Cairo evening times. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1865-1866, 1865-09-04
Sixth Anniversary of the
Arab Fire Company.
Presentation. Of Trumpet to
Jack WI3lte2'.
r E S p ON s E.


which characterized the festival of the Arab
Fire Company Oh Friday night, but the follow
iLg is the speech made by ". II. Morris, Esq,
on the occasion of his presenting the Presi-
dent Henry (better known as Jack) Winter,
a silver trumpet in the name of the company ::
.. MR.. NORRIS ADDRESS, :ff-a
..7 Mr. HENRY WINTER, President of the Asub
Fire Co. Of Cairo, III. - lt.sf a.
I have been appointed, know not why,
to perform the most pleasant duty of its nature
that it ever fell to my lot to perform, viz.
To be the instrument by which the Arab
Fire Co. desires to present TO you this beauti-
full and costly present; something which will be
valuable to you not for its cost in dollars and
cents, but something which you can always
look upon with pride, something which you
can look upon when trouble comes, and say,
"What is trouble if 1 have friends ?'-and this
beautiful present will always be to you and
others who see it, a sure proof that you have
friends, true friends, and when you and they
take i, and examine the beautiful inscriptions
you will be still prouder. Why? Who was it
from and why was it presented2 1t was from
the Arabs of Cairo. And are not the Arabs of
Cairo men who can appreciate true worth
Are they men who would bestow such pres
ent if they thought you unworthy to receive
it? If you had not by your generosity, self
sacrifice and indomitable perseverance, done
good to your neighbor, protected his goods
from destruction, in short, served humanity.
No, they would not, for know the Arabs
of Caro- and like the Arabs of old, while they
are quick to reward true goodness and worth,
they are also quick to punish unworthiness and
crime. Yes, it would be folly for me to at
tempt to say what your merits are that entitle
you to this beautiful present. You are too
well known in Cairo. You have too many
friends, even in this audience, whose property
you have saved, and perhaps their lves-too
many who have been poor and sick, whose
bills have been paid, and their sick pillows
smoothed by the Arabs-all of which they are
chiefly indebted to you for as the Foreman of
the Arab Fire Company.
.r | could occupy more time in relating the mo-
tives which actuated the Arabs in presenting
you with this 1 could occupy your time by
transating III words the beautiful designs
which are engraven thereon: but they speak
their meaning palmer than words could. Oh,
may this trumpet remind you that you have
friends true friends among whom almost as
dear as any are the Arabs Of Cairo.
May you keep it till you die, and hard it to your
children and your children's children, and may
it be preserved forever, and may the Arab Fire
Co. live as long as the trumpet lasts, and when
tho trump of the Arch-an,zeI shall sound, may
it be your lot to be member OF that great
company the fire of whose love to God shall be
happiness forever.
The trumpet is Indeed q splendid gift, and
reflects much credit on the manufacturer, D.
Kinsey, of CincinnatI. It's cost, independent of
express charges, was $2l5. Upon one side of
pointing the hose of the 6 Jack Winter - to a
burning dwelling, while upon the reverse side
is picture symbolical of the name of
the company, viz: weary, exhausted trav-
eler. lying PROSTATE upon his back, while
at his side is an Arab in full costume, applying
water to the parched lips of the falnished
stranger. Above the figure head of a dog,
| Tin the mouth of which is held pretty fire.
| mans hat is the following inscription:
: Presented to our President,
HENRY WINTER, ESQ,
! by the
OFFICERS AND MEMBERS .zs-
of the. E,I8.-E.- 4. ...
INDEPENDENT ARAB FIRE COMPANY,
Sept. !, 1866. Is. -.t:yr
The following was the response Of Jack
| Winter: -.
| Officers and members Of Arab Fsre Company -
| GENTLEMEN: ords cannot express my feel
| ings on this occasion. Having heen associated
1 with You for the past six years, was of the
| opinion that was Informed and posted in regarC
to everything that was transpiring within oul
company, but I must freely admit that the get
ting up and presentation of this beautiful pres
ent is entirely unbeknown to me, and &C
knowledge being out-generaled by you all
once.
Not. being public speaker, and not a wore
having been spoken to me that l should re
] lceive such gift, am therefore totally unpre
pared to answer the beautiful presentation
address just delivered by Brother Norris, YOU
worthy Secretary, as should wish. It is now,
gentlemen, six years ago tonight that mysel
and eleven others organized this Company. !
entered its ranks as q private member, al
though on that occasion, was profered the
office of President. I declined, preferring te
labor, teach and assist another in that position
as my whole and only aim was to advance it,
progress. Since my connection with you,
have filled your lowest office, which is Messen
ger; done your work; clC aned your apparatus
and your meeting room, so as to make yol
/ comfortable when you met together 1 alst
filled your Office of Secretary, and faithfully
filled it. l watched and cared over, and to-
you, as no other would, watching ever, as
doting parent would their fondest child, ant
next to my family, you have ever been upper
most i'll my thoughts, both night and by day
Your advancement and interest was my aim
| have labored hard and spent my money freel
to advance it. In the year 1861 you had in
creased to such an extent, that l suppose yo
thought it advisable and prudent to elevat
me to the highest gift in your hands-to bestoI
upon one of your number the office of PreSt
dent. In accepting it, did not do 1t throug
vainness or any desire for the position. &C
cepted it believing, knowing, and under tn
impression you thought tse same yourselves
that the Company's interest demanded that
should hold that distinguished place. hav
been reelected three times to till the position
during which time have labored hard for yO,
and think | have done my duty by you, bot
, as a private citizen, d member, and AS the Chi,
Magistrate OF your Company, and when loo
around me tonight, and see this great an
glorious Company nursed, raised and brougl
up from IL to l09 members, composed AS yo
3 ! are of the citizens Of Cairo, and looking bac
F., think of the trials and hardshps you hay
passed through, and how meekly you. bore i
not receiving assistance for three years fro
any source to support you, only the proud Coz
yiction you were right, and in u just cause, d.
termined to conquer or die, it is the proude
IS moment Of my life, and well do you dcserN
the name Of Arabs race noted for their ho
pitality, self-sacritice, endurance, and ndomt
:. bic perseverance.
i In looking over some old papers to-day
8 found an old receipt showing my membersh