The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-06-28


dampen the ardor of the Knights of
De Molay and out of town guests. who
gathered in skowhegan Monday to OBJ
serve the 50th Anniversary Of De
Molay 1t was a great occasion and
things were kept moving from the time
the excursion arrived, bringing some
400 Sir knights from foreign climes,
until it departed late in the evening,
at the end of an eventful day De
Molay had spent many days in pre-
pairing to receive their visitors and
everything was ready upon their ar
rival. Principal business houses in
the city were decorated as were many
of the homes. Upon the arrival of
the excursion at 1120 members OF De
Molay were lined up to receive them
And then it began to rain. Some
of the more pessimistic agreed that
everything was off, but not SO. What
did the Sir Knights care for little
rain. The line of march was taken
up in the midst of deluge but nature
was kind because of the optimism
shown and soon the sun broke thru
and a fairer day never visited New
England.
The parade formed according to
schedule, starting from Elm street,
thru Pleasant and High streets to
Water street, marshalled by Rt En-
Sir George W. Cover with his aides
Sirs James P. Bagley, Daniel A. Rob
inson, James H Howes and George
Mel. Presson and assistant aides. A
r. Jones, Sherman \. Shumway, F r.
Madden and Henry Crowell. The
Knights were on horseback and were
followed by the varions bands and
communicates march, lg in the follow
ing order: Chambers Band, Port
land De Molay Commandery; Portland
Band, Maine Commandery No. l, of
Gardiner; Bangor Brigade Band st
Johns Commandery No 8 of Bangor;
Belfast Band Palestine Commandery
No. II of Belfast; Wheeler's Military
Band and Pilgrim Commandery No
10 of Pennington. This delegation
was followed by the Grand Command
cry officers and many of the elder Sir
Knights.
As the marchers approached the
home of Eminent Commander Walter
p. Ordway, on Water street, they were
greeted by thirty little girls dressed
in white and carrying flags. Three
older girls. Adelaide Lancaster, Mar
tha Steward and Chantal Bisson, drap-
ed in American flags, upheld a Ma
sonic banner. The parade passed in
review before the Grand Commandery;
Rt En-. Sir Franklin r. Ridlon of
Portland. Grand Commander; Very
En-. Sir ]. Frederick Hill. Waterville,
Deputy Grand Commander; William j.
Dorman. Belfast. Grand Generalissi-
mo: Edward W. Wheeler, Brunswick.
Grand Captain General; Frank ".
Bucknam, SkoWhegan, Grand Senior
Warden; Frank p. Denaco, Bangor,
Grand Junior Warden; Thomas +. Nc
Donald. Portland, Grand Warder;
Thos. II. Anderson, Portland as Grand
Standard Bearer; Vim. \. Howe, Port
land as Grand Sword Bearer
The parade then proceeded up Water
street to the fair grounds, by way Of
Madison avenue amid the blare Of
martial music provided by the various
banGs. Wherever the parade went 4
great crowd followed for they made
very pleasing sight in their gay uni
forms. Al Fairview Park 4 real old
fashioned clam bake was served un-
1er lhe direction OF \ L Grart OF
Lewiston, tables being set near the
new exhibition building. After the
feed" many of the older ones became
young and the young became younger
All Joined in to have a good time and
many feats of skill and daring were
pulled of during the track meet and
ball game. Among the contests were
Grand Commandery Handicap with
every Grand Commander entered; fun
go contest, for those weighing over
200; the battle of the Penobscot. a
martial event; the battle of the Ken
nebec, a second Verdun. Various
trophies were presented in the sew
eral events but no record was kept
of the results After the sports a
buffet lunch was served in the Expo
sition building which was decorated
with Masonic emblems Following
this the bands massed and the Com
manderies marched to the Opera
House where vaudeville acts were fur
nished by members of the Lakewood
Stock company The guests departed
for their home al 1l20 having spent
II hours in getting acquainted and
having a good time.
While the Sir Knights were enjoy
ing themselves at the Park their ladies
were being royalty entertained at the
home of Mrs. W P Ordway at her
beautiful residence on Water street.