The Portland daily press., 1894-09-05
FIREMEN's DAY.
The Barnicoats Meet With Royal
Reception.

Reception.
| Gen. Neal Dow Makes Some Pleasant Re
marks-The Veteran Firemen Practi,
1 ally Show Their Visitors the Town
A Grand Time at Long Island-The Con
cert aud Ball
| Yesterday may properly be called Fire
mems Day. for the Veteran Firemen's asso
| citation and their guests, the Barnicoats O.
Boston held possession of the town portion
of the day and spent the remainder at Long
| Island
| The Baruicoats arrived on the boat from
Boston at an early hour, and were met by a
committee from the Veteran Firemen's
association and escorted to their head.
quarters at the Preble house. The Barni.
coats numbered fifty-two men, and were ac-
ccompanied by the celebrated Salem Cadet
band. Jean Missud, leader. They were
dressed in the uniform that has made the
Barnicoats famous since the days that they
ran the old hand tub No. IL of Boston, and
were one of the crack organizations of a
city whose fire department was one of the
boasted institutions of the country. The
uniform was dark trousers, white broadcloth
coats, and white helmets. They were under
the command of President George T.
Damery, Vice President c. e. Wadleigh,
Secretary A. o. Heath. They brought with
them as guests, Engineer Morrill, of Man
chester, N. H., ex-Chief Engineer Porter of
Medford and Superintendent Abbott of Bos-
ton Detective Department. There was also
contingent of eight ladies, wives Of
several of the members. After arrival at
the hotel, and breakfast, cars were taken
for ride and ''smoke talk" to Fort Allen
Park. while Aldermen Little and Dam pro-
vided blackboard and gave the ladies a
delightful drive about town. The Barni-
coats were charmed with the view spread
out before them from the park, for the day
was fine and the harbor never looked more
attractive.
THE PARADE.
Soon after nine o'clock the Veteran Fire.
mems association under command of ex
Chief Engineer Richard Ball, and num-
bering over hundred men-all dressed in
the historic red shirts, black trousers. sand
blue caps, the silver trumpets of the officers
bearing large bouquets marched from the
City building to the Preble house and re-
ceived the Barnicoats. From thence the
procession marched:to the City building and
received Gov. Cleaves. Mayor Baxter and
other guests, mostly members of the CITY
government. who were taken in carriages,
together with the members of the two
organizations who did not feel able to 60
over the long route. Both President Fox
and Vice President Plaisted of the Veterans
rode in carriages. The Veterans were
headed by the American Cadet band. and
the music by the bands was most delight
full feature of the parade. AS the processionG
passed the different engine houses halts
were made and all were invited in to par
take of each company's hospitality, the 4
gongs laundering out salute, to which the 4
visitors appropriately responded.
The streets were thronged with spectators
all along the route. One of the prettiest
sights took place on Spring street as the
turned into it from High street.
The foliage still holds its own, notwith-
the steady onward march of the
autumn, and matched by the green foliage
the long lines of red shirted men, followed
by the white coats of the Barnicoats, made
q very picturesque scene.
When the procession halted at Cnmber-
and SIS house, Veteran Fireman Buck. re-
;alled the fact that forty-eight years ago, in |
hat very engine house, he joined Torrent |
No. 6. Then Bracket street was the last |
westerly street in the city running parallel |
With State street.
SALUTE TO EX-CHIEF DOW.
When ex-Chief Gen. Neal Dow's house was
cached at the corner of Dow street, the |
now in his 9lst year, was dis
covered standing on the steps of his house,
lis son Hon. Fred N. Dow. by his side. THE /
wo organizations paid marching salute |
md then halted. Gen. Dow came to the
idewalk and the organizations broke ranks
nd clustered around him. President
)amery of the Barnicoats, said that it gave
hem all great pleasure to meet a man so
distinguished as the General, and who had
een SO long connected with fire matters.
lie was instructed to present to the General
badge he brought with him, a badge to be-
iven to the oldest ex-chief engineer in the
United States. and he thought that General |
low was fully entitled to wear it.
Gen. Dow thanked President Damery.
He said he had known the Barnicoats of
Id, and had been in their engine house. and
hat he was delighted to renew the ac-
uaintance. The Boston department ALWAYS
ad the reputation of being excellent fire.
len. In those days said the general, we
ways knew how to fight fire; where to put
ne water. We did as well, if not better.
nan iremen do now. He told several
necdotes that the "boys" evidently en-
,yed. One of them related to a dinner
wen by the fire department at which one
the boys gave the toast, 'brandy and
alter, water for the fire, brandy for the
remen." When the Generals turn came he
ave as toast, ''brandy and water, water
ztinguishes the fire, brandy extinguishes
le firemen."
The badge presented the General is made
orange ribbon. AT the top is a picture
nder crossed flags ard this inscription:
The Barnicoat Fire Association of Boston. |
o the Oldest ex-Fire Engineer Neal Dow.
opt. A, 1884,
Then the boys pressed around to shake |
,nds with Gen. Dow, and the band played l
Hail to the Chief" When the order came
'sfa1l in" the General stepped back to |
le house and the procession proceeded. the
md playing ''Auld Lang Syne." Collector
ow here took Gov. Cleaves's place in the
rriage, as the Governor had to leave for
1