The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1882-09-16
The Excursion.
alexandria Democrat, Sept, 6. ]

tAiexandria Democrat, Sept. 6.
Sunday was gala day in Alexan-
dria, the occasion being the visit of the
Hope Hook & Ladder Co, Liberty No
I, and Opelonsas No. |, Fire Compa,
nies, the Prairie Base Ball Club and a
large number of ladies and civilians
from Opelousas, who came on an ex-
cursion train of nine coaches over Nor,
gan's Louisiana and Texas Railroad.
They were met at the depot by the
Fire Department of Alexandria in full
uniform and by Il large crowd of ladies
and gentlemen who had gathered to
greet them, many of them to meet
friends and relatives The Fire Com
panies headed by the brass band
marched to the Town Hall where they
were welcomed on behalf of the resi-
dent tiremen by Rebt. P. Hunter, Esq :,
in the address which follows
Gentlemen of the Visiting Fire Compa-
nies:
The perhaps too indulgent partiality
Of my good friends the iremen of Alex
andria, has assigned to me on this
auspicieus occasion the pleasant task
of bidding you welcome to our little
city welcome to their homes, and well
come to that place in their hearts and
their esteem freely accorded to you as
companions in cause, if not the ne
blest, one of the noblest ever conceived
by tbs heart of man-and as co labor
els in the most generous and unselfislI
work ever undertaken by the arm oil
man. Firemen themselves, they we'll
know how justly you are entitled to
the full measure of that only other re-
ward save the approval of his own con
science ever sought or obtained by the
fireman, the recognition of the value
of his services, of the purity of his me-
tives and Of the nnsslfishness of his la-
Dor wherein manly impulses ara known
or generous Instincts have a home.
The fireman is natures true noble
man. The Laurel Crown in recOgni
tien of civic virtue sits rightly upon
his brow and the plaudits of his fellow
citizens for the meritOrous discharge
of an always oherOus, and Oftentimes
hazardous duty are justly his. Other
men in broader and more extended
fields ef usefulness may have accom-
plished greater results, but the fire
man, standing as he does like u true
soldier ever ready Mt the sound of the
alarm bell, eager, anxious and at. the
risk of his own life, to do valiant battle
with the devouring element in defense
aud protection of the lives, the homes
and the property of his follow citizens
furnishes to the world an example 81
true heroism that can not bo too highly
praised and gives an illustration of the
! free discharge of the highest civilian
duty that can not be properly charac
terized by any language however ele-
quent nor fifty expressed by any fern
of thought however powerful.
AS visitors, friends-Beighbors from
that chivalric city of the prairies, the
fame of whose hospitality and courtesy
has gone abroad over the land, as Fire
men, in the name of and on behalf o.
the Fire Department of Alexandria,
bid you Welcome
+ In response to repeated calls Mr.. f
F. Perredin of Opelousas, replied ell
behalf of the visitors, in most forciblt
aHd eloquent address which called fortl
loud cheers by the assembled multi
! tude Mr.. John NJ. Martin being called
for made an eloquent address, in whicl
lie expressed the hope which we know
to be shared by all our people, and il
which we cordially join on their behalf
that now that Opelousas and Alexan
dria are SO closely bound together b,
the iron bonds that unite ns, the goo,
people of the two cities will see an,
know more of each other and be mer
closely bound in the bonds of friend
ship and good will. A pressing invita-
tidsn was extended to the fremen AM
citizens of Alexandria to return th
visit, and after returning thanks fo
their cordial reception the meeting
then adjourned upon an invitation t,
liquidate extended to them by our fire
men and some of our citizens.
At one o'clock most substantial ant
elegant lunch was spread at the salool
of Mr.. j. Levin, which all seemed t.
enjoy and at which the utmost goo,
feeling prevailed. Tn the Afternoon
there was match game of base bal
between the Prairie and Alexandra
mines, which was witnessed by a iarg
crowd, and which resulted in victor,
for the Alexandria boys. Anothe
large crowd assembled at the depot t
see the visitors off at o'clock p. m.
and we think that the excarsionists LEI
ms we'll pleased with their visit. The
carried with them the good wishes G
all cur people.
Why go to New Orleans for doeri
sash, blinds, etc, when you can &c
them at the St. Landry Planning Mill
for the same money?
Yes, sah,' said Brudder Johnsing
" Ef de descendants of the rooster whs
crowed ut Peter was to make nois
ebery time a lie ia teld der would b
such noise in de world dat yer conl
not heah de hens cackle."
4 Mnuars e. no hava tho pioasf a N