The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-01-28
Beautiful Story Of Brotherly
Love Was Told Quite
Dramatically
from fridays Daily.

bers are unanimously of the opinion
that it was but the beginning of
great wave OF Pythianism which is to
sweep Minnesota, under the direction
of Grand Chancellor Anthony Praxel.
The convention was for the initiation
of a record breaking class of candi-
dates into the first, or page decree,
The class is designated as the "Bible
Glass; and the idea of having such
classes originated about two years ago,
the plan being to take the historic
Bible Of the order, and the one which
was used by Justice H. Rathbone, the
founder of the order, in giving the
obligation to the first class of Pythian
knights, and use it at the initiatory
ceremonies of candidates when the
irst or page degree is given. The
Mankato class, initiated last night
numbered seventy eight and is the
me hundred and thirty ninth Bible
lass in the United States to be talk
en- into the order since the idea was
frst followed and the first Bible class
n Minnesota knights and prospec-
tive knights began arriving in the
city on the noon train and continued
20 come until the evening train from
he cities pulled in.
Fairmont and Lake Crystal.
The Fairmont lodge and part of the
axe Crystal delegation arrived about
noon. At least fifty visitors came
from Fairmont, including the famous
degree team, and. about seventyfv
axe Crystal, twenty from Lamberton,
fifteen from the twin cities. ten from
Il
During the afternoon the visitors were
entertained by the local knights, who
gave them theatre party at the new
Sandon, the play being "The Heart of
Maryland" with Mrs. Leslie Carter in
he leading role.
Welsh Ladies Serve Supper.
The ladies of the Welsh church
-erved a very excellent supper at Cas-
lie Hall from five o'clock until all
we're served, and seated over two hun
dred guests at table. The banquet
vas superintendent by Mrs. W. q.
Evans. Mrs. Bennett Williams, and
Yrs. Peter Llovd and was very pref
lily arranged, the tables being decor
ated with bouquets Of yellow tulips
and foliage, and a general color
scheme of yellow, white and green
being used. The spread was found
20 delicious that rising vote OF
hanks was extended to the ladeis for
he most excellent meal. At the con-
?lusion of the banquet the Mankato
odge held a short business session,
I'D elected several candidates for IN
tiation.
Adjourned to the Armory.
The entire body of knights and can
'idates then adjourned to the Man
'-ato armory where lodge was re-
,pened by Chancellor D. M. Jones,
Who presided during the evening.
The meeting was then turned over
the Fairmont lodge, and the page
legree was conferred on the seventy
eight candidates, thirty-two of whom
2ame from Lake Crystal. eight from
-airmont. three from Kasota, and
twenty-five from Mankato. The work
was put on in a truly magnificent
manner by the FairmOnt lodge, and
was very impressive, both to the
nights as we'll as to the candidates.
t is stated that nothing like it was
>ver before seen in lodge circles in
Southern Minnesota, and the beauty
nd completeness of the tableaux and
citing was remarked by all
Story Beautifully Presented.
The story of Damon and Pythias
was very beautifully presented. A
-tage was arranged at the end of the
,,all. and special appropriate scenery,
nrought by the Fairmont lodge, added
greatly to the realism of the sweet
lid story of faith and friendship. Rudy
Henry of the Fairmont team, who
arranged and supervised the act, de-
rerves much credit. He is a retired
actor of great ability, and he pre-
scented the part of Damon in a highly
artistic manner, being very capably
supported The actors were attired
n handsome costumes of the styles
If ancient days and nothing that
oould add to the general effectiveness
vas left undone. The electrical effects
we're wonderfully well arranged, and
Fairmont is to be congratulated upon
is artistic and pleasing work.
Growth of the Order.
Fred F.. Wheaton, supreme keeper
If records and seals, with the famous
Rathbone Bible, which he had brought
to Mankato, made little speech stat
ing that over twelve thousand new
members had been obligated upon that
Bible, and that the class now being
initiated was the first Bible class to
be initiated in Minnesota. Each can
didate took his oath upon the historic
book. and each knight passed around
the room in single file, and renewed
their obligations. A vote of thanks
TO the Fairmont lodge for the excel
lent work was proposed by J. B.
Richards, seconded by Chancellor
Mead of Lake Crystal, and unanimous
ly passed After the initiation was
completed inspiring addresses on
Pythianism were given by Grand
Chancellor A. ]. Praxel, J. Fisher of
The ST. Paul Daily News, and Su-
prene Keeper Of Records and Seals
Fred A. Wheaton. Following adjourn
ment the knights repaired to the I. o.
O. F. hall. where they Joined the
Pythian Sisters in luncheon party.
Grand Officers Present.
Officers present were Grand Chan
cellor A J. Praxler of Lamberton. SUI
preme Keeper of Records and Seals
Fred A. Wheaton of Minneapolis,
Grand Keeper of Records and Seals
Perry McAllister of Minneapolis, and
>oForegt Ward, superintendent of the
insurance DEPARTMENT of the grand do