New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-08-10
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR MARCH
Over 10000 Men in Line in
Great Chicago Parade.
HALF MILLION SPECTATORS
One Tragic Death and a Fatal
Accident Mar Otherwise
Perfect Day.

Chicago Aug 9-One tragic death. one
accident which physicians say will prove
fatal and dozen minor mishaps due TO
the crowds cast shadow to-day over the
parsde Of what Masons say was the
greatest number of knights Templar ever
formed in line in any city.
Txcept for short thunderstorm, the
weather during the long march was per
feet From Q O'Clock. when the signal 10
start was given until after | p. m, when
tI,,, last knight had passed before the re-
viewing stand, the thermometer ranged
from II to 20 degrees. while cool breeze
prevented any considerable discomfort
from heat among the assembled thousands.
More than forty thousand knights were
in line while more than half million
spectators sat in the huge reviewing stand
o,cunv;ng the entire east side of Michigan
boulevard as far south as 18th street, or
stood patiently along the line of march.
The first note OF tragedy In the day came
when Hermann Gressmann, of Chicago, on
his way 10 Join his commandery, was
caught in the death strip between two
cars on Templar Way and received injuries
from, which he died on his way to a hos
initial In the grandstand, two blocks away,
sat Mrs. Gressmann. unidentified for three
hours. while she scanned the marchers for
her husband not learning of his death until
the parade had passed and she reached
home.
William Hackett. knight from Fostoria,
was thrown from his horse in the parade
and dragged with his heel in the stirrup
for a block before the animal could he
stopped At a hospital here tonight it Was
stated that Mr. Jackets injuries were
fatal.
u. r Riddle. Of Laporte. Ind. vas
struck hy a cab and received serious IN
iuries Scores of women who tainted in
the crush received attention in the emer-
sency hospital booths. which had been
erected at intervals along the line OF
march.
Behind a platoon of mounted police. the
procession was led by California Mounted
Commandery. of San Francisco. 1mmedi-
ately following came one hundred open
carriag es. each containing four members
of the Grand Conclaye, the highest body
in knight Templardom of this country
William Nelish, Acting Grand Master "c'
cupied the first. Accompanying the Grand
Concfave We're the noted guests from the
Priory Of England, the Earl of Euston and
representatives Of the Great PTiory OF
Canada.
Immediately after the parade the first
formal session of the conclaye was held
These business sessions Will be held daily
until the conclusion of the gathering here
and the members of the Grand Conclave
will have little time for the entertainment
which will occupy the time Of thousands
of other visiting knights.
The selection of the city which is tc
have the next conclave and the election OF
officers. said to be the most importan,
business of the session, will not be reached
until tomorrow.
Unless some unexpected candidate shows
unusual strength in the conclave, the
choice for the next triennial gathering lies
between Los Angeles. New Orleans, Den
yer and Cincinnati, the last named city the
home of Grand Master Melish. Atlanta is
doing effective advertising with view OF
landing the conclave in 1916
Tomorrow Will be occupied with com
petitive drills and entertainments at theil
headquarters by the various Comman
deries In the afternoon there will be ar
equestrian exhibition at the big pavilion
in the stoCkyards, and in the evening the
Grand Commandery OF Illinois will give
dinner TO officers and members of tn.
Grand FnCampment.