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Keystone Gazette September 4 1903, page 1
THE EAGLES WILL FLY
An Immense Crowd of Them Expected on Monday
SPECIAL TRAIN SERVICE
Captain H. S. Taylor Has Been Selected as Chief Marshal with Lieut. S. D. Gettig as Chief of Staff - With the Golden Eagles Several Other Orders and F ire Departments will Be in Line - A Number of Castles Coming Here to Compete for the Handsome Prizes.
The Susquehanna District of the Knights of the Golden Eagle will meet in Bellefonte on Labor Day, next Monday, and a number of organizations from Clinton, Potter, Lycoming, Northumberland and Union counties have notified the association here that they will be here in bodies, as well as all the Castles of Centre county. A number of them are coming to compete for prizes and the Eagles will be here and parade Bellefonte's streets on Labor Day as well as the Labor Unions of Bellefonte which will join in and form one division in the parade. Capt. Hugh S. Taylor has been elected as Chief Marshall with Lieut. S. D. Gettig as chief of staff. The parade will form at the Armory at 1:30 and will move in five divisions, the last number being the Union division and the following Sir Knights have been selected as chiefs of the first four divisions, viz: Thos. S. Hazel, M. R. Johnson and W. B. Noll, of Bellefonte Castle and John Smith, of Spring Mills Castle. The first division consisting of commanderies, Grand Castle officers and association officers will form on north Spring street, right resting on Lamb street; the second division on west Linn street west of Spring, right resting on Spring street; third division on Linn street, right resting on Spring street; fourth division on Lamb and Allegheny streets, right resting on Lamb street and the fifth division, consisting of the several unions and Fire department on Spring street, right resting on Lamb street ; the parade will move promptly at 2 o'clock down Lamb street to Thomas, Thomas to High, up High to Spring, out Spring to Bishop, Bishop to a point east of the Haag hotel, countermarch to Allegheny, Allegheny to Linn, Linn to Armor, countermarch to Allegheny, Allegheny to Diamond, where parade will be reviewed by Grand Castle officers and the Chief Marshall and disband. The commanderies competitive drills will then take place on the Diamond for prizes, which are as follows:
Best drilled commandery having twenty-two men in line $25.00.
Second best drilled Commandery having twenty-two men in line $15.00.
Castle coming the farthest distance $10.00
Castle having the largest percentage of members based on last official report in line $10.00.
Castle making best appearance in line $10.00.
All the judges have been selected outside of the order and Bellefonte Castle cannot participate.
Headquarters for the Commanderies and of the Chief Marshall and staff will be at the Armory of Company "B" and headquarters for Castle in the rooms of Bellefonte Castle No. 357.
Indications are that Bellefonte will have a big day and the Eagles will sore high.
A special train will leave Bellefonte over the Lewisburg and Tyrone railroad at 9 p.m., to run through to Montandon and stop at all stations."
Bellefonte Republican September 10 1903, page 1
ADDRESS OF WELCOME
Delivered to Visiting Knights of the Golden Eagle
BY W. HARRISON WALKER, ESQ.
The Chief Burgess of Bellefonte - He Gave a History of the Order From its Very Beginning
GAVE THEM FREEDOM OF' THE TOWN
"In his address of welcome to the K. G. E., Burgess W alker spoke in part as follows:
It is proper for me at this time to say a few words about the Order and give to you a little history relative to the founding this institution.
The Order was founded by Sir Knight John Emory Surbage, in August 1872 in the City of Baltimore. To use his own language, he said: "So deeply did this thought impress itself upon my heart and mind that I determined to begin the work at once, The name of this Order should be 'Knights of the Golden Eagle,' or 'Chivalric Knights of America,' and its objects the cultivation the social, moral and intellectual feelings of its members and the promotion of their welfare in all walks of life; to give moral and material aid to its members and those dependent upon them as well as to the widows and orphans so far as its finance would permit; to pay weekly benefits to its sick and disabled members, and death benefits to the families of deceased members. Its ritual should have for its theme the aims and struggles of the Christian warrior to gain the immortal crown, and it should portray, by symbol and allegory, life passing through the wilderness of sin and woe in journey to the "Heavenly Castle," The motto selected was "Fidelity, Valor and Honor."
