The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1907-05-18
FIREMEN CELEBRATE.
Annual Parade of DonaIdsoDyIIle's CAL
liant Volunteer experimentation
and Ladder Company Wine
Prize foR Best Deco
~a+aS Annarotus
rated Apparatus


successful and attractive demonstra-
tions of it's kind yet seen here. A
number OF business houses and resi-
dences were decorated with flags and
bunting in honor of the festive occa-
sion, galleries and sidewalks were
lined with interested spectators from
all portions of the parish and else
where, and not the slightest untoward
incident occurred to mar the perfect
enjoyment OF the day. The weather
was all that could be desired, and not
withstanding the heavy rains of last
week, the streets traversed by the pro-
cession were absolutely free of ruts
and mud-holes, having been placed in
excellent condition by the judicious
use of the municipal road machine.
The four companies composing the
department massed in the vicinity of
Louisiana Square and swung into line
of parade promptly at 4:30 O'Clock,
with Grand Marshal C.. Kline and
Aides We G. Hanson and DIR. I. H.
Hanson leading. They were preceded
by a,sdetachment of mounted police
and Chiefs D. Varani and Henry
Schaff, Sr.s of the police and fire de-
partments, also mounted.
Phoenix Fire Company No. took
precedence in the formation by right
of seniority, being led by Marshal
Clarence Goette and Aides VIM. A.
Dill and Jos. Belle, while Master
Melville Duke rode in advance of the
junior members OF the organization.
The weil-trained Whitecastle boys
band preceded the red-shirted Phoenix
division, whose Silsby steamer, Lady
Clara" was beautifully FURNISHED and
decorated, with all the silver mount
ings ashine like sunlit mirrors.
Ascension Hook and Ladder Com
pany No. /, preceded by its marshals,
DR.. E. k Sims, Capt. FL. G. White
man and K. AZ Aucoin, occupied the
next place in line and made a very
handsome showing, turning out nearly
fifty active members and a score or
more of juniors. The company's mod
ern hook and ladder truck was chastely
and exquisitely decorated in blue and
white to represent Innocence, and
the effect achieved was attractive in
the extreme. Near the center OF the
truck was an elevated throne occupied
by Miss Kate Landry, the lovely young
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. John F.
Landry, who ruled as queen of inno-
cence and beauty with truly royal
grace and mien. Music was furnished
by local colored brass band.
The third company in the column
was Volunteer Hose Company No. 2,
led by Marshal E. G. Hanson and
Aides Stark L. Davis, Jos. Eris and
Alphonse Oubre, with the Eureka brass
band supplying martial music. A
Garden of Flowers " was the subject
depicted by this organic alton, the hose
carriage being tastefully and effect
lively decorated in white, green and
gold, presenting most charming ap-
pearance. Beneath a cluster OF tall,
willowy sunhowers stood little Misses
Della and Mamie Trepagnier, the
pretty daughters of Mr.. and Mrs. F.
t. Trepagnier, CARRIED ia keeping with
the color scheme and themselves look
ing like fragrant, sun-k1ssed blossoms.
A number OF stalwart young men In
natty uniforms OF white caps, white
shirts with black trimmings, ETC., con-
stituted the rank and file OF the Volun.
teer fire fighters.
Last in line was VigilanS Hose Com
pany No. 8, whose marshals were las
min Tobias, Edmund Maurin, Louis
Dehon and Paul Gisclard. The COM
pany's hose carriage, "Lady Monte, !"
was richly decorated in red to repre-
sent Hearts and Flowers,s and the
living figures that enhanced its beauty
and interest were little Lucille Maher,
Jean Melancon, Della and Cecil Trux.
lilo, Melville and Morris Wolfson,
Jansen and Linden Melancon, Leo
Bloch and Alvin Maher. A delega-
ton of ten members OF Schloss Hose
Company No. 5, OF Baton Rouge,
accompanied the Vigilants as honored
guests, and the crack ST. Joseph brass
band furnished fine marching music.
After traversing the principal streets
of the town the parade returned to Lou
isiana Square and disbanded, the fire.
men making merry in their respective
meeting halls until O'Clock p. m.s
when they proceeded to the local hos
telries to partake of the sumptuous
spreads prepared for their delectation,
the Hooks and Volunteers dining at
the Nichols Hotel and the Phoenix
and Vigilants at the ST. Martin
House. The repasts were greatly en-
loved, and felicitous toasts and re-
sponses concluded the proceedings at
the festal boards. A graceful ex-
change of fraternal courtesies be-
tween the companies took place dur
| ing the dinners.
The prize for che best decor ated
appar atus, silk banner, was
awarded to Ascension Hook and
Ladder Company, and that for the
best mounted and groomed marshal,
a gold headed umbrella, was pre-
sented to C. Kline. The judges were
j. Lebermuth, George H. Richard
and Hal Alleman, and the decision
| was unanimous in each instance. The
| decorations of the hook and ladder
truck were designed and executed by
IR. N. Slator, assisted by Leo Lam
| dry, John P. Forcha and other mem
bers of the company, and much orig
/ inality and skill were displayed 10
the conception and delineation OF
the subject depicted. Mr.. Kline, who
was adjudged the best mounted and
groomed marshal, rode j. N. Co.
/ lomb's blooded mare, Mary Morgan
and the combination of handsome rider
| and thoroughbred mount ELECTED ire
ouent applause and deal of favorable
/ comment along the route OF march.
After the parade Vigilant Hose
Company marched to the residence o.
it's sponsor, Miss Monte Meter, anC
was RECALLED with liquid refreshment:
and otherwise royalty entertained By
that attractive young lady.
The Hooks INDUCED in an i'm
Dromptu demonstr alton when informed
that they had been awarded the prizt
for the best decorated apparatus, ant
paid fitting tribute to their winsom'
staueen of Innocence, = whose presenc'
4 i he Mt ans7ff