The Opelousas courier., 1882-06-03
Parade and Picnic of our Fire
Companies.

AAoon SC AaAaOA OoiHpdAy Va oAt Wv rs
to the Washington Fire Companies, to
the old exempt members of the fire
department, and to the representatives
of the press. The day dawned auspi-
ciously and was "a pleasant har binger
of the many happy incidents and joy
Gus events that were to crown the
results of this social reunion. At $50
a. m. the members of the two fire
companies dressed in their handsome
uniforms formed in procession, in the
following erdsr, en- the Court House
square: The w. A. r. Brass Band
led the column, then came Hope Hook
and Ladder company in columns of twos
in rear of their beautiful banner, fol-
lowed by their artistically decorated
truck, which in it's profusion of beau
tiful wreaths of flowers and ever
some fairy queen it being drawn by
two splendid bay horses which added
materially to the arrangement of the
procession. Next came an open car
riage drawn,by two magnificent grays
in which was seated Mr.. Joseph Gibbs,
one of the oldest of the surviving men,
bers of the original fire company of
1928, holding in his hands staff on
which was suspended magnificent
floral wreath. On each side of this
wreath sat four pretty little girls,
dressed in white, each holding a red
ribbon attached to the wreath above.
This was certainly most picturesque
tableau and added great beauty and
interest to the scene. Behind this
followed the jeyial and heroic boys of
Fire Company No. |, the generous
hosts of the day, looking as handsome
in their bright uniforms as they are
chivalrous and hespitable in their ma
lures. Many of them bore rich bou-
quets and beautiful wreaths in their
hands which they had received as tes-
timonials of appreciation from the ladies
to the Fire Company. At ten o'clock
the Band struck up lively air, when
the procession, under the command of
Leonce Sandoz, ESQ.,, as marshal of the
day, F. F. Perrodin, ESD, and Solomon
Bloch, ESQ, as assistant marshals.
marched down Landry street into
Main street. Moving north until reach
ing the residence of Mr.. F. Bolland, the
procession was halted to receive an
other beautiful wreath of flowers and
evergreens, bearing the legend "Te
Opelousas Fire Company No. /, 1885," !"
donated by Mrs. Bolland and Miss
Reynolds, and presented in their be-
half. in very neat speech by
aRd was received in eloquent lam
guage by f. f. Perrodin, Esq, the
President of Fire Company No. 1. The
procession then moved on to the strains
of the splendid music of the band, ex
citing admiration and general interest,
from our people, all along the line Of
march through the principal streets OF
our tswn Carriages and hacks were
then procured to transport them to the
cool and delicious springs in the
woods. Having reached there the first
thing was to slake their thirst at this
sylvan fountain. Then beneath the
shadows of the mighty oaks the COM
pany and their guests, among whom
there were many of our fair ladies,
divided into groups for social converse
and pleasant diversion. The woods
fairly rang with the echoes Of merry
laughter and sparkling conversation.
Generous feelings ruled supreme and
the Joyous hours sped rapidly away.
Ever and anon the band would play a
cheice selection which would send
waves of rippling melody through this
pleasant forest retreat. Finally the
dining hour arrived. The innumerable
and well filed baskets proclaimed the
abundance of the feast Everything
id the way of solids, Injuries. aud
LIQUIDS that could tempt the appetite
was spread on the tables. Barring a
shower of rain which lasted for few
moments the banquet was o perfect
success. Every body seemed to enjoy
the occasion and Fire Company No.
have reason to congratulate themselves
npon the successful manner in which
they executed their programmes OF the
day.
The entertainment given by the w.
Al. r. Brass Band, on last Wednesday
night. was gratifying snccess in every
respect and, though the first dramatic
effort made under the auspices OF that
organization, we trust it was only the
precursor of many more to follew in
the near future. The fine histrionic
talents displayed by the performers
should be frequently brought into re-
ouisition and thoroughly developed,
and thus made source Of pleasure and
profit TO their possessors and Of whole
eon,e and innocent recreation to the.
general public. Besides the void this
organization was originally intended
to FIJI, ii can very well and should ait
once occupy this legitimabe field, made
vacant by the dissolution of the Social