Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-08-10
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR.


Of North America and England
formally opened the great conclave in
Chicago yesterday by a parade Of
spectacular magniticence, rivaled only
bv the great marches in armor on the
plains of the Saracens centuries ago by
the founders and defenders of the
order. Even as the eastern sun scin-
tillated on the glittering helmets of old,
so it was yesterday. Yesterday, how.
ever, the pageant was one of peace,
and the shimmering sword, steel bel,
NETS and banners Of the cross waved
in sublime splendor as battalion on
battalion moved in great wave along
Michigan avenue, Chicago's 15-mile
boulevard.
The grandstand held q great con-
course of prominent people. Governor
Dencen was there, as was the Grand
Master of the Great Priory of England
and Wales, the Honorable Earl OF
Euston, cousin of King George.
In the carriage, from the starting
point to the grandstand, the Earl OF
Enston rode with Grand Generalissimo
Sir Arthur Macarthur: the famous
United States army officer and the only
living lieutenant general of the Ameri-
can army.
Yesterday was the real big day OF
encampment, and the knights have
simply captured the great white city.
Columns could be written about the
mastery Of detail and system, for never
has such a multitude of people been
handled asthe police ofChicago did yes
terday. 1t was simply marvellous. Al
least million and halfofpersons saw
the grand pageant. The system OF
police attendance was so perfect that
not delay occurred during the five
hour parade. Two hundred persons
were Frustrated, but the scores OF am
Aulances and emergency stations could
have cared for thousands.
The parade yesterday was composed
Of Ii divisions, and the starting Of this
great, plumed throng was the signal
moment OF the grand encampment.
At the head of the legions was Sir
William B. Melish, most eminent grand
master of the Grand Encampment oil
the Knights Templar of the United
States. The parade was an escort to
Sir Knight Melish for the opening OF
the conclave i'll Music Hall 1t formed
ut Michigan Boulevard and Thirty-frst
street, and at the booming Of a national
salute the march was begun. The great
line OF sir knights was led by Superin,
tendent of Police Leroy T. Steward and
a mounted escort OF 200 policemen Of
the Chicago mounted force.
One tragic death, one accident, which,
physicians say will prove fatal, and 4
dozen minor mishaps. due to Tho
crowds, cast shadow over the parade
The first note Of tragedy i'll the day
came when Hermann w. Grosmann
OF Chicago, on his way to join his com
mandcry, was caught in the 'deatl
strip. between two cars on Tcmpla,
Way and received injuries from which
he died on his way to the hospital. II
the grand stand, two blocks away, sa
Mrs. Grossmann for three hours, while
she scanned the marchers for her hus
band, not learning OF his death until
tho rarade had passed and she reached
| l.
II am Hackett, a knight from Eos
I ohio, was thrown from his horse
parade, and dragged with hi
nc,. the stirrup for block before
the animal could be stopped. At a
hospital there last night it was. stated
Mr.. Hackctt's injuries are fatal.
W. B. Bidde, Of LaPorte, Ind, wa:
struck by cab and received serious
injuries. Scores Of women who faint
ed in the crush received attention IL
the emergency hospital booths which
had been erected at intervals along thu
line Of march.