The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-19
KNIGHTS
ELECT OFFICERS
In State Grand Lodge At
Florence
THE AT TENDANCE is LARGE
H. M. Beck of Birmingham Is Elected
Grand ChancelIor-F. P. Nichols
Is Supreme Representative.
Line Officers Advanced.
THE AT TENDANCE is LARGE
BY AMELIA RoppiE.


ians proceeded to the election of officers.
Past Grand Chancellor F. P. Nichols
was elected supreme representative, sue
ceeding J. B. Ellis, the latter placing him
in nomination.
All line officers were advanced as fol-
lows: H. NJ Beck of Birmingham, to
grand chancellor; Frank W. Lull of We
tumpka, grand vice chancellor; ]. L. Hol-
loway of Montgomery, grand prelate; D.
B. Cobbs of Mobile, grand master at
arms: A. G. Patterson of Falkville, grand
inner guard L. G. Waldrip of Sheffield,
grand outer guard.
Many prominent Alabamians are in at
tendance, including J. A. Wilkinson, SUI
perintendent of education; Attorney
General A NJ CARRIER; State Treasurer
Walter D. Seed, Major Walden of Union
town, H J. Willingham of the educa-
tional department, J. R. Carter, post
master of Birmingham; Judge Disque of
| Gadsden, President Vann, of the Agricul-
tural school at Wetumpka.
Admission has large delegations working
for next convention but Montgomery
seems to have the call.
Morning Session.
The clouds of last night were dispelled
| and the sun rose bright this morning over
the thousands of yards of bunting and
the myriad flags, decorating business
houses, public buildings and residences
for the thirty-seventh annual meeting of
the Alabama grand lodge, Knights of
Pythias. About 800 delegates were pres
ent when Chancellor Commander w. Fl.
Weakley called the grand lodge to order
at a. m. in the court room which had
been decorated lavishly and tastefully.
The programme was opened with a selec-
ton by the Knickerbocker band of Tus-
cumbia, composed of 10 young musicians
under the able direction of Mrs 7. b.
Simpson. The invocation was made by
DIR. Webb of Talladega, following the
Pythian ODE sung by the delegates The
Pythian quartet, c. B. Campbell, John w.
Hall, E. H Standifer and w. F. Price,
sang 1.-THE Hunters Call" and respond
ed to vociferous encore.
Mayor Walker welcomed the Pythians
on behalf of the city He said 1t had
been the ambition of Florence for years
to entertain a representative body of men
to prove to the world that Florence Is
not inaccessible as is sometimes charged
but that she is really part of the state
and that to the Pythians belong the cred
| it for removing that stigma. Florence
| is pushing ahead SO fast that the world
! cannot longer overlook her importance.
| He said 1t was a great privilege to en-
terrain SO distinguished body of men
and that Florence would make their visit
memorable, not by the grandeur of their
entertainment, but for sweet fellowship
He said that he and the police would be
deaf, blind and dumb and presented the
key of the city, which he said was made
so long for three reasons, first to
mind you that you are far from home;
second that you are long to cherish it
as one of your most valued possessions,
and third that it was given you by the
longest man in Florence.
Welcome Address.
Emmett O. Neal on behalf of the Pyth-
ians of the Tri-Cities made characters
tic address which was frequently inter-
rupted with applause. He deprecated the
fact that sanctimonious legislation had
banished the time-honored mint julep and
substituted near beer with it's imitation
foam and unsatisfying effect. He spoke
of the grand future of this section, when
| the Tennessee river shall be made navi-
gable and the Muscle Shoals water power
| developed as 1t inevitably will be in the
! course Of months Some may believe
| he said, that through unwise legisla-
ton the wheels of progress have been
| stopped, but / have confidence to predict
| that with the unwise legislation repealed
| we will move forward to glorious flu
ture." He spoke of the steady growth in
| mercy and charity saying: Let us not
| forget that our healing is to be found
not in restrictive legislation, but in that
still, small voice prompting to a broader
humanity
Grand Chancellor Thomas D. Sanford.
noble representative of a noble body
of men, responded on behalf of the grand
lodge to the addresses Of welcome. After
paying a glowing tribute to Florence and
the Tennessee valley, Mr.. Sanford said:
Representing 1900 Pythians. whose
knighthood depends not upon castles
great nor bulWarks strong, whose nobility
is virtue and whose chivalry is integrity,
as man to man and brother to brother,
with locked shields of fraternal love, we
accept your hospitality with uplifted
visors, and may our associations to-
gether be blessed of the Supreme Chan
cellor on high in whose service We are
all engaged, and for whose honor and
glory all true Pythians strive.
The Knickerbocker gave another num-
Der and responded to tremendous APP
plause with Dixie" the entire audience
standing and waving handkerchief
After another song by the Pythian
quartet and announcements Of plans for
the amusement of the delegates, the grand
lodge went into secret session.
At 1890 the grand lodge adjourned for
lunch Free ice cream was served to the
delegates on the courthouse porch and
tally-hos and carriages conveyed them to
the Florence Wagon Works, the Univer-
sity and Normal college and other points
OF interest. At 8 p. m. the secret work
was exemplified by the Monte Bello team
at the courtroom for the benefit of the
delegates. The courtroom was crowded |
with the delegates, who gave liberal APP
plause.
The delegates were loud in their praise |
of the decorations which far exceed any
seen at previous grand lodge meetings.
II sxt, 10 Lot |