The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1901-04-06
FIREMEN
CELEBRATE.
TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF S{N-
GERLY COMPANY OF ELKTON,
An Enjoyable Gathering Around the
Festive Board Bright Addresses and
Coed Music.

Inc nemhtrs OF the SinSCrly Fire COM
pany of Elkton, bauqueted aud made merry
on Tuesday evening in celebration of the
organization : tenth anniversary The en-
ioya3le event was held in the main room of
the engine house which hud been decorated
with flags and national rolurs. Music was
furnished by the Elkton Orchestra under the
leadership Of C. L Fiprk George r. Ash.
Esq, acted rs toastmastrr. the set addresses
Of the evening being made hy John S. Writ
and George A. Blake. Esq-, whose remarks
were i'll full accord with the spirit Of the
occasion.
MIR. Writ said in part:
81 protest against the nattering introduce
tion Of your Chdirman Mark Twain, who
has spoken often in public. says he never
nad but one Introduction to an audience
which he entirely approved Of 1t was in the
State Of Ohio. The chairman OF the meeting
said: Ladies and gentlemen. this is Mark
Twain. The only thing can say for him is
that he has never been in the State Peniten-
tiary. | know that fact because I am
director of that institution. This, Mark SAYS
most introiucttous.
1T is said that God gives 20 every man the
talent that lifts him into life and lets him
ial lust in the niche he was ordained to
tlll | have often wondered what possible
use could bc 10 this company Of which I
have been member some years. Tonight
have made the discovery that | am kent
uuDu the ~ "a . "a pF
bric-a-brac. to be used on occasions OF this
ma Tor ornamental purposes only.
I'VE have been much interested in the his
tory tlat has been given OF the growth Of the
company and in the recollectlons OF the
bucket brigade and the old fire engines. But
as we speak OF olu lines shall we forget
Cut Wells and his little fire eXtinguisher;
No. perish the thought, We had no engine
IN those days. but We all recall how Gut
pulling like pony engine arrived at a fire
and how proud We were OF that eXtiuguisher
1t was the one visible sign that We we're a
progressive people aud we pointed to it, as
politicians says, with pride. To speak in n
more serious vriu-lhough what torn Dis to
tell the truth with "a jr.t-I cOngratulate
you tonight gentl"mrn upon the excellent
condition OF our company, and we may well
take pride in Its personnel and It's efficiency.
ou nave. as you ought To uave. the cordial
appreciation of every property owner and
taxpayer III the town. The rates o! insur-
ance are lower by reason Of your existence
NO Insurance company now cares for risks in
country town which has no adequate fire
protection, or at least will only takn them at
high rates. You nave bad the cordial and
generous cooperation OF tho town authOri-
ties to give you pleasant home and good
apparatus. Let US tonight express the none
that il the future as in the past on may be
VIC rthy Of it,
tAT,r a., ,,.f.l I,
hcrOism OF the volunteer iiremcu, who, he
said. illustrated in the highest degree the
highest degree the practice OF civil. virtue.
The brave deeds Of our army and navy live
III song and story but among the iremen are
found many Of the uucrowned heroes of
America
Mr. Blake in the course OF his address said:
"It was happy thought on the part of
some one to suggest thi, manner Of cclebrat-
ing the tenth anniversary Of the Company
and well has the committee carried into
execution tho thought IN all Of its details.
Backward do our minds turn to the I'd day
OF April ten years ago in 1891 AS we do so
"" recall that some Oi thO-" who were most
h pful in the formation OF this organization.
III fact who were its prOGcnitnrs. are not with
u today but responding to call from
another world, have obnyed that summons
which none rau evade. Wa recall the names
Of David l.. Sloan, Adam M"!-cl aud Richard
Thomas. those veteran ilremeu, who though
uul abio to respond Tor active duty gave US
OF their enthusiasm and advice until as
result this organization was accomplished.
For tue first time III tn history of the COM
pdny have Its member met one another in
TINS social and general way. We have at
times gathered tor our annual elections or on
the m"urnIul occasions of the burial OF our
departed members, but never before have we
met ana laNlnG aside the equipments of the
liremen nave grdsPed each others hands as
men devoted to the SAM noble purpose. As
we face one another aud r"a" in eve Y cOun-
t"uanco tn" less. OF the hOur it j, Il higher
appreciation Of what being fireman means,
Il i unseliish devotion to the interest Of
others ana Is an inst nee oi mob manhood.
let not any one become lightly member OF
TINS organ I@tlon thinking that it is only "a
matter OF ,'r'a. me true fireman lays upon
aoso and comfort hIt ltmH and Hfo S We We
rel oice tonight thnr the history OF this COM
pau>, its proud record Of ten years, measures
up to this lofty ideal and that in all that
1,