Daily Republican., 1881-09-22
OFF FOR IsEADING.
THE Fire Companies visit to Read
img-They Leave en- u Special
Train.

Long before Eve clock this morning
the tirnmon who are to participate III
the tireluen'S : parade at Reading, this
afternoon, were a>tir AMI making prepa-
rations TO depart. The first to arrive
and hoard the train were the Phoenix
Co., with thirty equipped men, accom-.
panied by the Citizens Cornet Band, of
oxford, "a, numbering a pieces. The
band presented tine appearance with
navy blue uniforms aud blue caps.
They letI Oxtorl last evening about
seven o'clock in their band wagon, to
which was attached four horses. The
drive was made TO this city in about
eignt hours, as they took their time and
stopped at Newark for an hour to rest
the horses, arriving i'll this city at 239
this morning and were welcomed at
the Engine House by the company, for
whom they We're TO tUOt to-day.
Mex came the Washington 5. +. E.
Co., with tnirty-seven equipped men,
accompanied by the First Regiment
Band Of this city, with 20 pieces and a
Drum Major This band donned their
new uni forms for the first time, and
look nice, and present a much finer ap.
pearance than they did in their old
ones. The uniform, were furnished by
.he Wilmington Clothing House, and
consist of light blue pants, navy blue
coats and vests, with a pretty cap sur
mounted with IL white plume.
Lastly came tho Weccacoe, with forty
five men, all nicely equipped in their
new uniforms, accompanied by the
Washington Grey's Band, Of Philadel-
phia, numbering 20 pieces, with Drum
Major. The band arrived here last
evening and took quarters at the Uni
ted States Hotel, and we're escorted to
the house of the Weccacoo early this
morning.
The Hanley Hose Co. No. l, of Ches-
ter, Pa, who were the guests of the
Weccacoc. arrived II this city at ~
this morning, on special train, and
,eir train was united to the special
train awlting at Front and Madison
streets. This company brought their
st. amer and hose carriage with them.
Thcy numbered seventy men, accom-
panied by the Fricnstip CornAt Band,
Of Chester, with twenty two pieces. flll-
ing TWO ears.
The P"pnix and Weccace loaded
their steamers, last night, on q fat car,
in readiness for starting this morning.
aud u man from the two companies was
appointed to watch over them duilng
the night.
The Washington Hose carriage was
loaded this morning, as they dld not
want to risk it out last night, for fenr
something might happen to H.. IL Is
fine carriage and will stand a good
chance to carry off first premium, for the
handsomest hose carriage in line OF the
proces zion. The train comprised ot
seven pa ,senger. three freight anil
baggage car.
Tie Weccac9 have two carrier doves
in Gag, whicn they propose to pre-
sent to The Liberty Fire Co of Reading,
whose guests they become on their ar
rival.
At Just twenty-three minutes of seven
o'clock, the conductor shouted "all
board" and the train moved out, en-
route for Reading, where the Firemeh
Parade will take place al 2 o'clock, 2,
m.. this afternoon. Our Firetnen Will
retnain in Reading until Saturday after
noon, in order to visit the Tournament
at that place to morrow If they ar
rive home early in the evening, q par
aLe will most likely be made in this
CITY on that evening. The Water
Witch and Fame Hose rung their bells
while the different companies we're pro.
ceeding TO the depot. The tiremen all
wore Grape badges on their arms, out OF
respect to our dead President.