The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-04-18
F|REMEN HON0RED'
Engine ca. No. Is Presented
With a Handsome Flag
and Clock.
GREAT CROWD PRESENT
Leader Davis Among Those
Who Inspected the
New Building.

EVERY dN0Ai0pAN
No * engine house. at Sip and Garrison
oysn,,es was utilized at the formal open
inc hold last evening. Prominent ohciaie
ond hundreds of others not so prominent
were on hand all the evening ana par
ticinated in the entertainment ana par
took of the excellent lunch provided ps
the tiremen. The fremen were propapis
never so busy in all their lives. ihes
were continually on the jump, skippihs
from one end of the building to the othei'
hooking after their guests. II took the"
too long to come down the spiral star
way and they slid down the brass pores
with the agility of monkeys
The rear room. or the sleeping aparl-
ment was transformed into q hAii'
Dozens of large American fiags were
tastefully draped about the walls ana
ceiline. This room was packed long De-
fore the entertainment began. The library
and snare room on the same moor were
also crowded.
Very nearly all the guests went through
the entire building at one time. or rathe'
inspecting the handsome apartments.
The entertainment prepared by Captain
clair Birch began about nine ocioch-
The Letter Carriers Band opened with
an appropriate selection. after which the
Nonpareil Banjo Trio rendered several
selections. Mr.. Harry Moore scored a MT
with his decidedly amusing recitations-
Mr. Harry Morgan rendered a baritone
solo after which Mr.. Thomas .Ballantyne
kept the assemblage in roars OF laughter
for several minutes with his clever humor-
isms.
Freeholder Frank Scott, with a few well
chosen words, presented the fremen with
a handsome new flag, which VIII hoal
proudly from the flagstaff hereafter. cap
tain Birch made the speech of acceptance.
About this dag there is d pretty little
story. When the engine house was nrsl
informally, opened. Captain Birch had
no flag. Mrs. Thurston, wife OF one OF
Jersey City's most distinguished citlzens,
Mr. Charles B.. Thurston, heard or 1t ana
with graceful courtesy, sent a nag TO the
CAPTAIN, who, with all his ~coiieasues'
thoroughly appreciate the kindly act. MRS.
Thurston's flag occupied the place "
honor on the walls last night.
Mr.. William Mackin sang a tenor solo,
and the Greenvi1le String Quintette, COM
posed of Emory c. Pratt, H. Gernnaht'
w. Gernnant, Charles Schultz and Chas'
Behrens, rendered several pretty seiec-
lions. A baritone solo by Charles POW
ell and selections rendered by the Acme
Ouartette of Hoboken, composed OF Fhn-
lin Heck. T. Smith, w. Martin n w.
Lashe. completed the programme.
Alderman Jacob Muller, in presenting
the fremen with a handsome clock, said'
II wish to thank you for the invitaton
to be present this evening with men
who are at all times prepared TO risk
their lives for the preservation OF me
and property. 1t is said that a hremans
duty Is not taxing, but we must pear ~
mind that they are always ready 10 rush
where duty calls. I will conclude by con-
tributing to the furnishings OF this mouse
an article which 1 think will be OF use
in accurately recording the time the pei
taps., He then handed to Captain Rircn
the clock.
During the time the entertainment was
IN progress Commissioners Thomas Mills,
John Brennan and John Erickson were
busy inspecting the lower part OF the
building. being unable to reach the room
where the entertainment was being helo.
Tn the rear room, on the ground moor,
two fremen were kept busy supplying
the visitors with liquid refreshments. Ia
bles reaching. from one end Oh the room
to the other were arranged on the DOL
tom floor, and several small tables were
placed in the sitting room UPSTAIRS Il
was impossible to seat every one present
at the conclusion of the entertainment
hut none went away without being taken
care of. There were enough good Things
on hand to feed a regiment.
Not until after midnight did the people
depart. The fremen then prepared their
cots and tumbled into them, gong 10
sleep without being rocked.
The new engine house is easily the
handsomest in the city. 1t is OF red nricK
with granite trimmings. The interior Is
finished in glazed brick, the ceilings being
of sheet tin, tastefully frescoed. The
ground floor is of brick and the largest
part of the woodwork of quartered oak.
There are four stalls on this floor, with
a spare room, engine room and hay lott
in the rear.
On the second floor, which is reached
by a spiral stairway. are the sleeping
apartments, library, toilets and cup
boards. There is one room in the front
of the building above the library. This
the men intend to fit up as a gymnasium.
The building is thoroughly furnished with
strictly modern electrical apparatus
The men are very proud of their new
home.
Mr.. Robert Davis, Director Thomas ].
Miggins and ex-Fire COMMISSIONS John
J. Cone were among the interested spec
tators. Mr.. Davis carefully inspected the
building and said that it was. indeed a
credit to the city. Mr.. higgins, s-sa
great tact. when there was a lull in the
proceedings. rose and in a felic!tous
little speech introduced Mr.. Cone, who
! paid a generous tribute to the work done
by Commissioner Mills in the department.
The Commissioner was taken by surprise
at the speech but managed to collect his
wits and arrange his words in a neat
speech of thanks.
Commissioner Erickson also made an
admirable speech. Remembering that all
shades of politics were represented in the
room. he spoke in a broad and statesman
like vein to the effect that the incoming
administration of thezdepartment would
carefully regard the interests of the pub
lie first, last and all the time.
Among those present were Commission
ers Daniel Y. Lewis, John Errickson5
cnME P00T.TSH pEnpT.E