Louisiana capitolian., 1880-02-28
The Prenen's Parade
a GLORIOUS DAY IN THE HIGH
LAND CITY,

Washington's birthday! The observed
of all the historic days of the grea
American Union 1t fell this year ol
Sunday-the Christians day of holy
rest-and with q. view to showing the
respect due the sauctity of its weekly
occurrence, the gallant Fire Department
of our little city postponed their accus.
toned celebration to the day follow
ing-the 23d of February. The early
morn was marked by dark, hazy at.
mosphere, caused by the prevailing fog
and ovcrhanging clouds that foated
ominously oyer the face of the beacon
of light, thereby arousing apprehensions
that the weather would prove unpropi-
tiohs But gradually as the day ad-
vanced and the sun mounted higher and
higher in its -honored pathway, the
vapors cleared away, and at ten o'clock
there was every indication of IL cool and
pleasant afternoon, in perfect accord
with the patriotic promptings of the eel
ebration.
In accordance with programme pre-
viously published, at about three O'clock
the different companies, under command
of their respective Marshals, drew up il
line in the west end of North Boulevard
street, the place chosen for forming the
procession. In few minutes the neces-
sary preliminaries, owing to the prompt
ness and efficiency of Grand Marshal j..
ID. Fisher, were admirably effected, and
the gorgeous column marched off as in
the manner hereinafter described.
With the word of command to "FOr-
ward March," the Grand Marshal led
off the magnificent cortege, followed ut
once by his handsome aids, Messrs. l.. +.
Reynaud, w. G. Randolph and r. d.
Schloss, each representing separate or
CARNATIONS Of the Department. Mount
ed upon spirited horses, that kept per-
feet time to the martial air which fell
with inspiring sweetness upon the balmy
air, every movement was characterized
by grace and elegance.
Next came the invited guests, the city
fathers, and the older exempt and hon
orary members of the Fire Department
in carriages. The Indep ,nlenS Silv;r
.Cornct Band, in full uniform, under its
devoted leader, then followed, the deep
toned Instruments rolling ont sweet and
1livcniny strains that added zeal and
spirit 1et only to the "Fire. B,ys,' but
to the vast multitude that thron.cl the
streets.
The Chief of the Department, Mr.. r.
J. B. Fairic, attended by his gallant
Aids, Messrs. Charles O'Conn,ll, X. p.
Sanchez, and Isidore Larguier, walks
forward with digni|icd step, their beau
tiful uniforms adorning their handsome
forms, and strengthening the general
conviction as to their devotion and eff
cheney.
Marching directly in the rear of these
trusty officers were about twenty
exempt members Of the department,
drawn up in line, seeming proud to thus
bear testimonials to their past services
in the guardianship Of the Highland City
against the dread tirc-tiend.
But here comes another honornd Mar
shall, Mr.. A. +, Barryre, proudly leading
the elastic steps Of independence No. 2,
an organization, dignitied with age and
adorned with the bright hopes and en-
tlusiasm of youth. The flag was grace
fully poised in the hands of Mr.. Wallace
Hernandez, while ut each side were two
little boys in ircmcns costume, holding
the slender cords attached. Some forty
or more of active members were at the
ropes, kept in perfect movement by the
talented young foreman, Mr.. l.. y. Bcale.
A splendid span of horses drew the en-
gne, while "Dandy Bill of ~ marched
within the ropes with as gay and proud
Il bearing as ever marked stccd of the
ancient Knightlood. Festoons of ever
green delicatel y dotted here and there
with blooming camclias, were hung in
charming pr0fllson about the engine,
larmonizing sweetly with the pendant
baskets of choice flowers and streamcrs
of wide blue ribbon which ran fore and
aft from a magnificent boquct resting
upon u FURNISHED pedestal in the center
A mammoth wreath of cvtrgrccns inter
woven with fragrant flowers, graced
the front of the suction, while the green
moss eHd vlriegated flowers pcering
in mystic beauty from the baskets on
hauced the whole, which was completed
by two beautiful circles fastened on each
side of the engine, rejecting in glowing
letters the notices: On the right
Remember the Fire Boys Of 9, always
willing, always true;" and on the left
"Evcr ready and true, are the Fire
Boys of g" We came near forgetting
to mention that little Henry Schul +,
aged only four years, and dressed as a
fireman, marched ut the head of the
boys Of this company.
Next in the gorgeous column came the
tall and graceful members of Pelican
HOOK Il Ladder No. |, their standard
raised high in the hands of Mr.. John
Jolly, assisted, as in the case of lndc-
pcndcncc, by two little boys. Marching
at the head of the company, mounted
upon prancing black charger, was it's
Marshal, Mr. Henry Busch, whose, APP
probation of the honor conferred upon
him was depicted by the smiles with