The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-25
FIREMEN's UNION BALL.
The Annual Affair the Usual Sue
ceSSfuI Event

ceSStuI Event.
When the locomotive fremen, whose runs
yesterday, reached their roundhouses. pulled
off their buckskin mittens and doffed the
blue jumper and red handkerchief, which are
parts OF their picturesque costume their
thoughts were upon their ball, which
was to be given in the evening. 1t was the
annual affair and the gallant iremen. who
the safety OF lives and property, had been
planning for weeks to make it a success. The
big engines furnished them with many a
reminder during the day. The escaping steam
Kissed some familiar waltz, while the regular
motion Of the connecting rods marked the
time for some spirited two-step. The musical
reminded them OF the voice of the man who
called off the square dances for them. and
when at last the big, grimy roundhouse was
reached and the big smoking horses were
turned over, with their fires banked to the
hostlers, the boys lost no time in getting
nome to prepare for the dance.
1t was given at the Ryan, and even that
big hostelry, with its spacious ball room, was
their guests.
1t was union ball. the members Of local
lodges 800 and 81. Brotherhood of Locomo-
I've Firemen, being ably assisted by the
Ladies Society OF Lodge No. 81. The affair
was left in the hands of a ball committee
Of which Fred Smith was chairman and f. E.
Davidson was secretary, and 1t was largely
due to the efforts of these two men, aided by
the rest of the committee, that the people
who attended were able to say when they
donned their street clothes and went home
that It was the jolliest dance ever given by
the fremen. The fremen had enlisted SO
much interest in the event on the part OF the
engineers that a number of the latter were
present with their wives, while the railroad
fraternity was well represented generally.
There were 600 programmes printed, and be-
fore the opening dance was finished the sup
ply had run out
There is no denying that the hosts have
pretty wives and sisters and sweethearts
and it appears they all were there.
The big ball room was appropriately decor
| ated with red, white and green lights in the
| shape OF familiar looking railroad lanterns
| while at the far end Of the big room WAS
| beautiful engine model, which, while it had
| no steam up, still was not lacking in perfec-
| ton OF mechanical detail.
Pippin's orchestra struck UP the opening
| dance shortly after 8 o'clock, and from thai
| time on the big room was filed with dancers
| room promenaded about or found places u
| sit down and talk in the wide halls.
1t was as an intelligent q set Of men as one
| often sees gathered together for social diver.
| sion, and such matters as keeping up steam
! watching for left-slde signals and that sort
| OF thing were put in the background for the
| fun they were having.
| 1t was expected that F. P. Sargent, grand
| master Of the order, would come I'D from
Peoria, but that gentleman was prevented
at the last minute but there were good, loyal
| fremen present from Minneapolis Waseca
| West Superior and White Bear Lake.
| The bright gowns Of the ladies drove al
thoughts of the difference between the safe
white light and the red danger signal out Of
| the minds Of the hosts and when the an
| nouncement was made there was to be "a1
| extra" on the programme, It was promptly
| given Tho right of way with track clear
| There was not a breakdown" on the caro-
| of dances. but after the list Of numbers was
! half played, the orchestra was given orders t.
Slow down" and the dancers were switch
| ed" to the ordinary, where a substantial
| luncheon was served.
officer Bill" Twohy. an old fireman him
self, resplendent in abig, red rose and broat
! smile. stationed himself at the entrance t.
| the ball room and loaned dignity to the oc
| casion. 1t was a great ball, and will long b.
| remembered by those who were there. TIL,
| committees which helped to make 1t such {
! go were:
Arrangement Committee-Fred Smith. D. D
Kuhn. F. E. Davidson. T. F. Dugan, Et
| Welch, John Kallaball, Mrs. A. K. Bonar
| Mrs. Samuel Sandberg
Floor Committee. F. Driscoll. W. T. Nah
| err w. F. Gladson. L. J. Bauer, ]. B. Kelly
Samuel Sandberg, James Clancy, F. R. O'Don
| nell Gus Kasenow, W. H. Wallace, JohI
! Reichert w. Dyckman.
Reception Committee. B. Piper, Ed An
derson, A. X. Bonar. L. E. Murphy. W. NJ
Churchill. E. C. Muller James Murphy, L
kneipps, Mrs. ]. F. Driscoll Mrs. l.. d
| Bower. Mrs. T. Murray, Mrs. J. L. Flood