The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-09-08

Labor Day dawned yesterday bright
and clear. The fresh morning air was
brisk and invigorating, and it seemed a
day of natures own making especially
set apart for the sons of toll
Business in all the leading manufac-
tories was suspended, and by O'Clock
crowds had began to gather on tho
streets. A large number of people
came in from the country to witness the
parade.
The city market closed at 8 o'clock.
Tho butchers were bent on turning out,
and customers who did not hurry about
making their purchases were left with
out fresh meats.
AT police headqu arters business was
light. Had there been long docket as
usually appears on Monday morning.
the mayor would have ad iourned all
business over until after tho parade.
But the cases were few, and the most
important being laid over until to-day,
tho docket was disposed Of in time to al
low the officers to partici pate in the "a
rade.
There was very little dccora ting
along The line of march. A display OF
bunting appeared over Christian and
Barbec's store, and on Salem avenue a
few lonely flags huttcred in the breeze,
but beyond this there was nought to
show that the day was holiday except
the marshalling OF tho labor clans on
the street. and the gathering OF the fire.
men in front of the Vigilant hall.
Shortly after o'clock the parade
formed on North Jefferson street. Sew
cral unions, who were supposed to take
part did not make their appearance on
account of thsir duties preventing Thorn.
These were the engineers and tiremen
and majority of the stonccuttcrs. The
machinists did not appear as union,
but number of them marched with tho
other organizations.
The route OF the parade was changed
from that first mapped out. Starting
on North Jefferson street, thence to
Salem avenue, thence to Roanoke street,
thence to Church, thence to Commerce.
thence to Campbell, thence to jefferson,
thence to Railroad avenue where it dis
banded.
j. IL. Curry, Of the Carpenters and
Joiners' Union, was chief marshall. He
wore yellow sash and was noun ed
Beside him was Chief Morris and Acting
Sergeant Wolfe, also mounted. This is
the first time the big chief has appeared
on horseback before the Roanoke public
and the mystery was how he got on the
horses back. But the chief got there
and he rides we'll, too He did not fol-
low McCausland through the lato war
for nothing.
Following these came the entire
police force in uniform and on foot.
There were nine teen men.
Next came carriage containing
Mayor Evans. j. w. uartwell, the
Orators OF the day, and Chief Knepp of
the fire department.
This was followed by the Roanoke
Machine Works Band which discourscd
some lively music on the streets, and
added life to the occasion. The band
was out almost in full force. They did
more for tho labor men than they
generally do for any one else. They
gave their service free.
After the band came the city fire de-
partment. Tho Vigilants proceeded
with hook and ladder truck drawn by
two horses; hose wagon. two horses;
reel, two horses, and engine with four
horses. Next followed the Junior Hose
Company with their new hose wagon
drawn by two horses. and their parade
reel drawn by the company in full uni
form
After the Juniors came tho Friend
ship Fire Company in full uniform with
fatigue caps. They had about thirty
hve men in line and made a splendid
show. They did not pull their hose
reel. 1t is hard enough to pull when
necessity requires it, so the boys said,
and the thing was left at home.
The first labor union was the tailors.
They wore silk hats and marched we'll.
Their full force was not out, and thew
did make so fine display so far as
numbers are concerned as SOmo of tho
other unions.
The tailors were followed by the iron
moulders with thirtyfour men. They
carried fine banner and appeared to
good advantage.
The leading union was the carpenters
and joiners. They had about sixty men
in line and carried beautiful banner
and United States flag. They were
followed by the Painters Union, dressed
in white overall suits and caps. They
carried pretty banner, and attracted
considerable attention.
Next came the butchers on horse
back. The were tho jolliest crowd of
them al. 1ney wore white aprons, and
generally took in everything they
passed. The leading feature was left
until the parade was over.
The Boiler Makers Union followed
in full force and carried fine banner.
After them came tho Typographical
Union. This, like some OF the other
unions, did not turn out in full force.
The Brewers Union brought up the
rear. 1t was a fine sipht. Thew had