The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-06-10
PROVIDENCE
FIRE VETERANS
HOLD MEMORIAL

The Providence Veteran Firemen's asso-
ciation held its annual memorial service
ard roll-cah yesterday afternoon, Fire
ren's Memorial Day in it's hall on South
Aladn street.
There was an address by Rev. Samuel
ii. Webb. chaplain of the association. and
the effective custom of calling the roll and
responding to the names OF dead comrades
by rising while lines from an appropriate
hymn are sung was carried out.
The decorations OF the hall Were more
elaborate than on any similar occasion
In past years At either end OF the plat
form was a small tree, one an apple tree
In full bloom. All about the interior,
draping portraits and the many articles
used by the fire fighters of another day.
were hung flowers and green stuffs.
In the centre, directly In front of the
platform was arranged a large imitation
of book, opened. with the names
of those who have died during the past
year printed In large letters. that all
might see. The platform, from one end
&c the other was enclosed with an ar
rangement of flowers. vines. etc, which
gave a realistic impression of some out
door bower. On the platform sat the
officers OF the association, the chaplain
and n few others.
Music was furnished by the Getbel
quar-tette composed OF Miss Helen 8.
Greene. soprano; Mrs. Grace Irving Gum,
alto: Albert L. Ladd. tenor. and Christo-
pher B. Pearse basso. with Carl III. Droz
as accompanist. The quartette opened the
services at about 2:30 o'clock in the pres
ence OF a large audience with the anthem
Let Not Your Heart BE Troubled" after
which Rev. Mr.. Webb offered prayer.
Mr.. Pearse sang Rock OF Ages" ef-
l-If.l =. .I.4..
spoke I'm an appropriate and interesting
manner. dwelling upon the propriety of
such a service.
After the quatrette had sung Lead.
Kindly Light" as an anthem, Secretary
Albert C. Winsor called the roll of the
association, the members standing the
names OF those who have died since
last June was uttered Then as the liv-
ing members stood with bowed head, the
quartette chantesd lines from some fitting
hymn in reverence to the dead. These
were George w. Cady, who died on Aug.
9 in his Slst year; Daniel Grant, Go,
whose death occurred on May /; Dexter
Gorton, who passed away on May D. in
his slst year; John McKeon. 5S years
old. on Feb 81 Lewis Peca<ham, who
died May II, at the age of IS; John A.
Place, who was in his S0th year at
the time of his death on Dec. 2s, and
John w. Tillinghast. who had reached
IBIS fbth year, Wnen deaun TOOK MS name
from the roll on April 6.
Former Governor and Mavor Elisha
Dyer was an honorary member of the
association, and following the mention
OF his name the quartette sang THE King
OF Love My Shepherd Is"
Secretary Winsor then read brief obit-
uaries OF the seven comrades. after
which the service was closed with the
report OF Washington l. Williams. treas
urer OF the association. followed by the
Doxology. The principal information con-
veyed in the report was that the New
England Veteran Firemen's league has
decided TO close up the beneficial fea-
ture OF the organization, since there
are too few members to permit the pay
ment OF death benefits. and with no
increase In the membership. the con-
tinuance of the beneficial work is no
longer possible.
Many families have been aided very
materially in this manner during the
years that the league has had an in
surance branch. and thousands Of dollars
have been paid out to those left be-
hind by the many comrades who. In the
past % years. have answered the final
roll call
The committee OF arrangements was
John r. Spencer chairman; James Nc
Cold and William A. Percival.