Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-22
HOW THE DAY WAS CELEBRATED.
The Oldest Military Pa.
rades-The Veteran Firemen.

The Oldest MISUNDERSTANDING Pa
rades-The Veteran Firemen.
The weather to-day could not be considered
favorable for holiday. The first snow of any
consequence this season fell during the early
morning hours, and when people woke MP they
found the ground covered with ligh,
mantle OF snow. The sky remained over
cast during the day, though the snow ceased
falling early in the morning. The prospect
Tor the parades contemplated by the various
as it did not rain, the soldier boys Concluded
to march as per orders.
The Military.
The National Rifles. accompanied by the Old
Guard and the Third artillery band. started
out shortly before o'clock, and went over the
line Of march, as printed in yesterdays Star.
There was large gathering Of spectators
along the Avenue and at other points along
the line. The light infantry made their ar.
rangements to leave the armory about half
past three. They expected to be accompanied
by the National Fencibles. The Union Veteran
corps, company A, second battalion. had ar
ranged to parade with the Emmett Guards.
Parade of the Veteran Firemen.
A very handsome show was made by the
Veteran Firemen's association, composed of
the uniformed survivors of volunteer compa-
MES of the old-fashioned hand engine and
hose cart, who, headed by Caldwell's band in
attractive uniforms, and drawing a relic of the
olden time-s hose carriage-marched over the
following long route, starting at l o'clock:
From the hall on It'll and n to NJ, to Massachu-
sets avenue, to New Jersey avenue. to B street
north, B to I'd, to East Capitol, to 9Th, to l, to
Sth, to pennsylvania avenue, to Georgetown,
to High, to LIST, to Potomac. to NJ street. to
Connecticut ayanna- tn II Tn 9th N n IN h.
hall.
In the line. which was marshaled by Mr.. ]. r.
+. Carpenter, of the old Union engine COM
pany, were the following: Jas. Raglan (presi-
dent) and ]: Richard Brown. Of the Western
nose; +. kahlert Financial secretary Of the
American hook and ladder; ]. B. Walling,
metropolitan hook and ladder company; Julius
Strobel, j. A. Goodrich. W. A. Smith and W.
8. Marten. Perseverance; w. Cammack (treas-
urer(, J. w. Carr, T. H. Friedley, John Hurst.
J. II. Spillman, of Che Franklin engine; J. ].
Peabody (secretary), Goodwin Pierce (vice-
president), j. R. Dobbyn, Conrad Kaufman and
j. V. Thompson, of the Columbia engine: John
Scott, Of the Vigilant; W. W. Goddard and
Fred Mohler, of the Union engine company:
G. P. Coomes, Cornelius Further, Thos. Nc
lntire and j. b. Scoield, of the Northern Lib
erty; Geo. Keithley, Joshua Lloyd and Jas. II.
Richard, Of the Anacostia.
These were all handsomely attired in drab
coats, black pants, and red shirts with wide
collars and the old-time black silk neckerchief
and black New York pattern hats. number
OF old-time silver fire horns Chose of the Co
lumbia and Northern Liberty companys) and
the splendid flag of the Columbia were in line,
as also two torches borne by small bows and a
couple OF axes by two veterans. The hose
carriage, four-wheeled old-timer, once
owned by the Sun Fire company,
OF Alexandria, was drawn by the
uniformed men, and that the public might
see It no decorations were used. In the Ian
guage Of one of the veterans. "She is so purity
with her coat of maroon and gold that YOU can't
nix her any purifier" The old bells so long on
the Columbia hose carriage were on this ap-
paratus, as also handsome lamps. Quite
number of the veterans not uniformed were in
the line, and it is safe to say. though small in
number, the association attracted much favor
able comment, especially from the older citi-
zens. mt ending of the celebration will be
the banquet at Myers hotel tonight.
Meeting of the Oldest Inhabitants Asso-
citation.
The birthday of the Father of his Country
was observed by the Oldest Inhabitants asso-
citation to-day. The unfavorable weather pre-
vented as large an attendance as usual on such
occasions, but those present manifested lively
interest in the proceedings. 1t was some time
after the hour announced for the association to
convene when the president, John Marbury
ir., raped on the table. The hum of CONVEX,
sation ceased and the members then listened
to the reading of the minutes of the previous
meeting by the secretary, E. L. Corbin.
NEW MEMBERS
were elected as follows: W. 8. Fort, NJ. j. Sau-
ter, Geo. w. Donaldson, John K. Wade. and
Edward a. King.
One of the visitors asked the president what
were the qualifications for membership in the
association.
The president replied that any white male
citlzen OF the District fifty years of age and
ty-hve years was eligible to membership.
THE ABSENT ONES.
Mr.. ]. W. Shiles called attention to the
death of H. Amidon, James Espey and ]. E.
Morse since the last meeting. They were all
present at the last meeting and were seemingly
in good health. Two members who were not
present had also passed away. He thought that
these events reminded all of the uncertainty of
life. especially among the members of the Oldest
Inhabitants association. He reported that NJ.
I. Parker was in feeble health, and that s. f.
Douglass was better. Mr.. Cassell was also en-
loylng improved health.
Another member stated that Mr.. ]. E. Bruff
was still confined to his home, but was in good
spirits and was better.
The president observed that the remarks
made might indicate that the membership in
OF the opinion, however, that meeting together
and exchanging views was Of ben
emit. All the members who had died as men-
toned, had reached an advanced old age, and
while 1t was a cause of sorrow to their asso-
ciates. still it was in the course of nature. He
congratulated the members upon their appa-
rent health and good spirits
INDEPENDENTS ELECTED.
Upon motion of Robert Ball the following
were elected vice-presidents to fill vacancies
caused by death: James Pilling, vice H. Ami
don; Jas. NJ. Wright vice W. II. Tennev, and
Clement W. Bennett, vice T. A. Mclaughlin.
The president, in behalf of the association
presented Jas. M. Wright with gold-headed
cane, III commemoration of having recently
celebrated his golden wedding. He made a
pleasant little speech of presentation, and
observed with smile that this would be re-
garded as precedent, and that all members
who had rounded off such long period of mar
tal life should be hoIored in the same way.
"BETTER HALF" OR EQUAL HALF"
The president made use of the term .better
half" in speaking of Mr.. wright's wife, which
Mr.. Shiles took exception to, remarking that
be preferred the term equal half"
This prompted Mr.. William Boron to observe
that IN such case cane ought to be presented
TO both parties.
The members Of the association laughed at
this suggestion, and then sobered down as they
responded to
THE RoLL-cALL.
The following were present: J. W. shiles E.
L. Corbin, J. A. Wineberger, J. NJ. Wright.
Robert Ball, F. A. Tucker, VIM Boron, W. II.
Williams, Q. w. Bennett, W. I. Turpin. E.