The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-08-21
KNIGHTS RETURN
FROM long TRIP
Local Contingent to Conclave
at Denver Pleased with
Journey.
WON SIXTH HONORS
Party Narrowly Escapes Two Wrecks
and Almost Held Up by
Banditx.

The Knights Templar of the District
have returned from their trip to the
triennial conclave of their organization
at Denver, Colo, and are interesting
their friends with accounts OF the men,
orable journey.
One of the unique features Of the trip
was a pajama drill given by members
of the local party on the platform of
the railway station at Omaha, Nebr.,
early one morning before the city was
awake. The special train upon which the
knights were travelling pulled into the
station about = O'Clock, and the drill
team. arrayed in pajamas, Immediately
marched upon the platform. headed by
Salvador Desio, the local jeweler. There
were but few spectators, owing to the
unseemly hour. and luckily no policemen
were on hand.
Left on Special Train.
The knights, 10 strong, left WASH
ington August 4, aboard a special train
consisting OF seven Pullman cars, and
a commissary car. In the party were
representatives of Washington Comman-
derry. No. i, Columbia Commandery, No.
>. DE Motay Commandery. No. 5. and
Potomac Commandery, No. s. At the
head of the Knights were Eminent
Grand Commander Henry K. Simpson.
Charles W. Baldwin, grand master of
the District; and DR.. Frank Z. Gibson,
captain OF the drill team of Columbia
Commandery. The team was composed
OF thirty-two members, the other COM
missioned officers being Lieut.. c. ID.
has.E s.If ,.r1a and \ iarf oil
The train stopped at various points
along the way in order to give the
Knights an opportunity to bold exhibit
lion drills. Exhibitions were given in
every State passed through. Most OF
the drills were given in Ohio, Virginia,
Missouri, Nebraska, and Illinois. The
team drilled in many unique places-on
top of Pixies Peak. in Crystal Park, at
Seveh Falls Cheyenne Canyon. and at
Cripple Creek.
Sixteen communicates were entered in
the triennial competitive drill. held at
Denver, the convention city. The event
was staged in an immense stadium built
especially for the purpose. 1t occupied
two full city squares, and afforded Il
drill ground 800 feet square. Accommo-
dations were made to seat more than
200 spectators. The Columbia Com
mandery drill team made an excellent
showing. despite the fact that II won
only sixth honors. The teams were the
best drilled that ever entered into COM
petition First honors went to Raper
Commanuery. OF ILLINOIS, the team max
ing a percentage of 1916. The markings
were very close. the local team receiving
IS per cent. Capt. Gibson was compli-
mented on every hand for the excellent
showing made by the Washington team.
The winning company was presented
with silver punch bowl valued at 5000.
Denver I'm Gala Attire.
Denver was in her gala attire during
convention week. 4 court of honor of
the most elaborate kind was erected for
the occasion. At one end was an i'm
mense statue of horse. towering high
above the surrounding buildings. At the
other end of the court was massive
castle with sunburst over it. and the
salutatiOn: Welcome. The court was
lined with high columns. constructed of
colored glass, inside which water spray
added to the general effect. From the
top Of the column issued Jets of steam
upon which colored lights played. The
electrical display in itself cost more than
$1,000 The electricity was donated by
the electric lighting companies of Dem
Yer.
ltfilNti -Nus- anu
WED with each other in their efforts to
extend the most elaborate entertainment
10 the knights from the National Capt.
tai. Both communicates are extremely
wealthy, and no money was spared in
providing everything that would make
the sojourn in the city a delightful one.
One commandery rented a theater and
turned it over to the visiting knights for
their accommodation. whereas the other
commandery put an immense hall at the
disposal of the visitors. All of the local
knights are loud in their praise of the
Denver entertainment committee for the
manner in which the visiting knights
were received and provided for. The en-
tire city was decorated for the celebra-
ton. At night huge searchlights played
over the town, and during the day the
presence of flags and banners and colored
bunting proclaimed the fact that the
knights were in possession of the city.
The local party was accompanied on
the entire trip by Billy" the Angora
goat mascot. Billy was introduced to