Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-09-14
Firemans Muster at Saratoga.
JJ. GRAY OF CAMBRIDGE, n. Y, WIN
THE FIRST PRIZE.

Most of the hand engines and hose
companies who had entered for competl-
ton for the prizes arrived on the train
at about 9 o'clock, Nickwackett Engine
Co, No. /. Rutland, and their guests with
Rutland Brass Band were assigned to the
American Hotel, to which place they i'm
mediately marched.
At 10 o'clock the visiting companies
with the entire Fire Department of Sar-
atoga, assembled On Franklin Square to
hear the address of welcome, from John
P. Conklin, Esq, of Saratoga, who spoke
as follows:
FIREMEN On behalf of the fremen
and citizens of Saratoga Springs, wei
come YOU to our village. And allow me
to assure you that it is not mere matter
of form. but that our welcome Is heart
felt. On the part of our firemen, 1t is
the welcome with which brother meets
brother, made by ties that always binds
brave men. Ties that are strengthened
and wound closer by sharing with each
other the pleasures, excitements and dan
gers attendant upon the discharge OF
fireman's duty.
Our citizens welcome you as the re-
nreseutatives of men, who voluntarily
pive their best esteem of minds and phy-
steal strength in the defence of their hives
and property. You Justly earned reward,
being conscious of duty faithfully per-
formed. and the gratitude and respect Of
all right-minded people. Gould the his
torv of the volunteer tiremen be written
il would show thousand of lives rescued,
and millions of property saved by thelr
heroic exertions. 1t would be the record
of many hard fought battle with the
fire fiend, and no victories more thrilling,
incidents of individual bravery and tear
less discharge OF duty. Even at the sacrl-
fee of life and health, the perusal OF suCh
a history would, | think, forever close the
mouths of those who, either from lgnor-
auce or false idea Of economy, detrect
from YOUR fair name or underValue your
services. The Tournament to which you
are invited ia in marked contrast 10 the
kuightly tournaments OF Old. lhelr
was display of prowess and skill in the
destruction of life. Yonr's to show by
your drill, discipline and endurance,
When combined with the mechanics skill
and ingenuity, your ability to save life
and property. How much more noble
and elevating the one than the other.
Enlightened governments and people
are organizing and encouraging conpetl-
tive exhibitions, in all of the different IN
dustries aud mechanics arts, the result, OF
which. my be seen in the greater pertec-
ton, in quality and quantity, fabric and
mechanism, at lessened cost of production
and construction. | know Of no compatl-
tive exhibition that should receive more
ENCOURAGEMENT than one of the KIND III
which you are about to engage, as ltmu7t
tend to great Improvement in the machl-
merry, apparatus aGd appliances necessary
to make a perfect fire department 1t also
encourages that generous and manly
rivalry, which demands that perfect de-
pertinent, drill and discipline, 80 essential
to success in the formation and maintain
cuce of companies formed ~ you are, for
the protection of lives and property Of the
citizers All progress made IN your
branch of the public, though severe, IA Of
great and vital importsnca to us - a
people. There are those who living IN
the dim light Of the past, thick that dis
plAys OF this kind are ~ useless, nay, al
most wicked waste Of time and money. lu
all such l would cay, "the world moTeS
Aud my the twilight tn Surrounds yon
never be d;epelled by the lurid glare OF
YOUR burning buildings, with nothing
but an old fashioned tub engine and
nevertheless, imperfect appliances OF the
past to aid you.
The firemen Of our village by giviug Us
an opportunity to join with them, IN
carrying out their arrangements tor this
Tournament, have laid MS under AN added
obligation to the many W. already owe
them. For the honor conferred upon me
by our fire department and cltIz Es, IN
choosing me their representative on
this occasion, | return my sincere thanks.
My part il accomplished-your 10 com
mence. Do your best My the event
prove that their can be no hard feelings
or iealousies engendered by the manly
contest to which You are invited, On
the contrary, may the acquaintances here
made and friendships formed, be lasting
and binding To the victors | would say
be modest in your rejoicings.
To the vanquished, remember that
laurels may still be won in the future.
May the memory of this village be as
pleasant to You, as the occasion - one OF
pleasure to us.
At the conclusion Of the address, Clpt
W. W. French, Of Hathorn Hosr c., No.
?, of Saratoga, stepped forward and died
for "three cheero for the speaker" which
", >re given rs only hremea can, followed
nv q {, aafening Tiger" After which the
following line of march was taken up
Down Franklin to Washington, down
Washington to Broadway, up Broadway
to Phila. down Phila to Circular, along
Circular TO South Broadway, through
Broadway 10 Rock, down Rock to Front,
mn Front to Emp;r2 Hill, dawn the Hill
to Knowlton Pond, At tbis point the
procession broke ranks, aud each COM
panv marched to dinner at their respec-
tive hotels
The following was this order of line in
the procession:
/. Police.
2. Chief Engineer Saratoga Fire De-
+ 3. Delegation Of Neptune No. 3, of
Utica, n. Y.
4. Saratoga Cornet Band, 1G pieces.
5. Union Hook & Ladder Company
No. /, Saratoga, J. P. Gleason, Foreman,
30 men
6. Rescue Hand Engine Comp my,
Sandy Hill, N. Y, F. W. Day, Foreman,
40 men; Button machine, 8 inch cylinder
and inch stroke.
7. Rescue Hose, Sandy Hill, 90 men.
s. VIM. B. White Steamer Company,
Saratoga, Michael ORourke Captain, ~
men.
9.B.V. Fraser Hose No. l, Saratoga,
3. A. Fraser Foreman, 80 men.
10. Defiance Hand Engine Company
Glens Falls, n Y, John E. Potter Fore
man, 60 men; Button machine, inch
cylinder and inch stroke.
II. Rutland Brass Band, II pieces.
70 Assistant Engineers of Rutland
Fire Department delegations from Wash
ington No 2, Union Hook & Ladder No.
1, and Killington Steamer Nos of Rut-
Rutland.
10 N;o1~-,o1ro4t How'd F1Cine Com.