St. Paul daily globe., 1888-08-18
rates and their Ia;aiAs assembled in front

gates and their iaSaies assembled in front
of the West hotel, and from there were
taken in carriages for drive about the
city. All the points of interest were
visited, and the peculiarities of some of
the places pointed out by guides. The
trip was a pleasant one in all respects,
and the party returned to the hotel at
$50 well pleased.
The parade of the Minneapolis fire
department up brilliantly Illuminated
NicOllet avenue in the evening was a
grand sight and one long to be remem-
bered. Early in the evening the lamps
on the arches were all lighted and at
tracted thousands of people. Long be-
fore the parade was held the avenue
was lined withpeople from the city hall
up to the street. The police had their
the street clear, as the crowds seemed
determined to press in and force the en-
gines up side street. 1t was little
after o'clock when the brightly pol
ished engines passed along the street,
challenging the admiration of every
one. Finally the engines were driven
back to the starting point and the street
cleared for the grand run. At given
signal the police forced a passage and
tie engines and trucks and hose carts
came dashing up the street on dead
run. AS the feet of the heavy horses
struck the cobblestones the fire flew and
the whole ground shook. The crowds
had closed in until there was only an
opening in the center of the street just
large enough for the engines to pass
through, and had wheel broken or
harness strap snapped 1t is hard to say
how many people would have been
killed, or at least seriously wounded.
This concluded the parade, and the en-
gines were taken back to their stations,
while the delegates repaired to the
West to attend the banquet.
TIE BANQUET
was held at the West after the parade
on NicOllet avenue, and was a grand
one in every respect. The tables were
spread in the large dining room and
were most handsomely decorated with
flowers and myrtle, rope of which eX
tended around each table. At each end
of the head table, at which sat Mayor
Ames, County Attorney Davis and
wife. and Chief Stetson, was
handsome floral helmet of white
and colored roses and lilies. In the
center of the table was a large center
piece of bright flowers. The scene was
a charming one. and, as the perfume
from the flowers filled the air, it was
not hard to imagine oneself in some
fairy palace. In the corridor was sta
tioned,Aiillard q Thiele's orchestra. and,
as the 200 delegates and guests filed in,
charming music filed the air. Chief
Stetson ushered the party in, and so
iudiciouSly did he do it that there was not
single mistake anywhere. At each seat
was a handsome bouquet and an eX-
quisite menu. The latter bore on the
lace picture of the West, and also
picture of steamer going to fire. In
fact the whole menu was emblematic
of fireman's life, and was treasured
as a souvenir by all those present. The
supper itself was most sumptuous one
and was thoroughly enjoyed by every
one. The banquet was in many re-
spects like big family dinner party.
This effect was carried through by the
ladies, who made everyone feel perfect
Iy at home.
Chief Frank Stetson oficiated as
toast master with the same grace that
he displays in going to fire
at a 2:01 gait in his pretty red
wagon. The first toast, "The State
OF Minnesota was responded to by
Hon. f. +. Davis. He referred to the
wheat-producing qualities of Minnesota
iaus had stated that the Minnesota
climate was not suited to agricultural
pursuits, the state grew enough wheat
to feed nearly the United States.
He paid a high tribute to peo-
pie of the state, and closed by
extending to all cordial invitation to
come to Minneapolis. He mildly roasted
Mayor Ames as the man who had at
one time created political cy-
clone in Minneapolis. EX-Chief William
Stockele, of Nashville, Tenn, re-
Sponded to the toast National ASsocia-
ton of Fire Engineers" The speaker
gave a pleasing history of the organiZa-
ton since its inception and told of the
good the society had done in instructing
the chief engineers in various matters,
minneapolis, Its Fire Department, Old
and New" was responded to by
Mayor Ames, who made one of his
happy, characteristic speeches and car
ried the party by storm. He spared no
one, and sent his sharp shafts
of wit flying all over the hall
G. W. Taylor, of Richmond, Va, re-
sponded to the toast, 1.-The Lady Guests"
in an able, pleasing manner, and Maj.
NewsOn, of st. Paul, responded to "Our
Twin Sister, st. Paul. in happy vein,
This closed the regular toasts, and side
remarks followed, holding far into the
night.
LITTLE BLAZES.
Philadelphia is represented at the
convention by Hon. Joseph S. Robin
son, ex,fire commissioner of that city.
Mr.. Robinson is an old time fireman
of PhiIadelphia's volunteer department,
and time has not duIled his interest in
fire matters. He is a regular attend
ant at every meeting of the association.
This time he is accompanied by Mrs.
Robinson.
Prof. j. P. Bennett. of Chicago, is one
of the best known fire electricians in the
United States, and has done much to-
ward bringing the Chicago alarm sys-
tenn to its present high standard.
Chief Stetson and Assistant Chief
Runge did themselves proud in ali they
undertook and the unanimous sentiment
of all the delegates is that they have
never been better entertained.
Chief Shay, of New York, looks to be
about forty years of age, but in reality
he is over fifty, and has a son thirty-fve
years of age, who is a member of the
New York department.
Chief Hughes, of Louisville, Ky, has
been i'll the fire service longer than any
other gentleman present at the cOnven-
ton. He has been connected with fire
matters since 1857.
Mrs. f. l.. Stetson took it upon her
self to see that each delegate was sup
piled with handsome bouquet at the
beginning of each session.
Proposed amendments to the consti-
tlon were referred to the new executive
committee, to report at the next meet
ing.
Richard w. Joyner, Chief Joyner's
little son, the assistant chiefs was
made an honorary member yesterday.
But two of the delegates wore full