Jasper County, Missouri - Chapter 45: Joplin's Fraternities, 1912

The Red Man - The Eagles - The Elks - Knights op Pythias - - ^Rathbone Sisters - El Plomo Temple, No. 126, D. 0. K. K. - The Scottish Rite Masons - Joplin Chapter Rose Croix, No. 3 - JoPLiN Council, No. 3, Knights of Kodosh - The Consistory - Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons - ^W. 0. W. Log Rolling - Grand Lodge, Knights of Pythias - Grand Commandery, Knights Templar - Ball in a Mine - State Encampment, United Confederate Veterans - Grand Army of the Republic Ma'Apers - Company F, Second Regiment, M. N. G.

Joplin has some sixty-odd fraternal societies, in addition to the several trade unions which includes almost every branch of labor in the city. It would be quite impossible, in a work of this character, to give anything like a complete history of these several organizations - first, on account of space and, secondly, for the reason that, although members of several of these bodies, the author had not access to the records of the various fraternities and could not, therefore, do the subject justice without consulting the data filed away in the archives of the lodge rooms.

We will, however, endeavor to mention the new societies which became identified with the city's history during the past decade, and speak briefly of that portion of their actions which had a general interest to the community.

In 1900 a lodge of Red Men was organized in Joplin and its formation was quickly followed by issuing of charter to five other tribes of this great order which were established in East Joplin - two in the main part of the city, at Blendville and Chitwood. The Red Men is a semi-patriotic and semi-fraternal society, being organized for the two-fold purpose of keeping alive the glorious achievements and historic incidents of the Revolutionary war. The Improved Order of Red Men takes its name from the incident of the Boston tea party, and the minute men who, on this memorable occasion, emptied the tea into the Atlantic ocean and perpetuated their deed in history by the organization of this society. It is said that every president of the United States from Washington down to Taft has been a member of the Red Men.

During the early part of the decade the Red Men's lodges of Joplin were very active, having a combined membership of over six hundred, and their 0]>en meetings and public demonstrations were largely attended. In 1903 the local tribes entertained the state organization and the parade which was participated in by five hundred Red Men in costume was an imposing spectacle. The Joplin Company of the Red Men's Uniform Rank was the first drill corps formed in the state of Missouri. It was known as Washington Camp, No. 1, and was attired in the uniform of the Revolutionary patriots. J. A. Brown was the captain of this splendidly drilled and equipped organization. Three times during the decade the Red Men of the city conducted a largely attended Fourth of July celebration.

The Eagles, a fraternal society whose motto is to ''make life worth living and do it now,*' was established in Joplin in 1901 and became very popular, numbering in 1904, over a thousand members in the Joplin aerie. The Eagles have, since organization, maintained a commodious and well appointed club room.

Joplin Lodge, B. P. 0. E., has been a great factor in the social life of Joplin. In 1904 the lodge built, at the comer of Fourth and Pearl streets, a magnificent club house. As a nucleus to the building fund for this lodge home, a number of entertainments were given, among them three successful street fairs in 1900, 1901 and 1902 ; the dramatic entertainment **The Girl I Left Behind Me," which was seven times presented to crowded houses, and the never-to-be-forgotten Elks minstrels. *

**The Joplin Elk's big fair opened Monday evening, February 27, 1905, at 7 o'clock at the Elks new club house, corner of Fourth and Pearl streets. It was the great social event of the season aud continued till Tuesday night of the next week. It was not an entertainment for Elks alone, but for everybody who was a friend of the Elks, to the public generally. All were invited to the big show, or, to speak more correctly, to the series of big shows, for there were mkny attractions and many things to amuse, interest and entertain.

*'The Elks fair was the opening event or housewarming of the elegant new club house built by the Joplin Elks. It was conducted by the Elks and the ladies of Joplin and was more elaborate than anything ever given in this part of the state. The massive building was transformed into many bowers of beauty and pretty pagodas with gorgeous decorations. These handsome booths were fitted with many articles of value and beauty.

** There were many attractions of many kinds at the fair, all for the small admission price of ten cents. There were dancing and many amusements every evening. Lemonade and punch were served by a score of pretty girls at the wells, and tea and coflPee was served in the Japanese garden. This Japanese tea garden consisted of pretty pagodas decorated with flags and cherry blossoms.

** Bewitching girls in Oriental costumes served tea, coffee and other refreshments. The entertainment hall had dancing every thirty minutes ; also pie-eating contests, molasses dips and other amusing features. The Turkish pagoda was one of the grandest exhibits in tapestries and rich rugs outside of the World's Fair. In it was $10,000 worth of handsome Turkish, Persian and Indian rugs, curtains, tapestries and draperies. Rare Smyrna, AntoUas and Durris were on exhibition and for sale.

**The vaudeville shown in the basement was one of the greatest things in the show. Torleton and Torleton, comedy-musical artists, gave an almost continuous performance of high class musical entertainment. Mitchell, a special comedy artipt engaged for the occasion was assisted by Miss Mitchell, a vocalist. Thirty minutes of vaudeville turns of unusual quality held the attention of a large audience.

