Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-06-03
Camel Riders Here for a
Grand Ceremonial Session
Tonight with Is Novices
Ready for Torture.
GREAT PROCESSION
BEGINS AT 5 p. NJ.
Gorgeous Parade to Make
It's Way Through Streets
Of OttumWa; Sumptuous
Banquet to be Served.

. 70 the weird, ceasless sound OF the
tom-tom, setting the frivolous pace lot
the Jolly bunch to prance along, Dut
without the music of the strange
oriental flute which sets all to dancing
the step OF >the far east by it's mag
netic strains, the Mystic Shriners,
bristling with fun and frivol1ty,
reached the mecca Of their long
journey, Ottumwa, at IL o'clock, noon
today. The great caravan drew up be-
fore the Union depot, over 500 strong
happy in anticipation of roaring
good time for the next twelve hours
in this hospitable oasis, where the
inhabitants awaited with outstretched
arms to receive them and take them
into the garden of plenty, the coolest
springs bubbling forth to quench the
thirst Of the hot, hungry wearers OF
ths red fez Alighting from their
camel humps in the land OF the
I friendly they proceeded to form their
forces in great array in one grand
parade to the first at the bountiful
"feed shop" Leaving the depot, their
bright head pieces bobbing In count
less numbers, nodding to friend ana
stranger alike, the great, joyous par
ade wended It's way to Main street, the
ton.toms once more ringing out their
weird thumps, but still with the ap-
sence Of dance makers, setting the
mace for those in the rear to follow.
Down Main street, the business CEN
ter, the jolly camel riders came,
uuickening their pace with every step,
some imagining they could already
gain the scent OF the great feast await
ing them under the hospitable shelter
OF the palms. The Ballingall was the
place and without. moments delay
the pack camels were driven up and
unloaded and the tempting foods were
placed before the waiting Arabs. For
one long hour they feasted making the
place ring with many peal Of happy
laughter.
See the City.
vending their way to the Masonic
temple on West Second street, In twos
and threes, arm in arm, but with
slower gait under the pressure of their
feast, the red-topped Shriners, took
short rest. preparing for the work OF
the afternoon and evening. At 2
O'Clock great procession of automo-
biles drew up before the temple and
took the camel-riders aboard for a
tour. OF the city. With Frank A. MINI
ocks supervising the steering appara-
tus Of the leading machine, the train
mats trip throughout Ottumwa,
taking in all the sights everywhere,
north, south, east and west. They
were then given real treat and at
the same time shown what the good
road enthusiasts have accomplished IN
the way of obtaining good highways
on the main roads Of travel to and
from Ottumwa. They were taken to
the north road, around a loop of many
miles Of the smoothest and finest
graded roadway in the state. Having
viewed all points of interest they re-
turned to the temple about o'clock,
refreshed from their cool ride, to pre-
pare for the great parade.
\ The Grand Procession.
" The gorgeous and wonderful parade
Ms scheduled to leave the temple at
,M o'clock, the greatest sight OttumWa
HAS seen for some time. With llus-
Akrate Potentate Sears in his flowing
V.obes occupying the auto in the lead,
followed by the other Shriners OF rank
1.-THE procession will start. But they
AWlu not 90 uuSudIucO do SA1CA VI "
llice ]. E. Beeman in his auto-fyer and
Ia platoon of police will clear the way
lahead Following the chief moguls
bwill come the mule, Maud" bedecked
In dazzling robe, premonition OF
what is coming to the novices few
hours later. "The Sauer-Kraut" band,
rs 1t is termed, or the oriental flute
and tom-tom will form the next sec
ton Of the procession, leading the fam
GUS Arab patrol Of Davenport. This
SQUAD, dressed in oriental garb will
give exhibitions on the line of march
for the Ottumwans who turn out to
witness the parade. The Fifty-fourth
regiment band follows, the real musi-
cal feature Of the procession. Then
the Shriners, with their fez head
pieces, the emblem of the order en-
blazoned on the front.
Detected Novices on Board.
Some place in the parade, the twen-
ty-fiye or thirty motives, detected and
miserable creatures, will be forced into
the line Of march, where they will be
most conspicuous. The water wagon
has been brought into play and they
will be made to ride 1t now If never
before or never again They must also
s,,ffer the humiliation of riding In the
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