Evening journal., 1896-03-05
SHE IS A CENTENARIRN.
The Reliance Fire Company
Celebrates Her Century.
MUSIC sPEEOHBs AND FsAsTIEe


Mark tho Crossing OF tho Mark-rhs
Friend'hip Presents a Handsome Horn
aud the Women Friends Of the Com
paoy Adds Three More to It-An Enjoy
able Event.
"a century" is quickly spoken but
when II Is remembered that 10 means a
hundred years, aud that of continuous ex-
istence and work It's long time The
Reliance Steam j 70 Engine Company.
the second Oldest organization In VII.
] mingtone depart ment, crossed the cen.
tury mark yesterday aud the event was
celebrated In royal style. Representa-
lives OF other companies. the City
| Council aud a host OF friends, met At
the handsome engine house and enjoyed
themselves. The parlors were decorated
with potted plants and flags, while from
the centre chandelier was suspended a
magnificent floral fre horn bearing the
inscription I'm Remembrance of 4. p
Robinson. compliments OF ex Chief r.
A. Robinson" and also the number 100"
In immortelles reception WAS held
for the women friends OF the company
prior to the celebration exercises.
IL WAS 9 80 when the party gathered
In the company pArlors and was called TO
order by Chairman p u. Murphy.
Among the guests were ex Attorney
General John Blggs T. Baysrd Helsel,
Colonel William B. Norton, Chiefs
Walker Welsh snd Sasse, Clerk OF
Council Morrison, Baillff Ryan, Council
men Baylls. Leary. Meaney. Robertson,
zabley, Stats. McNulty. smith, Oberly
and Stevenson. Deputy Sheriff Tucker.
DR.. II. r Spruance and others Daniel
Moore, one Of the Oldest members Of
the company, was just 90 years OF age,
and that event was the source OF con
graduation on the part Of his friends
Albsrts orchestra, comprising O. Albert,
violin, August Hampel, clarinet. Joseph
kneipfel. cornet, and Rocco Valinoto,
harp, furnished fine mualc.
Presenting the Fire Horn.
In calling the Rssemblsge to order
Chairman p. +. Murphy gave a brief
sketch Of the company. after which Hon
John Biggs was introduced Taking a
handsome silver horn from the hands OF
a delegation from the Friendship Com
pAny he said
1T gives me great pleasure to appear
before you this evening on such a very
pleasant mission to speak for aud In
behalf OF the Friendship Fire Company.
On March 4. 1896, Eon cely handful OF
citiz3ns, who then comprised what was
known as the borough Of Wilmington
formed the nucleus and laid the founda
tion for this organic alton, the Reliance
Fire Company, which for just 100 years
to night has fought the battles, born the
Il krtr af he I'D oI - -
the lives and property Of the citlzsns OF
Wilmington. The history OF this organ
ization forms as II were a oonnectlne
link between the birth OF our nation aud
the condition In which we find ourfelvea
TO day. There doubtless we're some me1
Of this very organization or those who
we're near and dear to them who shed
their blood or laid down their lives on ths
battlefield OF the BrAndywine. or some
like struggle
Even AS they struggle for liberty, 80
their descendants have showed the same
spirit OF determination while the one
fought the British In defense Of liberty,
the others, members Of old Reliance,
have fought the flames to protect life aud
property.
A Token or Good Fellowship.
$50 We come here tonight, we Of the
Friendship. 10 extend our hearty greet
ings and renew and confirm the bonds OF
friendship aud good fellowship which 80
long have bound the two companies to-
gether. On December % 1915. the ever
faithful, ever true, never ilnehing
Friendship Company was born Before
this state was q state: before that great
Magma charter Of American Independence
was promulgated which caused the
shackles forged on Americas limbs to
fall a. her feet, before the old Liberty
Bell In our sister city pro
claimed "llberty TO the people. aye
even when the nation was ia It's death
struggle. the old Friendship fret saw the
light Of day. Our foreiathers then re-
oognizsd, As everybody does now that an
efficient aud well orgsnlzsd fire depart
ment was necessary and met and formed
on Decemcer %. 1875, the first 6re
association or company for the protection
Of the citizens and their property, aud
agreed that each man should bring two
buckets and two baskets the former TO
carry water. the latter 10 hold the
property saved SO began the organ
zation which has grown stronger aud
more effective until now we have a FIRE
eystem equal II not superior TO that OF
any city OF like population IN this broad
nited States.
True to the Trust Imposed.
$50, members Of the Reliance Fire
Company. recognizing the Important
part that you have performed In building
up the efficiency OF this system, reeog
MIXING that you like your sister company,
the Friendship have always proved true
TO duty, that no FIRE was to hot, no night
to cold, no duty to perilous for You 10
perform your part; recognising the fact
that tonight the occasion OF your pass
ing the century mark OF your existence.
is being celebrated, have been delegated
I 10 present TO you this horn, as a token OF
regard, good feeling aud heartfelt fellow
ship which the Friendship Fire Company
extends to you and each Of you. May
you use II In thelfuture as your fathers did
In the past. in the protection OF the lives
and property Of the cltizsns OF Whining
ton and you may rest assured Of this,
that you will reosive the heartfelt graft
tuds Of every man, woman and child In
Il Wilmington