** Certificates of deposit upon the Bank of Joplin are dispensed at the Elks' bank in charge of Mrs. A. H. Waite, cashier, assisted by a corp of tellers in white dresses. A $25 deposit was awarded to E. H. Moore who was the holder of the lucky number, 219 at the close of the first evening. Mrs. Waite was assisted by Mrs. J. A. Cragin, Mrs. E. G. Nix, Mrs. T. W. Osterloh, Mrs. Frank Church, Mrs. Millie Porter, Mrs. J. H. Spencer, Mrs. J. H. Taylor, Mrs. F. H. Spring, Mrs. Finke, Mrs. Dugan, Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Evans.

**The gypsy booth, with its beautiful red lights and artistically gowned women, is another of the popular places. Mrs. D. C. Hoover, with her corps of assistants, undertook the management of the booth, reading any hand for ten cents.

**The *Mike the Duck' game of chance, in which the chancer always got some, was quite amusing. Five cents was put in the bird's pipe and then he ducked his heq4 and brought up a small gift in his beak. These were always satisfactory. This booth was in charge of Mrs. C. N. Stark and her assistants were Mrs. J. B. Serage, Mrs. C. Jones, Mrs. C. Foster, Mrs. D. Bolton, Mrs. Chas. Hart, Miss Buchanan and the Misses Deiter.

*'Some of the other booths were the handkerchief booth, the colonial booth, the souvenir booth, the flower booth, the lemonade booth and the bon-bon booth.

*'The auction booth was one where all kinds of valuables were knocked down to the lowest bidder. The ceaseless hum of the Elks ** buggy*' wheel enlivened one of the cozy nooks of the building and the number which the pointer indicated determined to whom went the valuable prizes. These prizes consisted of donations made by public spirited members of the Elks and their friends and were of considerable value.

Among the prizes were a 40-acre farm donated by John D. Cameron, in southwest Missouri; a city lot in Schifferdecker's addition to Joplin by Schifferdeieker J a fine automobile by John Wise; a $150 cut ^ass punch bowl and cups, many carloads of coal, sacks of ore, articles of furniture and household goods of every description. In addition to these were several $25 cash prizes and one prize of $50 in gold. Also the Elks were presented with two large elegant vases, a Japanese tea set and a Japanese chocolate set from Count Kogora Takahira, the Japanese minister. The secretary of the Japanese legation wrote the committee, in behalf of the minister, conveying his pleasure in being able to contribute to the Joplin Elks.

''Among the things to be ra£9ed was an annual pass on the Southwest Missouri Electric Railway donated by President Rogers, a $1,000 life insurance policy in the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company donated by Franklin M. Smith, and an old Dutch mission clock donated by the C. M. Spring Drug Company.

**The 40-acre farm was won by George Layne, the city lot was sold at auction and bought by Arthur Bendelari, Charles W. Bartlett won the cut glass punch bowl and set, and John Worth, Sidney WiMns, John R. Holmes and Mrs. Albert Newman each won a carload of coal donated by different coal companies. The purse containing $50 in gold, donated by a prominent Elk, was won by O. B. Chancy. The old mission clock was won by R. R. Campbell, commercial agent for the Katy railroad. Mrs. C. E. Baker was the winner of the silk dress pattern given by P. A. Christman to the Elks' fair management.

**The bon-bon booth, with its arches of green cedar lighted by myriads of red shaded electric lights to represent eherries, was very popular. A great feature of this booth was the large candle stick, thirtyeight inches tall and two and a half inches in diameter. A candle w!i3 burned in this each night and therein lay the money-making powers of the candlestick, for guesses as to how long it would take to bum it down were sold at five cents apiece. This was donated by Mrs. Louie Reinhimer and Mr. Reinhimer gave a handsome cut glass dish.

**The flower booth in the center was the most beautiful of all, draped in white with a row of electric lights running around the top. Chief among its many beautiful plants was a handsome Boston fern, homegrown, by Mrs. McKee, the chairman. This fern was perhaps the largest in Joplin at that time, many fronds measuring two yards in length. This was donated by the chairman and chances taken on it at ten cents each. Arthur Spencer won this beautiful fern.

''The babies were held on the stage by their mothers, where they were viewed and reviewed by the admiring visitors and voted on at five cents a vote. Every baby was tagged with a number, while a ballot box of the same number stood by. The first prize of $5 was won by No. 2 ; second prize, $3 in cash by a chocolate colored baby, and the third, $2 in cash, went to a very dark baby.**

In 1903 the Missouri State Independent Order of Odd Fellows conclave was held in Joplin and, although the convention proper was a small gathering - the representatives being selected by legislation districts (one delegate for each) - ^it brought together the membership of the three linked fraternities in Joplin. At the date of the grand meeting, the seven Odd Fellows' lodges of Joplin had a combined membership of 1,200 and over 1,000 of these, headed by the ever-popular Canton Lincoln, escorted the delegates through the streets of the city to the place of meeting, the High School auditorium.

As mentioned in our Chapter of the seventies, the Odd Fellows was the first fraternal society to be established in Joplin, and will soon celebrate the fortieth anniversary of its organization.

If a full and complete history of Odd Fellowship in Joplin were written it would make a lai^e volume and the book would be filled with innumerable acts of kindness, the doing of which has made life more worth living, and the recollection of which brings sweet memories to the men who have exemplified the tenets of friendships, love and truth.

