Vice President Thomas R Marshall visited Bloomington in 1916 with the sole purpose of visiting the Consistory. He was to arrive by train in time for an early banquet and then speak to the Bloomington Masons of the Scottish Rite in a speech titled "The Outlook," which was to be a non-political speech. The Second Lady was to be entertained with a dinner at the home of Delmar Darrah. A select group of ladies were to be favored with invitations.
The train was met by the Consistory Band, a contingent of police and a committee from the Temple. A group of 100 men would receive their new degrees at the meeting. The numbers of the Temple were to swell to 600, which was especially amazing because the organization had started just 3 years early (in Bloomington). Officials from other Scottish Rite units were coming for this great celebration and honor to the Bloomington Scottish Rite brotherhood.
During the banquet the Consistory Orchestra played in the banquet hall, and in the auditorium, the Consistory Band played again. This was the first performance by the band, which was dressed in its new black uniforms with capes, red trim and red feathered hats.
Vice President Marshall spoke about the war in Europe and made clear his faith in the President and his own willingness to send his own sons to war if necessary.
The report of the dinner given for Mrs. Marshall was less informative. Mrs. Darrah's music room was decorated with red roses and the diningroom with pink tulips. Places were laid for 10 and the only guest named was Mrs. H R Palmer of McLean. The Darrah's lived at 702 E Front
Street.