within three pounds
Of your weight you don't pay" the
scale man came back. Then he pro-
ceeded TO feel Blakelys arm and
shoulder to get an idea just how large
he was. The weighing machine man
had TO take both hands in his effort
70 span Blakely's arm.
Blakely Paid the Coin.
you weigh 1852 pounds, he announc-
ed, confidently, and then Blakely got on
the chair of the scales. The finger
on the dial showed that he weighed
just s54 pounds. Blakely paid the
nickel
One line in the parade that attract
ed much attention was made up Of
Messrs Bothman, Schnepf, Blstkely,
John Magahern and John A. Mont
gomery, with James B. Hasson as as
sistant marshal of their division
That Delaware is generally known
as the Peach State" could be seen
from the manner in which the crowd
greeted the Wilmingtonians. Each
man had the emblem of a peach on his
badge. and a good imitation Of a real
peach dangled from his cane.
Asked About the Crop.
From beginning TO ending of the
march the Wilrningtonians were a tar
get for queries about the peach crop.
1t was contagious.
rs the peach crop killed again.
piped out the inevitable small boyrvhen
the Delawareansibegan to march. From
that moment or good natured COM
ments were'made about the Whining
tonians.
How are Gro ps down your way,
exclaimed one .bystander. Are the
craps safe" ask ed another. and still
another queriedl Where did you all
come from ?" The peaches seemed TO be
a mark for the crowd.
qffrrl hnll rraIl f,f11 nfl
woman reached out and plucked the
peach from Mr.. \ Hasson's cane before
he was aware of her intentions.
Several Of the tout men in the Will
mington lodge dro pped from the ranks
before the counteimarch began. Harry
Schnepf was one of the first to retire.
as he began to feel the effects of the
heat Fred c. ,Mammele remained
in until the finish. however, as did
most Of the local Elks. Chief Marshal
James II. Kane and his aides, Council
man Homer Simmons and Mr.. Hasson,
were proud of the showing made by
the men of whom they had command.
Egan's Band made a favorable i'm
preston during the day. It played
with but few interruptions from one
end Of the line of march, to the other,
and also serenaded somesof the news
paper Offices.
Bass Drum Attracted Attention.
The big bass drum Oflthe band at
tracted much attention. Because OF
'Tony Elk" the pony, baking at
French street station, the band had
to be carried by men. sTwo men were
required to carry it, and they gave
way to substitutes every block or two
because Of the strain upon them.
Wilmington Lodge badges were in
great demand, and the local Elks had
great trouble preventing them being
stolen from their coats. Women would
grab the badges in theicrowd and some
OF them got away with the gilt peaches
as souvenirs.
Crush Of Callers.
Wilmington Lodge held open house
all day at the Belgravia. So great be-
came the number Of callers during the
afternoon that the quarters had to be
closed for awhile, and after that only
h.iks or persons vouched for by the
Wilmington members. Otto Scheu was
the steward assisted by John McKin-
ley. Luncheon was served during the
day, and refreshing drinks also could
be had. One concoction that was pop
ular was Wilmington Lodge punch"
prepared by Mr.. Scheu In honor OF
some of the guests