The Tennessee Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias was instituted on April 2, 1872, by Supreme Chancellor Read, at Nashville, Tennessee.  The officers for the first term were as follows: W.H. Moyston, V.G.P., Calvin McCorkle, G.C., T.S. Jukes, G.V.C., Chas Hanback, G.R. & C.C., A.S. Mariner, G.G., T.O. Morris, G.I.S., Gervas Sieferle, G.O.S., W. Bryce Thompson, S.R., W.R. Butler, S.R. Holston Lodge, No. 1, was the initial Lodge of the Grand Jurisdiction of Tennessee; a few weeks later Damon, No. 2, was organized at Chattanooga, and Myrtle, No. 3, at Knoxville, and when the Grand Lodge was instituted at Nashville, there were P.C.'s present from three additional Lodges, viz: Bayard, No. 4, Murfreesboro No. 5, Memphis, No.6, and Friendship, No. 7, instituted at Memphis. Colonies were thus successfully established in the three Grand Divisions of the State, and the growth of the Order for the twoColonies were thus successfully established in the three Grand Divisions of the State, and the growth of the Order for the two succeeding years was very flattering indeed.  The material was eclectic and the esprit de corps splendid. With the advent, however, of that terrible financial stringency, which has paralyzed more or less every interest in the South, enlistments under the Pythian banner became fewer, and unfortunately there were perhaps a few desertions.  Here, too, as in other jurisdictions, Pythian Knighthood, though a stripling, has had to measure strength with those mature organizations, Masonry and Odd-Fellowship; it has been forced to advance stealthily, fighting manfully for its hard-earned vantage ground. Now, however, that the Order has successfully demonstrated its vitality, its strength and capabilities in this Jurisdiction, it has become firmly rooted, and gives hope of better growth and richer fruitage in the future.  The present number of Lodges is 18, and they are in better condition than at any previous date.  The prospects of the Order in this State are better than ever before. By:   JNO. Van Valkenburg - Supreme Chancellor For:  The Knights of Pythias Complete Manual and Text Book (Revised Edition)      Copyright 1885 - Memento Publishing Company - Canton, OH - Pages 417-418