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1897: The Aspen Princes

In celebrating the 125th anniversary of The Aspen Times, we are printing a story or two from each year the newspaper has existed – 125 historical selections in 125 days. This series is in conjunction with the Aspen Historical Society.The Oriental Realm of Aspen went to Glenwood Springs on a special train on the Midland road on Sunday and on their arrival proceeded to take possession of the town. They held a permit from the city authorities giving them permission to make a parade and this they proceeded to do. About fifty of the Aspen Princes participated and the beauty and elegance of their verigated costumes were hard to beat. The Glenwood band with Napier baseball club met the visitors at the depot, and joined in the parade. The line of march was formed with the Glenwood band in the lead followed by the two baseball clubs, then the Hayseed drum corps, and after them the Princes in full regalia. The procession marched through the principal streets and finally formed a circle in front of the Odd Fellows hall. Here an artistic sward throwing exhibition was given by Mansur Elisha much to the delight of the attentive audience. The Princes then repaired to the lodge room and organized the realm and then adjourned until 1:30 p.m. in order to secure luncheon.At 1:30 p.m. the realm was called to order and the initiation of candidates began. Fifteen Glenwood pilgrims presented themselves and made known their wishes to learn the secrets of the ancient order. Their requests were duly considered and passed upon favorably by the assembled Princes, and with solemn and mystic rites, the pilgrims seeking wisdom were duly changed to Princes filled with knowledge. After the initiation, the new made Princes, inaugurated the Oriental Realm of Glenwood Springs, and elected officers and are now in good working order and able to confer all degrees. The lodge then adjourned and the majority of the members went to the ball ground and helped to root for the Aspen team, and their rooting done lots of good as the Aspen boys in their old uniforms wiped up the ground with the Napiers, and trailed their bright new uniforms in the dust of defeat to the tune of 25 to 5. There were many good features in the game, too many in fact to make a detailed statement, but the pitching of George Manley was far above the average, and the work of Huston, behind the bat also deserves credit, while Joe Somers is entitled to the unanimous thanks of all the baseball cranks for having three home runs to his credit. The Napiers put up a good game in the field, but lacked an affective battery.After the ball game the excursionists went to the swimming pool and enjoyed themselves there for several hours. The antics of Art Hull, J.C. Gramly, William Hull, Frank Hayes, Abe Mecklenberg, and Pug Gilbert, filled the natives with admiration and awe, and several remarked they all resembled the genus hippopotami, and the boys took this as a compliment. The excursion train was billed to leave at 10 p.m. and all were at the depot on time, and the train pulled out with a tired but happy crowd of Orients on board. The trip was a decided success in every way, and all were well pleased with the days outing.The Midland railroad done everything possible for the comfort of their patrons and all the local employees deserve the thanks of the order, Agent Devereux, Train Master Morris and Conductor Gilbert. The run was made from Aspen to Glenwood in one hour and the return in one hour and ten minutes.