Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-01-24

They Visit Wilnington and Make
the WeecncOe Company a Hand
some Present,


They Visit Wilmington and Make
the " eecncoc Company a Hand
some Present,
A big delegation Of Reading fremen
visited Wilmington Friday night, apd had
q Eglorious reception. The object of the
visitors, who are members of the Liberty b,
u. Il. Company, No. or Reading, was TO
pay q surprise visit TO the Wecceeoes, Il. u.
Company, No. 8, OF this city, and make the
home company a handsome present.
They made their arrangements quietly
and hoped to take their hosts
completely unawares. But SONS OF
the Weccaeoe members happened 10 be 10
Reading Sunday and Monday we9k, and
learning OF the contemplated visit they
hurled home and soon bad things In readi-
ness to surdrlse the visitors with genuine
Wilmington welcome.
The visitors reached Wilmington by way
OF Philadelphia at 6.55 O'Clock Friday night,
and met their tirst surprise In finding
committee OF thirteen Weccaaoe members
ready TO receive them. AS soon as the
greetings were over and all hands formed
in line, Hyatt's Military Band appeared and
headed the procession to the Clayton
House. Here the visitors registered. as fol-
lows:
W. J. Rourke, Samuel whitman, George
sehuisch, Elmer Collier, f. Tomney, NJ.
Kelley, George ManneIbach. Benjamin
Rnohds, G. nrge Harner, Philip Tomney,
william Butler, Samuel Bnrkurt, Charles
Morris, Charles Robinson, Joseph Canister,
Rudolph Behrer, John Melchar, William
Shanaman, Frank Swigard Thomas Deyine,
Daniel Huyette, Joseph Devlne, John De5-
ter, Lewis NJ. Rhoads, Gsorgs Gift, Daniel
Parker, A. s Doysher, David Bingles and
Charles Raoads, 90 In all.
After supper this visitors were escorted to
the Waceacos engine house, where the ball
OF the Black Hawks Can association oil
Wecpacoe menbers) was III progress. The
ball was liked for last evening in honor oil
| the date being the twentieth anniversary
| OF the organization OF the Weceoeoe Com.
pany. This Reading hremen were heartily
welcomed, and when all who could ind
! room had crowded into the assembly hal
OF the engine house, W. ]. Rourke, Rsad
ins's city solicitor, on behalf Of the ylsi
| tors, presented the WeccHeoe company witt
II mnsLificentlY framed collection OF photo
| graphs Of the Lihetty's members. In max
! ing tho presentation he referred In flttinl
4 terms to the good feeling and friendship
/ that has existed for years between these
two companies. City Solicitor Henry q
! Tnrner appropriately responded on behal
Of the home company.
The present comprises photographs o.
all tho members o. the Liberty Company
with a tlne photograph of the company
engine In the coutre. The frame IS Sllded
about six feet hiah and Of most elaborat,
construction, forming an elegant and costly
souvenir l. Will bs put on exhibition II
some Market street window IN u lew days
After the presentation tho bali VIA
opened and tho visiting iiremen were mad'
welcome Ia true Weecacoe style. Dnrlnt
the night handsome collation. was servel
in tho basement of tho engine house.
Saturday the visitors were shown tn
various attractions of tho city by delega
lions Of Mecc Lcoe members. At 5.l3 o'clocl
on Saturday thoy lott for Washington, 70
the purpose OF taking In the sights OF III
national capital before returning home
Theylwere highly pleased at their handsom
reception la this city.