The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-05-18
FIREMEN'S HOLIDAY !
Anniversary Celebration OF the
Phoenix Fire and Ascension
HI. and L. Companies.
An Imposing Parade-subsequent Fes-
+;r;+;au A naI;mbtful nav

| IF our firemen could have had their
weather made to order, it would have
been difficult to have obtained a
much finer day for their celebration
than last Sunday proved to be. The
sun was partially obscured and its
heat modified by light clouds, and the
only drawback to the parade was the
dust which lay deep upon the streets.
At o'clock in the afternoon the
bands employed for the occasion ar
rived at the public square with their
instruments in full blast, and as the
firemen and popnlace congregated,
scene of inspiriting animation was
presented to the view such as can be-
witnessed here only on very rare oc-
casiens.
Ascension Hook and Ladder Com
pany, followed by the Junior Hooks,
first emerged upon the square in line,
and soon Phoenix and Junior Phoenix
followed suit. The Assistant Mar
shals rode off in a group, and shortly
returned escorting the Grand Marshal,
under whose direction the procession
at once formed in the following order
Grand Marshal Elphege Gaudin attended
by Aids Joseph Ferrier and Camille Mollere.
Phoenix Fire Company No. l, led by In
dependent Brass Band.
Ascension Hook and Ladder Company No.
/, led by Crescent Band.
| Accession Junior and Phoenix Junior Com
panies, led by st. Joseph Brass Band.
Assistant Marshals 4. d. Vega, Bernard
Lemann, G. w. Mitchell and j. T. Nolan
rode alongside the cayaleade, the two first
named ON the right, the two latter on the
left.
Masters Geo. Wagner, j. S. Reynaud and
Albert Wilson acted as marshals for the
/ Junior companies. a5a
| Following the junior organizations were
a number OF honorary members and invited
| guests in vehicles and on horseback.
| The appearance presented by the
procession as it moved along the cho-
sen route of march was brilliant and
imposing. Phoenix had about twenty
five members in line, and their stylish
new uniforms-red shirts with black
trimming, black pants and regulation
hat and belt-were greatly admired.
Ascension turned out some thirty
men, their blue shirts with white
trimming losing nothing in COMPARE
son with the new togs of their friends
in front. They received a generous
share of the admiration expressed by
the people thronging the streets and
galleries, while in this respect the ju-
venile firemen in the rear, with their
neat uniforms and pretty little engine
and truck, fully We'd with the senior
organizations. The Phoenix engine
and Ascension truck we're beautifully
decorated with flowers, ribbons and
gossamer fabric, evincing the admira-
BILE taste of the ladies who kindly
gave their attention to this feature of
the display. A handsome bust, draped
with the stars and stripes, surmouns-
ed the truck, attracting general OBJ
servation.
Several stoppages occurred, one at
The Place, on Mississippi street, for
liquid refreshments partaken of upon
the Grand Marshals invitation an
other for similar purpose at the res
idence of the President of the Hooks,
where Mrs. Bentley and Mrs. S. NJ
Fucich had provided lemonade and
stronger concoctions calculated to re-
fresh the inner man. Hats were also
made at the residences of Mrs. Jos.
Billeisen, after whom the Phoenix en-.
CINE is christened, Mrs. j. j. Leche
godmother of the engine, and Miss
Emma Rhodes, godmotller of the As.
cension truck. These ladies were
, greeted with music and hearty cheer
ing.
| uo pdlduO OhCk3 du iuICI iHIooHOL
of one hour before dinner was an.
nounced, during which the members
,, of Phoenix marched to the residence
of their ex-President, Hon. Morris
Marks, where their band played al
air and three cheers for Judge Mark
were given with a will. DR.. sopha
escorted the juniors to his residence
and RECALLED the sturdy little fellow
. with lemonade and cake, which the.
! enjoyed to the utmost.
, Half past seven found the fremel
and their guests seated at dinner il
the Ascension Truck House, and thi
q affair passed off with as great eclat a
3 the previous ceremonies of the day