The Order was introduced in Pennsylvania in 1875. We now have 430 subordinate Castles and a total membership of 42,312 as per the report of June 1903. This is a net gain for these same Cast les of 1050 members over the report made in December 1902. Since the June report there are yet 21 Castles to be heard from, and if they show the same number of members (without a single gain) that they had six months ago, the entire membership in the state is 43,122 as against 42000 for the whole of 1902. This is the largest membership we have ever had, and if we continue to elect new members the balance of the year as we have done the past few months we will have a membership in the State of over 45,000.
Three new Castles have been instituted this year, up to August 8th, and the application for the fourth was received but a few days ago. The combined membership of these new Castles, just instituted, number 227.
It Is very meet and right that societies should exist for the relief of the distressed for the protection of the widow and orphan, and for all offices of human benefaction - where the rich, the poor, the high the low, the cultured and the uneducated may meet as brothers; where sectional strife, partisan politics and opposing creeds cannot enter where the lessons of fraternity and brotherly love may be taught free of all prejudice.
Its doors are opened to all citizens of this Nation, and all who enter are placed upon the broad platform of equality. It invites all loyal workers for the good of others. It demands of all labor and self-sacrifice in time of prosperity, and in return promises aid, assistance and sympathy in the hour of affliction and distress.
And now, in behalf of the people of Bellefonte I desire to thank the members of the Knights of the Golden Eagles of this District for the ho nor they have conferred upon us. Every pledge and every inducement that was made to influence the Castles of Central Pennsylvania to hold their convent ion here, we stand ready to fulfill to the letter.
And to you, members of the Knights of the Golden Eagles, who are who are strangers in our midst, I desire you in particular to understand that every Bellefonte sir night belongs to you. Use him as your guide, servant or anything that will contribute to your happiness.
I sincerely trust that your visit to our city will result in invaluable good to this Order, and I also sincerely trust that our visitors will find opportunities for enjoyment and pleasure, so that when you return yo your homes you will carry with you only happy memories, and pleasant recollections of your visit to the "Home of Governors."
Keystone Gazette September 11 1903, page 1
RUSTLING OF EAGLES WINGS
Heard in Bellefonte on Monday, Labor Day.
A MAGNIFICENT PARADE
The Local Castle of the Knights of the Golden Eagle to be Congratulated - Capt. H. S. Taylor Chief Marshal and S.D. Gettig Chief of Staff - Address of Welcome Made by Sir Knight and Burgess W. Harrison Walker - Response by J. D. Gresh - Prizes Awarded.
"Labor Day (Monday) was quite elaborately celebrated in Bellefonte for the first time in its history. The special event was the meeting of the Susquehanna District Association of the Knights of the Golden Eagle. Up until this time considerable preparation was made by the home Castle under the direction of a number of his members. The occasion proved a magnificent success from the beginning to the last. In honor of the Eagles most of the business of the town was suspended, and in many places the American flag was thrown to the breeze, showing to the visiting brethren that we are always loyal to the great emblem of freedom. Special committees with bands of music met the castles at the several trains on all railroads and escorted them to the Golden Eagle hall on Allegheny street where they were made to feel at home and given a hearty reception. By 12 o'clock the town was crowded with Eagles, Sir Knights and a vast number of their friends from this and adjoining counties. It was expected that a large delegation would be present from Lewisburg and Union county in general, but not being able to come to terms with the railroad company they were absent.
At 10:30 o'clock a meeting of the Susquehanna District Association was held in the Golden Eagles hall in the Eagle block which was very largely attended, and it was of such importance that the public meeting in the Court House had to be postponed until another hour in the day, and they didn't get through until nearly 12 o'clock. At this meeting the following officers were elected to serve for the following year: President, J. T. Miller, Lewisburg; secretary, W. W. Musser, Lewisburg, treasurer, I. D. Gresh, Milton. It was found that not one member of the Grand Castle of Pennsylvania was here, notwithstanding that several of them had consented to come and take part in the proceedings of the day. However, a number of good men from the several castles in the district were present and added interest to the occasion. It was also decided at this meeting to hold the next annual big time at Lewisburg.
