The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1876-05-31
THE FIREMEN'S CELEBRATION.

AS we have previously stated, and
now have fresh cause to reiterate,
is blessed with two splen-
did, we'll equipped and well directed
Fire Companies as are chartered in
our State. And for more solid and
compact unity, prompted by frsternal
duty, these two fire companies, Paci-
fic Fire Company No. l and Stone
wall Hook 4 Ladder Company No. !,
have been recently consolidated, as
it were, and formed into Fire De.
partment, which is now in full and
effective existence and under the con-
troll and management of Chiefs and
Firemen, with the rank and file filed
with the best material of our
Town.
It can be no wonder then that our
Town, on Tuesday, the 23d inst,
should have presented so lively, 80
gay and really so impressing a scene,
being that that day had been selected
and set apart for the first Parade of
our virgin Fire Department. The
day, the weather, the streets, were
all more than propitious, and seemed
really made to order, as a combina-
ton and blending of the "fairest of
the fsir" expressly for the "Boys."
The whole population, big, little, old,
young, white and black, seemed to be
touched with the pleasure epidemic,
and one and all responded with gay
est attire, wreathed with roses, fresh
and sweet smiles, to pay tribute to
our home mrnhood. The whole Pa
rade and its entire encourage was one
complete ovation from first to last
and will long linger pleasantly in our
cherished memories.
The pageant, for it so deserves to
be called, started on its march on
sharp time, from the Town Hall,
Thomas Gravity, the Grand Marshall
of the day, at the head, followed by
Jegers fine Brass Band; then His
Honor, the Mayor, and the Council
man from the classic Second ward,
seated in a buggy, drawn by two
Stonewall thoroughbreds. Flanked
by these came the "exempts" Of the
"Pacifcs," then marched the matured
"boys,'' with the ropes in hand, OF
"Lizzie," drawn by four blood bays,
the beautiful machine of that veteran
company. Their old favorite had re-
ceived the best touches and orna.
mentations of the fair ones, who bask
in the smile beams of their favorites.
Neat, tasty and no overtouch ofextra
gaudiness marred the trimmed beau.
ty and loneliness Of Mizzie's" fair
proportions. She was headed by her
trusty old Foreman, John A. viii.
liams, and the tramp Of her boys
seemed to tread music in unison to
the charms she seemed to inspire to
all.
We now approach the head Of the
"Hook" column, and fear the Pacific
boys will accuse us Of partiality il
we write all we felt as we backwards
glanced at the youthful Apollos Of
that young corps. Well, here they
come and march, and march too with
the proud and manly step of the
"Young Guard" of the First Napo
leon, with their beautiful uniforms
and cap-helmets glittering in the
sunshine like the nodding plume Of
him of Navarro! An old one in our
hearing, who tramped the whole
route with the procession, let his
enthusiasm get ahead Of bis discre
ton and earnestly sung out, "By -
what a noble, fine looking and hand
! some set Of boys" Something ir
US at that time throbbed in unison
with the old mans ejaculation anG
we did not take issue with him
And then their 'Truck," drawn BY
; four dapple grays, was it not lavishet
with perfect neatness and beauty
J and grace and gaudiness? Beauty
; fingers and beauty's taste must sure
ly have invaded the sanctum of tn
"Hooks'' and helped attire THERE pc
in the manner that attracted univer
sal praises and charmed the multi
3 tude. "Tousy," their pet and Ma,
r Queen, just perfected perfection an
4 embellished the Fairy throne!
The parade and march of til
q Boys" which we have not space t
follow in it's two hours continuation
was one complete ovation of bouquet
from the assembled beauty whic
y crowded their march, lulled into res