The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-10-07
Grand Demonstration of Firemen I'm
Philadelphia.

The firemen of Philadelphia, with numerous Wis,
fting In companies from abroad, numbering all
about 20 companie f, had grand parade Monday.
The Bulletin, OF that afternoon, says
The note for preparation for the grand display
has been sounding for weeks past, but the world
outside the Fire Department has been too much EN-
gagged with other matters 30 heed what progress
the tremen were making ia the arrangements Tor
their grand demonstration But toward the close
III last week even those most absorbed III the
events of tn financial crisis opened their eyes
to the conviction that something unusual was
astit. OhtterinS wreaths were exposed in the
windows Of the artificial flower makers, the pas
sage through the site, Il of splendid new and new
ly done up apparatus was an every day occur
renee, the ornamental painters had their shops
literally cramued with hats, caps, banners, &c
Giders. engrayers, silver paters and others"hose
skill was needed ia the preparations Tor 'he &iea
event. were busy as bees. aud the Fire Department
itself was in high state of excitement Satni-
day was the grand eliminating point III the way VI
piepaa III; companies from distant cities "eiv 70
he received and escorted 10 their quarters on 't'
day, and the passage through the streets OF EQUIP
ped men dragging after them splendid apparatus,
the strains OF brass bands, and the h0iday appear
an.e of things about the engine houses maze even
Saturday IA gala day. During the evening do;"'
nine tenths of the young men one met III 'ho
streets were either carrying along new equip
ments, flag-stafls, silver horns or some other eur
bIem of the firemens craft. or they were earnest
in the discussion Of the all absorbing event
AT an early hDur TINS morning iHr III iva
day of the parade announced by the rinS'hs
of the alarm bells on all the engine anu nose
houses in the city, equipped tlremeh were eooh
seen vending their way towards their reSpc1'ie
rendezvous. Flags were floating the lresi' ' e
in- breeze in every direction, ana strange ldCe'
mingled with those which were more iamlilar Ill
the throng of pedestrians who were out 10 rec
the fashions" There were but few WORKSHOPS IN 'he
city which the parade had not depopuated' ana
thousands OF people had come INTO to"h nun 'ii
directions, to witness the display
At first the centres Of attraction were scattered
all over the city. At each engine aud hose mouse
the firemen gathered around their apparatus and
while polishing a locker here, busting painting
there or arranging wreath somewhere else, they
contemp plated their pet machine with feelings some
what akin to those with which Il mother regards her
first baby boy his first Jacket and trousers. or
horse Jockey the steed which has just taken a
prize cup. The good points of the machine were
discussed in intensely technical phrase and this
discussion mostly ended with the general conces-
sion that 'she could do everything but talk"
Towards nine o'clock the lines of the respective
companies were formed, and Arch street became
the great centre to which all the companies tended
On that fine thoroughare, from Sd street to 18TH and
upon the streets running north and south from 1t,
the companies gathered, and what with the hre
men themselves their apparatus, the crowd, the
flags banners, music, mounted Marshals, &C, &C,
there was IA gay. a brilliant aud a bustling time.
The procession was more prompt than usual IN
moving. At fifteen minutes past ten O'Clock the
order to move" was given, and the head Of the
line commenced proceeding slowly through the
dense mass of people who crowded Arch street
The police led the van of the parade, the High
Constables, with their stats of office, aud strong
force of men cleared a passage through the crowd
Then came an alarm bell mounted on a platform
and drawn by horses This bell was toled as it
passed through the streets.
The Chief Marshal and his Assistants, the Chief
and Assistant Engineers and Board of Directors
came next These officials preceded the First Di-
irh l.3 hI- rha fRp
Company. which claims to be the oldest fire organ
zaton in the city their date Of institution dating
back to 1872.
This company did Credis to their position at the
head of the line. They were out in great strength.
and every man well equipped. First came 4
party of six pioneers armed with fire axes. then
followed a military band, and then the members Of
the company, four abreast. The members were
dressed in drab coats with green hats and capes and
white gloves.
Their engine was drawn by four black horses. led
by Colored gr0oms. The apparatus, which was
freshly done up i'll honor OF the occasion, was sur
mounted with gilt eagle which was placed urnu a
siikcu pedestal After the engine came the COM
pany's crab which was drawn by two horses.-
The Iliberna displayed two banners
The Philadelphia Hose followed the llihernia.-
This old and respectable oTganZation marched four
abreast Of Their beautiful carriage. The members
equipped in black, and they wore the new
silver badges which have been determined upon II
enable the members 10 pass the Gordon of police,
wlsl in citizens tiTess at Il time Of fire.
Next came the Monumental Hose of Baltimore
who are the guests OF the Philadelphia. The Mon
umentalS mad with them thcis new hose carriage
and were accompanied 10y Feidtm.n.S t0ruet i,Hnd
The company numbered about forty men who were
newly equipped. having tatigne caps. fine black
cloth: fire hats on the New orN plan. heavy rib
bJd. painted black. aud oruImentcd in front with
Il fac -lnIlle of til" Battle Monument of pure silver
Their coats were OF heavy black pilot cloth, with
Iwv rows ut large pearl buttons in front.
The Good Intent Hose Company headed the see
"nI division. They were accompanied by It fue
band of music. Tie members We're clad i'll BLACK
equipments and they dragged with them thriT
beautiful new carriage, which was handsomely
Adorned with wrraths " Nelly. "a dog. With a
strong propensity for running To fires. Wore the
cspe Of the company. and took part in the display
Nelly seemed much elated with things generally
This canine has been trained as a successor to
" cash. Il celebrated fire u"g. " hich formerly ran
with the food intent, but that has been gath
trrd t. it, fathers
The Warren had very good crowd out for a
rather small company. showing line Of sixty
young men. stout ANA strong Their equipments
were peculiarly elegant and jaun!iiy worn. Then
banner bore on lis front representation Of the
death of the hero after whom The company is mana
ed. with the following motto: Eternal honor t.
the memory OF the Martyr Of Bunker Hill This
handsome banner presented by the ladies OF
the Western part of the city,.
The Decatur Engine Company marched first in
by six grey horses. and was decorated i'll chastg
and elegant manner, and they looked well gene
rally. This company displayed two miniature
ships, drawn in vehicle, appropriately decorated
and fixed up Fourteen gallant young sailors
manned the vessels, and took that the flags and
banners did not suffer for want of tOurishng III the
air
The Decatur had forty.fve men out, in addition
to the crews of the miniature ships.
The Bulletin gives a description of a large num-
Der of the Companies, but only give the above
a specimen of the exhibition. During the eve
ming. riot took place between the Hbernia and
franklin Hose Companies, i'll which three men
were shot, one fatally-and another between the
MOyameDsing Hose aud Farmont Engine, which
did not result seriously. The Bulletin gives the
following an incident of the day.
During the progress of the procession, some of
the white bands took umbrage at the presence Of
colored musicians in the line, aud they quit the
ranks and paraded through the streets upon their
own account"