The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1917-19??, 1918-07-27
PYTHIANS IN GREAT
RALLY in CHATTANOOGA

Chattanooga, Tenn, July 26.-The
Pythian patriotic rally which was
held last evening in the First Baptist
church proved to be a most enjoyable
meeting indeed. The rally was a joint
affair, members of the six local lodges
together with their families and friend
being present in large numbers.
The outstanding object of the rally
was to talk over" the matter of rails
ing goodly sum of money toward Ii
quidating the Indebtedness on the Ply
THAN Orphanage at Ovoca, Tenn
There is now an $4,000 debt hanging
over the orphanage, and the Phythi-
ans of Chattanooga have confidently
promised to raise $500 toward clean
ing the slate.
Easily the most impressive feature of
the meeting was the exercises of the
children from Ovoca. Twenty of these
orphans ranging in ages from about
to 16 years, were brought to Chatta-
nooga by Manager and Mrs. w. H.
Stratton. 1.-THE mother and daddy of
Oyoca," for an outing, although only
six of them took active part in the
program last evening.
Too much credit cannot be given to
Mrs. H. w. Stratton, who so diligently
and untiringly trained the five girls
who sang several heartily appreciat-
ed selections, and the tiny little lady
who recited the story of the service
flag. Yesterday afternoon the or
phans, with Mr.. and Mrs. Stratton
and other guests of honor, including
Grand Chancellor Aaron Bergeda,
head of the order in Tennessee, and
A. H. Hampton, of Nashville, grand
keeper of records and seals, enjoyed
what they term "a wonderful trip" to
Chicamauga park and other points of
interest.
The meeting last evening was open
ed by an invocation by the Rev, Har-
old Major and was presided over by
Judge Nathan L. Bachman Following
the invocation the audience sang 1.-THE
Star Spangled Banner" and saluted
the American flag. Mrs. L. G. Browne
then sang 1.-THE Battle Hymn of the
Republic" the audience joining in
the chorus.
In introducing Mr.. Stratton, mana
ger of the Pythian home at Ovoca,
Chairman Bachman said:
81 am presenting to you a man who
is engaged in the most noble work
that anyone can be engaged in-namel
ly, the work of protecting those who
cannot protect themselves-the or
phans of the widows of Pythians."
The Knights of Pythians of Chatta-
nooga have set as their goal the rails
ing of $4,000 toward liqudating that
Indebtedness. And we are going to
do it fellows. When the solicitors call
around on you within the next few
days don't say II haven't made up
my mind yet" but make up your
mind, and make it up good and hard
Say that you will give 81 a month
for six months, or $40 a month for
six months-all that you can pos
sibly afford. Remember that you have |
taken the Pythian pledge Remember |
that these widows and orphans are
absolutely dependent upon the Py-
thians of Tennessee.
Lieutenant Colonel Milton Ochs, /.
editor of the Times, who is
second in command of. the Filth Ten
nessee infantry, national guard, made
the set speech of the evening. He had
been programmed to speak to the Ser
vice flags and their meaning" but |
Judge Bachman, the master of cere-
monies, in a happy introduction of |
the speaker assigned him to "Ameri- !
cas- obligation to France, and the sin
cere love between the two republics
in alliance of the past and the holy
alliance of the present"
Following Col. Ochs' address, Miss
Eleanor Potts sang the "Marseillaise" |
the audience standing during the solo, |