Evening journal., 1904-10-27
CITY WELCOMES
FIRE LADDIES
Portsmouth, Virginia, Com
pany, Guests Of Weccacoe,
Given Glad Hand
seeing THE SIGHTS TODAY

The welcome extended to the members
Of the woecacoe Fire Company and their
guests. the Independent Fire Company Of
Portsmouth. Va, last night, was grand
ovation. All along the line Of parade,
which was given in honor Of the visiting
hremen crowds cheered the marchers and
red fire illuminated the skies. Every COM
pany in the local department occupied
some corner nearest to its engine house
and greeted the marching iiremen with
changing bells and shril whistle blasts
and rockets and lire-crackors We're set of
galore. Never before has a visiting fire
company received such q reception and
the visitors may we'll feel proud OF the
honor done them
Headed by the First Regiment Band,
the members OF tho Weccacoe Fire Com
pany had .hc right of line City Council
followed in carriages and the visitors with
! their band came up in the rear william
NJ. Connolly was marshal of the parade
and later acted as master Of ceremonies
az tho banquet az the Turn Hall.
| Before the collation. was served at tho
! Turn Hall Chairman Connolly introduced
| Mayor Charles ID. Bird. who was greeted
with an outburst of applause. He said
1T gives me pleasure TO welcome the
nrelaen Of Portsmouth. Va. to our city.
but / can hardly find words to express the
! appreciation we feel at the demonstration
accorded you by the Fire Department
OF Wilmington on behalf of the Weoeacod
Fire Company. ] extend TO you hearty
welcome and hope you win enjoy your
stay in our midst"
Following Mayor Bird. Chairman CON
molly said This is one of the greatest
occasions. paramount event among volun-
teer firemen. We enjoy nothing better
than TO have volunteer hrcmen at om
festive board. They stand today the undis-
putod champions OF hremen ana the best
cf hosts. This was demonstrated at Ports
mouth upon the occasion OF our visit e
that city. Well we remember the greeting
we received from the Independent Fire
Company and the Mayor of the city. Well
do we remember the trips to various
points OF interest we made and the man
ner N which Captain Pace greeted us at
the Navy Yard. We have no such points
OF interest TO show you but what we VIII
show you is Delaware hospitality as shown
by Dclaware's Blue Hens Chickens"
Mr. Connolly paid "a tribute TO the volun.
/ tecr hrcmen. telling of their grand and
porious work at the Baltimore coniog.
ration and at the conclusion Of his address
was loudly upplauded
/ Captain Charles r. Bland. first assistant
foreman Of the Independent Company re-
sponded in behalf Of that organization. II,
said out of the fullness Of heart IN,
mouth speaketh.' There are times I'm tn,
n lives OF men when the heart is overiovo,
by true and loyal demonstration of love
Our feeling tonight is that we are amonl
friends. bring YOU the heartfelt friend
. snip OF every man. woman and child o
that noble city. Portsmouth We coul
not trust to the mails, but bring IL to yo
IN person. The hospitality Of Virginia. In
pride of tho South is known the worI
over. Tonight however. of all times ~
have been shown hospitality IN IT'S highes
sense by the people of Delaware. the prid
OF the cast. We thought We knew wha
hospitality was but the magnificent re
ception we received tonight was far be
yond our dreams. II Is beyond expression
simply grand"
Following the banquet Captain Blan,
presented 20 the Wcccacoe Company
hatchet modelled from piece Of the wood
work Of the Marie Teresa. the spanlsI
vessel sunk by Admiral schley at santi
ago. The gife was received by Chairman
Cornolly IN behalf OF the local company
and foll' wing him addresses We're mad
by President of Council, Francis j. Nc
Nulty ana Mayor Bird.
This morning the visiting aremen wer
given "a reception az the hail Of the Wee
cacoe FIRE company. This afternoon at
o'clock the guests We're taken to Brandy
wine Springs Park where a hog and potat
rcast was held This evening they wi
inspect the Wilmington fire department
Tomorrow morning tho visitors win b
taken In trolley cars through the city an
shown points Of interest. At O'Clock e
morrow afternoon they will depart 10
their homes.