Joplin Lodge, No. 40, Knights of Pythias, during the past ten years has had an eventful history, having not only conducted a number of most successful social functions, among them the entertainment of the Grand Lodge of the state, but has, on account of its many activities, gained a state-wide reputation. Two of its members have been called to state positions of honor. Col. Joel T. Livingston, of the Third Regiment, U. R. K. P., having been elected in 1903, brigadier general commanding the Missouri brigade, U. R. K. P. which position he held for four years, and Horace Merritt having in 1910 attained the highest office in the gift of the Grand Lodge, being chosen grand chancellor and serving with distinction.

In the Pythian life in Joplin no part of it has been more prominent or deserves more comment than the ladies' auxiliary, the Rathbone Sisters, and more recently called the Pythian Sisters.

This organization was brought about through the appointment of a committee by the Knights of Pythias to formulate plans for the founding of a Rathbone temple. The committee consisted of Mrs. L. C. McCarty, Mrs. Frank Myers, Mrs. L. A. Hunter and Mrs. Lenora H. Livingston. The Rathbone temple has participated in every social function of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias and has been a most helpful auxiliary, sharing, with the Knights, the pleasures that attended their successes and, with tender hands and loving hearts, extending the broad hand of Pythian charity.

Joplin Temple, No. 78, Rathbone Sisters, was organized in 1902, Mrs. S. J. McKee being its first presiding officer and, on account of her very excellent rendition of the principal part of the degree work of the annual convention of the Rathbone Sisters, arose by rapid promotions to the position of grand chief of the state, and, at the 1908 convention, being elected one of Missouri's delegates to the Supreme Lodge. The first affair of the Pythian Sisters, of which the temple was the hostess, was the entertainment of the eleventh district Rathbone convention of Joplin, in March, 1903. The Joplin Daily Olobe gives the following mention of the convention: **The Third district convention of the Rathbone Sisters of Missouri was held Monday at Pythian hall. No. 413 Main street with an afternoon and evening session. It is spoken of by all who were in attendance as a most successful convention. The hall was a picture of beauty in the colors of the lodge, which are blue, yellow and red, and the arrangement of the decorations reflect great credit upon the ladies of the Joplin temple.

**The convention was graciously and efficiently presided over by Mrs. Joel T. Livingston, deputy grand chief of state. Mrs. S. J. McKee gave the address of welcome and her remarks captivated all who heard them, and were a real bouquet of lovely expressions of welcome.

"A feature which charmed all who heard it was the piano playing of Mrs. A. L. DeArmond, of Carthage. Her first number was the * March from Tannhauser,' by Vagner Liszt. She was vociferously encored, and responded with * Tarrentelle, * by Mills. Still her hearers were not satisfied, and a third time she seated herself at the instrument, playing the * Cradle Song,' by Chopin.

**By this time a superb bouquet of choice roses appeared and were presented to the talented pianiste, who played to the still further delight of all present a composition of her own, which was an arrangement of patriotic airs, or rather airs of the diflFerent states of the union. In another number Mrs. DeArmond and Miss Georgie Pitzer, also of Carthage, rendered a duet, *Boute En Traine,' by Ketterer, and to the inevitable encore Miss Pitzer responded with an arrangement of * Nearer My God to Thee.'

**The election of officers resulted as follows: Mrs. Eva Rich, of Webb City, grand senior; Mrs. Laura Jackson, of Carthage, grand junior; Miss Davies, of Monett, manager; Miss DeEtta Whitwell, of Joplin, mistress of finance; Miss Grace, of Carterville, protector, and Mrs. L. C. McCarty, of Joplin, guard.

** During the evening there was a contest between the diflferent lodges in the district in ritualistic work, the prize being a loving cup, and was awarded to Mrs. Tina Oliver, of Carterville. The musical features of the evening session were furnished by Mrs. DeArmond, who played *I1 Trovatore* and an arrangement of *Home Sweet Home,' played with the left hand. Refreshments of ice cream and cake were served by the ladies of the Joplin temple, and the guests were heard to say that the day and evening were delightful to them.'*

El Plomo Temple, No. 126, Dramatic Order Knights of the Khorassan, was instituted in Joplin, February 24, 1905, and was the Mecca around which the Pythians' social life of Jasper county revolved for the next four years. The D. 0. K. K. is to the Knights of Pythias what the Shriners' degree is to Masonry and, while it is no part of the Knights of Pythias proper, its membership is confined to that order. El Plomo temple was not a Joplin society, but was composed of members of the order from all over Jasper county and from Galena, Columbus, Weir City and Pittsburg, in Kansas.

The following were the officers: - Royal vizier, J. G. Richardson, Joplin; grand emir, W. E. Harper, Galena, Kansas; secretary. Will P. Shannon, Joplin; treasurer, L. C. McCarthy, Joplin; mehedi, Byron Coon, Joplin ; sheik, Floyd Saxton, Webb City ; mokanna, C. J. Shortiss, Joplin; joe, George G. Brader, Joplin; master of ceremonies, F. H. Nesbitt, Webb City ; Satrap, George H. Boughton, Galena ; sahib, Henry Sapp, Joplin; escorts, John Gray, of Carthage; Maddaugh Columbus; representative to Supreme Temple, J. T. Livingston, Joplin. John H. Holmes, imperial nawbob and imperial secretary and H. W. Belding, both of St. Louis, conducted the institution ceremonies. The work of this highly entertaining degree was performed by the officers who had previously been rehearsed in their several parts and was very excellent. Clarence J. Shortiss, who took the part of Mokanna, was especially complimented by the Imperial Nawbob for the masterful way in which he had interpreted his part, saying that he had never seen the work better rendered. J. G. Richardson, Floyd Saxton and George Brader also came in for a liberal share of applause. After the institution of the temple, the one hundred and fifty members partook of a most excellently served banquet at the Clarkton Hotel. Hon. A. E. Spencer was the toastmaster and the following after-dinner speeches were made: The **Doky,'' by Hon. J. H. Holmes, of St. Louis; *'The Kansas Sunflower," W. F. Sapp, Galena; **The Missouri Mule," Howard Gray, Carthage; **When Knighthood Was in Flower," J. T. Livingston, Joplin; **The Goat," John Flannigan, Carthage; **To the Woman Who is Waiting For Me," John Malang, Joplin.

