Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-05-16
FIREMEN HAVE The TOWN
THE RAINBOW OF READING 1IHIT
THE FRIENDsHIP.
The Frieudship's Guests Arriv. and
I ARE Cordially WeicOmed-Dined
! aud Wined AiniOst 20 SuffOCatton
Hhcir Departure Friday.

Fire Company, and il tho visitors do nCt
take complete possession OF the town it
VIII not be for the lack OF invitations.
lewis O. Vandegrift, Eaq., ON behalf Of
the hosts, offered them everything on
which they could lay hands, and assured
them that the Friendship company would
stand sponsors for them. Mayor Hsr.
Rtngton told them that in confab with
Judge Ball, the latter had given his word
shat he would not molast the tiremen
from Berks county II they would only
leave little of the town upon their de.
Iparture. The visitors evidently appre-
lciated the warmth OF their welcome
which was such u rousing one, Cd only
Aremen can give.
In theif hospitality, hremen are most
eethuslastic and lavish, and nothing
HeemB too much for their good nature or
their pooket-books as long as they feel
that their guests are having good
time" This was the spirit which mani.
Tested itself in the greeting TO the Read
sng hremen.
The visitors left home nt 10 o'clock
and arrived here ON the New York and
Washington express leaving here at 10. IL
.. m. The members Of the Friendship
Fire Company, TO the number of 40 NJ n,
accompanied by Chief Engineer Mo
Oraoken and Assistant Engineer Kane,
were awaiting them at the station. The
visitors, all told, numbered 40, and were
accompanied by the famous Ringgold
Band Of 20 pieces. Among their guests
were Mayor James Il. Kenny OF Heading,
George w. Miller, Chier Engineer OF the
Reading fire department George II.
Roland, second assistant Daniel Parker
A OF the Volunteer Firemen's Association OF
Philadelphia; J. ID. Sweet, Fife Marshal
'of Atlantic City, and Ellis Seidel and
John Derr OF Reading.
The members OF the Rainbow Fire
Company who arrived were ss follows
A. NJ. MoseE, president of tne Rainbow
and chief marshal; William Aippler, Gap.
tain; Il. 3. Collier, first assistant; Peter
lS. Kendall, second assistant; Valentine
Ziegler, Arthur Erunner, Augustus
Sohaefer, Jacob Ziegler, f. F. Baer, John
Miller, William Hungerford, Charles
Hoernle, George Z,eglor, Andrew Baer,
John Hungerford, CHARLES Sohaeier, d.
Albor Meyer, Jacob Essick, John Met
lhommer, John Kerns, George Meyer,
Fraucis Getz, Harry Zlegler, W. II.
Gross, W. II. Wagner, Edward Gallagher,
Daniel Finkbone, Philip Houok, George
Kendall, Howard Bernhardt, Samuel
Bennethum, Arnold Dauth, Lawrence
Ressler, Charles A. Malsberger, John
blnith, porter.
After mutual greetings and hand
Hnsking, the line VI march WIS fornied
and the parade marched up French TO
Second street, to Market street, to city
hall, with tina Friendship in advance,
followed -byeiho Rinsgold Band and the
yltitors. Mayors Kenny and Harrington,
j. d. Sweet, Are marshal OF Atlantic
City, aud Daniel Parker of the Volunteer
iFiIemen's Association Of Philadelphia,
followed the flremen in ON open barouche.
Several business houses on Market street
were decorated and by the time that tho
line reached the city hall, large and
enthusiastic crowd OF people had assem-
bled.
From the steps Of the ancient building
Mayor Harrington, in few remarks, ex-
tended welcome to the visitors and gave
them the freedom OF the city. He said in
part: II extend you greeting in behalf
OF the Friendship Fire Company and the
citizens o. Wilmington. Our city is
well-known for It's hospitality and | can
assGre you that you are in good hands
and hope that you will take home happy
Yecollections OF your visit which will re-
sult In staunch friendship between the
two companies and both cities. Our FIRE
department Is one OF the most important
features Of our community and in dis
cipliae and effectiveness il can not be ex-
cslled in the United Stgtes. II bad the
choice between paid aud volunteer
department, should undoubtedly choose
che latter. hope that you will enjoy
yourselves so well that you will wish to
EeIurn."
Mayor Kenny responded for tho visi.
itors in an oratorical little speech that
bristled with good sentiments. He ssid
that he felt embarrassed at the warmth
of the welcome and the interest mani
tested by the assembled multitude. He
entered into panegytic on the heroic,
Bslf f.sacriiicipg duties of volunteer firs-
men, and thanked all for their cordial
welcome. He assured the mayor and
their hosts, the Friendship, that II they
were given the opportunity, 'lce Wrcht
am bohuylkilln would try its best 70 re-
turn the hospitality In kind. The band
ahen struck up the familiar "Auld Lang
Syne, safter which the line reformed and
the procession marched to the Friendship
engine house at Tenth and Shipley
streets. The imposing front of this lofty
structure was almost covered with Amer
lean flags and Chinese lanterns while from
the top Of the tower to ths.roof, big rod,
white and blue bunting tlultered In the
gentle breeze.
After being escorted to the second floor
OF the engine house, the visiting fremen
were again welcomed on behalf Of the
friendship Fire Company by Lewis o.
Vaudegrift, Esq. After a very cordial
welcome, the speaker aatteringly re-
fsrred TO the interesting histories OF the
two companies, each Of which Is the irst
founded in its respective city. EaIn-
bow Fire Company has been in existence
in Reading since 1873 and the Friendship
Company dates its BIRTH from December
25tb, 1875, two dates which pIecede the
formation of our present government
Mayor Kenny again responded to the
cordial welcome in an impromptu sPeeon
Aut great Felicity. He told the assembled
guests that he had often made spread
eagle speeches on similar occaaions' Du,
the manner Of their welcome mere hAu
impressed him He saw in the races OF
their hosts and he felt or smelt some
thing In the air that assured hlm OF tne
genuineness OF their welcome. Although
his remarks were made with cAnuol'
Ulysses s. Pierson OF the Friendship W.
Bured him that the "somethlng IN ino
airD which he smelt was in the fourth
floor. So after a few remarks by Mayor
Harrington, Daniel Parker and =. d.
sweet. all adjourned to the floor above,
Ehere that LIQUID retrsshment so dear 10
lhe ferman hearts Of the Berks county
iremen was dispensed. The firemen dia
,ot liuger long, bnt shortly before "a
o,olock were escorted TO the Clayton
House. where they took dinner. M.