Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-02-05

ment of Bennington. He was one of the
organizers of the Stark Hose Company,
being It's first foreman, which position
he held but a short time. resigning it, so
that he in company with others, might
organize the Putnam Hose Company. In
September, 1887, he resigned from the
Stark Hose and has since been an honor
airy member, keeping up much interest
in that company. He was for four years
president of the Putnams, and always
has been closely identified with it.
Its members being DESTROYS of show
ing their esteem for him had made a
solid gold chief engineers badge and
Friday evening was the time set for maxi
ing the presentation. The badge, which
is nearly oval in form, is hung from a
pin emblamatic of two fire ladders, and
on the smooth surface are the words
"Chief Engineer The front of the
badge has engraved on it various EN-.
blems of a fireman, and on the reverse
the inscription: Presented to R. S.
Putnam Hose Company"
The presentation was made by Fore
man Gibney of the company, who said:
Mr.. DRYsDALE: As foreman of the II.
v. Putnam Hose Company, there de-
wolves upon me pleasant duty. This
hose company has long desired to show
to you its appreciation of the many kind
neSSes and courtesIeS of which it has
long been the recipient at your hands.
More especially, it desires to recognize
your unfailing interest in everything that
appertains to the interest of this com
pany. Whether as one of our charter
members or organizers, as our first presi-
dent, or, when the unanimous voice of
the entire fire department OF the village
you were called from amongst us to the
higher position of chief of the depart
ment, your interest and good will for us
have always been manifested.
In view of these facts we have thought
that some expression of our feelings to.
ward you should be made. Therefore,
Mr.. Drysdale, in behalf of the members
of the Ii. w. Putnam Hose Company per
nit me to offer you this gold badge.
The badge is of gold because that metal
best expresses the tone of our hearts to.
ward you, and know 1 only express the
sentiments of every member when l say,
long may you live to enjoy those feelings
of our friendship and regard, of which
this badge is simply the symbol.
In his response Mr.. Drysdale said that
he accepted the badge in the spirit in
which 1t was given. He referred to the
pleasure it had been to him to serve the
company, and closed by wishing it the
same success and prosperity in the fu-
ture that it had in the past. Chief Engi.
leer F. NJ. Tiffany made few pleasant
remarks, recalling the time when he was
an assistant with Mr.. Drysdale. He said
that he reflected the wishes of the entire
department when he said that no man
was more worthy of receiving such me-.
mento than the recipient. DR.. Daley, a
charter member, spoke quite amusngly
of the early days of the company's exist
ence, and compared those days with the
present prosperous ones. There were re-
marks by others and solo, "Under the
Greenwood Tree" by William Riley;
with others by P. j. Whitney, DR.. E. B.
Daley, Patrick Kelly, and a duet by AS
sistant Chief Engineers Sullivan and
Murphy. Refreshments were provided.
1t was late hour when the gathering,
with best wishes for the company and
the principal guest of the company, re-
paired to their separate homes.