The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-06-28
VETERAN FIREMEN's GRAVES
Lovingly strewn with Flowers by Their

Surviving Comrades.
In ante-bellum days, before the organiza-
tion OF The present efficient paid fire depart
ment, our citizens were dependent upon vol
unteer firemen's organizations, with machines
worked by hand, for the protection OF life and
property from the devourng element. Not
withstanding the heavy hose reels carriages,
and engines of that period were pulled by
hand through the then muddy and almost
impossible streets, they were invariably
prompt in reaching the scene OF confagra-
tion, even from the most distant parts OF the
city. The enthusiasm of the fire laddies and
the commendable rivalry existing between the
organizations was probably the cause of this
promptitude. Upon reaching the scene of
action they went to work with an energy and
determination Of purpose that gave evidence
OF the greatest efficiency. On numberless oc.
casions lives were saved by the intrepidity
and daring of the volunteer firenien. The
various organizations had enrolled amoug
their membership many OF our leading citi-
zens, embracing merchants and professional
men, who took pardonable pride in their
respective companies and In running with
"the machine" Doubtless many now living
recall with pleasure the old days, and tell
with gusto their experiences and the impress
sions wrought upon their minds. The paid
fire department., with its horses and steam
engines, has OF course, relegated the old
machine to the dreamy past, and nothing now
remains Of the old fire department but remin-
1scences and pleasant memories of by-gone
days. few years since, with view
Of perpetuatfng these memories, the old
firemen organized what is now known
as the veteran Volunteer Firemens AS
socation." Since its organization num-
Der of the veterans have died. Last
year they held memorial services and 1t was
resolved then that in June of each recurring
year the graves of dead members should be
covered with flowers Accordingly on Sunday
afternoon last the veterans assembled at the
hall of the old Union engine house. corner of
Nineteenth and FL streets northwest, which,
by the way, was given them as permanent
home by the last Congress, it being Govern
ment property and Government reservation.
Several young ladies and misses also assem-
bled to assist in the exercises. Hundreds of
baskets laden with beautiful flowers and many
boxes containing same from Small's establish
ment were received during the morning, max
ing the hall refulgent and fragrant with sweet
scented roses and magnolias.
AT O'Clock the association was called to
order by President Richards, who addressed
the assemblage in a brief and neat speech, in
which he spoke of the custom that they had
1naugurated year ago. and it was custom
they proposed to perpetuate, as an evidence
that those on whose graves they will spread
the flowers are not forgotten. Each one
should regard the occasion as sacred, and the
udy Dc respected ana treated
proper manner -'sWe go this afternoon he
said, ''to place flowers on the graves of those
we once knew and loved They are gone. but
not forgotten, and this day will show that we
hold their memory sacred and will cause
Others who knew and loved them to think only
the better Of us. Our first decoration day was
signal success, and now let each of us make
this even more so than that. l regret sickness
and other unavoidable causes have kept a
number OF our members from participating in
1nx,y r
the cemeteries wherein their graves are To-
Gated" p.+tt
The baskets and boxes of flowers were
placed in one Of Knox's big busses, and the
members took their seats in another bus and
some carriages with the ladies and proceeded
to Glenwood Cemetery first. Here the
veterans gathered around the graves of Chief
j. III. Sessford, of the franklin; Conrad Kauf-
man, Columbia; Edward Edwards, Union
and Thomas McIntire, of the Northern
chosen orator and chairman Of exercises. He
made brief address, saying that when he
thought OF the many fine traits and heroic
deeds of his dead comrades his tongue failed
to say what his heart dictated. The members
knew and loved them and highly appreciated
their good qualities not only as fremen, but
as citizens, and to show the love and respect
they entertained for them had gathered this
afternoon to decorate their graves. Mr..
Thompson at each of the graves in the order
ute to the dead. The decorating was quietly
DONE Edith and Hattie Thompson, the
pretty little daughters of Mr.. John " Thomp-
son, of the Patent Office, handsomely attired
In white and wearing crowns of white flowers
with silk badges bearing the inscription ~
am the daughter of veteran fireman. walked
from carriage and taking basket after basket
OF flowers covered the graves Miss Mable Shaw
and Mrs. Jane Mooney, daughters of Mr.. Alonzo
Shaw, assisted. This was a charming and
interesting feature of the occasion. Flowers
had been provided in the greatest abundance,
hence the graves of all were literally buried
Herewith. The grave of Benjamin c. Grenup.
member of the Columbia, who was killed by
being run over by the suction while proceed
ing to fire in 1858, was beautifully decorated.
This grave is marked by handsome marble
shaft erected by his brother tiremen to his
memory. 1t never fails to attract the atten-
tion of visitors to Glenwood.
From Glenwood the veterans went to Mount
Olivet, where President Ward is inferred
Here Mr.. Thompson, after few preliminary
remarks, introduced Mr. w. j. Walker, of the
Census Office, who said ''Brother veterans, on
sad occasions of this character, in showing
our respect for the dead, it is customary, /
believe,f for some intimate friend of the deceased
to pay brief tribute to his intrinsic worth In
life. AS a representative of the Northern 4,
Liberty Fire Company, an organization OF
which he was for time the honored presi-
dent, feel that it devolVes upon myself in
the absence of other survivors of that organi-
zation, who perhaps are better qualified, to
speak OF his pre-emient traits, both of head
and heart, and in attestation of the high re-
gard in which he was held by his comrades
wi LIVING and In the M i7sto ~ fuln