Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-20
RIDE THE HOT SANDS
TO TEMPLE OF ALMAS
Captives Carried Across Des-
ert and Made Members of
the Mystic Shrine.

On mythical camels that are said to
have scorched the sands of the desert
rode symbolic cavalcade at National
Rifles Armory last evening bearing cap
tive several unregenerate sons of the
great waste that they might be received
into the gallant band of the, faithful
which compose Almas Temple of the
Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic
Shrine.
Heading the band of mobiles arrayed in
costume and emblems of his high au
thority and on the famous white camel
that is said to bear a charmed life, rode
1llustrious Potentate James 7. Gibbs, on
what is known in the halls of the pro
fame his first grand ceremonial ses-
sion. None of the outer world was per-
mitted even a hint as to when the train
started, who composed it. what occurred
on the journey or when the oasis of
peace and rest was reached. for 1T was
one of the mysterious near Masonic cere-
monies that are supposed to be beid IN
violate by those who have taken the
solemn VOW at the point of tine scimetar
Mobiles From Other Lands.
Rumor has it that gathered in the
mobiles of the order from other lands. and
that when the cavalcade began its flight
forty score of tried and trusty mobiles of
Almas Temple rode with their potentate-
When all was over there was quite a
number of strange faces that had never
ridden thus before, who seemed to be IN
vested with new rights and authorities
as they sat uneasily upon their. Jaded
camels.
AS a peace offering to Allah, later. 1t Is
declared, the army of mythical Arabians
marched to the old Masonic Hall at 9th
and F streets, an hour before the open,
ing of the new day to hold the traditional
banquet that always follows such cere-
monals. Previous to going there, how,
ever, dropping spirits were aroused anu
careworn faces made to brighten with en-
tertanment. DR.. Frank E. Gibson. cap
tain of the Arab Patrol of Aimas Temple,
had gathered about him a talented band
of Arabs. for what is known IN the out
side world as a minstrel show Men
sang who had never been known to sing
before, others danced, and still others
disported themselves with roiicking
revelry in humorous paths Even sal
vatore Desio, with the grave and dlSnl-
fed John ]. Odenwald, secretary OF the
patrol donned the motley for the time
being and made others laugh with conf
cal stories and pungent jokes OF an en-
tirely new brand.
In Musical Numbers.
G. l.. Iseman warbled of the desert
sands Charles A. Noble, of the Missis-
sippi; C. F. Warning, farewell melody TO
Rose; E. M. Dodson, a ditty familiar
to oarsmen: w. T. Lawrence, of strange
feeling in his heart at her absence; "
NJ Fookes, of moonlight bay, although
the rain outside was falling in torrents,
and Morris Simon, of a dusky damsers
wedding day. while John j. Smallwood
pirouetted in a terpsichorean feature that
made the hands of many sore with cap
ping. Even DIR. Gibson was heard now
and then to hum a note or two OF some
old song.
At the banquet Roe F'ulkerson, once the
mighty leader of Almas, put now Iaihea
with it's dignified elders, presided as
toa stmaster When it was all over Ihe
Star reporter was let into the following
secrets:
The guest of honor of the evening was
William w. Irwin, deputy imperial poten-
tate of the Shrine of North America, ana
a member of Osirsis Temple, at Wheenns,
w. Va Other Shriners who were called
on for addresses were Dr. .. w. Bureaus,
a past potentate OF osiris Iemple, az
the grand old noble of Almas, past
imperial potentate of the Shrine of North
America, and recorder OF Almas Iempie, .
William Hamilton Smith and Harry
both past potentates or Almas
Temple and Senator Thompson of Kan
SaS.
From Distant Temples.
Among the visiting Shriners were
John w. Hall of Medinah Temple. Chi
cago: r. L. Odom of Mecca Temple.
New York city; w. 6. LIE Hew of Acca
Temple, Richmond, Va; Q. F. Per-
key of Alec Temple, Savannah, Ga;
w. r. Cline of Acca Temple. Rich
mond; George B. McArnold OF Lulu
Temple, Philadelphia; Michael A Zelig
of AL kader Temple, Portland, Ore; c.
r. GaskilI of Salaam Temple. Newark,
n. j.; w. T. Pierson of Aladdin Temple.
Columbus, Ohio; Roy w. Hill of Me-
dinah Temple, Chicago; Edward NJ.
CogswelI of Bektash Temple, Concord,
n H: E.. NJ. Stone of Kosair Temple,
/ Louisville, KY; A. III. Spears of Aad
Temple, Duluth. Mimi; II. d. Kaiser
of Murat Temple. Indianapolis, Ind;
J. B. Conner of Salaam Temple New
ark: w E. Ford of Beni-Kedem Tenn
ple. Cumberland, Md; Lewis j. Lau of
Abdallah Temple, Leavenworth, kans.;
Henry V. A. Parsell of Mecca Temple,
New York city; r. r. Gibbs of kora
Temple, Lewiston, Me; George Oliver
of Ziyara Temple. Utica. n.
Y. T. b. Cline of Isis Temple, Sallna,
Kans; T. w. Weldon of kosair Tenn
pie, louisville. Ky; George II. Pease
of Cyprus Temple, Albany, n. y; Fred
erick Wynn of Al Chymia Temple:
X q n