The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-07-01
Anaerson.s Ere Department..

Anderson's Fire Department..
The first annual parade of the Anderson
Fire Department came off on last Tues
day afternoon, and was Witnessed by q
large concourse of ladies and gcntlcmen
from the city and surrounding country.
Despite unfavorable weather, the parade
was great success. At half.past two
o'clock the Companies and the parties to
Join in the procession filed out at pleasure
and formed on Main street, in front of MIR.
G. A. Reeds residence, whcro command
of the organization was taken by Chief
of the Department, DR.. r. F. Diver, and
Assistant Chief, Capt. John o'Donnell,
the commanding officers of the Depart
ment The procession was formed with
the police in front, all of them being
mounted on superb iron-grey horses.
Thon came the Young America Cornet
Band in the band wagon.
Next followed Mayor Tolly, ex-Mayor
Maxwell, Secretary Cathcart, the Alder
men of the city and other leading citizens
in carriages.
Then followed the Independent Hook
and Ladder Company, with their Truck
beautifully decorated with handsome
floral designs, among which Leize, the
pretty little daughter of Mr.. and Mrs.
Louis Sharpe, four years of age, was seat
ed like fairy. This Company, under
the command Of Capt. g. NJ. Tolly, pre-
sented handsome appearance in their
bright red jackets and white pants.
They we're followed by the Pioneer
Steamer Company, under command Of
Capt. James M. Payne. The engine and
hose reel were also elaborately and hand
sonely decorated with profusion Of
beautiful wreaths and flowers. The Com
pany were out in full force and presented
as fine an appearance as we have ever
seen presented by any fire company.
The Rough and Ready Hand Engine
and Reel followed, under command OF it's
Captain, Lawrence Jones, colored, and
was, like the others, beautifully decorated
with flowers. Four little colored boys
rode on the engine, one of them carrying
a banner inscribed, "Tap the bell and
we'll be there"
The procession moved down Main street
through the Square, down Depot and
along McDufie street, presenting as hand
some pageant as we have ever witnessed
in any iremens parade, but its progress
was suddenly cut short by heavy rain,
which drove them to shelters. After q
down pour of about one hour, the weather
cleared and the Firemen, undaunted, re-
assembled for the completion of the pro-
gramme.
The engines were arranged in line upon
the Western side of the Square, and DR..
Diver, accompanied by Assistant Chief
O'Donnell and Secretary Cathcart, an
nounced the Department ready for inspec-
ton, whereupon Mayor Tolly, Ex-Major
Maxwell and Aldermen Mauldin and
FAINT, accompanied by the officers of the
Department., passed up the front and
down the rear of the line, and assuming
position in front again, the officers OF the
Companies were marched out to them and
Mayor Tolly made them a short speech'
expressing qualification at the appearance
of the Department, and his appreciation
of the services they have rendered in the
past and his confidence in them for the
future He complimented the former
Council for originating the Department,
which has beon perfected by the present
Council, and closed by tribute to the
members of the Department. His speech
was loudly applauded.
The Companies then returned to their
Engine-houses, and at the ringing of the
bell ran to the square in a contest to see
which Company could get to the cistern
and throw water first. The Pioneers
reached the cistern first, but the Rough
and Ready threw the first stream of wa.
ter. The Pioneers Claim that they would
have thrown the first stream Of water in
the contest but for. the u1isund derstanding
of the Engineer. The work doneby these
engines was frequently applauded in the
most y.ociferous manner. Both compa-
nies threw high streams of water, and
showed that they could put water over
the top of any building in the City. Sew
eral times the Pioneer Engine threw two
streams, and each of them were thrown
to the top of the Court House steeple.
The streams from the engines at times
made great merriment by being thrown
in the crowd. The Independents also
made most creditable exhibition. They
displayed facility and daring in scaling
the ladders, and rapidity which it would
be hard to excel. They also piled num-
ber of boxes saturated with kerosene oil,
and when fully ablaze, put them out
almost instantly with their fire extin-
guisheis, showing that they would be
most valuable assistant to the engines.
The Independents are athletic young men
who will do dangerous work without
hesitation if occasion arises.
This notice would be altogether incom-
plete il we did not mention the pleasure
auOrueCl NY tuo e!AooAAone uAs.'aS oiSeo"1''".> -
by the Young America Cornet Band, which
was enjoyed during the march and at in
tervals of the drill.
The first annual parade has far excelled
our highest expectations, and we congrat-
ulate tile officers and men of the Depart
ment upon their magnificent display. The
people of Anderson may rest assured that
the Department cannot be excelled by
any other Department of equal size.
Williamson Correspondence.
Mr.. EDITOR: Our quiet little town has
been very much revived by series OF
religious services, engaged in heartily by
the three churches. The most remarka-
ble revival of religion that has ever oc-