Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-09-25
puRIJNGToS FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Annual Inspection and Para1e-Success-
full Hose Tournaments

TORS. promptly Ut TWO o CLOCK Cnlet En-
gineer Grant gave the signal from the
alarm box at the City hall for
the companies to march from their
houses to the south side of Main street opa
poste the park, where the formation of
the line for inspection took place At a
given signal the companies marched
separately to position on the east side of
the park opposite the Fletcher Library,
where they were inspected by Chief Engi-
neer Grant aud the Board of Aldermen,
Senator Edmunds, by invitation, also par
ticpating in the inspection. The cOmpa-
MES were inspected in this order; Boxers,
Hooks. Ethans, Stars, Towards, Clippers,
Barnes The inspection of the various or
CARNATIONS and their carts having proved |
in every way satisfactory they proceeded .
by way of Church street to Pearl street. .
where the line of march was formed. At
two STROKES upon the fire bell the process
sion started down st. Paul street march |
ing to music by the band. The order of
march was as follows:
.DataChment of Police.
The sherman Military Band.
Chief Engineer Grant and his Assistants.
Boxer Engine Company No. g.
Hook and Ladder Company No. |.
Ethan Allen Engine Company No. 4.
Star Hose Company Mo-.
Howard lIO% Company No. j.
Clipper Hose Company No. g.
Barnes Hose Company No. :.
command of Officer Lamora and they
made Il creditable appearance. The Sher-
mans turned out in full number and rem
dered some of their choicest selections in
their usual excellent manner. The of
ficers of the Fire department, made Il fine
appearance in their snowy uniforms. The
Boxers marched well and added much to
the effect, numbering thirty-four men.
Their new CART which was much admired
was drawn by snowy team of sor-
rel horses. The Hooks also turned
out thirty-four strong. Their truck
was drawn by four black horses The
Ethans turned out thirty-eight strong, and
their full dress uniforms, precise evolu-
tions, and fine bearing, produced an adj
mlraDle effect and OccaSiOned the usual
favorable comment on all sides. Their
Trojan spider was drawn by a team of
gray horses The Stars numbered twenty,
and single horse was attached to their
cart, as had also the Towards and Clippers,
each of whom turned out twenty-five men.
The procession was an unusually fine one,
all the companies making a highly credit
able appearance Their snowy uniforms and
rich silken banners combined to produce
an excellent general effect and it was the
general opinion of the large number who
witnessed the parade that the department
did itself great credit.
The line of march was as follows
Down st. Paul street to Main, passing in
review before the Mayor and Board of
Aldermen at the band stand, thence
through Main to Willard, to College, to
Church. to Pearl to st. Paul and to Main,
where the parade was dismissed by three
save the Ethans then repaired at once to
their respective houses to prepare for the
great event of the day,
The Hose Races.
Great interest had been awakened i'm re-
gard to the hose tournament and as soon
as the parade had been dismissed the
crowd at once surged to St. Paul street to
witness that event The starting point was
at the corner of Cherry and St Paul streets
and the course was down the last named
TO the corner on Main to the hydrant on
which the hose was attached The end of
the course, which was 300 feet, was at a
point nearly opposite the Evarts house.
Heavy posts had been driven each side of
the street between College and Main
streets, along which large cables were
strung to keep the crowd back from the
street The pressure of the immense
throng against the ropes was so great,
however, one of the posts gave out near
College street. and it was found necessary
TO employ braces. Some of the residents
at the upper end of the course showed
their enthusiasm by displaying Il liberal
number of flags and profusely decorating
their houses with bunting.
Inc race was begun about o'clock, the
Barnes company being the first to run.
They had twelve men and got over the
course Ill fine shape until they had passed
the hydrant when one of their men fell
rms delayed them somewhat, but they
made their time tifty-eight seconds. They
were followed by the Clippers with six
teen men who were unfortunate in run
ming by the hydrant and also in getting
cross thread. Their time was seventy-two
seconds The Boxers, who ran twelve
men, were the next over the course and
they also had trouble in connecting, and
they bettered the Clippers time, cross
Ing the line in siXtythree seconds.
The Hooks had fourteen men and
had got over the course in fine shape
when, near the finish. one of their men
fell, lowering their time to sixty seconds.
The towards, who ran twelve men, made
the only clean run over the course and
they made the best time in the tOurna-
ment hity-Seven seconds. The Stars got
away in fine shape with twelve men and
made splendid run to the hydrant ; but
their hose caught and the cart was nearly
seventy-hve feet by the hydrant when it
was liberated, An unfortunate accident
occurred at this point. Il. G. Murphy,
VINO was the ppeman, was thrown on his
PACK by the hose being pulled from him,
dlslocatlng his shoulder. In spite of his
injury he bravely made the connection
Their time being siXty-tive Following
is the summary:
Barnes Observation-Disclosures. "a
Clippers. ~
Boxers. ..................... .... . az
Hooks. GO
HOwards........ .-.............. ........ 81
Stars Observation-Disclosures. ....... O.
This entitled the Towards to the $50
prize, the Barnes to $50 and the Hooks to
so At the conclusion of the tournament
three rousing cheers and a tiger were
given for the various companies, all eX-
pressing themselves as well pleased with
The days sports Chief Engineer Grant
ana those having the matter in charge are
entitled to great credit for the excellent
manner in which the tournament was
conducted, AS are those also of our bust
ness men who by their liberal subscrip-
tions made tournament possible. The
friendly rivalry kindled by it between the
various companies will be productive of
good and all will join in the hope that it
NAV be repeated next year.