The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1878-08-09
The independents New Machine,
and How it was Received.

/
in front of Hose House, on Market Street
and. headed by Falrchild's Drum Corps
in their Continental uniforms. the Indepen
dents grasped the rope Of the old machin,
and dragged it. for the last time, from the
shelter of the house, where it had oft beer
the center of proud and admiring groups
As the procession moved to the depot
there was plainly distinguishable upon th'
faces of many of the boys /" traces of con
Iicting emotions hope and pleasure at re
ceiving the new machine, sorrow and re
greet at parting with the old. Around the
old carriage clustered many happy and
pleasant associations; and the boys
fully realized that twas with the old ma
chine" they had, long since, won for them
selves a name of which they may well fee
proud. Twas with the ssold machine they
had made an enyiable record. and 'twould
have been humanity to discard it without I
feeling of regret. Twas like parting from
an old and well-tried friend. But the re
quirements of the present demanded new
one, and the Independents" ever alive tx
the interests of the city, realized the stu
alton hence. the old machine was reve
rently taken leave of, and the new one vel
coined with joy, tempered by the font
memories clinging to the old
The procession moved over the line Of
march indicated last week, and drew III
on the south side of the Park, where the
Company and the new machine were in
spected by the Mayor and Common Coun
Gil, after which the carriage was housed.
At $50 o'clock the Independents and in.
vited guests marched to Washington Hall
and sat down to collation. spread upon two
tables, reaching the whole length of the
hall, and loaded with the best which Days
restaurant affords. The reputation of the
and efficient work at fires, and it loses moth
ing at the banquet board; for there they
can always do prompt and effective work
such as only fuil-grown and healthy men
are capable of doing.
Among the invited guests were Rev. AL
fred Erdman, Mayor Ayers, members of the
Common Council, ex-members of Common
Council, officers of City Fire Department
and foremen of other companies, James c.
Youngblood, Esq, W. S. Babbitt, General
Littlefeld, of Florida Major Gillespie, D.
D. Craig, Mr.. Rainor, business manager fol
Clapp & Jones; DIR. Flagler. DR.. Hunter
and many others of our prominent citizens
Excellent good feeling prevailed during
the repast which lasted until the boys =
could eat no more; after which cigart
were passed around. and the flow of speech
commenced.
Foreman Lindsey called. upon Mayor
Ayers, who responded in a few remarks
and resigned in favor Of Rev. Mr.. Erd
Hose, who responded by congratulatinl
the Company on the occasion, and, in few
felicitous remarks, thanked them for theil
gallant services at the fire of the old South
Street Church. and in saving the parsonage
at that time; also extending his remarks
in this connection, to other companies, clos
ed by complimenting the Independents on
their good character as company, and as
citizens. Alderman Drake next responded
by a few remarks of a congratulatory ma.
ture Ex-Councilman Dalrymplo followed
by few words of congratulation upon the
reception of the new machine, which he,
as member of the Council and of the
Fire Committee, had assisted in procuring.
General Littlefeld was next called upon,
and said he once run with machine .
and was proud of having been fireman,
and proud to be present among fremen of
the high character of those present. Said
he came to this town for recreation, and ac-
cidentally met his old friend of the war,
Chief of Commisary, Captain Noble, with
whom he had pleasant relations during the
war. Spoke of his friendship fer, and rela-
tions with the late President Lincoln, with
whom he was personally acquainted, and
gave some amusing "reminiscences of the
war, and his knowledge of and intercourse
with our townsman. Ex-Councilman Noble.
The latter gentleman was next called upon,
but admitted that his old friend, the Gene
raj, had stolen his thunder, and left him
nothing to say.
Mr.. Youngblood next responded. Said
g he came to enjoy the occasion, and not to
speak" He. however, heartily congratu-
lated the company upon the occasion and
the record they had made for themselves,
adding, " there is one blot upon your es-
cutcheon, caused by too much promptness
in putting out fires, where sometimes it
would have been policy to have been more
10 III
cry was sometimes an eyesore to the pub
lie, and the city would be benefited by
having it burned" The boys took this
pleasant hit. of course, in good part.
Sheriff Fairchild was next called up, and,
expressing thanks for the compliment,
suggested that he could whistle through
a ffe-better than make speech.
Members of the press were then asked to
get up and make speech or recite poem.
Mr.. Stiles responded, for the Jerseymaa. in
few remarks applicable to the occasion
Mr.. E. lie Clerc Vogt. on behalf Of the Ban
ney, congratulated the company and all
concerned. The CHRONICLE was called
upon, but, like the Independents, was
too full for utterance."
Foreman Lindsey here made few re.
marks expressive of the feelings Of the
company upon parting with the old car.
riage and introduced Mr. Rainor, who as.
sured the company that they had just re.
ceived a good, serviceable machine, and
one which time would prove to be durable
he expressed himself as highly pleased with
the Company, as party with whom to
transact business, adding that his business
relations with them had been Of the pleas
ATTEST character.
w. S. Babbitt next responded. AS one
of the oldest members of the Independent
Hose Company, he was gratiied to be pres
emit. and congratulated ali concerned AL
derman Hull was called upon, but he asked
to be excused, as he had been with a
public officer all day, and, in conse-
quence. was nearly talked to death. The
excuse was accepted, and the unanimous
sympathy of the company extended.
Remarks were also made by Assistant
Engineer Cooper, and others, after which
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