The daily gazette., 1879-07-07
FIRST EDITION.
TINE FIREMEN's PARADE.

A BRILLIANT STREET PAGEANT-How
THE FIRE COMPANIES SHOWED THEIR
STRENGTH AND DELIGHTED THE
PEOPLE.
The parade by the members Of the
Wilmington Fire Department, on Satur-
day night, was one of the most interest
ing eelebrations that have taken place
for several years. 1t attracted gener-
al public attention, and recalled to
mind the days gone by when firemen's
parade was one of the leading events Of
the time.
This parade, though arranged on
very short notice, was successful, as well
as interesting. IL was gotten up as a
reception to the members Of the Friend
ship Company, on their return from
their visit to Harrisburg, and notwith-
standing the meagre time for prepara-
tion, was possessed of imposing proper
tions and many exceedingly handsome
features. The full department was rep
resented, with the exception of the
Fame Hose Company, but SO well did
the other companies respond, that the
absence of this one company was not
missed, and did not detract in the slight
est degree from the appearance of the
line OF parade, or the success of the en-
tige affair.
1t was evident at an early hour in the
evening that the people felt great in
terest in the parade, and were determin-
I'd to have a full view of it. Market
street was lined with people at an early
hour in the evening, and Fourth street
when the parade started, was crowded
from Market to Pine, with throng of
men, women and children, all anxious
to see the ''fire-laddles," as they started
out on dress parade before the admiring
public. r... I.-
At 7:30 o'clock the different companies
left the engine houses, and marched to
Fourth street, where the line of parade
was started, the companies forming on
the cross streets, with their rights resting
on Fourth. The parade started about
$50 o'clock, when the torches were all
lighted, and Fourth street was illumined
with brilliant blaze Of beauty as the
gallant firemen countermarched within
its capacious bounds, while the assem-
bled multitudes gaZed on the beautiful
scene with feelings Of inexpressibls de-
light. The gaily-comparisOned horses,
the beautifully trimmed engines, and the
lines Of well-equipped, stalwart men,
formed an attraction rarely seen in this
city, enhanced as it was by the light of
the torches, and the reflection of the red
fire that blazed in the smoke-stacks of
the steamers along the line.
A feature of the parade were the many
beautiful bouquets which adorned the
apparatus, and were carried by many of
the men in line. These were mostly
gifts from the lady friends of the fire
men, many of whom retained their floral
| fayors until the parade started, and then
! presented them to the lucky recipients
! These testim onials. of regard were CRATE
| fully received, and showed that the fire.
men he'd high position in the esteem
| and affection of the 'adies OF Whining
| ton.
Another prominent feature of the af-
fair were the many handsome illumina-
tions along the line of march, and the
liberal display of fireworks. Not only
were the public houses and stores illu-
minated and adorred with flags, but
numerous private houses were lighted
from top to bottom, as evidence Of the
| appreciation of the owners for the men
who so gallantly labor to save the city
| from the ravages the fire fiend. All the
engine houses were also brilliantly light
| ed, and decorated with flowers and ever
green's.
Along the entire route the people
gathered to view the glittering pageant,
which in many instances was greeted
with hearty cheers as it passed by. The
march up Market street was a complete
ovation, and the sidewalks were packed
with dense mass ofhumanity along the
entire length OF this thoroughfare. As
the parade passed the City Hall the bell
| in the tower was rung incessantly, and
the engine house bells were also vigor-
ously rung as the parade passed by each.
The parade, besides its pleasing attrac-
| tions, gave fair idea of the numerical
strength, efficiency and personnel of the
| fire companies. The line was compact
ly formed, and occupied fifteen minutes
in passing given point.
A full report of the parade with the
vari ,us incidents occurring along the
iiiAS Vi mar I'll, VIII VIC iOuha pCioW
GATHERING OF THE FIREMEN.
Early in the afternoon it was easy to
be seen even by stranger, that some
thing was going to occur in Wilmington;
men were hurrying to and fro from the
various engine houses, and everyone
| who passed seemed to have pleased
look of expectancy about them. Toward
| q O'clock the general crowd upon the
streets grew larger, whilst ever and anon
men with the brilliant red shirt, and the
fireman's belt and hat, could be seen
vending their way to one or the other of
the engine houses. BIT 7 o'clock things
were still livelier, and at o'clock the line,
BEGAN TO FORM.
Fourth street, was the street that had
been designated for the forming of the
line, and so great was the curiosity Of
the people to see the first that was to be
seen, that the street on both sides was
packed with a living mass Of humanity
as early as Z O'Clock in the evening, ant
when the first engine company marched
down to take its place in the line, all eyes
were turned In the direction from whence
it came.
Each of the companies formed ir
front of their respective houses, ant
when ready marched to the place o.
formation. The Reliance, up Fifth tt
French to Fourth, taking the right Of
the line.
The Delaware down King to Fourth
to Walnut, right resting on Fourth
The Water Witch up Shipley to Seventh,
m Market tn Fourth to POPLAR righi