The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-09-22

Today on the
: / :: !:
AsmfnE& occasion Of
MMEs sSv4NM the ceremonial
sSss1IEA of Kaaba Tenn
ssNia5 sSy3 pie of Daven-
WW "A. WY port. There
VA Eg w were $500
~ Shriners in
Keokuk today to attend the big event,
and eight hundred arrived this morn
mig on the steamer G. w. Hill and the
train from the north carried big
delegation. The official divine of
Kaaba temple was on board the boat.
and the local reception committee, and
at the boat to greet them.
The hot sands of the desert were
crossed at the levee this morning by
the red capped Shriners and their less
gaudily dressed candidates, who were
led off the boat holding a big two
inch rope. Luckless candidates were
dressed in fantastic costumes and put
at all kinds of tasks this morning fur
nishing fun for the crowd. The pa
rade this afternoon was to be the US
ual burlesque affair and will be fo,.
lowed tonight by the traditional ban
quet and the initiation.
The steamer G.. w. Hill arrived
from Davenport this morning shortly
after $3.50 o'clock. 1t had stopped at
Muscatine and Burlington and Fort
Madison on the down trip. The
Shriners in their fez's and the Kaaba
patrol in theirA gaudy uniforms furn-
ished at bit of color. The patrol had
Its band with it, and the Keokuk Con-
cert band played serenade as the
big boat swung into the landing and
the crowd came down the stage plank.
The welcome was extended by the
members of the Keobuk Fee club.
Each Shriner as he came down the
plank was given a card with the days
program on it.
Candidates Marked.
The candidates were the marked
members of the group. Huge badges
denoted their luckless condition, and,
as soon as things got into full swing
the candidates were given a run for
their money. Roman holidays looked
tame beside the Shriner's fun. The
candidates were dressed in convict,
oults, pUlfCeIISu CiotllSo dhu III dhs
and every possible fantastic dress and
color They put. them on the most
popular corners of the city and then
stood back and laughed at their an
tics
w. H. Bower, leader of the Keokuk
Concert band, paraded at the head OF
his organization with most fantastic
headgear: Otto Rockenbach was about
to shave a man when desk sergeant
Warren Holiday at the request of the
candidates committee placed him UNI
der arrest, and menacles and ball and
chain were placed upon the good ma
tured candidate and he was led to a
prominent corner for his stunt. Other
candidates did duty as traffic cops,
while still others swept the streets and
begged or danced as their masters
voice babe them"
The registration bureau was opened
at nine o'clock at the Hotel Iowa Can
didates registered here and were Civ
en- badges and tickts for the banquet
this evening. The rest of the time
was spent in renewing old acquaint-
ances and in visiting the show places
OF the city. The automobiles of the
local Shriners were placed at the dis
posal of the visitors, and the visitors
were given an opportunity to see the
city.
3 Every place in the city was open to
the Shriners. The red feZ was the
guarantee Of friendship and Keokuk
welcomed the wearers in whole-heart-
ed manner.
Sessions are Held.
The first business session was held
this afternoon at two o'clock in the
Grand opera house, which was approx
lmately decorated for the meeting.
The first ceremonial session was
staged at 2:30 o'clock At three
o'clock the Kaaba patrol drill team
was put through its PAGES on Main
street between Sixth and Eighth
streets. The patrol always gives an
exhibition and local people
were out in force to see the affair.
AT four o'clock this afternoon the
Dig parade was scheduled. 1t will be
burlesque in every particular, and
VIII be interesting, particularly to
those who are on the sidelines. The
will be little too busy to
ENJOY 1t quite as much as the people
on the outside.
Following the parade the traditional
banquet will be held. The banquet
VIII be served in the Masonic temple
and will be served also in the parlors
ot several of the churches, this plan
having been adopted to insure every
ones having supper at the same tue.
:, tempting menu has been prepared
al each place.
AT eight o'clock tonight the second
and third ceremonial sessions will be