The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-15
Competitive Drill Held Under
Gen. Martins Direction.
Women and "YellOW Cats"
March i'm the Parade.
ALL LODGE men LOYAL
Big Block of Liberty Loan Has
Been Subscribed.
Grand Lodge Will Hold Session
Tonight.

Following an old battle SCARED flag,
carried thru the Civil war, the thous-
and delegates of the Grand lodge of
Kansas Knights of Pythias marched
down Kansas avenue this afternoon.
The parade led by the Topeka police
squad and Marshalrs band. formed in
front of the Throop hotel and march
ed south to the state house grounds.
yellow Cats and women were the
feature of the march. For the first
time in years women marched down
Kansas aNenue-nearly so of them
and one woman rode. Bringing up
the rear was a string of motor cars
nearly two blocks long.
At the state house grounds four
complete drill companies put on
competitive drill under the direction
and supervision of Adjt. Gen. C. l.
Martin.
Buy War Bonds.
In addition to this display, patriot
ism of the order was brought out at
the morning session of the convention
when it was announced that the ma
tional organization had purchased
$4,000 worth of war bonds from the
government.
Not only have we shown our 10y
atty and support to the government by
kilograms and MESA es, but the whole
order is ready to fight, finance Or
farm" This was the keynote of the
address given by Harry Wade, of the
lodge insurance department at the
morning session. Applause greeted
every reference made to tie knights
and their services. including the offer
ing of $50 drilled men to the state.
''Pythias has more than 800 men
in Kansas, all trained to the minute
and has the distinction of being the
only fraternal order in the nation
that has military units. recognized bs
the government. These men have Of
fered their services to the country
along with nearly three thousand 9TH
ers of other states"
Governor Welcomes Delegates.
Patriotism again cropped out this
morning when Governor Capper, rep
resenting the state and Mayor House.
the city, gave a most hearty welcome
to the delegates. The semi military
organization with it's six regiments
of trained and seasoned men in Kan
sas offered their services to the state.
'In war times, nothing can be more
welcome than an organized body,
recognized from a military standpoint
by congress and the president" Gov
ernor Capper said. "Pythians with
their two regiments of the state have
contributed largely to the local mill
tary bodies, according to reports, and
are the very nucleus of well drilled
companies.
n Loyalty and patriotism are bound
to be welcome in this time
Registration of delegates this morn
ing passed the thousand mark and
indications pointed towards a record
attendance, reaching at least 800 be-
fore the convention adjourns. With
the burning of headquarters in Kan
sas City, every member has become
vitality interested in every move of
the Grand lodge, and many mem
bers not delegated have registered al
ready.
The Opening Session.
Preliminary entertainments for the
delegates started Monday night with
an auto tour of the city. In the even
ing a reception at Memorial hall was
given by the local council. Mrs Mar
garet Mcconnell of Topeka gave the
welcoming address, which was an
swered by Mrs. Olive Ramsey of
Hutchinson. The final entertainment
Monday night was the annual dance
given at Kirkpatrick's hall. Nearly
1000 knights and Sisters attended.
Brigade meeting will be held this
evening at the K. P. hall, at Sixth and
Quincy street, at o'clock. A grand
lodge meeting will wind up todays
program.
Tonight's program calls for a brig
ade meeting at the Knights of Pythias
hall, followed by a grand lodge meet
irc