Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-05-13
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
THE EMPIRE EXCURSION.
a HOspitable Reception and . Joyous Tlms
Banquet by the eLadies-Speeches,
Music, etc.-Incidonts of
tho Trip.

a HosPitable Reception and . Joyous Tim.
Banquet by tho Ladies-Speeches,
Music, etc.-Incidonts OF
tho Trip.
The trip Of the Empire hook and ladder
company to Chambersburg yesterday was
all that could be desired for delicious
weather and prompt passage. The boys
enjoyed it thoroughly. An hour at Har-
risburg was largely devoted to dinner, and
at every station of any size Oh the Cum
berland Valley line the band played an air,
and detachment of the fremen had a
walk around to the music Of "Son" Hess's
mouth-organ, or an elephant waltz by
Clayt. Myers, Ferd. Demuth, VIM. B. Fin
ney and John COPELAND.
At Carlisle mite of moke, thirteen
years old and thirty inches long, in bare
feet and red shirt, was picked up and
adopted by tho company. His name il
Thompson-with "p"-and he is fun
nier than Landseer's "traveled monkey"
The best of order, though the merriest of
fun, prevailed until the company reached
Chambersburg. Committees of the Vigi-
liant met the Empire at Carlisle and Ship
pensburg, and the whole entertaining
company met them at the Chambersburg
depot. They marched through town, un-
der arches of welcome" and past gaily
decorated public and private buildings, to
their headquarters at the National hotel,
which is ablaze with bunting and hospita-
BILE notices. The boys took in the town
from to 8, visiting Heyser's extensive
paper and straw board mills, promenad-
ing the streets and seeing various points Of
interest.
AT $50 they were marched to Repository
hall, where banquet was given them by
the Vigilant members and their Lady
friends. The Mt. Pleasant company, of
Harrisburg, was present, with the State
Capital band, the Vigilant company, lead
ing citizens and officials Of the borough
and representatives of all the local fire
companies. The hall stage was gaily
decorated with arches, flags, notices and
blazing gas jets in designs. Over 200 sat
down to a handsome banquet of cold meats,
fruits, cakes, relishes, ice cream and coffee.
An address of welcome was delivered by
James Mcknight, esq, cordial, hospitable
and eloquent. w. U. Hensel, ESQ.,, re-
sponded for the Empire, thanking Cham
bersburg's citizens and firemen for their
generous entertainment of Lancaster's cit
izen-fremen. He referred to the many ties
binding together the people of Lancaster
county and Of the Cumberland Valley, and
to the union of hearts and hands that over
leaped mountain barriers and rolling rivers
to join loyal, unselfish tiremen. Mr.. AL
Nebinger responded neatly for the Harris
burg firemen. Dan Clemmens, jr., execu-
ted a novel drum solo and the material
feast was begun.
After it was finished the Empire marched
to the hotel and with their band sere-
naded some of the town folk. Everything
last night pointed to a grand pageant to-
day. Guests and hosts are equally pleased
with each other and everybody is having
quiet, but a joyful time.
The only unpleasant incident was that
some scoundrel got into the band room
and cut the strings Of the valves Oh Char
ley Leaman's horn last mig ht.
The following dispatch was received at
his Office this afternoon
"CHAMBERsBERG, May 13.
50 To Lntelligeneer
"Propitious weather; big crowd;
parade grand success ninete en- companies
and apparatus fifteen bands; Governor
Hoyt reviewed it. Lancaster boys and
oand special subjects Of popular admira-
ion."