Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-02-23
LOCAL NEWS.

WASHINGTON BIRTH DAY.-DeSplte both
the foreboding of rain or snow by the weather
prophets and the unusual phenomenon of lunar
rainbow on Tuesday night, bright sun ushered
10 the day SO dear to every Alexandrian and
long before sunrise the different engine houses
put on their holiday attire and the fremen be-
gan to gather about them. About 8 clock a
cold wind began to blow and continued all day,
but did not interfere with the celebration.
At 9 a. M, the cadet corps of St. John s
Academy fell in, on their parade ground, but
which was to make its first parade with them,
having broken one Of his drum heads, half an
hour was spent in hunting up another drum
At last, one was procured, and at 20 minutes to
10. the corps moved off, along Alfred street to
Prince, where the colors were received the
march was then continued through the princi-
pal streets, back to the Academy. Tie BOYS
presented very neat and snliierly appearance,
aud marched aud handled their arms well.
They formed Il battalion of Two companies, un-
der the command respectively of Lieut.. Com
maudlng Wm. NJ. Baggett and Capt james
+. Clements, the whole corps being under the
orders of Major Richard J. Collins. Clarksou' 8
Band performed admirably, for IL first appear
ance, giving promise of an ability which will
enable our people, at Il very early day. TO dis
pen>e with music from abroad.
At II NJ, the several fire companies assem-
bled at their respective cngiue houses, aud be-
fore one all were duly in line on Washington
street, the right resting on Cameron. At
precisely the procession moved the police
keeping all spectators on the sidewalks In
front rode David r. Windsor Of No. t, the
Chief Marshal, accompanied by several aids,
the rest riding rapidly a'ong the line, to convey
orders. Donch's Band followed. Next came
an open carriage containing the Mayor, the
Chief Engineer Of the Fire Department, the
Orator and the Reader Of the Farewell Address,
and another in which rode the Fire Wardens.
The time honored
Friendship Fire Company, No. |, now in its
nincty-eighrh year of service, held the first
place. 1t WAS preceded by tall pioneer, in
bear skin cap, followed by SIX men carrying
axes, and two with the pipes and two boys
with lanterns. Then came the hose carriage,
handsomely decorated and drawn by about
twenty five members in "a neat uniform, consist.
lug of red shirt, trimmed with black, black
pants, and glazed caps. This was followed by
the plug catcher" drawn by boys in uniform,
aud the suction, trimmed with flowers, and
small flags, and drawn by four bay horses: on
IL rode two small boys dressed as Turks. Robt.
TomllnSon acted as commander. Next 10 line
was the
Sun Fire Company, No. ,, organized in l775
Eight men with axes and two with pipes
marched first, followed by four boys with silver
torches, all 10 uniform. Then came the hose
carriage, drawn by over twenty members, III
neat uniform, comprising red shirt trimmed
with white, black pants, and black SLOUGH hat.
The carriage had the spool off, and in its place
platform, supporting two floral arches, be-
tween which stood two yonng men dressed as
indians, four boys, in uniform. occupying seats
in the front and rear. The elegant engine of
the company was drawn by four bay horses,
led by grooms each horse ridden by boy in
Indian costume; four boys, in uniform rode on
the foot boards, and on the gallery was young
man, dressed as the Goddess of Liberty, and
mental staff. Hiram Webster President of
the company, was in command. and bore
handsome silver plated trumpet.
The Hydr0uton Steam Fire Engine Com
pany, No. 3, came next with drum corps in
front aud preceded by It's venerable President,
Benjamin Barton, the oldest fireman of our
city, who joined the Company upon its orgaui-
zation in 1927 and has held its highest Office
nearly thirty years. Though Almost seventy,
he marched through the long route with less
apparent fatigue than scores of younger men
who have done far less work In their genera
ton. He was accompanied by the other otti-
GERS, followed by two little boys in uniform.
The hose carriage was handsomely decorated
with flags aud flowers, and the spool Was cover
ed with euamelled cloth, bearing, 10 gilt letters,
the motto Of the company: Public Good our
Only Aim" Ii was drawn by about twenty
mcmberS in red shirts, trimmed with black,
black pants. and blue fatigue caps, bearing the
word ''lly6raulion, in gold letters, on black
band. The fine steamer followed, drawn by
irur gray horses driven by Thomas d. Dix:
1t was beautifully adorned with howers, and
had an elegant silk flag waving over it, while
the air chamber and other brass work shonc
like gold, giving testimony to the industry OF
Engineer Young who road upon it. Henry J.
Ncvett acted as commander, carrying the
splendid silver trumpet presented to the COM
pany nearly twenty years ago.
After the Hydraulion came the Relief Hook
and Ladder Company, No. !. drawing their
truck, which was handsomely decorated with
American and German flags The members
wore their beautiful uniforms of gray shirts
embroidered with hooks and ladders, black
pants, and New York fire hats, aud were pre-
ceedcd by their aXcmen. Their commander,
g. Ddwin Entwisle. carried an elegant silver
plated trumphct
The Columbia Steam Fire Engine Company,
No. I, was preceded by "a detachment Of the
Marine Band. and made very fine appear
ance. 1t turned out with full rauks. Eight
pioneers came first, in beaver cloth fire coats
and New York fire hats, followed by the other
members in gray shirts trimmed with white
black pants, and New York hats The car
ragc, handsomely adorned, was drawn by four
bay horses, and the handsome and <crviccable
steamer by six blacks: the former were driven
by Roster d. Cats, the latter by Alpheus
Brown, and all were led by groon,s A young
man dressed as a sailor, rode on the carriage,
and Engineer Purcell, whose work shone for
him, in uniform, on the steamer. VIM. Fl.
Underwood, as commander, carried a silver
plated trumpet
The line was closed by the r. Z. Lee,
immature truck drawn by number of small
boys, in red shirts trimmed with white.
On arriving at Liberty Hall, the Mayor, Chief
Engineer, Wardens, officers of companies, &c,
took seats upon the stage; the hremen and
Ia lies occunYing the parauette. and promis-