El Plomo Temple held a semi-annual ceremonial at some point in the district during each of the years up to 1909, having exemplified the work and been royally entertained at Galena, Webb City and Pittsburg. The financial distress which followed the panic of 1907, however, somewhat dampened the ardor of the Pythian hosts of Jasper county and no ceremonial was had in 1909 or 1910. At this writing (1911) the Knights at Webb City, which lodge is enjoying a boom of no small dimensions, is reviving the spirit of Khorassan chivalry and it is quite probable that a ceremonial will be held at the Twin Cities during 1912.

The principal interest in Masonic circles during the decade was the establishment, at Joplin, of the several Scottish Rite Masonic organizations. The importance of this will be more readily understood when it is cited that Joplin is but one of three cities in the state where the highest degrees of this rite are conferred, and that the Joplin Consistory draws its membership from a radius of one hundred miles around, bringing to Joplin, at the spring and fall convocations of the rite, large numbers of prominent members. The following Scottish Rite Masons, holding their membership at Kansas City, began in November, 1900, the agitation for the establishment of the Scottish Rite, at Joplin, to-wit - (George B. Paxton, Robert A. "Wilson, George C. Bayne, Levi Riseling, Charles Regan and J. W. McAntire. Their efforts met with success, and in 1901 Martin Collins, sovereign grand inspector for Missouri, recommended to Hon. Jos. D. Richardson, sovereign grand commander, that a Lodge of Perfection be established in Joplin.

The first regular work of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, at Joplin, occurred at Fellowship HalL As a preliminary meeting to the organization of Joplin Lodge, No. 5, the degrees from the fourth to the fourteenth were conferred in a class of twenty-seven, the following ofScers being in the chair: Illustrious Brother Martin Collins^ sovereign grand inspector general; George Bailey Paxton, venerable master; William B. Waugh, senior warden; George G. Bayne, junior warden; Jos.-W. McAntire, orator; Charles Regan, Almonder; O. H. Picher, treasurer; Robert A. Wilson, secretary; Douglas B. McDowell, master of ceremonies; Cyrus N. Stark, expert; Moses H. Lyon, assistant expert; Albert B. Whitney, tyler. The temporary charter was granted April 8, 1902. The following gentlemen have filled the office of venerable master: 1901, George Bailey Paxton; 1902, Cyrus Nathaniel Stark; 1903, Martin Toner Balsley; 1904, William T. Branham; 1905, William Latour; 1906, William Latour; 1907, Thomas Herron; 1908, Thomas Herron; 1909, Prank Sansom; 1910, Prank Sansom; 1911, Clyde Scott Poole.

The degrees of this branch of the rite, covering the fifteenth to the eighteen, were first conferred in Joplin, April 10, 1902, on a Class of sixty-three. As in the former body, Illustrious Brother Martin Collins directed the work and George B. Paxton, as venerable master, presided. The following are the past venerable masters of Joplin Chapter: 1902, P. N. Davey; 1903, P. N. Davey; 1904, C. G. P. Toepper; 1905, C. G. P. Toepper; 1906, W. C. Glenn; 1907, W. C. Glenn; 1908, H. Scherl; 1909, H. Scherl; 1910, O. P. M. Wiley; 1911, O. P. M. Wiley.

The nineteenth to the thirtieth degrees are conferred by the Council of the Knights of Kodash. This first work of Joplin Council was conferred December 10, 1903. Elroy J. Pratt being the first commander. The work was conferred by the degree team from St. Louis. The following have been called to the office of commanders: 1904, Harry Tamblyn; 1905, Elroy J. Pratt; 1907, Elroy J. Pratt; 1908, A. Haughton; 1909, A. Haughton; 1910, L. L. Moore; 1911, L. L. Moore.

of Masonic gems. The following officers filled the principal chairs: 1904-9, P. N. Davey; 1910-11, E. J. Pratt. The membership of the Scottish Rite bodies, not counting those who belonged to two or more of the orders, was on June 30, 1911, six hundred and fifty.

The meeting of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in Joplin in April, 1909, like the meetinsr of the Templars in 1906. brought many splendid masons to the city and their coming was the signal for the Masons of Joplin - and their number is legion - to brine: forth the fatted calf, as it were, and extend to the brethren a royal welcome.

On the afternoon of the first day the officers of the Grand Lodge, together with their ladies, visited Christal Cave and here, beneath the bowels of the earth and among the great drifts of the old mine, they

In the evening a reception was given which was attended by the members of the craft generally, after which the members of Joplin Chapter, No. 91, exemplified in a most creditable manner the Royal Arch degree.

