The daily gazette., 1880-07-02


The long looked for Firemen's pa
rade has taken place, and it was not
only o credit to our firemen but to the
citizens in general. 1t may well be
said tina. it was "red letter day" for
the firemen. The event had been look
ed forward to for some time, and as
the date fixed upon for it to take place
grew nearer the preparations became
more active.
As a class the firemen of this city are
an open-hearted, generous set of fel-
lows, and they determined that the pa
rade should be one that would surpass
all their former efforts, and that they
would extend to the visiting companies
such hospitalities, that they would re-
turn to their homes with the best of
feelings towards the Wilmington fire.
men, and with the highest opinions of
Our citizens. That they will do so is
fact beyond dispute, for the kindness
which they received at the hands of
our firemen, and the respect shown by
our citizens was greater than ever be-
fore.
We'll may it be said that Wilmington
has one of the, if not the best depart
ment i'll this country, and as remarked
by business man from Philadelphia
who came down to see the parade, it
would be fortunate for the citizens of
Philadelphia if there was a department
in that city just one-half as good as
ours. He thought if they had, that
there would not be so many fires there.
The display of flags and other decora-
tlons was very profuse. All along the
route OF the parade, flags were displayed
in untold numbers and in many cases
bearing words of welcome to the visi-
tors. The display of fireworks was
SIMPLY immense, and at times 1t seemed
that the whole city was wrapped in one
great sheet of fire. Almost continually
from the time it grew dusk, until IL o.
clock, the heavens were lit by the burst
ing of rockets, roman candles, ballons
and baskets of fire. IL was sight that
had to be seen to be appreciated, and il
will probably never be witnessed in this
city again, not even on the nations ma
tai day. 1t seemed that the various
social organizations along the route
tried to vie with each other in the dis
play of bunting and fireworks.
GETTING READY.
When the sun arose yesterday morn
ing, i. found that there wer3 already
numbers OF people ahead Of il, prepar-
ing for the grand demonstration that
was TO take place in the evening. Men
we're engaged IN putting on the finishing
touches TO the apparatuses in order that
they would present a scene of beauty
when placed i'll line. Others were huT-
rying TO and fro looking up necessary
articles to decorate the respective engine
houses.
About s O'Clock the members of the
Reception Committees of the " ater
Witch and Fame Hose companies wend-
ed their way to the r., w. Il b. Il. T..
depot for the purpose of proceeding by
tram TO IIavre DC Grace TO meet the two
visiting companies from Frederick City.
An account of the trip and arrival in
this city was given in the late edition OF
| yesterdays GAZETTE.
In reply TO the hearty welcome extend
ed the two companies at the City Hall
by Mayor Almond, Hon. F. }. Nelson,
President of the United Fire Company,
said.
| | am glad to respond TO the hearty
welcome of the Mayor. From evidences
| thus far the Junior and United Fire
Companies are likely to have very
pleasant time. All Delawareans are
doubtless acquainted with Mary land, but
generally they know only the Eastern
| Shore, the region of the sand crabs. But
we come from the billy regions of the
West. Marylanders are fully acquainted
| with Delaware, through the fame OF the
| Diamond States favorte son, and only
few days ago Maryland was prepared
to give that distinguished Delawarean
10000 majority. Marylanders desired
to know Delawareans more intimately,
and hope that the time of the visiting
companies will be thus employed.
The arrival of the Frederick compan-
les was the first indication that some
thing was going to take place in Will
mington. As the train bearing the visi-
tors came putting into the city the pass
engers were greeted by large crowds OF
people on both sides of The railroad who
cheered as the train passed by at slack
ened rate of speed. Upon arriving at
the depot the crowd was simply i'm
mense, and Water street from West to
French was lined.
The Harrisburg visitors arriving short
ly after 2 o'clock, aud the air soon be-
came resonant with music.
About 6 O'Clock the streets began to
fill with people, all of whom seemed to
be in an extraordinary hurry. This was
another indication that something great
was going to lake place, and a second
glance was sufficient to indicate that the
firemen were up and doing.
DOUBTS AND FEARS.
About $50 o'clock in the afternoon
the heavens become o'er cast with
heavy clouds, and drops OF rain began
to fall. This had rather depressing
effect upon & boys, as they feared that
their pleasure would be marred but
as they are used to being drenched with
water, and being a brave and self sacri-
ficing band of men, they would have
paraded, though it had raised Contin'
ously the whole night. Before O'Clock
the rain fell more copiously and then
IL was that the ladies began TO have
doubts as to whether the display woult
be as grand as it was intended, to make
IL, but the time was fixed, and the even
: would have to take place, rain or nj
rain.
THE CROWDS.
Long before tie hour named for thu
line to move people began to seel
favorable locations in order TO view th'
line aud when the order was given II