The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-03-18
PYTH|AMs TO CELEBRATE.
GAME COCK LODGE TO OBSERVE
ITS TWENTY.ETFTH ANNI-
VERSARY.
Golden Jubilee OF Order To BE Cele-
brated ut Same Timc-Many High
Pythian Officers From Local Lodge
Largest i'm Membership in State.

HIth anniversary in connection with
the exercises incidental to the cele-
bration of the golden jubilee or
hftieth anniversary of the great order
of Knights of Pythias of the world,
which will be fittingly celebrated at
the same time by nearly every Py-
THAN lodge In the universe.
A special ritualistic service will be
held by order OF the Supreme Chan
cellOr OF the knights Of Pythias, and
Gamecock Lodge, will also put on
few extra touches of local color for
the occasion.
Refreshments will be served after
the exercises. Past Chancellor Com
mander, Hartwell M. Aver. of Flor
ence lodge, South Carolina, prominent
in Pythian circles and a popular jol-
ly good fellow, will be over to give
q talk to local Knights. Brother
Aver Is very much loved by all Of his
brother Knights who know him and
he will be given a royal welcome.
1t is expected that Grand Chancel-
lor Commander Of the Pythian Do
main Of South Carolina. George w.
Dick OF Sumter will honor the local
lodge by ar official visit. District
Deputy Grand Chancellor, Barlow
Walsh OF Sumter, will also be pres
ent.
GamecOck Lodge No. II. Of Sumter,
has had pythian nc .ors bestowed up
on II in great measure. Four grand
chan, ellor commanders Of this State
were elected from the Sumter lodge.
The late lamented, hOnored, and
much loved Altamont Moses. II.
Frank Wilson, and John M. knight.
and the present distinguished and
popular Grand Chancellor Command
er George w. Dick.
Donald j. Auld Grand Keeper of
Records and Seal, like other three
distinguished Carolinians, was also
from Gamecock Lodge No. II, of
Sumter. Hon. Altamont Moses and
II. T.. Wilson were also Supreme Rep
resentatives to the Supreme Lodge,
from South Carolina,
Sumter has had the honor OF en-
tertaining the grand lodge three
times. and two Grand Chancellors, d.
c. Hayward. and II. Frank Wilson.
were elected in Sumter during the
grand lodge meetings.
Dr. George w. Dick was District
Deputy Second Chancellor Comman-
der.
Gov. d. c. Hayward was elected
and installed as Grand Chancellor at
Sumter. The writer who has been
member Of Gamecock Lodge for
twenty years, .emembers we'll how
frightened Brother Clinch" was the
night he was elected Grand Chancellor
and was called on for a speech. He
had never made a speech. He was
several other brothers had to threat
EN- to put a blind bride on him and
back him into the castle hall. Final
ly he was pushed up to the Chan
cellor Commanders desk and as he
was about TO talk the electric lights
went out and "Old Brother Clinch"
was the happiest man in town at
that time. He has since developed
into one of the smoothest hot air.
spell-binding, and eloquent speakers
of this old State. He has reflected
honor on Pythianians and South Car
olina, like all Of her Grand Chan
cellors.
Gamecock Lodge Of Sumter is the
largest, in point Of membership, of
any Pythian lodge in South Carolina,
and has consistently held this lead
for many pears. The present mem
bership is said to be three hundred
and fifty. The lodge meets twice a
month. Many of the prominent men
Of Sumter and other counties of
South Carolina were and are members
Of this lodge. The best, most public
spirited. and leading men of Sumter
County constitute its membership.
Brother G. G. Beck is the present
Chancellor Commander.
1t is hoped that Past Grand Chan
cellOr Commander NJ. l.. Bonham, and
other distinguished out-of- town Ply
thians will honor the local lodge By
their presence tonight, which will be
a memorable event in local Pythian
circles.
All visiting knights who may be
in Sumter are cordially invited to
attend the jubilee exercises. Twenty
five years of unselfsh usefulness with
records of hundreds of good deeds
performed by the lodge will be cele-