Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-09-12
MORE WATER THAN FIRE.

MORE WATER THAN FIRE. The Annual Fire Department Pa
 rado Declared On-A Satisfactory
 Tour of Inspection Held.
 For the first time in years the parade of the Waterbury fire department has been extinguished by rain. Elaborate preparations had been made ln the nope that the line storm or whatever 1t IS would be considerate enough to abate its fury in time to allow the regular pro- gramme to be carried out. There was no abatement apparent at o'clock, however, and it was reluctantly decided to dispense withthe parade, The fire laddies held themselves Ill readiness and the visiting bands were on hand but the stroke of the fire bell for which they waited never came. The Meriden Mil itary band were the guests of the Rose Hill company; from Hartford came Weeds band to play for Citizens No Z; the Hook and Ladder company had the National band of Wallingford Wheeler & Wilson's came from Bridgeport to play for Monitor Hose company ana the Second regiment band of New Aa- ven came up to lead the Protectors. The American band and French band Of thls city were engaged by Brass City Hose company and Phoenix Fire company re- spectively. The wretched weather did not prevent the annnal inspection of the different company houses and apparatus thls morning. The trip was made ln hacks and bus by the mayor, city clerk, hre commissioners, officers of the fro de- partment, a committee from the common council and representatives of the daily press. !,
 Phoenix engine house was first visited and the new horse hose wagon was crlt- ically examined. The wagon is beauty
 er-beaten phrase. A single stall has been built at the south side of the room, and considering the cramped quarters everything was found in ex, cellent order. Thomas Kelliel and
 Emory Speer of Boston are guests of
 Phoenix and Alderman F. J. Rametti.
 At the Brass City house on East Main street the members of the company with lady friends were found decorating thaip | handsome carriage. The parlOr and
 bunk room of the Brass Citys were mod els of neatness and taste and probably
 the best kept in the city.
 The members of the Rose Hill com pany on Baldwin street were also hard
 at work when the inspectors arrived.
 The parlor was tastefully arranged, trumpets without number, a silver
 water pitcher and other trophies proper
 ly inscribed, showing off to good advan- tage and telling mute story of many a
 hard earned ball game. Outside of the
 house an Italian organist stood in the
 rain and ground out We've All Been There Before" and "Where Did You Get
 That Hat" for the edification of the e9m- mittee.
 From Baldwin street the route was to
 Brooklyn over the toughest kind of
 roads. Points of interest along the
 way included dangerous crossing of
 the Naugatuck road at Burnham street, and the notorious South Riverside street which has already cost the city
 so many dollars. The quarters of Pro
 tector Hose company were found to be perfect in condition. The bunk room
 especially is a model one. Four snow
 white single cots are arranged with thf heads against the north wall. The ven tilation is perfect and the windows on beautiful flowers. The Protector boys are fortunate to possess such quarters.
 At the Monitor house on Bank street t the bunk room is too small, which Ii F about the only fault to be found. Int parlor overhead is handsomely furnish 3 ed, containing among other things { l square piano.
 The quarters of Citizens Co No2 ant
 the Mutual Hook and Ladder company , on Scovill street were the last place. visited. The parlors of both these com panies were richly furnished. In th' y "Hooks" parlor handsome uprigh
 Shoninger piano is one of the interesting
 attractions. In the rear of the house ol the ground floor eight sleek-lookins T horses are kept. It was just 12 o'clocl when the visitors had com a pleted their inspection o the building and an opportunit.. : was given them to witness the working
 of the crew. The instant the alarm rum d at 12 o'clock the stall doors flew ope1 V and in twinkling six horses were il p position. The buckles were snapped an! d in less than half minute all were read J. for business. The horses are careful y trained and after being unhitched eacl
 remained in his place until called b. - name, when he returned at once to tn h stable.
 7 Everybody expressed satisfaction wit t the manner in which the houses and aI @ paratus are kept, and only regrette J. that the weather was such as to proven |. the parade for which the departmen has become famous.
 /, The annual sociable will be held i v City hall this evening. The America V orchestra will furnish music and
 | Ia xxy;l1 ,,ro,,,rt