New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-07-06
- NFFgt - q y $50 o lf = = -
SINGLE umHs: TEI GENTS.
FOURTH OF JULY IN BILOxI
JOLLY OBSERVANCE OF THE DAY
ExcmsiDn Of Mississippi No. 2

Excursion Of Mississippi No. 2
After the members and guests OF Fire
Engine Company No. had left this city,
last Saturday, they found a few small spaces
on board the'lake steamer Creole; IN a, wnlcn
they good naturedfy slowed themselves.
When they had embarked, little room was
left foranything else. Ajolly three hundred
had quilted business to find room and fresh
air in which to celebrate the day which, as
a beautiful mile post, repinde ". of those
heroes who fought, bled and died, that their
country might be freed fr0m . tyrannica 1
yoke. The impression is, that most OF the
passengers, once of the boat, found all they
sought, and in many directions.
Arrived at Biloxi Sunday morning smui-
taneously with the sun, which was nitric
firing on that luminary the company was
welcomed by Mr.. and Mrs. Biessy and
others Of the household. 1t was then we
learned that the excursion had oeen
prompted by an invitation from Mr. B!essy
for the purpose of celebrating the anniSer-
sary Of a former pleasant occasionVcnrist-
ening of Mississippi's steam engine, Lady
Blessy.
Marching to- the hosts fine summer resi-
flerce 10, The music of silver band, each
somewhat wearied with aquatic experience.
we were met at the porch by many pleasant
faces. Mayor Henly made welcome adj
dress, replied to by Major Burk, when all
entered to partake of needed Refreshments.
and old acquaintance were renewed. All
restraint and forms were for the time
forgotten, each seeking pleasure ac-
eOrtiing to his bent. The bath-house
was alive, and few found fun in fishing.
As it was Sunday. the musicians were not
called on for dancing tunes. Late in the
evening, after magnificent dinner had been
slowed away nine of No. 2's men met portions
ofthe PalmettOand Lee Base Ball clubs, who
had somehow understood that they had been
challenged to q game. Almost the entire
community visited the ground to witness
the play. The fire nine were of course not
up in batting, running, or catching, but
even had they been fresh, those Biloxi boys
were ready to give close contest, for they
are spendid batters and runners. At the
close Of the seventh inning, the game stood.
Biloxi 81, New Orleans 80. All marched
back to Mrs. Blessy's at quick step, soon
after which halfbarrel OF ice cold punch
had been absorbed. A stroll around the
sandy streets closed that joyous day, and
by nine O'Clock, the town was silent, the ex-
cursionists sleeping without fear Of mosq,n-
toespr other pests.
All sun-up on the Fourth, Biloxi was
aroused by Charley Hastings brass piece
sounding national salute, and he continued
to fire until the gun burst. Nobody hurt
The celebration was begun, young Mr.
Charles spreading bunting on his race yacht.
Sarah, others following the example, while
Mrs. Blessy's premises were decorated with
banners. wreaths, flowers, the beautiful
stars and stripes waving above all.
A surf bath and light breakfast had
scarcely been attended to before dozens OF
the fair sex appeared, and the ball opened,
Mrs. Blessy and her interesting family using
every effort to make the assembly happy:
While in full tide of enjoyment. loaded
lugger sailed up to the wharf, from which
landed Colonel Stockdafe, Captain Hall
Major Robinson, Messrs. Brown, Mcconnell,
Br0tt, Douglas and others, who joined in
the celebration. Ship Island danced a
pOlka and Customhouse found fascinating
partners; but the fremen had the prefer
ence, unless we except press representatives,
for Mr.. Armstrong, OF the Times, danced
until his collar wiIted. A queer little gen
tleman grew animated in wheeling of the
Republican SchOttische' with the far
hostess, while Messrs. Gauche, Burk, Car
ter and Cooper represented the other CITY
papers in as many bouts right merrlly.
Beauty and Bravery forgot tile world, eX-
cept the immediate surroundings. A merrler
crowd we venture to say, did not celebrate
the glorious Fourth in all this land.
Mrs. Blessy's little children, Lille. Julia
and Walter, contributed to the occasion in
piano music and singing. in the execution
of which they are really extraordinary. and
few young ladies favored us with fine
songs. -
Another collation.. made up of all that
country and city could produce, brought us
toward the time when the Creole was to re-
turn. Regretting to part with the house
hold where so much pleasure had been
crowded into one short day, Foreman
Gauche and ever-present Brrk marshaled
the boys for the purpose of visiting and
serenading some of the leading citizens who
have summer houses there. They called on
Mr.. Charles, then to Mrs. Hastings and >.
V. Douglas, where all were treated to the
best. When marching to call on General
West and Mrs. Mulholand, the Creole
groaned out a very disagreeable whistle
warning that the time for departure was
approaching
Previous to this all the firemen had pre-
sented their belts to ladies, Mrs. Blessey
| wearing the foreman's and Mrs. Mo1,lton
| that of the first assistant, Misses Hastings,
Nelson, Wood, Dyke and Glasser and others
| buckling on those of the sIlbOrdinates.
Struggling down the wharf, the excursion
| lists unwillingly boarded the steamer, while
| the landing was crowded with friends. A
| delightful breeze was blowing, and just as
| the vessel cut loose her lines MOhan's hat
sailed off like balloon, followed by Con-
| nor.s and Carriers. Immediately each mem
| Der SHE'D his chappeau to the wind, while
| glad shouts and salutations wakened echoes,
strung into harmony by the band. Hatless
| and beltless. but full of the kindest feel
ings, they bade adieu to Biloxi and its gen.
| erOus inhabitants The boat was,sa before.
| crowded beyond its capacity, yet no single
! incident occurred, from first to last, to mar
| the time. Had the boys been sworn to good
| behavior they could not have acted more
decorously. We saw but single drunken
man, and he was pine knot. A pleasant
| ending to a memorable occasion.
| Arrived here at sunrise yesterday morn
! ing, the Company and guests, with Mr.
| Biessy, left the cars at Canal street. still
hatless and beltless marched up Camp stree
before this great city had begun to pulsate
| to nav their respects, in music and cheers. t.
| the newspaper Offices For the hearty com
pliments to the REPUBLICAN,. we bow on
best bow For the many delicate attention
paid to our representative, we tall to NM
terms to express ourselves.
| The following is a list of those who pal
| ticipated in the excursion:
INVITED GUEsTs.-G. +. BrOtt, 5. A. STOCK
dale, Captain w: G. Mcconnell, Major Wills
w. NJ Robinson. William b. Hall.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.-P. McCabe, ex-chie
engineer: George Selby, ex-foreman No. IL
Chris. Flanagan, secretary Firemen,s Char
table Association: John Brugniens, No. IA; J
w. Hart, Louisiana Hose; Dick ONeil
Louisiana Hose; Joseph YOst. No. II. firs
| o.,;,+or<. q WilJiap,Sop No ~ Second as