Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-11-06
Red Fez, Scimitar and Star
Numerous About Streets
Throughout the Day
MOBILES OF MYSTIC
SHRINE INITIATE
Comic Parade Big Feature
Of Festivities; Class of
Fifty Candidates

They're here, hundreds of them and
they have their little red fez atop
their domes with the scimitar prom.
fnent on cap and lapel.
It's the Shriners and they have come
here from the four winds Scarcely
a city In southern Iowa that is not
represented and many from other
parts of the state and other states as
well.
Hang on to the ropes, for it's safe
ty first"
The trip across the desert is now in
progress for with the rise OF the sun
this morning the various members of
kaaba temple and their candidates
have been afoot and on their way to
Ottumwa, the oasis in the Shriner des-
ert today. Between 600 and 700 of
the mobiles OF Kaaba and other temples
are on hand and more en- route.
Trains and autos have brought them
to the gathering here today in large
numbers Bands and committees have
met the visitors and happy has been
the reception. Singers have augment
ed the best band in Iowa and vocal
selections have added to the band
concerts given the visitors as they
arrived In Ottumwa. Every train has
been met and each brought It's quota
Of Shriners and candidates to the big
gathering.
The armory, where the festivities
and lodge ceremonials are being held,
is veritable hive Throughout the
day throngs of men Of all sizes, from
various walks Of life, old and young
alike and all extremely jovial, have
been walking the streets. Smiles and
good humor prevail and some real
stunts are on the program, but 1t is
best not to tell yet just what they are
for the initiated might get heart fall
ure.
The work Of the day began follow
Ing the parade when business ses-
sion was held. This was followed by
a theatrical performance by the
Beauty Mark company that is booked
for the Grand tonight and tomorrow.
This company will give another show
for the Shriners from II to 1880 to-
night following the performance at
the opera house.
Parade Big Feature.
The parade. always big feature OF
the Shriners. limitations, was up to the
usual standard today. 1t formed on
Fourth street, headed west from the
armory to Court street and around
the city park, thence throughout the
business section. The red fezzes were
numerous and their wearers in gala
attire with pennants and souvenirs
decorating their persons, were jolly
bunch.
Signs that were significant of the
things that might befall the victims
of the days pleasures were plentiful
and the features Of the pageant were
funny to degree. Woman suffrage
may have lost in the east but the con-
sideration shown 1t by the Shriners
in their parade would indicate that the
movement has some friends. A large
section of the parade was given over
to the suffrage delegation and they
were attired to suit the occasion and
cause. The latest styles in ladies
wearing apparel in which fur predom-
mates, especially as to boot tops and
hose. were in evidence. With stripes
of sleeps pelt cut into strips the suf-
fragettes were able to wear FUR trim
med hose and banner carried by
their numbers bore the words, we
are fur YOU"
The "Siamese Triplets' were fea-
ture of the marching hundreds that
ELECTED much comment and the head
gear of some of the marchers as well
as the paper costumes came IN Tor
attention of the people who lined the
streets along the route Of the parade.
The store windows and fronts. white
way posts, ETC., bore the scimltar,s
crescent and star as well as Shriner
flags and the orders colors. red and
orange in streamers of bunting
Use Patrol Wagon.
The patrol wagon was used to con-
vey candidates and numerous victims
of the initiation we're forced to under
70 stunts for the edification of others
who might later have the temerity to
ride the camel. The band from Fair
field accompanied the large delegation
from that city arrived on Burlington
train No. 179. The First Cavalry band
with its five choristers met every train
during the day and police patrol with
automobiles helped bring the visitors
from the various stations to the ar
mory accompanied by large numbers
afoot
Concerts were played by the First
Cavalry and Fairfield bands in front
of The Courier Office and at the places
of business of some of the well known
Shriners.