The daily sentinel., 1910-02-17

Slope District Convention at Paonia
yesterday afternoon and last night
report the convention as the most
successful and the most enjoyable
convention yet held. The local
Knights are truly most enthusiastic
over the royal, perfect manner in
which the enterprising little city of
Paonia and her hospitable people en-
tertained the three hundred and more
Knights from Grand Junction. Delta.
Montrose. Ridgway, Telluride. Ouray,
Hotchkiss and other points on the
western slope who we're In attend
ance and who reached Paonia. as
announced by The Sentinel yester-
day. about 3 o'clock In the afternoon
on big joint special train which was
made up at Delta.
The pretty little fruit city. Nesting
between the mountains. has long
been famous for its hospitality and
manner of entertaining and 1t GER
tainly added to its laurels yesterday.
In one of the handsomest and best
appointed lodge buildings and as
sembly halls on the western slope the
various meeting and entertainments
were held. The sessions of the con-
vention were held in the spacious
lodge room on the third floor. A
great deal of business was given at
tention and every moment of the ses-
sion was enjoyable.
Montrose secured the next annual
convention by unanimous vote.
President Reddy was reelected
and the numerous other officers
were pretty evenly divided up among
the lodges of the district. There
tHn inf 80
mark the business session.
About $50 the convention ad-
journed.
At 1880 the great body OF repre-
sentative men and knights we're in
vited into the big hall on the lower
floor of the building and were seated
at four long. beautifully decorated,
charmingly laid banquet tables.
The Paonia lodge of Pythian Sis
ters. made up of many OF the most
prominent ladies OF that community,
had charge of the service of the BAN
quet.
II is certain that no town or city
in western Colorado has ever enter
tained such large number of guests
at an elaborate banquet more sue
cessfully. or more happily than was
this great assembly of knights en-
tertained last night. Such a banquet
would do credit to any city. 1t WAS
not light luncheon but a repast Of
numerous viands, relishes and delica-
cies. The abundance Of the good
things to eat seemed unlimited and
the service could not have been i'm
proved upon. 1t was indeed a mag
nificent spread. To the ladies who
assisted the lodge in this. the big
social feature Of the banquet, a world
of praise and credit Is due.
During the service of the last
course OF the banquet many ladies' Of
the city gathered in the spacious
balconies that border the pretty and
commodious hall and by the time the
repast ended the balcony seats were
nearly all filled.
The program OF toasts was then
carried out and 1t was truly one o:
the most delightful. refreshing and
interesting programs Of .ossts car
ried out at any banquet on the west
ern slope in long time.
Hon. Merle ID. Vincent, Delta
county's popular and widely known
young legislator and one of the most
prominent knights on the western
slope, was the toastmaster and he
certainly performed the duties CT that
office in a most brilliant manner.
r. c. Walker, of Grand Junction
was the first speaker introduced, and
his theme was. lis Knighthood Still
in Flower?" The address was most
enthusiastically received AT one
period of his address MIR. Walker ap-
propriately referred to the probable
candidacy of Merle d. Vincent for
governor, without naming Mr. Vim
cent, and this reference brought forth
storm of applause.
Attorney Moneyham, of Montrose,
Mr.. Duke of Hotchkiss, Mr.. Adams,
of Telluride, DR.. Slick. of Ridgway,
II. II. Wolbert, of Delta. were among
the gentlemen who happily respond
ed to timely toasts. Past Grand
Chancellor Warner, the guest of
honor, delivered a most eloquent and
beautiful address on Our Order"
Miss Gray, of Hotchkiss, was unex-
pectedly called upon from her seat
in the balcony for a response to Dr.
Sticks toast, "Our Sisterhood." She
made delightful little talk. Jesse
C. Glassford. of Grand Junction, was
called upon for "A Parting Toast"
and this proved one of the happiest
features of the evening.
al iAhPltSNlNt itdlult was ltlt Sll-
ent tribute of the 900 knights to
Iustus II. Rathbone, the founder Of
the order.
At the close of the program
"Sousa's Band" rich take off, on
the famous band, made a big hit.
During the service of the banquet
an orchestra rendered exquisite mu-
sic.
Immediately following the banquet
the ladies of the city and those from
other points, were entertained at the
Caiety Theatre where the story OF
Daron and Pythias was depicted in
moving pictures.
After the banquet the knights re-
turned to the big lodge room and
Paonia Lodge No. 12S was orened in
srec'sl session with over 800 mem
hers and visiting KNIGHTS In attend
anre. For the newt six hours initia-