The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-08-08
IN GLITTERING RANKS
THE FIREMEN AT lNEWBERN
MADE A FINE SHOW
yesterday.
THE PARADE WAS A MILE LONG.

Greensboro won the Steamer Contest
and Wilmington the Long Distance
Contest--AnnuaI Reports Read.
Special TO the News and Observer
NEwBERN, N. O., Aug. Z.
At 8 o'clock this morning the long
procession of firemen formed at Stanly
Hall and marched in glitteriug file
through the principal streets of the city.
They made fine show, these heroes of
the reel and nozzle. They do credit to
the State.
The hall was well filled at the night
session last night.
The annual reports of the President,
Secretary, Statistician and Treasurer
we're read and adopted.
Mayors Fishblate, of Wilmington; FL
lis, of Newbern; Cook, of Fayetteville,
and Nelson, of Greensboro, were seated
on the platform.
President Howe, of the State Colored
Firemens' Association, was among those
present.
President McNeill begins his annual
report by saying: 81 am indeed glad TO
report that | was able, during the last
session of the Legislature, to have the
view of the previous session corrected;
and that the muddle that We were in at
our last meeting now no longer exists.
"That our membership shall have in
creased to the extent of embracing every
town and city in the State, which must
eventually be the case; then indeed will
we be safe and secure in the enjoyment
of fund so eminently just and neces-
sary to our organized existence.
sit is with much pleasure that | can
report an increased interest and appre-
citation of our Association and its an
nual meeting both by its members and
the public generally. To my
comrades who were with me at our first
meeting in Greensboro, in 1888, would
recall the great difference between then
and now Our membership has grown
since then from twenty-three members
to 572, our equipment in value from a
few thousand dollars to tens of thou
sands of dollars, for discipline. from
mediocrity Gas rule) to almost perfec
tior, and We have by organization made
the calling of volunteer fireman in
North Carolina the most honorable and
appreciated of any in the land.
''Since our last meeting death has
taken from us one of our most honored
members. E. B. Englehard was our
first secretary and our second president.
He was a most enthusiastic and efficient
fireman and splendid executive off
cial. To him our Capital City owes much
for its present efficient department He
was its chief organizer and it was his
pride. Stricken down in the pride of his
manhood, his untimely death is but too
real an example of how uncertain our
life tenure is and should cause US to
realize how very important it is
that we should so regulate our
earthly existence as to be always ready
to answer the call when ''rung in" for US
to appear before the Great High Chief
for orders. Requiescat in pace. | would
ask that page of our minutes be de-
voted to his memory and that copy of
the same be sent to his department and
to his family, attesting our high regard
for his memory and our grief at his I'M
timely death"
The statistician's report shows that
there are one thousand whites and $50
colored firemen in the State.
Secretary Griffitll's report shows that
four new companies were enrolled last
year, the Electric Hose and Reel Com
pany, Of Goldsboro; Eagle Hose Com
pany No. 2, Salem; Rescue Hook and
Ladder Company, Asheyille; Steam Fire
Company, No. /, Monroe. The mem
bership includes 53S privates, 16 chiefs
and nine assistant chiefs; total 573.
The chair stated that he found it use
less to convene the Legislative Commit
tee and that he himself did all that was
possible in that body. A vote of thanks
was rendered the president for his good
work in the late Legislature.
Mayor Fishblate was called upon. He
said the best element of the State was
represented here; all municipalities
should promote in every way the inter
est of this great organization. When
the Wilmington Fire Department wants
anything they get 1t.
Mayor W. s. Cooke, of Fayetteville,
added his voice in commentator of the
brave fire laddies.
Mayor Ellis, of Newbern, said he had
been an active fremen for many ears,
and heartily endorsed all the other
Mayors had said.
mayor NcISOu, Ul OF6euSoOIOj was Ill
vited to a seat on the platform.
Mr.. J. A. Lambert, of Atlanta, Ca,
in charge of several exhibits here, was
elected an honorary member of the as
ISOLATION.
Mayors Cook, Fishblate and Nelson
were elected honorary members.
Mr. Moore and Mr.. Howard were in
troduced to the convention.
Committee on Exhibits-W. d. Bar
rington, of Newbern, Chairman; J. S.
Dunn, of Winston; F. II. Vogler, of
Salem; D. Holt, of Goldsboro; Martin
Newman, of Wilmington.
The matter of organizing an Inter
State North Carolina and Virgin a. AS
ISOLATION was deferSad.
The Volunteer &renan was adopted
as the off ial organ of the Assoc alton.
Letters were read from the Chief of
the st. Augustine, Fla fire department,
A. F Greatorex; invitation to National
Associatiol at Augusta, F. j. Nolett,
Chief Fire Department of Augusta, ID.