Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-10-22
IT WAS AN EIMENSE PARADE
Over $500 Uniformed Fire.
men in the Ranks.
ENTERTAINING THE VISITORS
Concert, Banquet and Ball
Last Evening.
An Outdoor Tea-party--A Merry Night
winners of the Prizes--Bishop Coleman
Talks to Visiting Company--A Jaunt
Down the River.
from Every Evening of Thursdny.

from Every Evening of Thursday.
4 Recollections Of the great fireman s
parade, an achievement heretofore un-
surpassed in the history of Wilmington's
fire companies, will long lurk In the
memories of those who beheld the de-
monstration yesterday. 1t was indeed a
big event for the volunteers and right
nobly did they show to thousands of
spectators who viewed them on the
march, that Wilmington possessed one
of the finest volunteer departments in
the country.
At signal from the fire alarm gong
In the city hall tower at $50 o'clock
yesterday afternoon the platoon of
mounted police gave spurs to their
prancing steeds drawn up at Fourth
and Lombard streets, and then the
great procession was in motion. AS
thousands of spectators who lined
Fourth street to Market caught sight of
the moving cavalcade all was hustle and
excitement, each individual making
strenuous efforts to secure the most adj
vantageous point of view. The mounted
horsemen riding abreast brushed all
citizens from the thoroughfare and
company by company the paraders fell
in line. A brilliant spectacle was pre-
sented along Fourth street, and as far as
the eye could see q moving mass of
gaudily attired paraders was visible.
People viewed the procession from
every available point. In many places
roofs of houses were black with people
eager to catch glimpse of the parade.
Slowly along Fourth street moved the
procession and turned its course up
French street where the line of march
was continued until Twelfth street was
reached. Then began the countermarch
TO Front street and subsequently to
Market and along the entire line of
parade which has already been de-
scribed in detail.
When the procession moved up Mar
ket street the paraders and those who
watched their movements resolved itself
into perfect jam, filling the street com
pletely. Here the firemen were viewed
by dense throng of humanity that has
notinvaded Market street in recent years
Besides from the buildings on either side
the streets, windows and doorways and
porticos were taken possession of by
citizens, and not an available spot was
unoccupied. Those who gazed from
hundreds of firemen moving in one
great mass through the streets marveled
at the demonstration their eyes beheld.
The weather was glorious, and the
bright, beaming rays of the sun shone
down upon the multitude of marching
men until the huge orb seemed to burst
its rays of light upon them. Their
uniforms, many of them handsomely
gorgeous, presented striking appear
ance and decorated, some with garland
wreaths, Others profuse with bouquets
of flowers made the attire all the more
attractive.
The order of the parade did not differ
materially from what has already been
published. Each company with invited
guests occupied the positions as
signed to them in the line and held it
until the parade was finished. A band
preceded each company, making the
streets rebound with the beat Of the
drum and the blare of the trumpet
The music's strains were pleasant to
hear. The changing Of the engine gong
and the jingle of the hose carriage
chimes added its share to the silvery
melodies.
A close estimate of those in line
places the number of firemen at about
$500 uniformed men. The largest com
pany was the Moyamensing of Chester;
the smallest was the Niagara. Among
the local fremen the drilling of tile
Weccacoe boys was perceptibly noted
and their order in line was praise
worthy, as was the entire city depart-
lnent. All the local men conducted
themselves in the best of manner and
deserve all the credit that can be be-
slowed upon them. The pretty suits Of
the Delaware company, the Fame Hose
and the "Washy" were objects for
admiration. Probably the finest looking
2 fire engine in the procession was that
of the Liberty Fire Company. The
Phenix, Reliance, and in fact each
local company performed its individual
part in making a successful demonstra-
ton.
The company considered to be tho
best drilled of all others was the Never
. sink company of Reading, Pa. They
g marched with a precision and even tread
s that clearly showed their military dis
q a|cipline employed by them The Weccacoe
\ Fire Company displayed from the old
and new hose carriages drawn in the
parade placards bearing these inscrip-
Mons: "What We Have Been" ON the
Old hose carriage, and "What We Are
now" on the new hose carriage. One of
4 the Oldest fire horses in service drew
X the ancient hose carriage.
4 'NUpoD the sides of the engine drawn
by the FELTON, company of Chester were
these words: 1888 feet is her record.n
An inscription on the old "Washy'' en-
gine was 'old reliable" The Delaware
truck was drawn by nine prancing big
. horses, arrayed three abreast. The
divers management of the steeds was
!, capital. Itwas after O'Clock when the
+ demonstration was over, having been in
motion nearly three hours when the
last point OF the parade was reached.
as ACCIDENTS ON THE MARCH.
IAN accident occurred to the Fame
lose company's carriage while passing
We Central Hotel, caused by the break
1Qk OF the pole of the carriage. The
horses became frightened by the crash
5n9 Of the pole, but were captured and
bud by spectators until another pole
f. F4s procured. The driver Of the Friend
l1p{p Engine also met with slight acci-
d<|9nt which deprived him of the pair of
q 34||Iozses on the lead. The driver came
+ IqcNn Market street with six head OF
' l7tsfs 70 the engine, when opposite the
cltf hall the pole to which the lead
kerssa were attached broke. The lead
dqta6B'we taken from the parade.
When the Moyamensing Hose com
eAy we're passing down the grade on
, {4ft Ninth street several of those
X fy!nE hold of the rope dashed down
5M at such rapid gait that the
<jege got away from the men at the