Daily Republican., 1882-09-14

ODD FELLOWs in BEADING.


How the COIOred People We're Re
ceIVed-An ExcursIOnISI's View
OF she Scene,
Yesterday was a gala day among the
colored people OF Reading, It being the
occasion of q grand Odd Fellows re.un-
ion and the city was ablaze with ex-
element. The arrival OF every tram
during the day brought scores to the
scene and the day was one long to be
remembered. Wilmington furnished
over HOO people to the number OF Vlsi-
tors. The excursion from this city was
unusually large and the train was made
up in two sections. The excursion WAS
under the direction of the Grand Uni
ted Order of Odd Fellows, and Star OF
Bethlehem, Brandywine and Whining
ton Subordinate Lodges participated,
together with large number OF friends
who awaited themselves of the extra
Inducements Offered on this occasion.
The Harmony Corhet band accompa-
MED the excursionists and dispersed ex-
cellent music while the train was 60
| ing and returning as we'll as partici'
pating in the large parade which TOOK
place in the afternoon. Among those
who accompanied the excursionist was
Stansbury Murray, of No. 9 French St. =,
Wilmington's popular barber, who
speaks in highest terms OF the recep-
tion rendered them by the citizens OF
Reading both white and colored.
Mr.. Murray in company with some OF
Readings oldest citizens, visited all the
important places of interest and were
highly pleased with Reading as city.
Among the places visited was Key
stone Hook and Ladder company, the
Reading Hose company and other
places, where they were shown the
workings of the various apparatuses
and everything was explained to them
in detail. Among the most noticeable
objects in the fire department, was an
iron mask, used by the fremen when
they are working in close proximity tc
| fire and smoke This mask is supplied
with sponge, enCased in a cell, Nhlch
is supplied with water and thus Eee ps
back the fire and smoke, while the
wearer is supplied with pure air, which
( enables him to fight the fiery eiement
without danger of suttoca,ion.
Mr.. Murray aJes that the colored
paople upon this occasion were treated
10y the white people with as much re-
spect as though they were of their own
color and everyone seemed to take
| great interest in the celebration. Flags
and banners hOated from all the manu-
| featuring and business establishments
while numerous houses were alike dec
\ GRATED. When the line of parade passed
the engine houses, factories, ETC., WORK
was suspended, bells rang, whistles
blowed aud cheers sent up which clear
| ly showed that the cOlored people were
as well received by the white popula
tion as any of their own color would
have been.
When asked if this state Of atfairt
existed at all times, Mr.. Murray stated
that in his opinion and from observa-
Ition it did, ,as the cOlored man was seen
in the large workshops and manufan
turing establishments, and they CoulC
lalways secure a situation wherever
lthcv could perform the work.
Surely, said Mr.. Murray, Reading
is the place for the colored man. Last
evening tie park was brilliantly
illuminated and promenaders wer'
out in full force. Quite a number o.
the guests participated In the danc'
in the pavilion while others enjoyed
themselves in various ways. The ex
Icursionists left Reading for Whining
ton about 10 o'clock, arriving at the
latter place at O'Clock this morning
all well pleased with the days enjoy
mont.