At the conclusion of the session on the second day the entertainment committee had in waiting four belt line cars, and the entire delegation was taken round the loop and shown the interesting sights at Duenweg, Porto Rico, Prosperity, Carterville and Webb City - a ride of twenty-one miles passing through the richest mining district of the county.

The eighth annual log rolling of the Missouri-Kansas Log Rolling Association was held in Joplin, Thursday, September 10, 1903, and was a great event in fraternal circles. Joplin was gaily decorated in honor of the visiting Woodmen and no pains were spared to make the occasion a day of pleasant recollection.

The following executive committee planned and carried out the splendid program : W. L. Cook, chairman, Joplin ; J. J. Barnett, Joplin ; J. A. Brown, Joplin; W. S. Shelby, Galena; J. W. Kaiser, Port Scott; W. L. Brockman, Springfield; J. E. Smith, Springfield; M. W. Clark, chairman of transportation committee, Joplin, and Hon. Jas. P. Mead Delegate to Sovereign Camp.

The following officers of the association attended and participated in the deliberations of the business sessions : Verne D. Edwards, Kansas City, president; George B. Moore, Port Scott, vice president; T. J. Robb, Sedalia, second vice president; L. M. Hicks, Rich Hill, third vice president; James E. Pitzgerald, Kansas City, fourth vice president; P. P. Smith, Joplin, secretary; W. L. Owen, Joplin, treasurer.

It was, in reality, Woodmen's day in Joplin; for the choppers from far and near had left the forest and had made a holiday, as it were, to renew old friendships, meet new neighbors and to celebrate the great achievements of their society.

There were thousands of operative as well as speculative Woodmen present, to contest for the honors to be awarded on the occasion of this big log rolling. Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Indian territory and Oklahoma each sent representatives to swell the great multitudes that began arriving on the early morning trains over every railroad entering the city.

The Jayhawker, with his quick, springing step and the breath of the prairies clinging about him, mingled with the tall mountaineer from Arkansas. The Missourian in the meantime mingled with the crowd in the forest, and bid them welcome to the friendship and hospitality which has ever characterized and distinguished the state, believing at the same time that he is a pretty good Woodman himself.

**Log rolling'' is an entertainment promoted in the interest of Woodcraft, and to provide an opportunity for the members, their wives, sons, daughters and friends to enjoy a day of pleasure and innocent amusements, become acquainted and cement the bonds of fraternity, friendship and hospitality that have distinguished and adorned the order from its first inception. Some of the principal features of these annual log rollings are exhibition drills by the degree teams of the various camps. The proceedings are always witnessed and attended by large crowds. Instead of using guns and swords like military companies, the teams perform various evolutions and movements with axes - ^the tools used by operative woodmen to fell the trees of the forest.

The following reception committee from the Joplin Club met the several regular and special trains and escorted the Woodmen up town and to the several places of interest about the city : A. V. Boswell, P. L. Yale, D. D. W. Enrich, G. L. Burkhart, Horace Merritt, Prank Smith, P. W. Manchester and Walter Barrett. Another -pleasant and much appreciated act was the placing on Main street by the W. C. T. U. of a number of water barrels, which were kept filled with good ice water and from which the tired and thirsty choppers drank freely.

The exercises proper began at 1 o'clock P. M. with a monster parade, in which five thousand Woodmen participated and which was witnessed by fully twenty thousand spectators. The parade moved in the following order:

In the Missouri division were twenty marching organizations, including the crack drill teams of Butler, Springfield, Rich Hill, Nevada, Webb City and other southwest Missouri towns. The parade organized at the Central school, moved north on Joplin to Third street, and south on Main to Cox park, where the competitive drills took place. The following were the prize winners:

Class C (hayseed amateurs) - ^Blendville camp took the first honors. The other prizes were as follows: Woodmen circle drill team contest: Little Gem Grove, Blendville. Largest camp in line: Rich Hill.

Best appearing and best drilled camp in parade : East Joplin camp. Best float in parade: Port Scott, Best decorated emblematic window: Davis T. Keyser.

The annual legislative assembly of the Knights of Pythias was held in Joplin, October 17 to 21, 1904, and brought to the city 1,500 members of that great fraternity. The brigade assembly of the U. R. K. P. was held at the same time and there were eight companies of the military branch of the order in attendance, to- wit: Kansas City Company No. 3 and Sicilian Company' No. 1, of Kansas City ; Webb City Company No. 11 ; Neosho Company No. 56 ; Joplin Company No. 40, of the Missouri brigade, and the companies from Galena, Pittsburg and Girard, Kansas. At that time the company at Girard held the world's championship, having carried away first money in the prize drills at Louisville, Kentucky in August of that year. The Pythian parade at the opening of the grand body was an imposing spectacle.

On the opening night at Germania Hall a reception and ball was given complimentary to the red plumed knights and it was a most brilliant affair. As many of the members of the order appeared in uniform, it was a semi-military event and the mingling of the beautiful costumes of the fairer sex with the showy regimentals of the Knights, together with the music which rose with rapturous swell - and half drowned the merry laughter of the dancers, - made a scene of brilliancy long to be remembered. Joplin was profusely decorated with the colors of the order - red, yellow and blue - and the two hotels which served as headquarters. The Keyst(me, for the Grand Lodge oflScers, and the Clarkston, for the Pythian Sisters, were decorated most tastefully and in a manner reflecting great credit on the management of these two hostelries.

