Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-31
VETERAN VOLUNTEER FIREMEN.
A Pleasant Visit to Baltimore-A Parade
Test of Engines and u Banquet.

VETERAN VOLUNTEER FIREMEN.
A Pleasant Visit to Baltimore-A Parade,
Test of Engines and u banquet.
As stated in The STAR of yesterday the
Veteran Volunteer Firemen's Association of
the District left at noon to participate in the
parade and test of hand engines with the Balti-
more veterans in that city. On arrival there at
l O'Clock they were received at Camden depot
and escorted to dinner. The line was formed
at 2:30 O'clock, moved at 8 o'clock and the
display made was a handsome one. the Balti-
moreans turning out in force, drawing by hand
their hose carriage, and having several hand
engines in line drawn by horses, one of which
was assigned to the Washington vets to work at
the test. 1t was about clock when the WASH
mgton monument on north Charles street was
reached aid there was dense crowd assem-
bled there. The Washington association, headed
by hit Carson Drum Corps, marshaled by ME-
John W. Thompson. with number of non-uni-
formed members and the officers-J. Ii. Rich
ards, president; Goodwin Pierce. vice president;
j. }. Peabody and +. W. Kahlert, secretaries;
Julius Strobel and Geo. W. Keithly engineers:
John W. Miller and Daniel Genau, standard
bearerS-on the right OF the line, attracted
much attention on the route, as also i'll the test.
THE TEST AT THE MONUMENT.
The summit of the monument was not
reached by either association in the test. There
was only slight difference in the heights
thrown. the Baltimoreans having the adj
vantage. as from the station of the Washington
men the mud had its effect. Both sides
Claimed the victory and the Washington men
were allowed to take the brooms. The test
between the gallery engines was brought to
close by an accident to the Baltimoreans--t
goose neck of their engine blew off and two of
three men were thrown of to the ground, fall
ing backward. These were &. F. Fooks and
Hugh l.. McAvoy and the latter was quite
seriously injured.
Returning to the headquarters of the asso-
citation on Cortlandt street rest was taken till
7:3O O'Clock, when o bountiful repast was
served.
ToAsTs AND SPEECHES.
Then came toasts speeches and songs.
Messrs. Lawrence Clark of the FTerndns
Herald, New York; Chas T. Holloway, presi-
dent and Ben Isreal Of the Baltimore vets,
j. ]. Peabody, w. p. Brown. President Rich
ards, Lieut.. John F. Kelly, F. Mohler, James
Ragan and others made remarks. and Messrs.
Peabody, Isreal and G. Further sang several of
the old-time songs.
Mr.. Thompson spoke Of the kindly feelings
existing between the two associations and be-
spoke for the Baltimore association a hearty
welcome by the Washington vets and the peo-
pie when they shall come down to assist in the
formal opening of their headquarters, the old
Union engine house.
President Holloway expressed for his asso-
citation the pleasure of having the Washington
association with them, and assured the men,
bership hearty welcome at any time.
Lieut.. Kelly assured the Baltimore vets of a
safe escort through the sixth precinct at any
time and gave the following toast:
The Old Firemen's Union for in their Union
is Harmony, Good Will and Friendship; with
these United there is Perseverance, and they
were always Vigilant and Independent.
Mr.. Isreal Mr.. Raglan and Mr.. +. Mohler of
the old union each spoke in a happy strain.
FIREMEN IN ANCIENT ROME.
Mr.. Peabody in the course of his remarks,
said that fremen were known in ancient times
and two centuries before the Christian era We
find in Pliny's letters that body of firemen
was established in Rome. and he says these an
Gent hremen frequently created dissensions
and tumult. After fire in Nicodemia he
writes to the emperor to consider whether it
may not be advisable to form a company of
fremen Of $50 members and saws: Il will take
care none but those of that business be adj
mitted into it, as this corporate body will be
restricted to so small body it will be easy to
keep them under proper regulations"
Trojan writes to Pllny in answer: "But it is
to be remembered that societies of this sort
have greatly disturbed the peace of the prov
ince in general and of those cities in particular
Whatever name we give them and for whatever
purposes they may be instituted they will not
fail to form themselves into fac tious assemblies
however short their meetings may be. 1t will
therefore be safe to provide such machines as
are ofservice in extinguishing fires enjoining the
owners Of houses to assist in preventing the
mischief from spreading, and, if it should be
necessary, to call in the populace." The direc-
ton to procure machines as of service in extin-
gushing fires was in consequence of Nicodemin,
but, fortunately for the seekers of information
OF tire engines, Pliny again writes to Trojan
that while making progress in different part
Of the province a destructive fire occurred in
Nicodemin. which was not provided with Are
engines, buckets, or a single implement to ex-
tinguish fires, but which have now given order
to provide"
He had read these extracts, he said. to show
that their old calling WAS ancient one, and
from the tenor of these quotations the ancient
firemen and the old volunteers were much the
same In some respects at least
Under the escort of their Baltimore friends
the Washington vets took up the line Of march
to Camden street depot at 1890 o'clock and
at II started for home, arriving about l2:20,
after most pleasant time. 80
-M