The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-08-06
STATE FIREMEN's AssoC1Ar1o n

APPROPRIATION 00nofal-ThO City Ell.
ing with visitors-The Morning Session
mfngton Companies.
| Correspondence Of The Messenger.)
i Fayetteville, August 3.
By every train on yesterday, and up
to 1890 o'clock at night, teams, COM
panies, delegates and visitors were ar
irving, marching to headquarters on
Green street, and being assigned to
quarters.
Last night gallant delegations from
Sumter and Greenville, s. c., arrived,
and are everywhere making new and
warm friends. Representatives are ex-
pected during the day from Durham,
Winston, Charlotte, etc.
The largest delegations, up to the
hour Of writing are from Greensboro,
and New Bern-the Eagles and South
sides Of the former, and the Atlantics
and New Berns Of the latter present
ing very full ranks. Wilmington has
its advance detachment, several of
them with historic fire records, and
they meet warm friends at every turn.
The thoroughfares Of the city, all
through yesterday afternoon, bore a
very animated and gala appearance, un-
formed groups and clusters Of lovely
women thronging the balconies. franz
ing with rich color the doors and WIN
dows Of residences and public build
ings, and proclaiming that the good old
town, with the fervor n
ment Of exultant youth, had plunged
headforemost into a jubilee.
At Ills o'clock this morning, in the
beautiful hall, deliberately decorated,
of the new court house, the president,
Chief J. D. Mcneil, called to order the
ninth annual convention Of the State
Firemen's Association, a large assem-
blage, largely composed of ladies, at
tending with much interest the routine
Of the proceedings. With a few apprO-
pirate words, Captain Mcneil intro
duced Rev. l.. w. Hughes, rector Of ST.
Johns Episcopal church The gifted
minister's invocation, uttered with all
the graces Of carriage and charms of
diction, with his marVelOuSly fine voice,
was received by the large concurse
with bowed head and reverent hearts.
Mr.. N. B. Alexander welcomed the
visitors in a gem Of a speech, every
sentence Of which was punctuated with
the hearty applause of his delighted
hearers.
Following MT. AlcxdHucT, OH UcHdIl
Of the east, Mr.. T. G.. Daniel, of New
Bern, delieverd a stirring, strong talk.
showing the difficulties Of the State
Firemen's Association, and paying a
warm tribute to the great efforts OF
Captain McNeill, at all times, in behalf
Of the association.
On behalf Of the west, Mayor Nelson,
of Greensboro, being unavoidably abb
sent, DR.. J. w. Griffith, second vice
nrocidont Of tho cfQtn QSCOci9tiOn- re.
sponded handsomely in his stead.
At the conclusion of the address of
DR.. Griffith, His Honor Mayor Cook
very felicitOusly emphasized the well
come extended by MI. Alexander, bid
ding the visitors remember that Fay
etteville's greeting came from the
depths of the hearts Of the people.
President Mcneil stated that each
company was entitled to two delegates
in the convention, and that he had ex-
tended the courtesies Of the floor to
the firemen from South Carolina, which
action, on motion of First Vice Presf-
dent Parmelee, was Endorsed by the
convention. The following were ap-
pointed a committee on credentials:
Chiefs Gulick, Schnibben, and Stone,
Captain Mccarthy and Major A. A.
McKethan.
(By Special Dispatch.)
HdyctlcVllkc, ~. S., Aug. O.-AAC al
ternoon trains made large accessions
to the crowds and the town is now full
and happy.
The afternoons session of the con-
vention was devoted to the reportoft t
committee on credentials, and the A.
ing of rules for the tournament con-
test. The discussion Over these mat
tiers continued into the night session.
The credentials committee reported
favorably as to seating the delegates
from Wilmington Steam Fire Engine
Company No. 1, and the delegates from
Fifth Ward Hook and Ladder Compa-
ny No. /. A protest vas made by
Chief Schnibben, of Wilmington,
against seating these delegates, on the
ground that the two companies nam
ed had withdrawn from the fire de-
partment. The protest was withdrawn
after an amendment offered by John
Haar, Of Wilmington. The delegates
were seated.
A resolution offered by w. G.. Won
Claim, Of Wilmington, to the effect
that all delegates Of any organized fire
to any meetings of the state
association shall be beneficiary mem
bers, vas adopted.
The secretary Of the fire department
of Greenville, S. c., addressed the con-
vention with applause. He said the
indications were that South Carolina
would soon form a state firemen's as
ISOLATION.
The association entered into the
election of officers for the ensuing
year and the following were re-
elected:
President-James d. Mcneil, Of Fay
etteville.
Vice P~residents-E. G.. Parmele, Of
Wilmington, and J. w. Griffith. of
Greensboro.
Secretary-J. w. Niche, of Durham.
treasurer. J. Green, of New Bern.
After the convention adjourned to-
night a reception was rendered to the
firemen at the residence of President
Mcneil, who is also chief of the Fay
etteville department.
The street parade which formed on
upper Hay street at $50 o'clock this
morning, under the management of