Morning journal and courier., 1883-10-12
The Great Firemen.s Parade.

Great Day fn BrIdgepOrt-FOur Thou-
 sand Er1remen i'm Line-A Grand Ova-
 ttOn-Thfrty Thousand Vtsitors-Publfc
 Buildings GafIy DecOratod-The New
 Haven Veterans Greeted Everywhere
 ThIrty-SIx Brass Bands and Fifteen
 Drum Corps.
 Yesterday the great fremen's parade took place in Bridgeport and to say that it was grand success is placing it mild. The day
 was all that could be desired. The weather
 was warm and balmy and everybody seemed happy over the fact, for it was an assurance ] of thousands of visitors to witness one of the grandest displays of volunteer fire companies
 ever given in this State. The early trains 1 from different parts of the State brought
 large numbers of visiting fremen and their 1 friends and tho railroads were taxed to their
 utmost capacity to provide sufficient trolling
 stock" to accommodate the people. The
 stores, dwellings and public buildings were gaily decorated with flags and streamers and
 our sister city presented real holiday ap-
 pearance. The visiting fremen were every
 where welcomed and their gentlemanly ap- l pearance entitled them to all the honors they
 received.
 1 The pioneers in this great parade were the
 members of Pacific Engine company, which
 was formed in 1882 for the parade at Dan-
 bury. Afterward they formed 8 permanent 1 organization, and when the subject of pa.
 rade in Bridgeport was broached they met
 with no little opposition by the croakers who predicted failure To-day the company
 can congratulate themselves in that they
 were the promoters of display so grand and l imposing.
 The veteran fremen of this city went on 8 1 special train, which was advertised to leave at $40, but did not get away until some time l later, owing to the scarcity of cars needed to provide for the accommodation of all who
 wished to take this special train. The vet erans made a short street parade before go- l ing to the depot and they made most cred l itable appearance. They were over one hun I dred strong with ex-Chief Hiram Camp as
 chief marshall assisted by ex-Chief Charles
 E.. Nettleton and Colonel John C.. Heaiey as
 aids. There were two platoons of twelve ex-foremen, followed by detail bear l ing old time fire torches and brass pipes and nozzles. The banner of the or
 ganization was supported by five men, followed by six supporting the drag rope leading bar. Their band discoursed excellent
 music. The old hand engine No. 8 attracted
 much attention. She was frightened up for the occasion and bore this motto: ''Work
 me well, keep me clean, and I'll take the butt 1 of any machine '' Charles Doty carried 8
 trumpet awarded by the Bridgeport fire de- partment to Guardian Engine company of
 New Haven for the best stream of water at 8 l trial on July 4, 1860. Ex-Chief Camp car l ried solid silver trumpet which was pre-
 sented to Fireman John Woodruff, of Frank.
 lin No. 4, in October, 1851. Police Sergeant ] Lent Bishop carried silver trumpet which l was presented to Mutual Hook and Ladder | company No. l, iu 1865, by Eagle Fire En- l zine company, of Trenton, N. J.
 l It was nearly half-past Il o'clock before all l the bands and numerous companies had as- sembled at the rendezvous on Park avenue | and the streets leading out towards the west 1 The first division was formed on State street 1 extension, right resting on Park avenue; the 1 secoz1d on Hanover and Norman streets, right ! on Park avenue, and the third in Cottage 1 street and ranistan avenue right on Park avenue Considerably less than an hour was spent in placing the companies in order. Major Watson's military experience and | efficient work being of inestimable value.
 The aid rendered by the marshaIs also facili- 1 tated the work to a great degree. During the interval before the start, each of the con- panies was escorted by the proper commit
 tees to various resorts prepared in the neigh borhood, where lunch was served to all. At
 12:30 the line was put in motion, taking the 1 following order:
 1 Chief of Police William Marsh, mounted. 1 Two platoons of police, commanded by Captain | George Pratt and Lieutenant William 1 Dorrance
 1 GRAND MARSHAL.