The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-02-20

Inspiration from the story of the
friendship and brotherly love of Da-
mon and Pythias. and of the latter's
sacrifice for the former in giving his
life in order that Damon might live.
gave birth to the order of knights OF
Pythias in Washington, d. C.. Feb. 1e.
1864
Just fifty years later knights OF
Pythias all over the United States and
in many smaller countries celebrated
the anniversary of the founding of the
order, but il is likely that in no city
were the ceremonies more impressive
or the program more interesting than
the one given last evning by the three
local lodges in observance of the gold
en- jubilee.
Congressman Adair, who delivered
the principal address. was greeted
with applause when he stepped to the
front of the platform. He opened his
address by saying that he did not feel
capable of taking the part of the gov
ernor of Indiana, who was to have de-
livered the main address. His speech
was closely followed by the audience
Special ritualstic services were car
ried through with absolute perfection
before crowd of about $500 persons
who packed the coliseum. Electrical
effects used in the service were beau
tiful, the colors of the organization
blue. yellow and red. being worked
out in the shield of the lodge, in vari-
colored bulbs.
Personnel of Officers.
In this service William A. Bond,
lola lodge. acted as chancellor COM
mander: Fred Kennedy. lola lodge,
vito cI, L
Occur De Lion lodge, prelate; Albert
J. Ford. Occur De Lion lodge master
of exchequer and Clarence ID. Mote,
Triumph lodge. master at arms
Following the opening service the
appended program was given: Odes.
by quartet composed of Wilmer
Brown, Homer Steinbrink. John Law
der and John Schattel: music by or
chestra: history of Richmond Pythian
organization by G. II. Hoelscher: his
tory of uniform rank company by A
F. Ireton: work in insurance depart
ment by John C. Darnell; history OF
Calanthe temple by Mrs. Ida T. Ro-
ser; introduction of speaker by c. W.
Jordan; address by Congressman
John A. NJ. Adair: flute solo by Russell
Moss, accompanied by Miss Leona
Druley; vocal solo by Ralph w. Little.
accompanied by Miss Deloris Ellis;
violin solo by Prof. F. X. Hicks, ac-
companied by Jesse l.. Woods; duet
by Misses Lena X. Weisbrod and
Marie l.. Thorman and the closing ex.
ercise by the chancellor commander
Friendship 10 Basis.
'Justus Henry Rathbone, with
twelve friends organized the Knights
of Pythias order fifty years ago to-
night in Washington" said Mr. Bond.
during the ritualistic ceremony.
Friendship was the basis and under
lying principle upon which the ritual
was written. Each of these men ac-
cepted the obligation of the ritual, but
little was thought at that time that
the lodge would grow to such an IN
stitution as it is today. For the H.
spiration which gave birth to the or
der We are indebted to a kind and
merciful God to whom this night We
offer our earnest thanks for this true
fraternity which has made men feel
the hand of a friend. The stability of
this fraternity is based on friendship.
supported by charity and benevolence.
intertwined by brotherly love. Today
nearly three-quarters of million
practice its precepts."
Gustave Hoelscher explained the
growth of Pythanism, saying that
lodges are now organized in every
state in the union. The first lodge to
be organized in this state was Marion
lodge, at Indianapolis in 1869 Six
years later Occur de Lion lodge was
. organized In Richmond.
"Coeur de Lion lodge was given the
number OF eight. II has a member
ship of 376. In 1884 Germania lodge
was organized. the ritual being print
ed in the German language but in 1892
the English language was substituted
in the ritual and in 1895 the name OF
the lodge was changed to Triumph
This lodge has a membership of 307.
lola lodge was organized in 1879 and
| il now has 276 names on its roster.
Richmond Has 1000.
There is total of about 1000
knights of Pythias in Richmond All
of them work together in harmony 20
the song OF fraternalism and under
one temple. Two other departments
have been added to the order-the in
surance department and the uniform
rank"
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