Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1882-11-11
THE FIREMEN's PARADE.

has ever had and the first that has eyer
taken place in Shepherdstown. 1t was
expected that several organizations from
the neighboring towns would be pres
ent and take part, as they had accepted
the invitation of the home company. but
owing TO failure on The part OF the
railroad company TO make reasonable
terms, and for other reasons. they failed
10 come II was determined by the
Shepherd, however, 10 have a display,
aud do the best they Gonld,
At two o'clock the line was formed
in front of the enginehouse, and the
celebrated Criswells Silver Cornet Band
took their place a; the head, when the
hose carriage, manned by six men under
Captain &. S. Miller, led off, followed
b, the engine, prettily decorated with
flags aud an evergreen arch bearing the
name shepherd" in charge OF Chief
Charles Ferrells and Assistant Henry S.
baker and nineteen prlvates. The uni
form of the company consisted OF reg
nlation white leather bat, pretty white
belt, with n. ID" in front and "Shep-
herd" on the back in red letters, dark
blue shirt, with a large IS" on the
bosom and worsled scarf around the
neck, and dark pantalOons. AS the boys
moved slowly mp the street they pre-,
scented fine appearance, and received
many compliments from the large num-
Der of persons who witnessed the parade.
After passing through the principal
streets the company was drawn up IN
line on the college pa:ement, and as
Mr.. G. NJ. Beltzhooyer, who had been
selected as orator, was unable 10 be
presen, on account of sickness, Mayor
Harrison was called on To make ALI adj
dress, which he complied with substan-
stantially as follows;
"GcuIlernen of the Shepherd Fire
Company and Fellow CitIZcns-l very
much regret the sickness and consequent
absence OF your intended speaker, and
keenlv feel the embarrassment OF the
very short notice given me as his sub
stilute, knowing that ! can DO neither
yon nor myself justice. !, however,
most heartily congratulate You upon tins
OCCASION Your fine appearance and
handsome uniforms arouse my aPprecia-
ton, and ] cordially ielicitate you upon
yonr successful enterprise.
This November is the one hundred
and twentieth anniversary Of the es,ab-
lishment by law and the laying Oft 81
the town in The year l1G2 by Captain
Thomas Shepherd, then named Meek
lenburg in honor Of number OF German
settlers. In November. 1884, Rumsey,
the inventor of the first steamboat, gave
the first public trial of his boat on the
Potomac River at this town. And III
November, 1882, the first uniformed file
company in the history OF the place
stands before me. 1t is Il strange 60
incidence that three OF the mcst noted
eras of the town should SO honor the
month Of November; and while not a
diviner of future events, yet there Is a
strong possibility that the Shepherds
town Manufacturing Companys shops,
now being completed and equipped, may
produce another surprise. The genius
of the dead Rumsey may be resurrected
and may now be aiding and inspiring
Col. JOHN Halliday, whose mechanical
skill may soon construct a steam fife
engine for you gentlemen of the Shep-
herd Fire Company.
The very name shepherd" upon y0nr
belts is appropriate and significant
first, the founder of the town, next, our
esteemed fellow citizen and the worthy
and liberal contributor towards your
beautiful uniforms. May his character
and example prompt you to continue
good citizens, worthy of the noble pur-
pose you represent.
The veteran soldier buckles on his
armor, bravely meets Lis foe, aud deties
the missiles of death. II may be thirst
tor blood or love of country that stlmu-
lates him 10 action, and to him honor is
given. Bat more honor to you, young
gentlemen. You who have volunteered
10 fight the fire fiend, who have vo!un-
teered to rescue helpless women and
children from the flames, and who have
volunteered to protect life and property
what more honorable calling! 1t is
philanthropy that urges you to brave
and HEROIC deeds.
This is an eventual day in the history
of old Shepherdstown-may 1t prove an
oasis to You and to all of us; may it re-
main a green spot indelibiy stamped on
memory's page, one that in after years
will be ha ppy Renaissance OF the past.
/ see you have about thirty uniformed
members, trust your number will soon
be NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and determl-
nation will accomplish it. | bid you
encouragement, aud in giving you good
evening ! wish you long lite, with the
attendant blessings of health, wealth,
and happiness. And now, three cheers
for the Shepherd Fire Company
AT the conclusion of Mr.. Harrison S
remarks three cheers were given for the
Shepherd Fire Company, and three more
for the worthy mayor. The boys then
gave the engine trial, and after sprink-
ling the streets and slowing the appa-
ratus away, the company was dismissed.
We can honestly say now that We
have a fire company OF which we are
proud, for it is composed of the best
young men of our town. They have
shown commendahle enterprise in or
ganizing themselves so well il such
short time. and We trust that by next
spring every young man in town shall
have Joined this organization, and take
pride and interes; in it that shall make
ii no: only benefit but an honor to