Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-12

Local Shriners went off to St. Paul In
a bunch last evening. On the Almas Tenn
pie special train they left the Union sta
ton shortly before o'clock about fifty
strong.
The train consisted of a baggage car
and three sleepers-so called simply
through common usage and with no Sig
nificance to the Washington party. AT
Chicago three more alleged sleepers. con-
tanning the delegates from Boumi Temple
of Baltimore. will be added to the train.
St, Paul will know about 7:3O O'Clock
Monday morning that this special has ar.
rived.
In the party were several veterans of
the burning sands WING go with the official
blisters on their feet-Potentate Roe Full
kerson, Past Potentate frank A. Sebring
Past Imperial Potentate Harrison Ding
man, Thomas P. Morgan and DR.. Frank
Gibson. Then there were the members
of the Almas Patrol. who with becoming
modesty have announced they are unable
Ito avoid winning the competitive drill In
which; thirtytwo patrols will crmpete
Then. there were a few more knights Of
the scimitar and scfscent for good meas
ure., And Billy is along
So Billy a Sight to See.
Billy made a good impression at tn,
Union station when the. party was EN-.
barking. He was wonderfully arrayed in
long coat of many colors, upon which
the worus 'Almas Temple were emilia
zoned His long white hair fell over his
neck in heavy locks. and his headgear OF
merry widow horns was carefully en-
veloped in gold foil
Billy is the goat of local Masonic fame
that has habit of butting in on all occa-
sions and most effectually as a mascot
during competitive drills when all COM
petitors of the Washington team are
made to look like the awkward squad OF
Coxey'S army.
Billy promises to be on the job in ST.
Paul next Wednesday with his best brand
of mascoting. The only time he looked
serious yesterday was when he thought
of what would happen to him if the
Almas Patrol does not win-but that is
impossible.
The trip to ST. Paul started from the
headquarters of the Almas Patrol on F
street neara9th street There it's mem
bers boarded a huge automobile, in
which they rode to the station.
The patrol showed their versatility on
this first stage of the trip by becoming
a bazoo band Chester A. Samson, in a
drum ma jors hat that would make the
headgear of the leader of the German
Imperial Band look like last years 30
cent straw hat led the band, and Billy
soloed in the warbling.
. For the benefit Of those along the
route of the motor who heard the party
it is announced that one tune played
was Love Me and the World is Mine"
'rhereIl Be Hot Time in the Old
Town Tonight" was also given with
much feeling, presumably sentiment
of anticipation.
At the Union station Billy ate relish
oS
structure was saved with much diff
Guilty.
Wives Speed Them.
The officially blistered Shriners met
the patrol at the terminal Wives OF
many of those going away were on the
platform to say farewell and to pre-
sent best wishes for the success of the
patrol in the competitive drill.
Several ladies spied Billy. The goat
was kept working overtime for a Few
minutes giving them Masonic rides.
Many local Shriners who are unable to
attend the convention were also around
the car steps to bid their comrades
goodbye. >,
All the delegates wore exchange
badges and carried many more with them,
expecting to barter for emblems of other
temples during the convention. Inc top
of this badge has a background of cres-
cents and scimiters with a picture OF
George Washington prominent. On the
pendant is a picture showing Teddy
shaking hands with "St. Paul"
1t was expected that Gabriel would be
in the picture, blowing his horn. 1t was
explained by the members of the party
that they can do all the horn-blOwing
necessary.
At 5:45 o'clock the conductor of the
special announced that the time for start
ing had arrived. Farewells were said and
within a minute the Washington Shrin-
ers We're off.
Billy was given comfortable quarters
and a supply of tin cans to relieve his ap-
petite on the trip out. Much hope is based
on Billy's mascot abilities. He went with
the company from Columbia Commandery
No Q a few years ago to Saratoga and
saw the locals capture the prize in the
drill.
Many of the members of that team are
now in the Arab Patrol. They maintain
that all there remains for them to do in
the coming drill is to receive the first
prize. The preparation has been careful
and steady and the patrol members say
they have some surprises for the people
of ST. Paul that will insure overwhelming
victory.
READY FOR THE SHRINERS.