Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1890-10-16
OUR FIREM EN-.
A Pattern Day and a Very Creditable Show
ing-The Department Never in
Better Form.

Ihs-lhe NeNtE III
Better Form.
Last Friday afternoon was the day set
for the annual parade and inspection of
the Bellows Falls Fire department, and
Notwithstanding the previous wet
weather, the day dawned bright and fair
and continued so until after the exercises
of the day were completed. At l 80 p.
M, the department was called out by
Chief Charles l.. Wheeler, and inspected
by the bailiffs and fire wardens, after
which the line was formed in the follow
ing order:
Carriage with Chief Wheeler and a representa-
tive of the Eastman Deluge nozzle,
of East Concord, n. H.
Bellows Falls Cornet band, twenty one pieces,
Geo. B. Wheeler leader, and Allen Sabin
of SaXtons River drum-major.
Mount Kilburn steamer, J. c. Church engineer,
assistants Sweeney and Dodge, L. w. Pike
driver, with Chief Davis of the Chester
fire department on the seat
with him.
Hook and Ladder No. l. A. II. Thompson, fore
man and l.. Royce driver, with G. ii. VALID
ron, assistant engineer of the Chester fire
department on the seat with him.
Abenaqui Hose, No. /, with F. II. Streeter
foreman, and thirteen men.
Bridgeman Hose, No. 2, William Provost fore
man with thirteen men.
Shamrock Hose, No. g. Eugene Cray foreman,
with thirteen men.
Carriages with Balifls, Fire Wardens and visit
ing members of the fire departments of
keene, n. H., and Springfield and
some of the prominent residents
of the village.
The line of march started from the
Square at l As, going down Westminster
street to Atkinson, up Atkinson to
Rockingham, down Rockingham to
Green, through Green to School, and
back to department headquarters, where
the parade was dismissed to prepare FOR
the exercises to come. AT 40 o'clocklan
alarm was sounded from the Vermb nt
Farm Machine company's shops dhd
responded to by Mount Kilburn steanher
and Abenaqui Hose company running
from the house to the platform on Canal
street, getting up thirty pounds of steam,
attaching hose and throwing water in
eight minutes. At call from steamer,
Bridgman hose then responded, getting
water in one minute and fifty seconds :;
after which several trials were made
with the ordinary nozzle and with the
Eastman Deluge Single and siamese),
the result being highly favorable to the
Eastman nozzle. At a second call from
the steamer, Hook and Ladder truck and
Shamrock hose responded, placing the
ladders against two-story house and
| attaching roof-ladders. in one minute and
forty seconds; with water ON the ridge
in two minutes; thus proving that the
| fire department is still alive and capable
of "getting there" the same day.
Much credit is due those having the
decorations in charge, and well merited
were the expressions of praise heard on
every side. They deserve more than a
passing notice. Evergreen, interviewer
with sweet brier berries, cut flowers,
and United States flags. formed the basis
of all the decorations, which were very
artistically placed. Little Dannie Thomp-
son, son of the foreman, occupied a con-
spicuous seat on the hook and ladder
truck, near the centre, within large
hoop of evergreen, with small flags in
his hands, and attracted large share of
attention on the march.
That the efficacy of any fire depart
ment depend as much OF more on the
personnel and discipline of that body, as
on any other thing, will be generally
acknow ledged. The men comprising the
fire department of Bellows Falls are GER
tainly picked lot, and did themselves
much credit, showing thorough discipline
through all the various operations of the
day.
Although the band purchased new uni
forms some six weeks ago, this was the
first time the villagers have had an OPP
portunity to see how fine they looked in
them. They certainly made fine
appearance, and furnished music such as
no band in the country need be ashamed
of; in fact, music and appearance are
both A l.
/ The evening exercises consisted of a
concert by Wheeler's orchestra (the pro-
gramme of which was published two
weeks ago., and then a dance. Both
concert and dance were well patronized.
and general and complete satisfaction is
expressed by all who participated. Wis
itors from the Claremont. Springfield
Chester, and Keene fire departments.
came in on the evening trains, and shared
in the closing festivities of the day.