The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1899-02-10
ACROBATIC
TROUT
A Story That AstOniShed Even
Exempt Firemen.

EXEMPT FlTeIlen.
When the Election of Officers Had
Taken Place, and the Clam Chow
der and Baked Beans Had Dis
appeared, Fireman c. w. Ennis
Cleared the Atmosphere with
Fish Story.
A smoker, fiavoring strongly of Eye
olden time" was given by the Exempt
Firemen's Association, on Wednesday
night, in their cozily furnished head
quarters in the Farrelly building. The
rooms were tastefully trimmed with
bunting and flags, while upon the walls
appeared numerous and very realistic
scenes pertaining to firemanic life, from
the days of the old ''coffee grinder" and
the ''double decker" up to the newest
improved steamer Interspersed with
the pictures were photographs of many
of the deceased members once prominent
in the Morristown Fire Department.
A dozen or more old time service hats,
fire trumpets, spanners and other appll
ances necessary to successful fighting
of the dreaded fire fiend were also con-
] spicuous
The occasion that drew the old
veterans out was the annual election,
which resulted in unanimous re.elec-
ton of the old officers, they having
faithfully performed their duties during
the past year, as follows:
President, ex-Foreman H. G. Emmell
of Independent Hose Chemical; vice
president, j. Bradford Stevens, also of
the Independents; secretary, Joseph K.
Kronenberg of Humane steamer; finan-
cial secretary, John A. Cliff formerly of
Humane Co, treasurer, John B. Ayers of
the independents
The election over, sometime was spent
in social intercourse, whist, listening to
Fred LaFurge's gramophone, which
made funny speeches, sang classical and
other songs and told yarns which were
only equalled by those Alderman Owens
reeled off by the yard
About this time Caterer Day called the
fire laddies to lunch, when the following
toothsome menu was discussed:
Clam Chowder. a Ia Boniface.
Salad, Sandwiches,
Baked Beans, Ice Cream.
Coffee, Cigars.
Cigars lighted. and with everybody in
an especially good humor, and with
President Emmell presiding, Informally,
the time passed most pleasantly
Speaking of stories, Aldermen Owens,
Lines and Reed were holding up their
respective ends pretty well until ex-
Foreman Charles W. Ennis of the In
dependents told fish story which he
declared, upon his word of honor as "a
First warder, was true. 1t happened up
on Keuka Lake, on the shores of which
the genial lumber dealer first saw the
light of day; and young fisherman
named Elkins, his father and Mr.. Ennis
were fishing for lake trout, for which
the lake is justly famed. Young Elkins
who either unfortunately, or fortunately,
happened to be near sighted, was lean
ling over the side of the boat watching
his "dobber" when. before he knew what
struck him, an immense trout rose and
seized the astonished youth by the nose.
In his desperation he drew back quickly
the trout hanging on until it dropped,
with the affrighled owner of the nose,
to the bottom of the skiff.
After the surprise occasioned by the
performance had in measure subsided,
unclasping the jaws of the fish, which
by this time had about wrecked the nose,
lacerating and tearing it in most fright
| full manner. Haste was made for the
shore, where a physician took the in
jured youth in charge. Skilful treat
ment prevailed, and the nose was saved
for future use other than fish bait
Mr.. Ennis is prepared, he says, to
prove his story and he will also make
affidavit that the trout weighed twenty
one pounds and three ounces.
! Naturally such modest story tellers as
Stephen Guerin, Harry Roy, Fred De-
coster, Theodore Ayers, Jr., John Boni-
face, Amos Pruden, Lon Doty and others,
who were on hand duly prepared with
yarns suitable for the occasion, heaved
sighs both long and deep upon the con-
clusion of Neighbor Ennis true story
and remarked that theirs would keep
until next year, and without as much
salt as the Ennis kind required, either.
Among those present were Chief En-
gineer Fox, Assistant Chief Ambrose
Chief Muchmore and j. w. Cliff of Sum-
NIT, Foreman George w. Cobbett of
Resolute Truck. Foreman Roy and
Assistant Coghlan of the Wardens,
Assistant Woodruff of Humane, Fore
man Van Cleve of Independent Hose
and representatives from the Express
and CHRONICLE.
The guests were hearty in expressions
of good will to their hosts, the Morris
town Exempt Firemen's Association, and
to the committee which was Instrument
al in bringing the annual meeting to so
successful conclusion-Mess John
Denman, j. E. Stiles. Theo. Ayers, Jr.,
w. F. Day, John K. Boniface, w. II.
Meslar, j. B. Stevens and Joseph X.
Kronenberg.
The Mutual Life Insurance Company.
The annual statement of the Mutual
Life Insuranca @ ,mnanu of Naur Yorlr