One of the principal events of the day was the parade. It's make-up was one of the prettiest ever witnessed in Bellefonte. Along the streets was found a jolly good crowd. There was a blare of horns and beating of drums and the hurrying to and fro of the aides as the different organizations moved to their respective places of assignment. After everything was in readiness the parade, which was one of the largest and finest ever witnessed in Bellefonte, moved through the different streets in town in the following order:
Chief Marshall, H. S. Taylor.
Chief of Stff; S. D. Gettig.
Aides: J. M. Keichline, J. A. Williams, Port Matilda, J. H. Corl, L. B. Poorman.
Logan Steam Fire Engine Company, headed by R. A. Beck on horseback.
Coleville Band.
Chief of First Division, T. S. Hazel.
Aides: J. H. Woomer, Millheim, L. H. Wian.
Williamsport Commandery.
Galeton Commandery.
Grand Castle and Association,
Officers In carriages.
Chief of 2d Div., John Smith, Spring Mills
Aides: J. W. Weidensaul, Millheim, L. H. Gettig.
Coburn Band.
Spring Mills Castle.
Millheim Castle.
Representatives of Mffiinburg, Lewisburg anti Galeton Castles.
Chief of, 3d Division, W. H. Noll.
Aides: W. H. Shultz, Milesburg, Lewis Strunk, Lamar.
Milesburg Band.
Milesburg Castle.
Port Matilda Castle.
Lamar Castle.
Chief of 4th Division, M. R. Johnson. Aid : D. W. Keller,
State College Band.
Bellefonte Castle.
Representatives of Williamsport and Jersey Shore Castles.
Bellefonte Castle's Team on a float drawn by four horses.
Chief of 5th Div., J. H. Houser.
Aides: E. J. Eckenroth, Ed. Nearhood, Harry W. Johnson.
Painters Union.
Clerks Union. Moulder's Union, marshaled by Frank Davis
Carpenters Union
The Association officers for the past year were W. P. Kuhn, president, J. K. Johnston, secretary, both of Bellefonte, and L. K. Sweltzer of Williamsport, treasurer.
After the parade a square was roped off in the Diamond around which hundreds of people gathered to witness the contests for the several prizes, which were $10 each. The following is the result:
The prize for the best drilled commendery went to Williamsport Commandery by default as Galeton Commandery would not go into the contest.
The prize to the Castle making the best appearance in line was taken by Millheim Castle.
The prize to the Castle having the best percentage of men in line based on their annual report was taken by Spring Mills Castle.
The judges on the drill were Gen. J. I. Curtin, Capt. H. C Quigley and Thomas A. Beaver.
The judges on appearance in line were Samuel B. Miller, S. H. Williams and W. A. Ishler.
The judges on percentage were George R. Meek, Charles R. Kurtz and Thomas H. Harter.
None of the judges were members of the order.
About 4 o'clock in the afternoon, after the parade, the postponed public meeting was held in the court house. The attendance was good and the exercises were presided over by William P. Kuhn, president of the local castle. The music for the occasion was furnished by the Coburn Band. After several excellent and appropriate selections Chairman Kuhn introduced Sir Knight and Chief Burgess Harrison Walker, who delivered the address of welcome. As usual Mr. Walker made an excellent address, and after referring briefly to the great men Bellefonte has furnished to the State and Nation, be showed by figures from the State department of the Knights of the Golden Eagle that the organization is in a most flourishing condition and as a beneficiary it has few equals. It was a little late in the welcome, but his remarks showed that the town had been given up to the Eagles to fly just where they chose. This was happily responded to by I. D. Crash of Milton, who bad been chosen district treasurer in the morning. He is a whole-soul fellow and his address was well received. Mr. Gresh is the man who at one of the recent county teachers' institutes conducted the singing, so he was not a stranger here. Extemporary addresses were made by George R. Meek, Charles R. Kurtz and J. Kennedy Johnson.
In the evening interesting exercises exemplifying the work of the order were held in the ball in the Eagle block.
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