Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-08-15
FIREMEN'S TOURNAMENT
At Martins Ferry AuSpiciOuSly Opened
Yesterday,
Although Five Companies Expect
ed Did Not Arrive-The Parade,
the Reception, the Contest of Last
Evening, and the Ball.

Volunteer Firemen's Association, at
Martins Ferry, and it was marked
success in every particular. The wea
Their, although a little hot, was all that
could be desired. Numerous places Of
business and dwelling houses about the
town were decorated with bunting and
flags, which gave the city a holiday ap-
pearance. The only drawback in the
whole affair was five compan!es-Den-
nis0n, Burrs' Mills, East Palestine and
two companies from Bellaire not put
ting in their appearance. CoshoctOn,
Butler, Pa, and Toronto companies all
arrived in the forenoon over the c. &
P. road. The Deluge and Independents
of Salem, one company from Bellaire,
and the New Philadelphia companies
arrived in the afternoon about one
o'clock All morning and up TO the
time of the parade everything was in a
hustle and hustle in getting the differ
ent Companies about in their respective
places as soon as they arrived. and pre-
pairing for the parade which formed at
the corner of Hanover and Fourth
streets, and began to move promptly AZ
three o'clock over the long line Of
march.
The parade, although not very big,
was a fine one and was very acceptable,
the different companies showing up
very nice in their uniforms. The pa
rade made up as follows:
Mayor and police force, mounted,
five; Wheeling Opera House band, 16
pieces: Butler, Pa, hose company, 20
men; Deluge team OF Salem, y men;
Independent team, of Salem, IS men;
Toronto company, Is men ;Bellaire COM
pany, - men; New Philadelphia hooks,
- men: Independents, of Martins
Ferry. 10 men; Liberty, Of Martins
Ferry, 10 men, small reel drawn by 20
children Vigilant, of Martins Ferry,
13 men: Knight of Golden Eagles, ten
men: Alert hose company, drawn by
horse: Hook and Ladder company,
drawn by horses. These were follow
ed by a number Of wagons and car
riages trimmed with bunting and flags.
After the line of march had been gone
over the parade came 10 a halt in frOna
of the Opera House block on Hanover
street. and here DR.. A. R. Ong, chief Of
the fire department, made a rouslng
address of welcome on behalf Of the
Vigilant hose company, under whose
management the tournament is being
held. Chief Ong, on closing his ad-
dress. introduced Marshal Westwood
10 the visitors, and he with few pre-
emptory remarks, stating as he knew
the character of the men on the recep-
ton committee who are to look after the
visitors, he felt very safe in turning the
city over to the visitors while they
We're there. Upon saving this he turS-
ed over the key of the city-a large
wooden key about three and a half feet
long, decorated with red. white and
blue ribbOn-tO Mr. A. J. Holt. who
represented the visiting firemen. who
then introduced George Cooke. who on
behalf of the visiting firemen. respond
ed 10 the address of welcome in a very
neat and well wOrded speech. Rev. w.
B. HartZOg was then asked 10 give the
visitors little bit of advice. which he
did in manner that kept the large
crowd of people in continuous laugh.
All the addresses were we'll spoken.
we'll received and heartily applauded.
Chief Ong made a few closing re-
marks and the aSsemblage disbanded
until the evening when they were again
brought together by the racing con-
tests between the Liberty and Alert
hose companies and the hook and lad
der company, of Martins Ferry.
The race, which was a sort of a hand
leap affair, took place on First and Sec
Ond streets.
The Liberty company were placed
300 yards south of Hanover on Second
street: the Alert hose company, which
was drdwn with a team of horses. We're
placed 1873 yards below Hanover street.
on First and the Hook and Ladder COM
pany, drawn by horses, was placed $50
yards north of Hanover on Second
street. The requirements were that the
hose companies should run TO Hanover
and connect with the fire plugs and
throw a stream of water, and the Hook
and Ladder company should run to
Hanover, run up a thirty foot ladder
and have a man at the Top before time
was taken. Promptly at seven o'clock
the signal was given-ringing of the
fire alarm bells-and the race began.
All three companies reached Hanover
street at the same time. hut the hose
companies had a little difficulty in
making connections owing TO the large
crowd standing about, and before eth
er had the water on. the Hook and Lad
der company had pu up their thirty foot
ladder with Allen Mckee ar the top of
it, and they won the race. The Liberty
company did not make nozzle cOnnec-
ton and get the water turned on with
out it. 1t was turned off and the nozzle
put on. and by this time the Alerts had
a stream Of water flowing. The Alerts
run off about $50 feet of hose.
The race attracted in the neighbor-
hood of $4,000 TO 10000 people to the
scene and as the different teams reached
Hanover they sent up a mighty roar
which would do credit to one of the
greatest races ever run.
The affair, however, showed the Wis
itors the facilities of the home compa-
mes for doing service.
Last evening the MaennerchOr Hall
was crowded to its utmost owing to a
grand ball being given there by the fire
men.
To-day will be the most important day
owing TO the races which will be held
on the Wheeling Fair grounds. There
will be six companies contest for the
hose race prize, and as New Philadel-
phia IS the only hook and ladder compa-
ny here they will have no opposition.
NOTES.
The visitors ara in oraat sfStav,- >,