Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-12-22
FIRST EDITION.
Centennial Amaiversnry.

oNE-HuSDRfDTH BIRTHDAY OF THE FhIeSDsHip
| FIRE COTS CELEBRATION BALI, 1HIs EvF-
| MING.
| This day is tile centennial anniversary of the
Organization OF the Frendship Fire Co, and 1t
in being appropriately celebrated. Shortly after
sunrise several members, preceded by the City
Cornet Band, maichod to the Custom House,
where the gaily caparisoned horses OF the
company were harnessed up to couple of can
non, aud the procession reforming proceeded
out West Sixth street to the hill where one-hun-
dred salutss we're fired. Capt. Thomas A. Lynch
lad charge OF the battery. This being over, the
members in citizens dress paraded the streets.
| making very creditable appearance
| AT the time of its organization the Friendship
| 20. numbered seventy four members. 1t wae
the first fire organization i'll the city, and at that
| time was without an engine of any kind. Each
member provided himself with two leather buck
| ets with which to combat the devouring element,
and rule OF the company required each mem-
| Der when in service to have signal light burn
ing in his house to notify the others of his de-
parture. William Hemphill was the ilrst presi.
dent, and both he and all tile original members
are long since deceased.
The following were the members of the frat
organization Jacob Broone Israel Brown
Nicholas Way, Job Harvey John 1helwell, John
White, Patrick 0'Flinn, Joshua jackson, John
Marion, Daniel J. Adams, John Moore, Philip
Bonsall, Francis Robinson, John Mckinley, John
Ferris, David Brnton, Henry Troth, Benjamin
Alricks, William Pluright, John Springer, John
Betson,. David Park, Henry psschall, Nath-
Tripp, Robert Hamilton, Joseph dilpln,
Jonathan Rumford, Jacob Fussil Ban
| croft Woodcock, Joseph Warner, William Cook,
Obadiah Dingee. Nathan Wood, James Brobson,
Ralph Walker, Thomas Grow. Joseph Summell,
Joseph Townsend, Vincent Gpin, Peter Bryn-
berg, Benjamin Mendinhall, Nicholas Sallars,
| John CLARK, Joseph Lawson, Thomas Wilson,
James Robinson, Jr., Bezalell Bentley, George
Speakman, Samnel Bush, Henry Reynolds Will
liam Robinson, jacob Sellars, Thomas JefIories,
John Bush, Joseph Dawson, Joseph Poole,
John Way, William Hemphill, John tondray,
James Gilmore, James Lea, Jr., Thomas May,
James Gibbons, William Poole, John White,
Arthur Thomas. Benjamin Cook, JOHN kehtihll,
Jr., Timothy Hanson, William Wilson, Janias
jackson, Peter Justice.
The first engine in use by the company was an
old pumping affair procured from a French frig-
ate, which was supplied with water in buckets,
that period ante dating our water system. This
was used for several years, nntl an engine of
more modern build was obtained, the last serv-
ing them until the purchase OF their present ex-
celent steamer in 1863
The first engine house occupied by the COM
pany stood on the hito of Smith u Sons marble
yard, Market street above 9Th, and was two
story frame building From thence the COM
pany removed to Ninth and King, and afterwards
to Orange street above 10Th to the building now
occupied by the colored Odd Follows, remaining
there until the present edifce was built in 1853.
The Friendship Fire Co, in all this history, has
been most efficient organization lit has always
been ready in any emergency, prompt in its re-
eponses while in the active discharge Of its self
imposed duty (t was volunteer organization
from its start) there has been no company in
the city moro useful or that rendered better ser
vice. Its whole record has been all honorable
one, and the present membership are well sus
tanning the good example which waa set by
their predecessors.
THE ANNIyER5ARY BALI.
This evening, the anniversary ball VIII be CIV
gu IN the Opera House. During the day the
members have beon busly engaged i'll decora
ting the hail, and have done 80 with fine effect
wo sf,oak of this eifoct in dotaii to, day
because of the late hour the decorations will be
completed but we may say that no previous ar-
iaiiRement will excel t. Handsome evergreen
arches have boon turned upon the rear OF the
stage, under one Of which stands the Goddess ol
Liberty emblazoned with the national colors and
bearing the stars and stripes. The grand march
opens at nine o'clock, Richie furnishing the
music, and at Il supper will be served at the
Clayton House, whittier the guests will march IN
fnli cortume preceded by q band OF music.