American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1881-05-14
s'ircman's Day in Weeks
burg

about thirty firemen, clothed Ill
their new and pretty uniforms.
We regret to say th:t only i've
ia,lies accompanied rs. Car Stra
mer and Hose carriage were on Hat
cars. both having been beautifully
decorated by the ladies on the
previous day. just at five We
steamed off, as gay aud happy a
set of tiremen at ever went on an
excursion. We arrived without
ANYTHING worthy of note in oack-
son at 7:15, were there joined by
the Gem No. . of jackson, Mayor
John McGill foreman; they were
out il full force, numbering 40
men, they presented fine appear
ance. A large number OF ladies
and citizens joined us, and when
after a three and half hours ride We
arrived in Vicksburg at 1915, we
numbered over 500 souls. Upon
leaving the cars we were met by
the officers of Constitution No. Of
the city, and escorted us from the
depot to their ball, accompanied
by their band, which diScoursed the
sweetest of music along the entire
route, Upon being introduced up
stairs into their reception room, we
were formally welcomed by their
spokesman, Capt. w. X. Spear s
The eloquent and touching wei
come of the gallant Captain won
our hearts at once, and from tins
moment began on the part OF Con-
stitution No. l, (whose. special
guest we were,) one of the most
kuntiring displays OF over.lowhg
Hospitality we have ever witnessed.
To entertain guests Giid make them
feel at home without any apparent
effort on the part of the host IS one
of the most difficult accomplish
ments. Throughout the entire day
from 1O:15 until p. m, each mem
Der of this company seemed to
vie with each other in doing us
honor. After partaking of lunch, ,
everything prepared, We at once
Joined the grand processiOn,-to
it's route and the general appear
ance of the individual companies ]
will not trespass upon your time to
speak, as the vicksburg papers
have SO full y described them. Our
boys looked well, and best of all
behaved well. Mr.. John Live!ar
our handsome foreman, received
many a well deserved compliment
from tho ladies, and he deserves
our thanks TOR the unremitting en-
ergy displayed il making our
visit a success. The heartfelt
interest of the citizens of Vi:ks-
burg in their noble firemen was
fully shown by the showers of bou-
quets, heaped upon us during the
route, the magnificent display of
buntingand the loud shouts OF
of applause as some favOiite COM
pany would pass "a congregation OF
friends. Speaking of flowers the
writer takes occasion to return
thanks i'll the name of our company
to Mrs. E. A. Forbes and Miss
Mamie Hammond, each OF them
having honored us with sufficient
number of button hole bouquets to
go around twice. After the pro-
cession we were led into Magnolia
Hall, the principal banquet hall.
1t is useless for me to attempt to
the scene that followed,
the large hall was literally filed
with tables, and those tables
groaned under overy thing that
man could desire to eat. Ice cream.
cakes, wines and cigars followed in
After filling TO re-
pletion, the writer and a friend
took the first opportunity to slip of
fur breathing spell, we wandered
down upon Washington street,
much to our surprise. and before
we could even ask the reason why,
we were '.collarcd" by another
fireman. and forced i ito Eclectic
Hall, the banquctting room Of
Washington No. 3. No use to try
and refuse them, we had to cat and
drink again, and to wind the mat
ter up. as our boys left, we saw
one of the Canton boys staggering,
(not from anything ne had imbib
ed) actually staggering under a
bouquet large enough to adorn
our court house steeple. He said
was given him fo- Canton No.
/. After this by request the boys
en- mdSse repaired to the rooms of
No. l, aud spent the
next two hours in trying to bid
each other good bye. during that
time we heard from Maj. Barks-
laIe, Gen. Lowry, Mayor McGill,
md Hon. G.. w. Thomas, the
,poknmap NJ E,uton No in raS>
Donse to tOasts suitable to the or
,asion. OF course we thought the
lay was over, our hes had rer-
'ormed their duty to its fullest ex
.ent. But no, our company was
below to their engine |
Dom, and there we bcheld the en-
sine of Constitution No. ], strips |
ped of the beautiful and expen-
i've decorations which had adorn-
ID her in the morning, and stand
ng just in front Of the Hall in the |
street. our own little beauty,
wearing them. Capt. r. w. Spears
who seems to be ready for any
mounted upon tho fire
wheel of his engine and presented
he entire outfit to us as u token OF
heir kind feeling, in a way that
melted our hearts, and did honor
O himself and organization. Or
course our spokesman had to res.
,ond, but the most eloquent res
,onse was the eyes, looks and over
lowing hearts of our boys. 1t be-
ug then near the hour for our d.