The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-02-09
of Imperial


We give below two very interesting
articles which afford us glimpse into
the doings of Acca Temple twenty
five years ago. Acca was then
youngster not quite year old. having
been founded on June ., 1856. These
accounts are taken from articles writ
ten about the date OF the visit Of the
Imperial officers to Acca, and will
prove interesting reading not only to
the older members Of Acca, but to the
younger members and their friends.
The growth OF the city of Richmond
Is well illustrated by the fact that
these visitors speak of the Soldiers
Home being four miles from the city
of Richmond, and LIBBY Prison was
still ap object of interest to the WISH
tors. At that time Acca had a few
hundred members. Today she has
about sixteen hundred. after having
set up her daughter, khediye Temple,
at Norfolk. which now has menu
bership OF about 500. Noble Belvtn
spoken of in these articles, and who
is known "a 1.-The father Of Acca," Is
still with us. as will be seen by his
smiling and youthful face that adorns
the opposite page. Noble Street also
mentioned, is the same Noble who
has since been so highly honored us
To have been elected Imperial Poten-
tate of North America. We are also
1rtunate tn being able to display his
handsome physiognomy on opposite
page. Some of the names mentioned
recall to us Mobiles before whose tent
the black camel has knelt, and they
have been borne away into the silence
Among those are Noble Frank Cum
bingham, the sweet singer OF Acca. of
whom II may be truly said
The bird-like voice, whose Joyous
tones,
Made glad these scenes OF sin and
strife.
Sings now an everlasting song
Around the tree OF life.'
Promptly at 1880 Mecca and
their hosts. with the Marine Rand.
took W their line of march from
Wizards. licng Pennsylvania Avenue,
to the Treasury steps, where a pho
tographer had his instruments ts
readiness, and in four minutes BY the
watch. group of 400 MOBILES was
focused. Again on the march. passing
in review under the carriage arch
of the White House. thence along
Pennsylvania Avenue to the depot. AT
F. NJ. away they sped for the
capital Of the late Confederacy, pass
ing through various points OF In
terest. The weather the entire trip
1t was delightful. Fancy the little
darkies running barefoot and the
reader will have an idea what q
burden an overcoat would be. A COM
mittee from Acca Temple. among
whom were Louis Ecker. sands and
others. came down the road some
eighty miles to Quantico to meet and
greet the incoming pilgrims.
To enumerate the many acts Of
courtesy received at the hands Of the
RichmonditeS would require large
space. Everything that could be
done was done to make the visit an
enjoyable one. and Southern hospi-
tality was shown to be unbounded.
AT the depot at Richmond, Mecca
was met by Acca Temple. under COM
mand OF Iilustrious PotentAte Pres
ton Belvin. and full band Of music.
After a parade, Mecca's Mobiles. at
the, supper table. nf fhA Ballard Ex-
change Hotel. presented = stony"
sight In their full dress suits. ana red
fez and expensively mounted tiger
claws.
AS In Washington. Illustrious Sam
Briggs performed the work IN . man
ner to evoke encomiums from all
present. The impression left upon
the Richmondites will bs lasting. The
Shrine In that city ID = noble suc-
cess The banquet was par excel
lence. Speeches. songs and stories
Kept m anused. Particularly notice
able for his sweet singing was Noble
Frank Cunningham. OF Acca. On tho
following morning barouchcs were at
the hotel door. and conveyed the en-
tire party to Al points OF interest
throughout the city. Libby Prison,
cemeteries, Eoldiers' Home. tobacco
factorisa. River James, Tredsear Iron