New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-08-27
Local Intelligence.

Sr,,vER EXCURSION OF a FIRE Com
Mississippi No. TO Mississippi CITY
This popular company, organized IN the
wear 1880, under old fashioned circum-
stances. has from that date held high rank
in the department, never failing in its vol
uutarv duties At one time, when a small
hand engine, only fair sized squirt, was
the best thing known, many prominent
citizens. men of wealth and position, were
proud to be members, and the prestige still
belongs to this organization. Annually
both actives and exempts delighted IN tax
ing a summer excursion, and invariably the
occasion was marked as one OF great pleas
ure as we can readily testify.
The present season is no exception, and
there was no falling off in the perfection of
arrangements. This year it was decided to
taste the quality of Mississippi City and
Barnes Hotel, especially as an exempt
member, Colonel j. o. Nixon, would be
found at the establishment. No particular
programme was marked out for the excur-
sionists to follow, and each one was left to
find amusement as best suited him, but all
were restrained by the prophecies OF life.
Friday evening most of those who had
given in their names to che urbane secre-
tarv, Mr.. M. j. Hart, declared themselves
in readiness, dressed in their neat uniforms
assembled at the engine house. Scores OF
friends we're there to see them off, sending
rood wishes as the band. sounded a march
at the command of Foreman Mcintyre. On
the cars outward bound cares Of daily bust
ness were willingly thrown overheard. OF
course the voyage from our city to the goal
was not full of interesting items, only full
Of glorious anticipatiOns.
Arriving at Mississippi City after dark
the company and guests marched over to
Barnes Hotel to the tune Of "Well Never
Go Home Any More" Fhe route was iurid
with camp fires on the roadside, and, had
a stranger from a foreign country happened
there Just then, he would certainly have
exclaimed "What a country! What
people :" A good wash to loosen the accu-
mulated dust gathered on the railroad
track and supper was announced. 1t need
ed no second invitation, and the lads went
to work destroying well-cOoked dishes OF
eatables, fried crOakers and brOiled trout
disappeared with a suddenness that must
have made the cooks professional pride
rise to fever heat. Each took his seat as
he chose and at his leisure, for all company
rules were discarded.
After hearty and appreciated meal,
there came many inquiries as to rooms and
beds. About half the excursionists be-
came almost riOtOus over this important
question, and behaved so ouJrageously that
it was necessary to send fifteen or twenty
of them to the parish Jail. 1t was at first.
supposed that the entire company would
not only rebel but actually rescue their
incarcerated companions. Fortunately, it
was unnecessary to read the riot act, for it
was suddenly publicly declared that al
though some of the boys were in prison,
they were not prisOners-Only dodgers. A
portion of the building had been seized on
10 accommodate such hotel guests as are
accustomed to sleeping in very quiet
places. 1t is not well settled whether the
expatriated excursiOLists slept single
wink. Firemen might have been seen at
any hour out in the water, in wood carts,
in the ballroom, on horseback-almost any
where, bat it mattered not under what
circumstances they all behaved themselves
decorOusly.
During Saturday the men amused them
selves as they pleased, not forgetting the
deIicacies of a well filed table The late
train arrived with some belated members,
and they were dolefully informed of the
narrowing fact that ga lot of the boys
were in jail" and no bondsmen to be found,
and even Judge Price did not possess
sufficient influence to obtain their release.
Inpromptu trips to HandsborO, to Biloxi,
and other places were made up and en-
loved by some, while others found pleas
ure at quiet card tables, or discussing our
complicated State political questions,
nearly EVERYONE quite forgetting that they
were not in Louisiana.
Sunday was rather demure, all bolster
Gus amusements being tabooed. As the
shades of evening gathered stragglers cen
tered near the hotel Office and reluctantly
fell into line, preparatory for return
home. On board the cars the members
settled down for short rest, suffering from
comfort Arriving in the city about mid
night the excursionists were met at the
depot by a large delegation of exempts and
actives, with tOrchlghts, and then they
marched through few Of the principal
streets, calling on friend or two. The
principal object was to serenade the Camp
street newspaper offices, notwithstanding
every window was dark Saluting a news
paper Office when brilliantly lighted and
alive with editors and printers has a charm.
but when all are absent the process is rather
dull. Yet the boys Of No. when in front
of our Office, after midnight, remembered
us in a pleasant scramble, which is as fully
appreciated as if we had all been there.
Then the excursionists went to their engine
house for dismissal, and the summer excur-
sion of 1877. was recorded as a part Of the
Company's history.
The following are the names of the ex-
cursionists: Thomas Mcintyre, foreman;
Daniel A. Rose first assistant; William H.
Morgan, second assistant; NJ. j. Hart, sec