Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-09-13

words Of mine that your friends at home appreciate
the honors you have won, and proves to you their
fitting celebration of your splendid victory.
| A few days ago, you, a representative company
Of the Burlington ire department.; let our city to
tropolis of the great West On your part the under
taking was great one. At the start the fact that
you propoted to enter such contest at all proved
| your courage your manliness and your pluck. As
company you left our city alone, but tine hearts of
all her citizens went with GU, for in your repre-
sentative capacity was intrusted to your charge the
| good name and fame, the reputation and honor OF
our city Bad and unworthy conduct on your part
would have disgraced US before the whole country,
mertoriou5 conduct would shed luster and honor
| upon us. The result has proved that you were
worthy Of the trust. You acquitted yourselves Ike
men. The record that you made was one OF fidelity
| to duty. We who knew the members Of Barnes Hose
| Company knew we had a right to expect from you
| good report, but the odds were tremendous. You
| we're pfted in q contest in which the representa-
| tIves OF forty millions were admitted. Companies
from great cities and great States were to be your
you would he first in such a contest and when the
DAY o. trial came we waited anxiousy for the re-
the list, We should have said we'll done. Had you
brought home the second prize, we should have
called it 5 glorious victory. But when the report
Hose Company, of Burlington, VT, had carried eff
the highest prize. money, hose cart, belt and all,
we felt that you had not only covered yourselves
all with glory, but had reflected il on cur Fire
Department, our entire city, and our State. Bur
lngton to-day, has reason to be proud o. the honor
own. But what was your victory 1t was called
race Of hose companies, but let II be re-
membered tina: the same qualities, the
same lungs, the firm hard muscles, the steady
nerves, the quick BRAIN the trained skill the cour-
age energy and pluck that enabled you to win
your victory at Chicago; these same qualities will
, man life. You won your victory at Chicago be,
cause you proved yourselves to be men possessed
OF all the elements OF true manhood. All this is
the and measure OF your victory For this your
splendid victory. our citizens are proud OF you
For this they congratulate you. For
this they thank you. The trophy OF your VIC
tory that you bring home, your beautiful hose cart
belt will be dear n the hearts Of our citizens in
years to come, and in the records OF the FIRE De.
pIrtment, its brightest page will be the one that
records the victory OF the barnes Hose Company in
the tournament at Chicago. Again in behalf of
our Fire Department and OF our citizens, tender
to you their heartfelt thanks and bid you all a cor
dial hearty welcome to your home and friends.
Chief Engineer A. S Drew responded 10
a nest little speech. at the close of which
he proposed three cheers, which were given
with a will.
The Barnes Hose, the Winooski Steamer
Company and tho bands were then escorted
to the Van Ness House. where substantial
collation. was rendered them. After full JUS
tics was done to this, Mr.. Ssyles Nichols. in
behalf of the Committee of Arrangements. |
congratulated the Barnes Hose on their sue
cess, and thanked the members of the
"inoosxi Steamer ana the sherman anu
queen CltY oands ior theif Kind assistance
in the reception. lie then called on Hon.
George II. Bigelow. who responded in an elc
qnent address. lie congratulated the ooys
on their success. their hne behavior, and
splendid record. lie had been member OF
the Boxers. was one oil the original
members CT the Ethsns, and was now