The morning call., 1890-09-10


they sat down to sumptuous banquet, OF
which large number Of invited guests par
took. Two tables extended the full length
of the hall and one across each end, and
these we're loaded with every luxury eatable
and drinkable, that the markets of Callfor-
MIA afford. III. d. Hudson, President, Will
lam Larkin, Vice-President, and ]. j
Guilfoyle occupied seats at the head Of the
table and did the honors, while genial Sam
Striker assisted by score of
polite aids, received the guests as
they arrived. and pilUted them to
seats where they could enjoy the feast of
reason and the flowing bowl while taking in
the solids and substantials. Among those
who showed their patent-leatheTs under the
redwood (mahogany's too common) of the
Exempts were Chief Scannell, Fire Marshal
Towe, Engineer McCarty, c. A. McPhee,
A. Jessup, Charles Mcfarland, George I
Bowen. Sheriff Laumeister, Rabbi Voor-
sanger, Colin NJ Boyd. Captain W. +.
Swasey, Captain Frazer, Colonel t. L.
Taylor, Rev. Flaviu5 j. Probst of Chicago,
Atkins Massey, Ed Anthony, Sam LOOMS
and many others. The names of Miss Rosa
Lankman, who personated Eureka and
Sam Newman, who represented the Fire
Laddie," both of whom rode on the top of
the Exempts engine during the procession,
should not be omitted
MISS MAY sTRYKER's GIFT.
Be fore the dinner, and while the Exempts
we're in the column, Miss May Stryker,
daughter of Sam Stryker, presented Presi-
dent H. D. Hudson and Vice-President Will
lam Larkin with two magnificent trumpet
bouquets. Thepresentati9n took place when
the column reached the corner of KearDy
and Comm ercial streets, and as there was no
time to make fitting acknowledgment of
the beautiful gift while the line was in mo-
ton, it was gracefully acknowledged at the
dinner.
THE OLD VOLUNTEERS.
After the physical appetites had been sub
dued mental pabulum was brought on in
courses known as toastS. The first given
was, The Old Volunteer Fire Depart
nent," which was responded to by John l..
DnrEee. The speaker gave some of his
IeeOllt ctions OF the department, dating back
to November 20, 1S49. He saw but one
present Oh this occasion with whom he had
paraded on Admiss on day, 1850. His first
recollection Of a fire in this city was the one
that occurred in the Dennison Exchange.
December "a, 1S49, which, before it
was extingushed, burned the blocks
bounded by kearny, Montgomery, Clay
and Washington streets, and de-
stroyed S4,C00,09o worth of property. The
only engines they had were an old English
engine owned by Starkey, Janier & Co. and
the little one that was in the procession
yesterday, which was also used during the
celebration of Admission day, 1850. 1t
was built in New York in 1920 for ex-Presi-
dent Martin Van Buren,, and was purchased
by the City Council of this city for $1,000
Another disadvantage was lack OF water.
having to depend on the bay. which at that
time came up to Leidesdorff street. This
FIRE aroused the citizens, and on January %,
1910. q fire QpDartment was formed WITH
Frank ID. Kohler as Chief Engineer.
SOME FAMILIAR NAMES.
The first report made by Chief Kohler was
May ., 1850, when there were 135 men in the
department, not counting the Monument al
Engine and Independent Company. he gave
the results OF the elections and accounts Of
subsequent fires and the losses sustained,
amounting to millions of dollars. At the
hrst parade in 1850 Jonathan ID. Stevenson
was Grand Marshal, and Mrs. Z. NJ. Willis
composed the ode read upon the occasion.
Among the names mentioned that will be
readily called to mind Of men who figured
upon mat occasion were: David c. BrOd-
erek, Marshal of the fifth division, and
James ). Wethereli, j. Beckett Washington
Bartlett, A.C. Waterman and Harvey Sparks.
who figured as his aids. The companies In
the parade were the Howard California.
Knickerbocker and Monumental Engine.
and the st. Francis, Howard and Sansome
hook and ladder companies.
THE OLD BELL.
Mr. Durkee gave q review of the senti-
mental as well as the business side of the
organization from the date Of its formation
cupied by the Exempts was built for them
IN September, 1856, at cost OF SIC, 500. the
company then occupying it contributing
S40atl toward its erection. In this building
vas placed the first bell put up by Amer
leans on this Coast and it is stu In their