Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-10
THE PORTSMOUTH
HOOK AND LADDER
Their Spread a Very Pleas
ant One Indeed.
Mr.. TATEM'S GOLD MEDAL
The Evening spent Around tho Fcs-
live H"ard,whcro Song, story and
speech Filled The Hours as They
Quickly GIidcd by-A Firemnn's
Social Long to Rc Remembered by
IhOse Present..

The spread" of Portsmouth Hook
and Ladder Company No. l last night
was q grand success, and will be n fac
tor for the greater up-buildng of the
department, if that be possible These
boys never fail to enjoy occasions of
this kind and they, too, possess the
happy faculty of making those whom
they honor with invitations to be pres
ent enjoy to the utmost their generous
hospitality.
Captain "Ad." Meads presided and
after the substantials had been dis
posed of to the great satisfaction of
the inner man. and the blue smoke from
Migrant Havana cigars was curling in
fantastic evolutions upward, introduced
Judge Il. X. Watts, who delivered an
eloquent and thoroughly appropriate
address. lie was roundly applauded ut
the conclusion of his mastery effort.
DillsburSs Band furnished delightful
music and enlivencd the occasion by
popular airs splendidiy rendered
Here MIR. Richard ID. Guy. financial,
secretary of the company. took the floor
by invitation, and holding in his hand
u handsome gold medal with an appro-
pirate hreman's insignia on The face
which hung from II bar of solid gold
upon which the word compliments
was inscribed The pendant uDon It's
/ L. L.
Co. in blue enamel. Upon the reverse
side the following inscription appears:
Presented to John w Tatem. Jr.
driver Hook and Ladder Company No
l. Portsmouth, Va. January 9th, 1899
Tor faithfulness and efficiency"
THE PRESENTATION SPEECH.
Mr.. Guy then delivered the following
beautiful speech
captain, Brother Firemen, Gentlemen:
"A pleasant duty has been assigned
me TINS evening; in fact. L think can
honestly say one OF the most pleasant
IL mas ever fallen To me to perform
because the members of Portsmouth
HOOK ana Ladder Company No ], rec
oSnlZinS as Il body fact which | and
an other warm personal friends OF the
gentleman have known from his in
fancy 10 the present time, that in what
ever station of duty John w. Tatem
a.. mas peen called to act he has al
why's acquitted himself with honor and
idelity to the trust reposed in hin,
ana Won success i'm every UNDERTAKEN,
III Nnich he has embarked because I,ic
iIrSe heart has been wholly given to
.hc work in which he was engaged
nave mad made and now present to thot
gentleman as an evidence of tba Mi
regard in which they hold hin, ho,h -,
ms many manly attributes of charoctcr
ms devotion to his friends, and cspoc
| 'hiN ms devotion To the vital intorests
OIL inns company. of which il may no
truly SAID he is founder, promoter and
up-puiider this handsome badge. with
me nope that he may have success in
All ms plans, and as he wears This
.hemcnto OF our regard and affection
.iir"ush NE. may he feel proud. indeed.
10 nave won this trophy not only from,
the hands. but the hearts as well nc ~
noble band of fire fighters as can he
found IN our grand old Commonwealth
Mr., Iatem, accept this token from
us with all it indicates, honor. regard
i , anection. from your brother mem
go go oi portsmouth Hook ana Ladder