The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-03-18
"OLD TIM JOINS THE FIRE
DEPARTMENT.

ULU lin JUlNO ILL 14sA
DEPARTMENT.
runs NIT DREI AND LAGER BEER--A GREAT
TINE GENERALLY.
Correspondence Of the La. Democrat
New ORLEANS, March 9Th, 1863.
Friend Democrat Lager Beer is some,
in Summer. Lager was discov-
cred by an old gentleman in the Father
land" many years ago, and has ever since
been the popular beverage of that good old
country. Of late years it has become q
great institution in this country, and on
account of it's in7igorating and health
giving properties is much esteemed by in
valids. My Doctor ordered me to drink
Lager, it was the best prescription he ever
gave me, and have bet on him ever since.
1t is an open question, and one that has
been much discussed, especially in "glo-
rious New England" els Lager Beer
knew gentleman once
who regularly drank his sixty glasses OF
lager day, and it never staggered him.
"Niein Herr" of one Of our Gardens, told
me that an old retired German Merchant,
came to his Garden early in the morning
and never left until late at night. He
would breakfast dine and sup, ON lager
and kaese, or ham, and drink lager be-
tween his meals-repeating his visits day
after day for weeks at time, on which
occasions he would drink an average OF
one hundred and twenty glasses OF lager
per day, and yet he could stand as steady
on his pins as billiard table. But you
will ask what has this to do with the Fire
Department. Well You will see--several
wears ago the Fire Department Of this city
was founded, but don't remember the
mans name who .found it, and have not
had time to overhaul the Picayaae of that
date to find out. But he and his associ-
ates deserve the gratitude Of all our citi-
Gems, the association then formed has
grown in usefulness and power until it is
one of the most respected and esteemed in
the country. Think of the fireman called
from his work or pleasure at any time OF
the day, from his rest at all hours Of the
night, rushing at the speed Of o race horse,
through the merciless rain, the piercing
cold, or fierce, burning heat, to a fire, and
there working with an energy and perse-
verance, the half of which displayed by
negro field hand would make him q
greater curiosity than Barnum's Museum
"What is it2" Think of the fireman,
reckless of life and health, running into
the burning building to save the property
perhaps the lives of the inmates, whom he
never saw before, and probably will never
see again. See how generously and with
what hearty good will he devotes his time
to aid in works of charity and public in
terest, how he kindly provides for the
widows and orphans of the brothers OF thu
noble band who have been relieved from
duty, by the Grand Marshal, DEATH
When all the kind, open hearted, Draw
and chivalrous traits of the fireman's char
acter are remembered, it will be readil.
J understood why our citizens regard tn
Department. with so much pride, admira
ton and esteem. Filled with thes
!, thoughts I remembered that their ami
versary was close at hand and resolved t
serve my country, and enroll my name il
the army who battle against the Fir
King. 1 therefore wendell my way t
Esplanade street and boldly entered til
substantial and handsomely decorate
house of Steam Fire Engine company NJ
8. When entered the members were a
: sembled in meeting to arrange for th
g grand parade. A majority of them 81
t from the (" Fadderland," sturdy, enc
| getic, good natured company, as eve
r manned the breaks or held de butt"
II "Here you are boys" said I, Pm r
E cruit, to run wild de mersheen and drin
de lager beer"
s "Hooray for dat" was the respose, an
without further ceremony / was electe
an honorary member-Frank having cert
. fed that was zone Of them goot fellers
! wanted red shirt, gloves and 9th
: fixins, and bought them from our o
J friends, f. Van Benthuysen, & Co., i:
Canal street, who have peculiar knat
: of selling dry goods cheap, q thing tn
e Just suits these hard times.
J The officers Of our company are as clev
e a set of men as were ever put together.
: Frank Keehn, President; Henry Weisel
e back, Vice-President; John H. Bernol
Secretary; Charley Hemard, Foreman,
Seibert, First Assistant, and George Aft,
cI uOTU, DcCUuu AoSlottuUs IoA luo UAhss
= parad, Peter Beehler was selected Marsh'
. he is a bang up" fireman, and from t
/ dinner given to the company and invit
re guests in the afternoon, at the Germs
: Company Hail. at Peters expense, I thil
IS he would do "to keep hotel"
'e you runs NIT Drei, you drinks NIT m
1t said an enthusiastic member, SO we
st adjourned to have "swi glasses" each
70 From that time all was excitement, bus
q and preparation The procession was
n start at 10 o'clock, and knowing HI
: punctual they would be, Charley and
. slept in the Engine House, SO as to be
. time in the morning We turned out s
IL ty active members and ten exempt; {
T. engine was handsomely decorated,
is figure of hound on the smoke chimn
was beautiful ornament and bore t
broad ribbons in hismouth, displaying {
lis motto, Never Despair" The engine '
y