The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-02
PLEASURE
Impaired by
Absentees.
THE FIRE PATROL
Banquet Otherwise an I'm
qualified Success.

There was but one shadow to cloud
the pleasure attending the 29d annual
reunion and banquet of the Worcester
Protective Department held at Patrol
headquarters last evening. The alb
sence' of the familiar figure Of Hon.
Charles B. Pratt, who for % years Of
fciated at these annual occasions. was
sadly noticeable and referred to in
terms of the warmest regard by speak
ers of the evening
Another familiar figure, that of
Charles o. Richardson, one who al
ways made it point to attend these
gatherings, was also missed Although
not a member nor connected in any
way with the organization, Mr. Rich
ardson always took a lively interest
in the Fire Patrol, an interest that
continued up to the time of his death
The banquet was uninterrupted by
fire alarms, although some trouble on
the lines caused a succession of stray
blows. The Light Infantry orchestra
was in attendance and rendered Sc
lections during the supper hour, beside
assisting in the entertainment pro-
gram.
EX-members and invited guests
formed in line shortly before 9 o'clock,
and to music by the orchestra marched
to the banquet hall.
When the party had assembled, Capt.
81. r. Williamson welcomed all to the
banquet, and the following persons sat
down to supper.
Col. E. B. Stoddard, Mayor Rufus B.
Dodge, Jr., Alderman Henry Brannon,
Capt. Fl. r. Williamson, Edwin E.
Brown, William p. Mcpherson, Ivers
=. Sawyer, w. F, Iugraham William
II. Estabrook, Fl. Ward Bates, e. P.
Ingraham, N. A. Harrington, Fred J.
Thurston, Roger F. Upham, Council
man Albert M. Powell, r. James Tat
man, +. ID. johnson, John F. Crowell,
Councilman F. e. Williamson, Charles
~ Grant, William H. Coughlin, George
W. Ward, Charles M. Farnum, r. B.
ray, George c. Lawrence. George H.
Taylor, Otis L. Stebbins, w. ]. Iarkin.
A. z. Munroe, Edward d. Stoddard. DR.
Charles B. Stevens, A. n. Booth. A F
Dunkerton, George W. Hubbard. l.. M.
Alexander, W. H. Fletcher, ]. H. Dickie.
j. j. Farnon, F. e. Vaughn, S. w. Hay
den.
A. W. Wilson, Harry S. Myrick. Ed
mund l.. Sanders, A e. Hall. Harri
son W. johnson, John Yatter / w Fo-
ley, e. w. Buxton, j. c. Luby. Charles
L. Gates. Chief Engineer E. l.. Vaughn.
Deputy Chief George S. Coleman. AS
slstant Engineer c. O. Lamb Daniel
+. Rourke, o. S. Kendall, George A
Park, Lawrence J. Shay, Frank M
Hill, Addison w, Towne. William Fl
Lewis F. q. Fisher, T. e. Keyes. r.
NJ. Moore, b. W. Kerwin, j. w. Dear
Den William II. Lewis, Alfred A. La
Vehe j. NJ Marston, j. w. Perry. w
I. SheIdon, L. l.. Russell George F.
Oakley. F. B. GeIdert. James {, Ste.
venson,' William Archambeau. Charles
l.: Stockwell, George r. Perry.
AS usual on these occasions, the prin-
clpal feature Of the menu was escal-
Ioped oysters in the connection with
which Driver II. R. Shippee has won
a reputation that is recognized bv All
VINO have attended a banquet at the
patrol house. There were all the other
good things that go to make a banquet
enjoyable, but this item seemed to APP
peal stronger than anything else to the
stomachs of those present.
The room was handsomely decorated
with the national colors and bunting.
Doors and windows were tastefuliy
draped and hidden from view by hand
some curtains. Vases of beautiful
Mowers We're arranged at intervals on
the different tables, and at each plate
was placed red carnation pink.
Following a discussion of the menu.
Captain Williamson raped for order
and introduced Colonel E. B. Stoddard.
president of the association, as toast
master of the evening.
Colonel Stoddard, in behalf of the Of
hcers of the association, welcomed the
guests, and thanked the active members
OF the patrol for the entertainment pro-
vided. In the midst of all he felt a
sadness that he was sure was felt by
all present caused by the absence of
one who has always taken an interest
in the department from the time of its
fOrmation-the late Hon. Charles B.
Pratt. He spoke of Mr.. Pratts ready
wit and humor, which had entertained
these gatherings from year to year. and
felt assured that all would cherish his
memory.
He spoke of the changes that are tax
ing place from year to year, faces that
are missed and new faces that appear
to take their places. He advised all,
young men especially, to enjoy life as
much as they can, but to work for some
purpose.
Col. Stoddard said it was with much
pleasure that he spoke of the men in
the department, with Capt, Williamson
at their head. He doubted if there
could be found in any city or place a
man more capable or faithful, whom
praise is heard on any hand, than Capt.
Williamson.
He spoke of the harmony existing
between the two departments, but
thought the citizens of the city do not
fully appreciate the work of the pa
troll.
In referring to the next speaker,
Col. Stoddard said he was happy to
present our present and future
mayor" After the applause had sub
sided Mayor Dodge rose, and after
thanking the POSTMASTER, said We was
unable to praise the Fire Patrol as
much as he would like to- from the
fact that Col. Stoddard had alluded to
everything except the inconvenience
experienced with the Maine fish ward
ems. He realized that Col Stoddard is
sharp man to say what he thought
of the department. Col Stoddard
might walk into the city hall some day
in the future with a petition to the
city government, asking for an in
crease in the appropriation for this de-
partment, and with extracts from his
remarks attached it would be a diff
cult matter for him to veto the order;
Mayor Dodge then complimented
the Worcester fire department and its
auxiliary, the fire patrol, in a manner
which brought forth mods and smiles
of approval from those gathered about
the festive board He thought the
Worcester fire department one of the
best in New England, and one of
which the city may justly feel proud.
Roger f. Upham referred to Hon.
Charles B. Pratt as a man who was
most happy when making others hap
py, a kind, genial soul whose demise is
a grave source of regret to all. He re-
called C. o. Richardson, without whom
it seemed almost as though there was
no banquet.
He also spoke of three younger men
who We're present a year ago, but since