The badges given the delegates on the occasion were most unique and emblematic of the mining district. On a triangle of zinc, mixed with aluminum, was a raised representation of the King Jack mine. This novel souvenir was suspended from a neatly arranged bow of red, yellow and blue ribbons, making not only an attractive but valuable keepsake.

At the Joplin convention of the Knights of Pythias Hon. Greorge J. Crowther, of St. Joseph, former congressman from the Fourth district, was elected grand chancellor.

At the conclusion of the third day's session the local committee chartered six of the big interurban cars and took the out-of-town visitors, including the ladies, through the mining district, concluding with a visit to the then famous King Jack mine, which was represented on the zinc keepsake mentioned above.

In the prize drills Sicilian Company No. 1, of Kansas City, won the first prize ($150.00), and Webb City Company No. 11, second ($100.00). Both of these companies put up excellent drill and won round after round of applause from the spectators. The exhibition drill of the Oirard company was excellent and won for them repeated applause.

The Grand Commandery, Knights Templar, of Missouri, held its annual convention in Joplin May 22-23, 1906. It was one of the most successful encampments which that body has ever attended and the white plumed knights were loud in their praises for the hospitality which had been extended them by the Jasper county Knights; for, in reality it was a Jasper county affair, the Carthage and Webb City Knights joining with the Joplin commandery in making the event a brilliant success. There were five hundred Knights in the city and many were accompanied by their wives.

The feature of the first day was the grand parade, which was participated in by twenty-eight commanderies. The line was in command of Gib W. Carson, of St. Louis, generalissimo of the grand commandery, Grand Commander Campbell Wells, of Piatt City, with the other officers of the grand commandery and distinguished guests reviewed the line of march from the balcony of the Elks club house. The parade was a magnificent affair and was witnessed by 15,000 people. The parade, however, brought with it a sadness in the death of Peter Schnur, first editor of the Joplin Daily News and a Mason of many years standing. During the parade Mr. Schnur became prostrated by the heat and was obliged to drop out of the line and by a strange coincidence he fell out near his home, No. 626 Sergeant avenue. In a few hours after being taken to his home he died, and a feeling of gloom was cast over the city as the news of his sickness and death passed rapidly from lip to lip.

After the parade the Knights repaired to Barbee Park where the prize drills took place. About two thousand people witnessed the exhibition drills of the crack organizations of St. Louis and Kansas City. Colonel Sinclair was in command of the St. Louis contingent and Captain Samuel Hooker, of Kansas City, appeared at the head of the famous Oriental Commandery drill team.

A combined band of one hundred and fifty pieces was provided for the occasion, and rendered a pleasing concert before the commencement of the drills. The St. Louis commandery was the first to appear on the field and in a series of wonderful evolutions, executed almost without a flaw, won tremendous applause.

Several members of the Grand Commandery occupied seats in a box, from which floated the Grand Commandery flags of the white and black and the national emblem.

Only by the closest attention could the slightest break ever be detected in the ranks of Colonel Sinclair's fine organization, and when extended in line and the viewpoint was from the side, a momentary glimpse of one man marching by was seen. It was a thrilling sight to watch the manoeuvres, and Colonel Sinclair was but a reflection of

Oriental Commandery, with its own band, took the field and also gave an excellent drill. Their execution of the sword manual brought them the loudest applause.

Following the prize drills there was a dress parade which was participated in by the Grand Commandery, a feature of which was a monster band, made up from the combined bands which had taken part in the parades in the morning and their music made the welkin ring.

Perhaps the most unique and novel entertainment accorded the Templars was a ball which was given by Colonel and Mrs. W. R. Caulkins, of Carthage, which occurred at the plant of the Yellow Dog Mine and was probably the first occasion where a ball was given under such unique and peculiar circumstances. It was not only, the place in which the gathering was held, but the fact that, mingled with tiie music of orchestra, and the merry passage of jest and repartee among the dancers, was the whirl and rumble of the big mill; for, by special arrangement with the employers, a sufficient force of **top men" were working a half shift to enable the guests to enjoy the exceedingly novel and interesting sensation of dividing their time between the grand ball in progress at the north end of the great building and a stroll among the varied equipments of a modern leviathan mining plant in full operation. The north end of the Marigold - in other words, the Yellow Dog - ^had in very truth been converted, through the artistic work of the decorating committee, into a grand ball room such as was wholly in keeping with the dignity and grandeur of the ancient organization under whose auspices the gathering was held. By most dexterous manipulation of black and white drapery, used interchangeable, looped streamers and the liberal use of bannerets bearing the Masonic and knightly mottoes, ** Magna est Veritas,*' with the maltese cross and **In Hoc Signo Vinces,'' with the Saint Andrews cross, a strikingly characteristic transformation was obtained from the bare walk of the mill building to a really beautiful assembly hall. An orchestral stage had been erected at the north end, which was draped with the red, white and blue of the stars and stripes, with knightly banners and other ideals of the art decorative, creating a fine background as seen from the body of the hall. Viewed from the orchestra, there was a brilliantly illuminated vista stretching more than 350 feet in a direct line, the hall itself being about half that distance.

