Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1902-07-22


Our FIRE companies paraded last Tues |,
day evening in honor Of the eighteenth ,
anniversary Of the organization OF the
Fire Company, The procession
was formed as follows;
c. M. Hough, Fire Marshal; Stonewall
Jackson Camp. U. S.C.V., Drum Corps;
Independent Fire Co. No. /. Lieut. B. F,
Dooley in command steamer Idella.
drawn by Strider & Ramey's match
blacks; small reel. drawn by c. F. Walls
ponies: water tower. drawn by horses of
r. L. Hodgson and VIM. Phillips Sons.
Citizens Fire Co.. Capt ]. w. Russell
in command two reels, drawn by hand ;
hook and ladder truck. drawn by MileY
Bros. fine horses.
After moving through the principal
streets the parade wound up at Rouss
Memorial Hall. where handsome set of
silk colors was presented by the ladies to
the Independent Fire Company. Mr..
Charles Rissler acted as master of cere-
monies, the presentation address was
made by Mr.. VIM. H. Wilson. and the
colors, consisting of very pretty United
States flag and two markers. were re-
ceived on behalf of the company by Mr..
A. d. Barr.
ADDRESS BY MR.. WILSON.
Members Of the Independent and Citi-
zens' Fire Companies. ladies and gentle
men
feel that must preface the few re-
marks which / shall make with a word
| OF congratulation to our two fire COM
panies on the showing they have made
this evening, and especially would con-
graduate that Company. which. in these
/ exercises, has celebrated its eighteenth
birthday. and wish it, for myself and fol
| all the good of our town, hundred
other birthdays each OF which shall fine
it as strong in life and usefulness as it i:
| today.
To me, my friends, has been assigned
the pleasing duty of presenting to the IT.
dependent Fire Company the flag ant
markers which have been made for it b,
the ladies of Charles Town. whose spokes
man have the honor to be.
Not so many years ago but man,
among you remember, the women of th
town, with sl<illful fingers, busted them
selves making flag of another sort,
| flag which the soldiers OF this count
should bear against the flag of her north
ern invaders. That flag was the emblem
of the Southern Confederacy, and it
stars and bars waved proudly over a
brave a host as ever marched to battle
streamed CALAMITY over many hard VOL
field; and, when the long and hopeless
| fight was ended, and those who carrie,
lit had fallen weak and exhausted on th
lcruel road, and could bear it onward n,
longer, its soldiers furled it lovingl-
about its broken staff, and brought
home, riddled and torn, but with no stall
upon it. save the blackened stains O
powder or the red stain of some hero
blood.
Conquered it was, that banner of tn
South, but conquered in strife tina
brought no shame and, when our sol
diers bore it from the field, they looke'
to where the conquering banner stood
and saw the Stars and Stripes, their ia
theirs fag-fag of the North and South
the East and West-fag which had lai
proud England's flag in dust, and waves
triumphant over Mexico-the Stars an
Stripes which never had been furled-th
flag which never yet had known defeat
under whose folds they We're again I
stand. brothers united after quarrel an
strife, and, side by side, as in the olde
days, toll for it, fight for it. cheer for il
die tor it-their fathers aag-Old Glory
| This is the flag give to you tonight
to you who guard US not from threat G
war. but from another menace scarcel
less-the threat of fire and the red ruin
brings. You are the soldiers who stan
guard and watch. the sentinels who kee
rs in the aignt. ready TO battle with n
treacherous flames and risk and civ
your lives II need there be.
And. knowing thai Jon 70 stand guar
and watch. here in your fortress vii
Yoar veteran chief. We lay Us down {
peaceful sleep At night. nor fear the "a
Sings q the winters wind. Here is you
hag. fashioned by tender hands: and. q
! behalf q i's givers aud on behalf q al
re peopss q cor town. vn1ia w'.a -
Sood-luek and God-speed on your comm.
Journey. aud many . well-won victor
uaser Is spreading folds
sFsFcNsK ~ M. BAkK.