The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-12-02
Ffremen's Banquet.

nemoers ana their invited guests
assembled around the festive board
about $50 o'clock. The table was
most tastefully decorated with fruits,
ferns and autumn leaves, aud well
supplied with roast turkey and cram
berry sauce, opossum and sweet po-
tatoes prepared in the regulation
mode, boiled ham, pickles, loaf bread,
crackers, coffee, ambrosia and cakes.
The members of city council were
the guests Of honor and seated at
table little apart and at the head
of the row Of tables in the bahquet
hall. The other invited guests rep
resented the clergy medical fratern-
ity, the merchant, the artisan and
the local press. All in ali it was a
representative body. After supper,
speech making was in order. Mayor
McNally was first called on, and re-
sponded gratefully. He assured the
volunteer fire department Of his
hearty cooperation and support fiuan-
cially and otherwise
DIR. J. M. Lawson responded in his
usual witty and humorous style,
saying that the doctors were fire
fighters also. They fought to keep
their patients from fire that might
be as pleasant as the one in the
Glbbes house lobby. That he had
eaten so much turkey and opossum
he didn't know whether to gobble or
grin. That he had no money to give
the company, but was ready and will
ling to bandage the broken limbs,
cure the scorches and burns OF the
members after fire.
Mr.. w. T. Beatty made most
stirring, complimentary and encour-
aging address.
Mr.. l.. N, Rodger, Mr.. Kirby and
Chief F. G.. Austell al responded in
a few we'll chosen words of commen.
dation. DR.. @. w. Austell said
|speech making was not in his line of
business, but assured them Of the
fact that he appreciated, fully en-
ljoyed and had done full justice to
Isupper.
Rev. l.. L. Wagnon responded in
most enthusiastic praise Of the or
ganizstion, his theme being patriot
ism, which he applied most appro-
priately to the members OF the volun-
teer fire department, inspired as they
were with true patriotism born of
their unseltish devotion to saving the
lives and property Of the people of
the city from the fire flames of every
burning building.
Mr.. w. w. Cotton responded d
pleasantly and appreciatively and
ipromised through the columns Of
Progress to give full credit and fair
accounts Of the deeds of the volun-
teer fire department. Several other
gentlemen were called on but de.
Iclined.
| ]. X. Hambliu, Esq, young barrister
and member of the volunteer fire depart.
meut responded in Inost interesting.
humorous and entertaining manner. He
spoke encouragiDgly of the bright pros
poets of the department becoming en-
tirely Efficient as fire fighters. He knew
the material of which the company was
composed and had no hesitation in say
ing that every member would always do
hiss full duty. Tha. he vosced the feel
ing of the entire company when he ex-
presse the thankful appreciation of the
company for the many complimentary
things said about them and the support
and encouragement they had received at
the hands of the people and the city
council.
The editor of THE TINES responded,
his theme was heroism. comparing
the heroes of wars, officers and SOL
diers, that these fought for fame,
love of home and country, liberty
and freedom, with hope of reward.
the fireman's heroism was il possible
a higher. nobler and more unselfish,
as 1t was fight for the sake OF hu-
manity and not for any hope OF re-
ward or fame. That the fireman's
risk of losing life or limb was fire.
quently greater than the soldier upon
the battle field. The editor did not
offer any substantial aid nor the
columns of THE TINES, but IL the
future Is to be judged by the past it
is well known fact to the members