Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-07
Brightwood Citizens Donate a Banner
to the Fire Department.
ENTERTAINING PROGRAM PRESENTED
Address of Welcome by President
of the Citizens Association.
OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

Brightwood lost the post office, but ap-
p&rertly the citizens of that pretty little
village have not been in the least discour-
aged over that fact, and last night they
held a celebration which would have done
credit 10 a place many times larger and
more prosperous.
The occasion was the presentation Of .
flag to the fire engine company lately 10
Gated there, with appropriate exercises.
many prominent persons being present.
The speech of acceptance was made by
Commissioner Wight of the District, while
others we'll known in the city's affairs took
part in the program.
The exercises in connection with the pre-
sentation were of most attractive charac-
ter, and We're in the nature of a lawn fete
being held in the beautiful grounds of
Emery Place." the country seat of Mr.
w V. Cox. chairman of the Brghtwood
Citizens Association, which is located just
across the avenue from the engine house,
The grounds We're Illuminated with Chinese
lanterns, which added greatly to the beau
ty Of the scene, and the platform in fine
center, on which the addresses were made
was tastefully decorated with flags, while
a band stationed at one side, at stated in
tervais, rendered airs suitable for the time
and place.
Children Took Part.
Pupils of the Brightwood Public School
look part In the exercises. and sang patrI-
otto airs. which were enthusiastically ap-
piauded. as was every feature of the pro-
gram.
invitations had been extended by the
committee in charge of the affair and they
were pretty generally accepted The seats
which mad been provided in front of the
platform were early filled. and there were
large number of persons standing and
pushing their way to the platform to hear
what the speakers had to say There were
many ladies. in light summer costumes, in
attendance, and they appeared to enjoy the
Isstlvlties to the highest degree. while
their presence was Inspiration to the
spt akers and an added attraction to the
remainder of the audience Many were
content to simply stroll about the velvety
lawns under the yellow glowing Chinese
lanterns and watch the effect from the
shadows of the trees.
Across the way was the engine house.
spick ana span, Illuminated in honor of
the event, doors vice open for inspection,
and the firemen. in their handsome uni
forms, In front. During the evening hun
dreds of persons who had accepted the in
v1tation to be present at the exercises
made an inspection of the engine house,
the engine itself, looked over the fine
horses in their stalls and piled the fire lad
dies with hundreds of questions concerning
the operation of the apparatus and the use
OF the different objects they saw, the
methods of extirguishing fires and other
matters.
Guests Present.
The exercises were begun on the platform
in the Emery Place grounds, soon after
o'clock.
On the platform were: Commissioner John
B. Wight, Assistant Engineer Commission
ers Reach and Burr, Chief Paris of the
fire department. Governor Stanley of the
Soldiers Home and Assistant Governor
Bernard, DIR. A. P. Pardon, DR.. John
Lavender, Mr.. Andrew Loeff1er, Mr.. Lewis
P. shoemaker, Messrs. Edwin A. Newman,
NJ. A. Ballinger. H. l.. Biscoe, DIR. c. G.
Stone. Superintendent O'Brien and General
Manager Williams of the Brightwood Rail-
way Company, Foreman Sherman of the
Brightwood engine company ard Others
After quite an elaborate display of pyro-
technics, an invocation was offered by Rev.
H. NJ. Reed. pastor of Emery Chapel, who
asked Divine blessing and guidance Oh the
village and the new acquisition. After this
the choir of the chapel of which he is pas
tor sang several selections.
MIR. William V. Cox, chairman of the
Brightwood citizens committee. and pro-
prietor of Emery Place. made the address
of welcome. which was listened to with the
greatest interest by the audience.
Chairman Cox:s Address.
Mr.. Cox said in part:
1T is my happy privilege, as we'll as my
duty. as president of the Rrightwood Ave-
nue. Citizens Association and chairman of
its executive committee, to extend to each
of you sincere and hearty welcome to
the shady hills of Brightwood. This s
proud day for Our association, for we eel
citrate the completion of a new fire engine
house. and are happy that it is to be under
the charge of Foreman John Sherman and
his brave associates. Messrs. Smith. Beall.
Nelson, Bernhardt, Covington, Metz and
Donaldson, whom we also welcome.
By looking around, you will see that Sc
curing an engine house is not the only VIC
tory that is inscribed on our banner,
a Inn
accessible as Rock Creek Park is today,
which is claimed to be but little better
known than when prehistoric men chippad
their stone axes in the Quarries on the
banks of that picturesque stream
In the old conservative days, when you
went to Washington, If you had not a
horse, you had either to walk or ride on
rIckety stage coach. with torn and flying
curtains, called the Red Bird, which a
quaint old negro occasionally drove up and
down the road. This means of transporta-
ton was SO uncertain and unSatisfa Glory
that have seen some of our dignified and
elderly associates, with coats and vests
under their arms. start out in the morning
for the city ahead of the coach, and at
night. cool and calm. precede 1t into Bright
wood.
In 1880 venturesome capitalist extend
ed Inc street railroad from Rock Creek
road to this spot. The road was eouipped
with the discarded horses and bobtailed
cars of the Metropolitan line. Although
there was no certainty of reaching our des-
liIidtioI, we All patrOn1Zed the cars At
hrst, being humaritarians, 1t was pleas
ure to alight and help the driver lift the
car on the track and assist him push IT and
the balky horses up the hills: but when the
roads got muddy it became a trifie irksome
and our sympathy gradually disappeared
until finally we became so callous that
when the car got off the track it was al
lowed to remain off and run in the middle
| OF the road, which 1t did with quite as
great regularity as 1T ran on the track.
disgust then took the place of sympathy.
and March IL. 1891, We organized an assc-
citation for the purpose of getting better
transportation facilities to and from WASH
ington.
Rapid Transit Secured.
Men were found who were willing to
furnish the money necessary to build an
electric road. bill was gotten through
| the House and was about to go through
| the Senate when some shrewd business
| men Of Washington came forward and Of
| fered to save us the trouble and worry of
erecting and equipping the road. This they
| were permitted to do and I have failed to
| hear, thus far. that they regret having
! come to our rescue.
Improvements followed on every side.
/ hof hod l<.a,