Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-06-06
THE GRAND REVIEW.
How the Bravest and the Finest Looked
on Dress Parade.

With commendable punctuality the
police force and fire department as
sembled on Summer-st., at the corner
of Shawmut-ave., to participate in the
annual review parade scheduled for
1:30 p. m. yesterday afternoon. There
was no valuable time squandered in
waiting for stray detachments, as is
usual when a parade is the order OF the
day. The new city band headed the
procession and the bluecoats marched
through Summer-st. to It's discourse of
martial music. Superintendent East
man led the first squad and First
Lieutenant Hurley had charge. Then
came the second squad led by Captain
Johnson, with First Sergeant Webb in
command, and the fire department fol-
lowing up the rear. The whole aggre-
CATION, after leaving Summer-st., passed
down Bridge-st. to Canal, through
Canal and Monroe-sts., to Fulton-street
Park. All along the line the sidewalks
were crowded with an admiring thrOng
of people, and the extent of their salts
faction was measured by the smiles of
approval which were lavlshly bestowed
upOb tiC plOtSOtoAS Va OuA pCsSSE 0liu
the stalwart tiremen and their equip
from the furious element of destruc-
ton. The uniforms of "the bravest"
appeared bright and new. their hands
were encased in white gloves and cords
of the same dangled from the clubs
which they carried. The preciison of
their step was the occasion of much
g.. tt ,xL 81
the slightest doubt that Grand Rapids
denizens, after viewing Their patrOlmen
yesterday, will in the future retire to
their homes at night with the assurance
that they are safe from all harm. A
noticeable feature of the fire depart
ments display was the absence OF the
cumbersome decoration of the engines,
hose carts, ETC., that has character
lied it the past, point which greatly
enhanced It's appearance. The steamers
were polished to a brllliancy that was
dazzling, and everything, in fact, de-
noted that careful preparation had
been made for the event.
Upon reaching Fulton Park the po-
lice and fire departments were viewed
by the mayor, police commissioners and
city aldermen, who, without a single
dissent, pronounced the review the I'm
est in the history of Grand Rapids.
Every fire department. in the city was
represented, and fifty policemen were
in line, about half the number of the
regular force. After the review at the
park, the steamers. chemicals, hose
carts, ladder trucks, ETC., went TO their
respective houses, and the "coppers"
reformed and marched TO headquar-
ters.
This article could not well be closed
without giving the different officers of
the police department credit for the
good appearance of the men and the
efficient manner in which they are
drilled. To Superintendent Eastman
is due much piaise for his palnstaking
efforts in making the Grand Rapids
force Zone of the first" in the land. 1t
has been the height of this excellent
officers ambitlod TO bring the depart
ment to point of unexcelled prof
cheney and capability, and that he has
succeeded there is no shadow of a
doubt. He has gwen the drilling of
the men his special attention and has
been assisted by Sergeant Webb. All
who witnessed the parade yesterday will
ioln in extending credit where II is due.