Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1870-07-09
First Anniversary Celebration Of the
Alert Hook and Ladder Company.

AleIb hVOh huu bhuuOl OOupohJ'
THE TOURNAMENT Of the fire companies on
the 4th, was very successful, spirited and
pleasant affair. The two Conneaut companies
accompanied by their band, came up on the
Toledo Express, having sent the Engine--that
Of the Cataracts---up by the morning freight,
and were escorted 10 the village by the Ashts
bula Companies headed by the band. At2
o'clock, D. M, the Phoenix Company OF Jther-
son, were received at the corporation line and
in like manner brought in Rest and refresh
ment was then the order of the day. Tables
were set in Smiths Hall-fve in number--and
these were lavishly spread with both luxuries
and substantals. The edibes were furnished
by the citizens, for which the Alerts wish Ia
m AXE grateful acknowledgement All had am
pie opportunity for the fullest enjoyment. AT
three p. M, preparation was made for the pro-
ccssion, parade, and exercise. The order of
the procession was as follows-Ashtabula Band
and Chief Engineer Hitchcock as Marshal,
Alert Hook and Ladder Company with its i'm
proved and newly painted truck, PhGnix Com
pany of Jefferson, Lake Erie Company, Con-
neaut Band, Cataract and Great Falls Comps
nies of Conneaut and the Protection Company
of Ashtabula, all in uniform. Each Company
was accompanied by its hose cart, and the
Lake Erie appeared for the first time with its
new one. All the machines and trucks were
gaily decorated with flags and flowers and the
effect was quite imposing and effective. The
music was highly creditabie and pleasant, and
the two bands were enabled to keep the time
well occupied. After the parade the process
ion returned to Main street where fine dis
play was made of the powers of the respective
Engines, and their celerity Of movement and
evolution. The three Engines were pretty
well tested, and showed capacity that would
be fatal to almost any fire likely to occur. In
height and distance, as well as volume, Lake
Erie carried the palm, as her length of brake
gives her much greater working force than
either of the others, or indeed, than any ordi-
nary piano Engine. The Alerts handled their
ladders and themselves with marked ability
and ease, and the mounting process was car
ried to an extent that produced an uncOmforta-
bic apprehension of accident Our Conneaut
guests showed themselves at home with their
machine, and those from Jefferson have no
reason TO be ashamed, although young, of their
attainment All these manouverings were
watched with deep interest and drew forth fre-
quent outbursts of applause, by the large con-
course of people that were present.
In the evening the young people had dance
at Ashtabula Hall, which was crowded with
dancers and spectators. The music was by
Blondin's Band, of Cleveland, and was Of the
highest order. Supper was had in the course
of the evening, at which the guests had free
and welcome access. The evening exercises
like those Of the afternoon, went off with or
der and propriety, and all, we believe, were
well pleased No accident occurred to maj
the pleasures of the occasion, except thnt o.
Mr.. Bryant noticed elsewhere The effect o.
the use Of bad whisky was seen only in one
instance, where a fight was provoked il
the afternoon, but the parties found n place
pretty suddenly in the lookup. The dancing
was kept up to late, perhaps an early hour
and our guests returned home on Tuesday
morning.