The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-04-28

the improyised hospitality Of the place. and
sent them on their way rejoicing. SeYerai OF
the Aldermen we're also present and assisted III
doing the honors Of the Office.
The preparations for playing were similar TO
those of last year. A long, narrow, WOODEN
platform was constructed in Broad-street, and
neatly rallied on both sides. The upper end OF
this was covered with sawdust, and series OF
marks were prepared, with the name OF eacn
company painted thereon, to indicate the dis
lance to which each might throw the water.
Each hand engine was allowed fifteen minutes,
and each steamer thirty minutes, from the
time they took position at the well, corner OF
Broad and King streets, using fifty feet OF hose,
and playing on the platform.
The Judges were Assistant-Chiefs B. NJ.
Alexander, C. P. Aimar, and J. c. E. Richard
son. Alderman Willis and B. n. Strobel, ESQ.,,
were appointed to mark the distances and
award the prizes. The arrangements were
most admirably made and faithfully carried
out, the chief regret Of the day being that
three of the steamers were obliged to post
pone their trial on account Of the lateness Of
the hour. Bets were freely offered and taken on
the results, and We hear Of number Of in
stances in which considerable sums Of money
changed hands.
Notwithstanding the great throng on the
ground during the day, the police, by their en-
ergy and ubiquitous presence, preserved ad-
mirable order. Such arrests as we're made
were for slight offence, only arising perhaps
from the excitement incident to the occasion,
and it is proper tribute to the raass OF our
citizens to say, that while the barrooms were
open as usual, no arrests were made because of
a too indecent familiarity with John Barley
corn.
THE RIVALRY FOB THE CUP.
AS soon as the different engines were ar
ranged, the Germans took their position at the
well, and led in the playing of. As the Ger
mans were the victors in the last annual con-
test between the hand-engines, some anxiety
was felt rs to the result; and there Is no telling
what distance could have been attained il the
hose had not burst on two successive trials.
The time allowed having elapsed, the Germans
withdrew, having thrown stream one hum
dred and flty-two feet and one inch.
The Hope was the rext in order, and, being
also in the main German company, endea-
vored to excel their brother Teutons, but only
reached one hundred and forty. seven feet
eleven inches.
The Eagle followed, manned by the bone and
ainew Of the upper wards, and threw stream
one hundred and 6fty-two feet three and
quarter inches.
The white coated Vigilants then manned
their machine, and proceeded to test the truth
of their motto, PerSeoerando Viaci,nus. They
were successful. The stream thrown reached
distance of one hundred and eighty-three
feet FIVE inches, the furthest point attained by
the hand engines.
The gallant little Stonewall, though last, was
not least, and for time the yigilants trem-
bled for their honors, but fortune had declared
in their favor. Though the Stonewalls strove
for the mastery, they obtained but the Second
honor, having reached one hundred and sew
enty-Hve feet seven and half inches. 1t
should be stated that in the playing of there
was generous emulation among the members
OF Inc different companies, the strong assist
ing the weak, and the vanquished congratu-
lating the victors with loud and frequent ap-
plause.
THE HOOK AND LADDER RACE.
The playing Of the hand engines being COM
pleted, the next excitement was the contest
between the two Hook and Ladder Companies
for the silver cup, which was to be awarded by
the Board Of Firemasters to the most pro-
fcient. This contest was something entirely
new in the annals Of the Department,
and excited the iveliest interest. 1t was
decided that the companies should start from
the Mills House and run their trucks to the
guardhouse, where they were to detach lad
der, raise it to the roof of the courthouse,
when member Of the company would ascend
and descend; the ladder was then to be taken
down and replaced On the truck.
Wonderful stories had been circulated about
the agility of the truckmen, and it was even
stated that some of the more expert could
mount ladder backwards and come down in
successive somersaults. These Munchausen
tales drew large crowd to the Courthouse,
and the passage was only kept clear by the
exertions of the police. No. was the first to
start and was soon on the ground. The lad
der was of the truck and raised against the
side OF the Courthouse in trice, o member
mounted and hand over hand ran rapidly to the
top. Disdainipg to return the came way, he
clasped the sides of the ladder firmly with
his hands and knees and slid triumphantly to
the ground-everybody cheering. The same
process was repeated by No. 1, but the time
engaged in the performance was less by fifteen
seconds, No. having taken three minutes, df-
teen seconds for their feat, while No. l did the
same in three minutes. The judges were pro-
vided with stop watches, and were careful in
their count. Some ill-feeling was manifested
at their decision, and one or two beligerent in
diyiduals endeavored to get up row, but
we're quickly squelched by the authorities, and
the disturbance was not suffered to mar the
good feeling existing between the fremen.
The Mayor caused the parties who were arrest
ed to be brought before him Immediately, and
upon representation of the fact that it was
only small affair and no damage done, they
were released to appear at his court this morn
ing. The parties who showed their agility
we're Charles Tiff from No. 2, and j. L. Nc
Dermot Of No. /.
THE STEAMERS PLAYING.