Knights of Pythias.
June 16, 1906
Summary
Grand Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias speaks in Bristol, Virginia for the first time in the new lodge, with the new body of members.
Transcription
Knights of Pythias.
Grand Chancellor Mitchell Speaks. The First New Lodge There. An Enthusiastic Audience.
Bristol, Va., June 13, 1906.
Grand Chancellor John Mitchell Jr. of Richmond, accompanied by Col E. R. Jefferson, M.D. of Richmond, and District Deputy Grand Chancellor J.F. Bentley, Sir C. M. Henderson, Sir James Henderson of Rural Retreat; Sir W. E. WIlliams, Sir W. E. Challender William Meade, Special Deputy Grand Chancellor, W. E. Mitchell, Sir William Winston of Pulaski; District Deputy Grand Chancellor R. M. Pettis of Radford arrived here last evening.
The Grand Chancellor was met at the tain by a committee, which escorted him to a carriage and conveyed him to the cosy home of Mr. and Mrs. M.V. Sheppard. Sir Mitchell and Sir Jefferson were domiciled here and they were well pleased. Mr. Sheppard owns a valuable piece of real estate. It has a frontage of nearly 209 feet.
Grand Chancellor John Mitchell, Jr. spoke at the Methodist Church to an appreciative audience. Despite the heavy downpour of rain, a goodly number of persons faced the elements to hear him. He spoke for about forty minutes upon racial interests in general and concluded with the work of the Knights of Pythias. He was introduced by Sir J. F. Bentley. On the rostrum sat the Presiding Elder, the Pastor and the visitors. At the conclusion of the exercises, the visitors repaired to Border Star Lodge Hall, where forty-five were initiated into the beauties of Pythianism.
The Grand Lodge was represented as follows: Grand Vice Chancellor, E. R. Jefferson: Grand Master at Arms, J.F. Bentler; Grand Prelate, Rev, W. E. Mitchell; Grand Outer Guard, Wm. Winton; Grand Inner Guard, John W. Chapman; Assistant to the Grand Master at Arms Sirs C. M. Henderson, James Henderson, Wm. E. Williams, W. E. Callender, William Meade, R. M. Pettis, J.J. McNealey...
The new body will be known as Zenith Lodge, No. 111, KNights of Pythias, N.A., S. A., E., A., A. and A. of Bristol, Va. It was gotten up through the active efforts of Sir J. J. McNealey of Roanoke Lodge. He was later greatly assisted by District Deputy Grand Chancellor, J. F. Bentley, who came to his rescue so to speak. The Grand Chancellor was outspoken in his condemnation of both parties.
Grand Chancellor MItchell and Col. Jefferson left this morning at 8:15 for Lynchburg, Va., from which point they will leave for Richmond.
Grand Chancellor Mitchell Speaks. The First New Lodge There. An Enthusiastic Audience.
Bristol, Va., June 13, 1906.
Grand Chancellor John Mitchell Jr. of Richmond, accompanied by Col E. R. Jefferson, M.D. of Richmond, and District Deputy Grand Chancellor J.F. Bentley, Sir C. M. Henderson, Sir James Henderson of Rural Retreat; Sir W. E. WIlliams, Sir W. E. Challender William Meade, Special Deputy Grand Chancellor, W. E. Mitchell, Sir William Winston of Pulaski; District Deputy Grand Chancellor R. M. Pettis of Radford arrived here last evening.
The Grand Chancellor was met at the tain by a committee, which escorted him to a carriage and conveyed him to the cosy home of Mr. and Mrs. M.V. Sheppard. Sir Mitchell and Sir Jefferson were domiciled here and they were well pleased. Mr. Sheppard owns a valuable piece of real estate. It has a frontage of nearly 209 feet.
Grand Chancellor John Mitchell, Jr. spoke at the Methodist Church to an appreciative audience. Despite the heavy downpour of rain, a goodly number of persons faced the elements to hear him. He spoke for about forty minutes upon racial interests in general and concluded with the work of the Knights of Pythias. He was introduced by Sir J. F. Bentley. On the rostrum sat the Presiding Elder, the Pastor and the visitors. At the conclusion of the exercises, the visitors repaired to Border Star Lodge Hall, where forty-five were initiated into the beauties of Pythianism.
The Grand Lodge was represented as follows: Grand Vice Chancellor, E. R. Jefferson: Grand Master at Arms, J.F. Bentler; Grand Prelate, Rev, W. E. Mitchell; Grand Outer Guard, Wm. Winton; Grand Inner Guard, John W. Chapman; Assistant to the Grand Master at Arms Sirs C. M. Henderson, James Henderson, Wm. E. Williams, W. E. Callender, William Meade, R. M. Pettis, J.J. McNealey...
The new body will be known as Zenith Lodge, No. 111, KNights of Pythias, N.A., S. A., E., A., A. and A. of Bristol, Va. It was gotten up through the active efforts of Sir J. J. McNealey of Roanoke Lodge. He was later greatly assisted by District Deputy Grand Chancellor, J. F. Bentley, who came to his rescue so to speak. The Grand Chancellor was outspoken in his condemnation of both parties.
Grand Chancellor MItchell and Col. Jefferson left this morning at 8:15 for Lynchburg, Va., from which point they will leave for Richmond.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Left Quadrant
Contributed By
Emma Roberts
Citation
“Knights of Pythias.,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed May 12, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/439.