The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-04-28
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Annual lnspection-The Companies In
Lfne-A Quiet Day.

4 ulluulLS ouSPo IL ia Shko46o ~
and whirled in the most disagreeable eddtes
around the corners. At noon the sky began te
lower, and, as the various companies assembled
In uniform at the engine houses, 1t commenced tc
rain. Indications OF the parable had been visible
at an eaIly hour. The numerous hucEsters, with
bountilui arrays of cakes, pies and peanuts, were
busy choosing the most promising stands, and
small boys with large trays abounded. The win
dows OF the City Hall, Courthouse and neighbour
ing buildings exhibited faces OF every hue, and
the colored female population were particularly
well represented. The colored companies assem-
bled at their engine houses early in the forenoon,
some at 10 O'Clock, and, bringing out their ma
chimes, formed, about 2 O'Clock, o column In
Meeting street, near the Citadel. Preceded by
Mitchell's ~(coloredl band, and, with q couple OF
organizations known technically as Drum
Corps,n sandwiched between the companies, the
line marched down to Broad street, accompanied
by q dense throng. The Niagaras did not Join In
this procession, but moved down from their en-
CINE house alone, and took up their position In
Bread street, at the hour appointed for the in
s~pection.
The white companies assembled at their re.
spective engine houses at 2 O'Clock, in parade
| uniform, and q little before three marched with
their steamers down to Broad street, and took
their position In line. Owing TO the rain, which
was now falling copiously, the City Council did
not occupy their usual position, but stood on the
front portico Of the City Hall, with their hats OF
and umbrellas on, prepared for the inspection.
The crowd at this popular standpoint was quite
small, and the scene on the whole wore a rather
dismal appearance as the procession moved by IN
front OF the board for
The INSPECTION.
The chief OF the department and the assistant
iremasters headed the column, and were fol-
Lowell by the companies in the following order:
The Pioneer, steamer, no decorations.
The Eagle, steamer. no decorations.
The Tililant, steamer, lin mourning for the late
Mr.. O'Neill,) no decorations.
The Phoenix, steamer, no decorations.
Hook and Ladder, No. l, In mourning for eS.
President Hilton, bearing his portrait and name
on white ground with black faciugs, over the
centre Of the truck.)
The Etna, steamer, lin mourning for Mr.. John
Strohecker.)
The Marion, steamer. no decorations.
The German, steamer, no decorations.
The Palmetto, steamer, drawn By two black
horses, nodecorations.
The Hope, steamer, lin mourning for Mr.. VIM.
Patterson no decorations.
The Washington. steamer, no decorations.
The S%tonewall, steamer, I'm mourning for Mr..
W. n. Harold, Jr.,) no decorations.
The Young America, steamer, drawn by two
Iron grey horses, no decorations.
These companies all presented their usual hand.
some appearance, but did not turn out as large a
number OF men as on the preceding annual pa
rades.
The colored companies came next with the
hand engines, preceded by Mitchell's Brass Band,
in the following order:
The Unlted-Turning out about seventy men,
and having their engine decked with wreaths
and garlands OF flowers and evergreens. sur
mounted by the United States flag.
The Ashley-About seventy five men; the ma
chine being profusely adorned with evergreens
and howersAwith q floral cross and hat at the top.
The Comet Star-This company made the largest
turn out on the ground and paraded one hundred
and twenty four men. The reel and engine were
decorated with moss baskets or fowers'and nu-
merous garlands Of evergreens.
The misunderstanding about sixty-fve men,
=. Ith their engine aud reel covered with decora-
lions Of evergreen and flowers, and ornamented
with a pendant floral anchor.
The Chicora Cornet Band-ThIs organization,
but a few months old, struck up a spirited air as
they passed in front Of the Council, and astonish.
ed their hearers by the proficiency which they
have attained in SO short a m
The Niagara-Parading eighty 1.-TWO men, and
making a fine appearance. The engine was orna-
mented with floral wreaths and crosses OF ever
green, lastly interspersed with notices.
The Fife Drum Corps-Composed OF a couple OF
nres and three or four drummers, the drum
major marc ming along in front In a stately man.
ner, bearing a pole with a respondent brass knob
on the end.
The Union Star-The engine was dressed with
wreaths OF evergreens ana suspended boquets,
the wheels being rnamentedw with large stars OF
evergreen.
No. ! Drum Corps-Like the Fife, the director
having q supplement- consisting Of q huge plume
OF red and white feathers.
The Promptrtude-'urnlng out about 100 men,,
and the engine a orned with wreaths OF evetS
greens and hanging baskets o: flowers.
Owing to the disagrecable state OF the weather
the playing or was dispensed with, and the
m one and all, Immediately left the
ground and repaired to the engine houses. The
hremasters and officers Of The companies We're III
turn invited into the City Halls and. after paying
their respects to the Mayor.partook Of a slight
collation.. The colOred companies were dra Sn up
in Broad street below Meeting, and shortly after
moved or TO theic respective engine houses. The
nearest approach to L sensation was made by the
Niagaras, who fled up Meeting s rect with the
ChIcora Cornet Baud in front. The Inspiring
strains Of the latter soon collected q large crowd.
and the procession increased IN numbers as they
proceeded. The most noticeable feature about
the parade was the total absence Of all excite
ment and feeling OF rivalry among the particl'
pants. The utmost good order characterized the
Whole proceeding. lu the evening many Of the
engine houses we're Kept open, anu o pleasant
interchange OF cipinttes' closed the proceedings of
the day. %
SALES OF REAL EsrATE.-The following real
estate in the city was sold yesterday morning at
pubic auction
BY Leitch Il Bruins The lot Of land with three.
st ,ry BRICK building; at the southwest corn r OF
State and Chalmers stree S, SO feet front by 60 feet
deep, ior sl9So-one half cas. and the balance in
one year.
Lo: of land with buildings. on the east side OF
King street, between George street and Burns's