The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-09-02

ne Two OIS events Oh Iue largest
and best tconclave of Illinois
knights Templar ever held which
closes tonight, are the exhibition
drills and grand review which is
being held at the arsenal this aft
ernoon and the gala social event
of the whole conclave, the grand
reception Of ball rendered to visit
ing Knights and ladies by Rock Is
land Commandery No. Is on the
Steamer Capitol this evening. The
boat will leave Rock Island at
O'Clock.
Word of the sudden death of Sir
Knight Joseph E. Dyas, past grand
commander, this morning brought
sadness to thousands of visitors at
tending the 64th annual conclave
of the grand commandery Knights
Templar Of Illinois. Although ad-
vanced in years Mr.. Dyas was ac-
tive in all conclave events yester-
day and was prominent figure in
the parade 1t was at the annual
dinner of the past grand COM
manders of the state, the last for
mality of the day, that he was
taken i'll.
CommaAderies Receive.
Last night was the feature night
OF the conclave and the downtown
streets were alive with crowds,
professions and traffic. The var
ious receptions in the hotels were
gala affairs and the many delega-
tions with their musical organiza-
tions and accompanied by the mem
bers of their families continued to
make the rounds of the receptions
until late in the evening. Dancing
was enjoyed by many.
Concerts at various places served
as entertainment for a multitude of
tri-city residents. The Sloan band
at Long View park drew the larg-
est crowd. The St. Bernard COM
mandery baud played before an
audience that packed the thorough
fare around the stand erected by
the Elks in front of their building
on Eighteenth street.
J Day Excursion.
This morning the steamer Capt.
tol took the visitors on an excur-
sion down the river. Commandery
representatives remained in busi-
ness session at the Masonic tenn
pie. The Capitol returned the ex-
cursionists at noon and shortly
after l this afternoon left again
with the knights who are this aft
ernoon taking part in the exhibi-
tion drills and grand parade and
review which comprise the field
day exercises. Sir Knight Henry
R. Lundblad is acting brigade COM
mander.
Although departure Of the knights
began this afternoon the great ma
jority will remain until after the
grand ball on board the steamer
! Capitol tonight. Officers of the
Rock Island commandery we're not
able to find suitable hall for the
closing event and the boat was en-
gagged as novel surrounding for
the great occasion. The Capitol
| will take the knights down the
river, returning late in the evening.
Accommodations Adequate.
| From all reports accommoda-
tons during the conclave have been
adequate and none Of the visitors
has been Inconvenience in secur-
ing meals. The various special ar
rangements made by the local COM
mandery for the handling of the
great crowd have worked out ad
mirably.
Weather conditions during the
conclave could not have been bet.
ter. During the parade yesterday
morning the sun was covered by
light clouds which served to shield
the participants from the hot rays
] Last night a cool breeze not unlike
those common in cities bordering
on lakes made the atmosphere
agreeable and today has been jus,
the right temperature for all events
on the program. Members of the
Englewood commandery encamped
at the Watch Tower are particular
ly thankful that there has been nc
rain, IS any dovnpour would have