The daily gazette., 1877-10-20
FROM JOSEPH C. grimm

will assemble to greet you on the hunredth
anniversary az OF your birthday, solicit you
your welfare. / think it must be ali Of
sixty years since flrst, as lad, I knew
your face and came to learn of you as one
or the iamiliars Of the streets and places of
n,y my naive Town: 1 dare say you have a
lively recollection Of my father, Joseph
Grubb, and of my brother Edward. who
followed him In the same business, and Won
VIII perhaps be pleased to learn that as
Ineir successor. covering thus'a period OF
more than seventy years, am trying to
perpctuate their unsullied record, by hon.
est dealing. and proper life. Wishing Won
strength, health and still yet q fullness of
JOSEPH 4. Gnupn.
| ~ FROM JOHN WELSH.
PHILADELPHIA,O Oct. 10.
Del Nobht, EsQ.-AfJ Dear Sir. - '''F.
l have been very much gratified by the
| receipt OF an invitation to your fathers
centennial anniversary which / should
GLADLY accept were not otherwise engaged.
gratulations on the interesting occasion,
with my best wishes for his full enjoyment
Of the years which may remain to him.
Sincerely, JOHN WELSH.
During the reception in the rarlor,
the large crayon portrait of Mr.. Mob
lit, which WAS executed by j. Paul
Brown, Of this city, was, next TO the
host himself, the most conspicuous
object in the room, and attracted q
great deal of notice.
During the entire afternoon crowds of
persons assembled ON the corners of
Sixth and Market streets, and watched
with evident interest the crowds of visl-
tors fling in and out of the house.
THE EVENING CELEBRATION
| Mr.. Noblit, as has already been stated,
was a charter member of the Delaware
Fire Company, and for this reason the
present members took an active interest
in the celebration, and contributed great
~ to its successful and imposing charac-
ter. The engine house at Sixth and King
streets was beautifully arrayed with
bunting, and during the evening wa.
brilliantly illuminated by nearly two
hundred lanterns. The effect of the IL
Illumination was greatly heightened by a
liberal display of red fire, from the
balcony, which was continued fol
some tune. The parlor was also
arrayed with flags, and the beautiful fire
horns and glass engine owned by the
company were conspicuously displayed
One of these horns is of solid silver
with gold montpiece, and is valued al
Reliance Company, OF Philadelphia
Another, an elegant silver horn enclosed
in glass case was presented by the citi-
zens of New Castle, in 1869, for meri-
torious services performed during fire
in that town. The glass engine was re-
ceiyed by the company at fair in the
Institute Hall, several years ago.
About 7:30 o'clock, the members fell
into line behind the City Cornet Band,
and marched to Mr.. Noblit's residence
the Oldest members taking the lead
Capt James P. Merrihew, aged 78, and
James Peoples, agad 76, led off, followed
by Robert Mcdonnell, aged 72, Edward
Moore, aged 68, Thomas McCorkle, Sr.
John II. Adams, Charles Jefferis, Jane,
Cheers, and the other members of the
Oompany, numbering in all nearly ont
hundred. Councilman VIM. j. Maxwell
who is a member of the Delaware Com
! pany, acted as Marshal, and by skilifu
management succeeded in engineering
the line of march through the densl
crowd which fooked the streets.
By this time the crowd was SO dens,
that 1t was almost impossible to- move
and it is estimated that at least 5000 peo
ple were packed into Sixth street ant
around Mr.. Noblit's house. The compa
nv marched up Market street to Seventh
on the east side, and down to Sixth oil
the west side, the crowd, meanwhile, ap
plauding them heartily. At the house o
Mr.. Noblit they were received by u.
Marshal Dunn, who, in the name of MI
Noblit, extendedathem aicordial wei
come. '.'
Previous to entering the house tn
band stood upon the pavement and per
formed sAuld Lang Syne," with varia
, tions, during which Mr.. Noblit appeared
for about minute at one of the uppe
windows. Here he was seen by the as
!, sembled throng, who, with one accord
greeted him with prolonged and tumul
tous cheers. MIR. Noblit then retired D.
his bed it being deemed inadvisable TO
him to remain up any longer after tn
excitement of the day.
The visitors were next conducted &
: Ii the dining room, where all hands wer
quickly served with fried oysters, lobste
: salad, sandwiches, ice cream and cake
. and other tempting edibles, with whic
the table was ladened. After all ha'
: been supplied, Rev. Thos. +. Plumme
arose, and proceeded to address the a.
sem blage as follows:
Members of the Deld,odre Fire Com
: nu-GENTLEMEN:-I need hardly re
/ mind you that this is no ordinary homo
to have enrolled upon your list Of mem
bers the name of Dell Nobht; it is cred
, | it to you as company and an honor T.
our city to have sach citizen,o ,one who's
life has been SO honorable to himself. :
take great pleasure in standing here Il
, the name of this family and these friend
to say to you that on this occasion W
have an illustration of fact that ough
| to he known and appreciated by ever.