Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-04-11
PYTH|ANS ARE
HERE FOR BUSY
Days SESSION
K. Of P. Members From
Southern Iowa are Gath
cred Here for School Of
Instruction.

With seventy-f1ve delegates reported
at o'clock and over two hundred
more expected on the incoming trains
this afternoon and evening, the joint
convention Of the Knights of Pythias
of the twenty-sixth, twenty-seventh and
thirtieth districts, in session at Castle
hall, corner of Main and Green streets,
promises to be a great success. AL
though the program is Of but few
hours duration, from o'clock this
afternoon until II o'clock this evening,
the work that is to be accomplished Is
extensive and will prove of great bene-
fit to the visiting delegates from all
over this section of Iowa. The 800 ex-
their homes tonight and tomorrow with
the feeling that they are better Pyth-
ians and that their interest in Pyth-
ianism has been greatly stimulated.
The delegates from the three dis
tricts began to arrive this. morning
and report to the castle. Since the
evening program is the best part Of
the convention, the remaining 200 who
have 'signIffed their intention OF at
tending, will arrive sover the Mil
waukee, Burlington, Wabash and Rock
Island trains tonight. The conven-
ton is one of little ostentation but
great activity characterizes the work
of the Pythians in the secret sessions
this afternoon. Still greater activity
will be evinced tonight when the big
smoker and enthusiasm creator takes
place at o'clock The convention is
for the purpose of making better
Pythians through instruction and ex-
change of views on the endeavors Of
the order and in addition to pave the
way for the upbuilding of Pythianism
in the three districts. There are al
ready hundreds of knights in the three
divisions but the members feel that
every new candidate calls for another
Secret Session This Evening.
The convention proper opened at
1880 o'clock this afternoon with re-
ception of the visiting knights at
Castle hall. Following a half hour Of
getting acquainted and casting off
the atmosphere Of being strangers for
the more pleasant environment of feel
ing at home, the Pythians gathered in
secret session in the hall Knight J.
A. Ballard delivered the address Of
welcome, extending to the visitors the
glad hand of hospitality accorded not
only by the resident knights but by all
Ottumwa. Grand Chancellor Louis A.
Wiweke of Cherokee responded with
fitting remarks, dwelling upon the
value of the ends attained through
conventions At 3 o'clock began the
course of instruction in secret work.
Grand Chancellor Wiweke was in
charge of this valuable part of the
program. .s .... s.-
This school of instruction is of in
terest to none except Pythians and it
proved very pleasing to those upon
whom it's benefits will fall in conduct
ing their respective duties in the
future.
! Question Box at 4 O'clock.
The question box, an informal dis
cussion of matters of interest and
benefit to the delegates opens at 4
o'clock this afternoon to continue in
definitely Questions not only of i'm
portance to the lodges Of the three
districts represented but to Pythian-
ism in general will be taken up. Ad-
journment will then be taken until
this evening at 1880.
The district deputy grand chancel-
lors, George E. Hurst, Leon; Sam
Abba, and Charles Godown,
Milton, will select at 1880 tonight a
team for the comforting of rank upon
candidates and members. 1t is not
known this afternoon just how many
men will be taken into the order. The
second and third degrees will be con-
ferred upon several.
The big time, the social session,
starts at o'clock tonight. 1t will be
in the form of a smoker. A good time
being the main feature, but with a
number of short talks being in order
at the close.
EFFORT TO SCALE