The programme began with a grand march in which all present participated and was followed by twenty-six dancing numbers. It was long after midnight when the guests departed and by all the occasion was voted to have been most enjoyable and memorable.

Jasper County Camp No. 522, of United Confederate Veterans, entertained the State Encampment at Joplin September 26-27, 1906. This gathering brought to Joplin two hundred and fifty delegates, besides a large number of old veterans with their wives and daughters who accompanied them to participate in the reunion. The sessions were held at the Club Theatre. At ten o'clock Wednesday morning, September 26th, the doors of the theatre were thrown open and in a few moments the building was filled with the Confederate veterans and their friends. After the band had played Dixie, which was loudly cheered, James B. Gant (then a member of the Missouri Supreme Court), major general commanding the Missouri division, .U. C. V., rapped for order and introduced Mayor C. W. Lyon, who in turn, introduced H. Clyde Compton, who delivered the formal address of welcome to the veterans. He reviewed the history of the nation with special reference to the principles of government which have been established. In reviewing the Civil war he paid a glowing tribute to the courage and ability of the Southern leaders and soldiery. When he concluded there was no doubt of the sincerity of the welcome which the city extended to the visitors.

**It is one of the chief joys of the Confederate veterans that his children are not ashamed of his record," said Commander Gant in introducing William L. Butts, who welcomed the visiting Sons of Confederate Veterans. Mr. Butts' address was a delightfully eloquent one and met with a hearty reception at the hands of the audience. At this juncture the band again played ''Dixie," and the old soldiers went wild with the enthusiasm which the old song provoked.

Commander Gant responded to the welcomes in a short address which aroused the greatest enthusiasm. In part he said: **The Confederate Veterans of Missouri already knew that the hearty welcome to Joplin was theirs before this morning. Already the visitors in this city know that all that Joplin has to offer is theirs. The city of Joplin is a wonder to many of the old soldiers who fought in the battle of Carthage forty years ago when there was no Joplin. Permit me to say that the men who are before you, Mr. Mayor, are worthy of the welcome which has been extended. Among them are men who followed Lee and his peerless lieutenants through the four years of the great conflict. There are those who followed the stars of Hood and Johnston and the great cavalry leaders, Forrest and Shelby. Not to be forgotten are the men from Missouri who, without money, arms, food or equipment, joined *Pap' Price and fought some of the hardest battles of the war.

**The record of the Confederate soldiers is commendable not only for his military accomplishments, but for what he has done for the south since the close of the war. With his parole, he returned to his once happy^home often to find nothing left but the charred chimneys. With nothing left but his honor, his manhood and his trust in God, he began again the battle of life. How magnificently he has succeeded all the world knows. The universities, schools and churches have been rebuilt. The New South is prosperous and happy as the result of the work of the Confederate soldier.*' Following this he spoke briefly of the aeeomplishments of Confederate soldiers in the civic affairs of Missouri.

One of the pleasant features of this meeting was the extending of a hearty welcome by the members of O. P. Morton Post, Grand Army of the Republic, who appointed a reception committee to assist in entertaining the boys who had worn the gray.

Perhaps the most pleasant and delightful bit of entertainment extended the visitors was a reception given at the Keystone Hotel in hcmor of the Maids of Honor. The parlors were crowded during the hours of the reception. The sponsors and maids of honor who had taken part in the ceremonies of the morning were all in attendance at the reception and were the center of attraction during the afternoon.

Some of them had acquaintances here while for many of them it was their first visit to the mining metropolis. Little time was required for making the acquaintance of the hundreds of Joplin ladies who welcomed them here. The reception will long be remembered in Joplin as a brilliant social function.

The division sponsor and Maids of Honor appointed by General Gant are Miss Helen Chestnut, of St. Joseph, sponsor ; i!^Iaids of Honor, Miss Jewel Weidemeyer, Clinton; Miss Blanch Kilgore, Carthage; Miss Florence King, Joplin ; Miss Genevieve Boadman, Springfield ; Miss Virginia Allen, New Madrid ; Miss Ada Allen, Liberty ; Miss Audrey Budd, Jefferson City; Miss Katheryn Mercer, Independence; Miss Grace Mc- Culloch, St, Louis ; Miss Mary A. Ingram, Nevada.

That evening a **love feast" was held by the old soldiers at the rooms of the Commercial Club and proved to be one of the most pleasing of features of the entire day. Despite his protests to be excused, the veterans insisted that Commander Gant should make another speech. Among those gathered there were a number of the members of the local post of the G. A. R. and they enjoyed the occasion as much as any of the others. Commander Gant made a delightful talk which showed clearly that he held no malice toward the soldiers against whom he fought. He was followed by W. Jones, of the local G. A. R., who spoke in the same spirit of good fellowship. Both were heartily received. As the last speaker was nearing the close of his talk, the band from the Lyric theater drove under the window and began playing ** Dixie." The speech-making ended with a wild cheer. Three cheers were then given by the old soldiers for the Commercial Club and Joplin, and adjournment was taken to the billiard room where, at the direction of the club, William Drawe had served a splendid lunch. There were sandwiches of every description and liquid refreshments to accommodate all tastes. It was 11 o'clock before the merry assemblage, after much story telling and happy incidents, adjourned.

