The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1883-04-28
The E'iremen's Parade.
The Christening of No, S New Steam Engine
the '' Blanche Perrcdin.''

ousds Iooh place on laSC wednesday
evening, in honor of the christening of
Steam Fire Company No Is beautiful
engine, which the Company had deter
mined tn call Blanche PerrodiA, after
the pretty little daughter of their presi-
dent, F. +. Perrodin, Esq Never be-
fore has Opelousas witnessed such a
marshaling of her uniformed and gallant
defenders against fire, whose numbers
were materially increased by depnta-
tions from the companies of our sister
town, Washington, and whose ensemble
constituted a pageant we'll calculated to
increase the esprit de corps of the fire.
men, as we'll as to crafty the pride aud
interest of our citizens.
The different companies assembled at
the Engine and Truck house, on the
Court House square, at 2:30 p. M, and
organized in procession as follows:
The W. A. r. Brass Baud at the head
/ Of the column, with their instruments
FURNISHED like gold, rendered some Of
their choicest selectiQps of soul stirring
music. Hope. Hook & Ladder Go. of
Opelousas, with the visiting members of
Carel Wolff Hook & Ladder Co., of
Washington, all dressed in their attract
i've uniforms of blue flannel shirts with
white trimmings, black pants, and regu-
iation fremen's hats, and truck beanti
fully decorated with wreaths aud bou
quets of flowers; Perseverance Fire Co.
| No. of Washington, in their handsome
uniforms OF red shirts with white t,im-
mings, and black pants; Carriage of F.
F. Perrodin, Eco, containing his little
daughter, Blanche, heroine of the day,
aud Miss Ada Sandoz. representing the
godmother Of the Steamer at it, chris
tening; carriage containing the Mayor
of Opelousas, an old exempt member Of
the Fire Co, and "Ye reporter who dot
ted these notes." Steam Fire Co. No. |
OF Opelousas, clad in their bright red
shirts, black trimmings, black paDts and
white belts gavea pleasing and striking
contrast to their splendid little steamer,
| glistening like The rays Of moonlight
from Il silimmering sea OF liquid silver,
whose fcstoons of varicgated flowers re-
fiected miniature rainbows from every
side, and suggested the pleasant fiction
of its being the castellated home Of some
fairy queen drawn by the strong arms
Of her willing iiegemen. Then came
/ tile gallant lads Of the colored Fire COM
panies Nos. 2 and 3, who smulsted the
other companies in every respect, By
appearing in their handsome uniforms
of white and blue broidered flannel
shirts, black pants, and attractive belts;
their littis engine newly painted, and
tastrfully decorated with bouquets and
wreatlis III eyergleens and flowers, and
their brass band fully up to the rendi-
ton Of such music as was to ehliveii tlie
march aud to entertain the hundreds nf
spectators who tlironged the streets to
witness this interesting spectacle. Sol.
| Firnherg Esq, was the grand Marshal,
aud Messrs. Leeiiee Sandoz, Henry Es-
toree and Sol. Bloch assistant Matsl,als
of the day. We should not omit TO
state that before forming the line oi
March, the various companies were
properly grouped and photographed by
i Mr.. Anderson of New Orleans.
The procession after forming marched
to the residence of L. r. PeIrodin, Esq,
where the formal christening OF the
Steamer was to take place. When the
beautiful little engine reached the front
of the residence the procession was halt,
ed for the ceremony of christening it.
and was met at the gate By +. +. Per,
rodin, Esq, accompanied BY his charm
ing little daughter Blanche, aftel
j whom the engine was TO be named, ane
4 who was to become it's patroness ID the
future: the veteran fireman, Mr. +
/ Gosselin, the god father of the engine
and sweet little Ada Sandoz, who wal
| TO act as god mother of the occasion
Both of the little girls were dressed
with exquisite taste, and by their limo
cent and tender years symbolized all 0
beauty to attract. all of purity to emo
Bile, and all of lielplessness to excite
the courage and chivalry of the tiremen
when duty called thcm TO the post o
danger.
. F.F. Perrodin, Esq, 10 behalf OF M
little daughter, made an eloquent speeel
to the fremen, giving them cordia
welcome to the hospitality of lis roof
, thanking Fire Company No. for th'
J honor they had conferred upon his littl'
daughter; and although she was to-
, young to express to them the emotion
! that such high tribute from them hat
4 evoked in her heart, yet the fircmel
might rest assured that in her prayer
to Almighty God her infantile lips woult
} ever invoke upon them heavens riches
J blessings and protection, and that tili
evidence Of their esteem would live an'
expand with the brightest events of tI'
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