The Delta independent., 1908-06-26
FIRST ANNUAL CONVENTION OF
WESTERN SLOPE LODGES
IMMENSE SUCCESS.
IA Good Time Shown Visitors by Local
Knights.

The first annual convention of West
ern Slope District Knights of Pythias
was held in Delta June oath and proved
to be most interesting and profitable
meeting The district comprises at
present the lodges in Ouray, Telluride,
Silverton, Moptrose, Paonia, Hotchkiss,
conventions are to be held annually for
the discussion of fraternal matters in
this progressive order and the advance
ment of the work they are doing.
The number in attendance at the ses-
sion yesterday was nearly two hundred,
and was called to order at two O'Clock
by the President, Mr.. Ira Mcneil of
Montrose, the other officers present be-
ing W. E Campbell, 1st Vice President
of Montrose, j. ]. Travis, End Vice
President of Delta, Phil. Stephens,
Secretary of Hotchkiss, C. C. Hawkins,
Assistant Secretary of Paonia and
Treasurer l. E. Lamb of Ouray.
The afternoon was devoted to busi-
ness matters and the interest taken
was very gratifying. Questions of the
cooperation of the lodges and organ
lied effort for the better carrying out
of the great principles of. Friendship,
Charity and Benevolence met with the
most appreciative and hearty attention
and at the close of the business session
at eight o'clock in the evening it was
the universal feeling that much good
had been and would be accomplished as
the result of the deliberations.
Junction Lodge No. l24 was repre-
sented by a splendid delegation of
nearly hundred knights, coming by
special train, and that city made such
a strong call for the next convention
that by unanimous vote the next ses-
sion was fixed there, TO be held during
the first two weeks of February 1909.
During the early part of the evening
under 1.-The good of the order all the
large number of delegates were given
an opportunity to say something of en-
enlargement, experience or advice,
and many fine talks We're listened to.
At $50 the Grand Junction lodge took
charge for the purpose of exemplifyiDg
the third rank work, having one candi-
date from Delta and one from Hotch-
kiss. They had for this purpose
brought their elaborate costumes and
robes together with electric lantern
and scenes, and it was the undisputed
expression that this work was put on
in more elaborate manner than had
been attempted before in this city and
the team was congratulated upon the
splendid manner in which it was car
ried out.
About twelve O'Clock banquet was
announced to be in readiness and the
business and lodge sessions were closed
to partake of bountiful and welcome
spread. This was served in the two
halls in the Odd Fellows building under
the direction and presided over by the
ladies' of the Pythian Sisters of the
city. After an hour spent in most un-
alloyed enjoyment of both the good
in response to the toasts, the guests
departed, the Junction lodge going
home in their special, the other out of
town guests to their several hotels, the
local lodge men to their homes with
the conviction that they had sufficiently
and creditably entertained one of the
most successful conventions ever held
upon the Western Slope. One of the
enjoyable features of the banquet was
the splendid capability and keen ap-
probation of the opportunity displayed
by DR.. Fairfield who presided as toast
master, and his reputation for saying
the right thing at the right time has
been more firmly established.
Grand Mesa Lodge No. 81 Knights of
Pythias has the reputation of being
one of the most wide awake lodges on
the Western Slope, is always at the
front in social way, and numbers
among its members practically all of
the younger business men of this city.
Their membership is increasing AS the
number of applications now on file will
testify.
Credit should be given to the enter
tainment committee of Grand Mesa
Lodge of this city. H. IL. Wolbert, n.
II, Clac, and r. X Seaton toyether