Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1894-07-17
Independent Fire coHpanyis
Banquet. at Washington Hall.
an Entertainment Long to le Remem-
bered-A Feast Of Reason and
FLotU Of Soul.

]
ington Hall on Saturday night last.
We have been accustomed in the
last ten years 10 rely with implicit
confidence on the brave boys that
compose this Company for gallant
fight against the deyouring element.
The community at large have re-
garded it as one of the most efficient
volunteer companies in this section
of the country. A history of the
last ten years of the town would be
incomplete without recording the
many occasions when this company's
actions have saved life and
property from the ravnges of the
deyouring element. Nearly every
individual in the community, too,
has Witnessed with some exultation
for his town the many awards of
merit which this company has re-
ceived in its various visitations to
Fire Company Exhibitions in sur
rounding towns and cities, but we
believe that we record the exact
truth when we say that it was not
only a surprise, but among the
things that no one conceived would
happen when this organization, rest
ing for while from its iabors, con-
ceived the idea of having a banquet,
and in the place of firing its engine,
handling the hose, and climbing the
ascending ladders at the risk of life
and limb, should convert themselves
into hospitable hosts to preside at a
feast where all who came were wei
come. But the boys who compose
the Independent Fire Company are
as earnest in their play as in their
work, and they do both well. We
might fill up our entire paper this
week in giving the details of this
entertainment, and the many kindly
spirits who worked for its success.
At O'Clock an afternoon parade
was had in charge of Fire Marshall
G. NJ. Hough, through tie principal
streets of the town. The great fea-
ture of the parade was wagon con-
tanning sixteen pretty young ladies'.
1--WE use the word pretty merely as
an adjective, for We have none hut
pretty girls in Charles TOWN.. Fol-
lowing this next came the company's
engine, known to them as the Steamer
"Idella." and both the pride and
safety of the community, it was
handsomely decorated. Next came
the drum corps, then the fire com
panY itself, under command of Cap
tain j. c. Holmes, who has been the
efficient and able Captain of the com
pany for the period of nine years,
following this was another pride of
the town, the Charles Town Cornet
Band, under the leadership of Mr..
Thomas Baker, and following this
was an invited guest of the Indepen-
dent Fire Company. another efficient
and Trustworthy organization held in
highest esteem, the Citizens Fire
Company, in beautiful uniforms,
composed of men of strong individ-
ualitY and thoroughly tested in time
of fire, under the command of their
efficient Captain, John w. Russell.
1t was upon the programme that
the Bloomery Brass Band should
have hcen in the parade, hit by some
mistake they did not arrive in time
to participate in 1t, They did their
duty manfully upon their arrival,
however, after the parade.
At nine o'clock at night the Town
Hall was thrown open for the ban
qnet. 1t had been beautifully deco
rated by the Committee appointed
for the purpose, composed of Charles
Fl. Grim, A, Robinson and others,
and on entering the Hall there was
presented to view, besides the hand
/ NJ In
tables bountifnlly supplied with
lnxnries TO tickle the palate, adorned
with beautiful flowers TO CRAFTY the
asthetic taste.
At $3.50 Captain j. C. Holmes, the
genial leader of the hosts OF the oc-
casion, summoned all the guests
to the table and the Rev. s. W. Cole
of the Baptist Church asked the
blessing of God upon those assem-
bled. Col. b. d. Gibson then in a
most appropriate manner traced The
history of the Company, concluding
with welcome to all the guests that
favored the occasion with its genial
ity. The Hon. Frank B. Gordon.
son of Senator Gordon, was then
Introduced, and spake of his eYper-
fence in fire companies, but csneci-
ally as visitor the first time to this
section, of the beauty of the conn.
try, the hospitality of its people and
tile grandeur of its scenery. He was
followed 10y the Hon. Vim. l.. Wil-
son, who had just returned from
Washington, in order. if possible to
be present at this banquet. Mr.. VIII
son was received with storm OF an.
plause and spoke in his happiest
vein. 1t might have gratificd the
newspaper reporters who are con-
stantly writing about his bad health
to have been present and to have
seen how a patient as sick as they
make him in their reports could he so
humorous in speech and action.
There were present at the banquet
as guests the Honorable Gustav
Brown, Mayor of Charles Town, (and
long may he be 50, } L. C. Green.
DR.. WIN. Neil. o. NJ. Phillips
George Washington, Frank Weller
and Henry DUNN, members of the
Town Council, the members of the
Citizens Fire Company and of the
Charles Town Cornet Band, DIR. C.
F. Foulke, who accompanied the
Hon. Frank B. Gordon as Chairman
OF the Committee ON Speakers, j. +.