The Topeka state journal., 1897-09-28
BRAVE LADS BEDIGHT.
Firemen's Parade Finest Ever
Seen in the West.
Thirty-six Kansas Towns Have
Handsomely Uniformed Men
In the Line-Streets are Crowded
With Great Throngs Who
Enjoy the Show.

This day belongs to the Kansas fire.
men. The town is also theirs. No one
who saw the magnificent parade today
will ever forget the brave men who
make up the volunteer fire departments
of Kansas
The parade surpassed all expecta-
tions in size and splendor. It contained
500 well trained and elegantly uniform
ed men with their hose carts and other
apparatus used in fire fighting. The fire
departments of Sc towns We're in line.
There was no delay in starting the big
procession. When the last gun was
fired the command to start was given,
and A. E. Jones, the big drum major of
MarShalPS band, waved his wand and
the line of men started.
Following the band came the Queen
and her court. With visors lifted and
swords at rest, the mailed knights rode
on either side of the Queens carriage.
In her regal coach the Queen sat in
state waving her parasol composed en-
tirely of costly ostrich plumes on either
side in response to cheers from a thou
sand throats. Mrs. Sutton never look
ed better, and after all the hard work
of the summer, no one is more entitled
to public plaudits.
From a balcony near Seventh and
Kansas avenue a we'll dressed woman
leaned forward and shouted enthusias-
ticaIly: Long live the Queen of the
Festival"
The Queen bowed gracefully.
The young ladies of the court receiv-
ed their share of attention. AS their
carriages came in sight, the crowd on
the walks swerved, and an effort was
made by those on the west side of the
street to move out to the car tracks,
but with promptness that was COM
mendable, they were forced back by the
mounted police.
The Ottawa fire department of 80 men
displayed their marching. ability as
they passed down the street There
We're orders to right and left wheel,
Ilf4 oh nd Il
tions, and the commands were obeyed
with a skill that shows long and thor
ough course of training.
Last year with the 300 men in line
the peopIe of Kansas voted the fire
mems parade the finest ever seen, but
this year nearly every company in the
state is represented. This is the largest
gathering of hremen ever seen OUTSIDE
of national meetings.
Chief WilmsAth of the Topeka fire de-
partment, ex-State President ).
Cadden of Beloit and President A. r
Elder of ottawa are in great meas
t,re responsible for the well organized
companies in Topeka today.
This afternoon the races are DelnS
held at the fair grounds, and an eHort
will be made to wrest the prize pahner
from the Minneapolis company.
When the cannon was discharged at
1870 O'Clock this morning MarShalIS
numbering 10 men stationed on Eighth
street near Kansas avenue, played
stirring march and turned north on
Kansas avenue, and the Ffremen'S pa
rade had begun.
chief Marshal Norton and staff head
ed the procession and Chief Wilmarth,
marshal of the day, followed with his
aides The Queen and her court fol-
lowed.
The first division in command of w.
H. Holmes of Pittsburg, consisted of
the officers of the Kansas State Fire
mems association as follows: President
A. P Elder, ottawa; Vice-President ..
s. Elliott, CoffeyVille; Secretary F. @.
Lemaster, Abilene; Treasurer 5. w.
Collins, Junction City, and the Execu-
tive Committee w. T. Short, Concordia;
II. E. Squires. Beloit, and Sam Forter,
Marysville. Following this the rest of
the first division was as follows:
Chief A P. Elder and Ottawa fire de-
partment, 80 men.
Chief J. P. Cadden and Beloit fire de-
partment. % men.
Chief c. n. Miller and Minneapolis
fire department, 80 men.
This department is the prize depart
ment of the state and carried the cham
pionship banner and wore white duck
suits.
The second division was in command
of Sam Craig, of Garden City, and was
in the following order:
First Regiment band.
Chief r. E. Youngreen and Emporia
fire department, 10 men. Hose wagon
No l drawn by two grey horses was
one of the pretty features.