Perhaps the most active of the Grand Army of the Republic in entertaining the Confederate Veterans was Judge L. A. FiUimore. There were a number of others who assisted him in the promotion of good feel- ing which was a feature of the day, especially at the meeting last night. Mrs. E. R. Botkin, of the Women's Relief Corps, was also active in the entertainment of the visitors and rendered excellent service to the reception committee on many occasions.

The ball given that same night by the local camp of Sons of Confederate Veterans for the sponsors and Maids of Honor attending the reunion was all that could have been desired. The splendid ball room of the Elks' Club, which had been donated for the purpose by the club, was beautifully decorated. Eachelski's orchestra furnished the music, which was excellent to a degree.

At nine o'clock the music started and the large number of guests attending the ball filled the room completely. Among the donors were a number of the veterans, who once more gave themselves up to this pleasure. They did not indulge to any great extent, however, fearing the results of stiff joints and sore muscles. The young people danced until a late hour.

The following morning a closed session was held in which John B. Stone was elected to succeed James B. Gant, who had stated positively that he was not a candidate for reelection. Then they adjourned at 1:30 in the afternoon and a large dinner was served at the park, at which S. A. Cunningham and Major Newman made addresses.

At the afternoon session which was an open one, there were several reports by Captain George H. Jones, of Springfield, treasurer, W. E. Hall, of Carthage, and several others.

A ladies' quartette, composed of Mrs. C. V. Buckley, Mrs. Harry Miller, Mrs. John McKinsey and Miss Olive Smith sang two numbers, **My Old Kentucky Home" and **01d Black Joe," which aroused much enthusiasm.

The wildest enthusiasm prevailed, however, when Miss Northrup, of Kansas City, in response to a hearty encore came smilingly to the front of the stage and before the veterans realized what she was doing began singing the words to '* Dixie." In an instant the veterans were on their feet cheering wildly and waving their hats. Miss Northrup had almost completed the stanza before she could be heard again. After singing the chorus she started to leave the stage, but was recalled. She started the second stanza of the song and again the tremendous cheering began. Incidentally, Miss Northrup sang the song with wonderful sweetness and charm.

The meeting brought to the city a large number of the old veterans. It lacked, however, the scenes of excitement and the brilliancy of the encampment of 1893, for the reason that during the sixteen years that had passed away since the great meeting of the nineties, the Grand Commander of the Universe had summoned many of the men who partici-

E. W. Beach, who had been the grand marshal of the parade in 1893, and Galen Spencer, J. V. Pierce and P. M. Redbum, who were his aidesde-camp on that memorable occasion, were among the number who had passed to the great beyond.

L. A. Fillmore, Henry Digby, P. L. Swarts and H. W. Davison were the committee of arrangements and left nothing undone to make the gathering a success ; and so well did they perform their duties that the delegates were royally entertained and they received from the department a vote of thanks for their magnificent efforts.

At the opening of the encampment addresses of welcome were made by Mayor Guy T. Humes; A. H. Waite, president of the Commercial Club, and Henry Digby, past commander of 0. P. Morton Post, No. 14, G. A. R. Responses were made by the department commander and others.

On the afternoon of the first day there occurred a parade which was participated in by 427 members of the Grand Army, Henry Digby, Post No. 14, being the marshal of the day. A notable feature of the parade was the few who dropped out of the line during the march, nearly every one of the gray-haired veterans remaining in the line to the close.

The Woman's Relief Corps and the Daughters of the Grand Army of the Republic, both ladies auxiliaries of this organization, also held their annual conventions in this city, Mrs. Mary P. Botkin, of Joplin, At that time, being the department president of the Woman's Relief Corps. One of the annual features of the Corps is the presentation of a United States flag to some one of the pablic institutions of the city where the conventions are held, and at the Joplin meeting the emblem of liberty was given to the High school, the presentation speech being made by Mrs. Jilson, of Appleton City. City Councillor Mercer Arnold, as a member of the alumni and on behalf of the schools, made the speech of acceptance. These exercises were very imposing.

Three splendid entertainments were given in honor of the visiting veterans and their ladies: A smoker camp-fire at the Club Theater; a ** Dutch lunch*' at Gtermania Hall and a reception and ball at the Elks clubhouse - all of which were much enjoyed. At the reception Mayor Guy T. Humes and department president, Mary Botkin, led the grand march and began the dance.

At the election for department officers in the Grand Army of the Republic, L. A. Pillmore, of Joplin, was chosen junior vice department commander, and P. L. Swarts, also of that city, one of the delegates to the supreme encampment.

P. Gottfried ; second lieutenant^ Louis E. Hooker ; first sergeant, George P. Wolfe. In July of this year business changes made it necessary for Lieutenant Gottfried to retire from the company and he was succeeded by Lieutenant Hooker. The same month Sergeant Wolfe was promoted to be first lieutenant and battalion adjutant. Thomas S. Bradshaw was elected second lieutenant and James B. Blankenship was made first sergeant

Company P has made an enviable reputation at rifle practice. The company's score at the rifle range at Nevada in 1911 was far above the average. The following five members of the company having won marked distinction.

In order that the reader may understand the proficiency of these five we give the following military folklore. To be an expert rifleman, the soldier must make at least 295 x>oints out of a possible 450 shots. A sharp shooter must make 185 out of a possible 250. Marksman 98 out of a possible 150.