The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-05-23
ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE ROCK ISLAND
FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Owing to the lateness of the hour at which
Department began, on Friday afternoon, We
were unable to notice the affair, on that day,
as We desired, or give it that prominence it
Justly deserved. At about two O'Clock, the
Rescue and Western companies assembled
at their respective halls. and with their en-
gines and equipments, marched to the levee,
where they were joined Prof Biehls brass
band, and awaited the coming of expected
visitors from Davenport. These soon ar,
rived. A full delegation OF the Fire Kings,
from that city, brought their splendid steam
er, Fire King" drawn by four horses, which
commanded universal admiration. Its pol
ished brass and steel glittered in the sun like
gold and silver. Accompanying the Fire
Kings, was the Citizens Cornet Band, I'M
der Prof Bolles, and composed entirely of
very young men, whose success as musicians,
considering their short experience, is really
remarkable, and has won them the heartiest
encomiums from all who are conversant
with their career. 4 detachment of the
Liberty Company also came, bearing two
elegant banners, and headed by Lupus
veteran band, formerly and widely known
as Strasser's. The guests were received
with the usual honors, when the various
companies marched into line, and with BAN
ners flying, and the most enlivening airs
from the bands, moved down Illinois street.
The display was worthy of the highest praise,
attracting large crowds of our citizens along
the line of march. Mayor Murdoch, with
Aldermen Shaw. HAYES, Spencer, Rosen-
field, and Wagner, then reviewed the process
sion from the front of the Rock Island
House. Every engine was in the finest or.
DER, betokenlng that care and pride in the
appearance of its equipments, for which the
Fire Department of Rock Island is SO Justly
noted. The material of which the com
panies are composed is of the right stamp
just the men to make their presence felt in
times of peril from the devouering element.
while their handsome uniforms and neat ap-
pearance, rendered the scene doubly pleas
ing to the spectators eye. After marching
through our principal streets, the procession
moved out to the beautiful groves in the rear
OF Bailey Davenport's residence, and there
divided into two parties, each of which, a
short distance from the other, enjoyed a
bounteous collation. previously prepared.
During the afternoon, while visiting the
z
Rescue company, the Mayor was called
upon for few remarks. In short and
appropriate address, he complimented the
department ON its fine appearance, and
among other remarks, stated that the burden
of extinguishing our fires should not rest
alone upon the fremen. Frequently, in
dragging their engines to the scene of dan
ger, they were wearied out of breath, and he
considered 1t no more than justice that out.
siders should lend helping hand. When
the fremen were exhausted with fatigue, as
was often the case, outsiders should certain.
ly man the brakes, being equally interested
in the protection Of property.
L. M. Haverstick, was then called upon,
but excused himself On the ground that he
was better fireman than public speaker.
Chief Engineer Stoddard was next invit-
ed. He agreed with the Mayor in what he
had said about outsiders taking a hand in