New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-03-05
FIR EMEN'S ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
GRANDEST PAGEANT OF ALL
Route of the Procession ThrOnged

The Fourth of March, 1870, the thirty
third anniversary of the New Orleans Fire
Department, dawned most inauspiciously.
The thunder storm of the previous night
had not cleared up the sky, and the heavy
clouds hung in unbroken
masses overhead, threatening at every mo-
nent to pour down their pent-up contents
So threatening was the weather, and SO
ominous the one or two showers during the
which appeared to be sent as Tore
runners of what might follow, that many
people, even among the fremen themselves
gave up hopes of the parade taking place,
and had worked themselves into satisfac.
tory condition of resignation, ready to re-
ceiye without murmur the notice of post
The old saying, "man proposes
and God dsposes," never appeared SO ready
to receive practical illustration as it did
yesterday.
The Order of the Day,
Although not carried out, st least as far as
adherence to time was concerned, directed
the assemblage of the companies on Canal
street at 10 A. NJ. The weather interfered
considerably with the proposed arrange.
ment, and the order was modified. 10 the
middle Of heavy shower, the aids and
assistant engineers were busily engaged,
travelling to the various engine houses, car
rying instrn ctions to the companies whlcn
had not yet started, to remain under shelter
until they heard the signal to move to the
point of assemblage. The original signal
OF THaHpGsJOn WAS
twelve blows on the fire bells. In case OF
postponement being resolved upon, fifteen
taps were to be given by the fire bells, three
times repeated. When tie companies were
ordered 10 remain in their engine houses,
they were instructed to start at once for
Canal street upon one tap of the bell.
The Delay
In starting was very annoying to the msr'
shals and aids gathered around Grand Mar
shal Marks at the Clay statue. From ten
o'clock until twelve they sat upon Their
horses, and took the weather as 1t came,
with outward imperturbabiiity, but inward
discomfort. The question of postponemept
was the main subject of discussion, and tho
arguments pro and con flew thick and last.
How the Grand Marshal managed to keep
his mind unbiased, and act with the COOL
ness and judgment he finally did, is mys-
terry, and also a circumstance going far 70
prove his capacity for the important posi-
ton he fills. The pressure for postpone.
ment was very strong, and gathered rorce
with every additional shade OF darkness that
overspread the sky; but the Chief Engineer,
and the fremen in a body, were IN favor OF
the march, rain or no rain. They were ho
holiday soldiers, and wished to show the
| citizens that they had no fear OF either rain
or mud. Their arguments were forcioiy
pressed, and carried much weight with
Them, as they were urged with additional
energy every time the slightest DreaK couie
be observed in the weather.
People on the Streets,
Although not aware OF the very seriou;
nature Of the discussion going on among tht
dignitaries assembled at the Clay statue
still felt that there was clog somewhere IL
the machinery, and did not complicate mat
ters by becoming impatient or by retiring
to their homes. With a fortitude that die
them honor. they risked rain, WEAKNESS, ant
perhaps, disappointment to show their ap
probation of the department, and to, at the
same time, satisfy themselves ON the, very
| important question as to which company
| would carry off the palm for fine appearance
l
which thronged the much shorter route o.
| the sMystik Krewe," on the night of Mard
| Graz. still it was numerous. and in all the
long distance to be travelled there were a q
| miring and enthusiastic lOohers-on, ant
almost every window presented its fair face
and waving handkerchiefs as the procession
| moved along.
| Just before noon various rumors wer
diligently circulated through the streets b.
| people who had nothing else to do. On
story was that the route was changed, and
fnally, it was generally circulated that tn
parade had been postponed until to-day
People are not inclined to put confidence Il
| rumors which they find disagreeable to ot
| lieye. and this proved to be the case IN thl
| instance. There WAS no indication OF any
intention to disperse exhibited by thu
crowds along Canal, Camp and st. Charlie
streets, and they felt rewarded when, JUS
before twelve o'clock, the fire bells gave tn
| signal which had been fixed upon to CIV
notice of the start.
Confusion OF Signals.
| As has been before stated, the final al
rangement made with the several companle
was that they were to start from thei
houses at one tap Of the bells. This under
standing was, through some mistake, no
| communicated to the telegraph Office, an
upon the latter receiving q notice to Civ
the signal, the twelve strokes we're givel
on the bells. Many of the companies faile
| to commence their march and did no
| start until the mistake was remedied an
| the Chief Engineer had sent word to tn
| operator to give one blow on tie bell. Th
last signal answered the purpose; it wa
| generally understood, and WAS 1mmedlatel
| followed by the march of every company t
Canal street. Company after compan
perfect order and without any confuslo
| took their places in the divisions to Whlc
they belonged.
| The Sun Comes Out.
The weather had begun to look down wit
a promising smile on the brave mel
stretched out in long line along both side
of Canals treet, and finally, in the most uE
expected manner, the sun made mos
! welcome appearance, and throughou
| the remainder of the day managed
| afford them the light Of his countenanC
with oply one or two short intervals OF n
tirement.
| Doctor Mary Walker
This lady visited the Postofice while tn
column was 0tming and attracted consit
erable attention from the members of Ira
Ferry No. II, and their guests, Mechanic
4 No. 7, of Mobile. The men took good loo
at the Doctor, and the latter reciprocate
the compliment. The attention OF the vef
large crowd gathered at this point appeare
to be most impartially divided between tn
lady and the fremen, and when she left tt
scene quite q number of the crowd left wit
her.