Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-20
EXCELSIOR HOOK 6 LADDER CO.
Sets a New Standard of Success by
 Friday Nights Annual Ball.

The thirty-sixth annual ball of Ex
 celsior Hook and Ladder Co.,, No. l,
 was given in town hall Friday eve
 ming, and it was the most successful
 event in the company's history. There
 was dance programme of A num-
 bers, following a concert from 8 to 9
 o'clock.
 Town hall was more elaborately dee-
 orated than at any time this season. and presented a beautiful appearance.
 The color scheme was red and white,
 interspersed with sprays of laurel and
 white roses. The stage was banked
 with potted plants. At the left of the
 stage were the figures 1874 and at the
 right 1909, in white against a red
 background Across the proscenium
 arch was the name of the company,
 Excelsior H. & l.. Co, No. l. in two
 pieces and was a sign ablaZe with
 red electric lights. The arch was all
 so studded with electric lights as was
 the border over the frieze of axes
 above the boxes to the right and left
 of the stage. These boxes were ele-
 vated and reserved for Mayor D. F.
 Dunn and Chief Wade U. Webster
 with guests.
 Each window was artistically draped with lace curtains and above in the
 arched part of each were crossed
 hooks and ladders in white against a
 red setting and below were shields in
 red with the letters W. F. D. in white,
 signifying Willimantic Fire Depart ment. Clusters of electric lights ar
 ranged at intervals throughout the hall added a brilliant effect to an un- usually pretty scene. The artistic dec- orations were the handiwork of P. D. DOnahue and the electrical effects were arranged by F. M. Young, secretarv of Hilltop Hose company. No. 3. Two hundred lights were used.
 Colts Arm ory band of Hartford, di- rected by Chester W. Smith. rendered
 this concert programme: March. Colts Armory, C. w. Smith; overture. Pique Dame, Suppe; cornet solo Mar guerite Polka, c. W. Smith, by Chester l ". Smith; selection, Algeria, Herbert. The grand march at 9 o'clock was led by Chief and Mrs. Wade U. Web ster, followed by Foreman Joseph R. F Batting of the Excelsior Hook and Ladder Co.,. No. l, and his daughter, Miss Jessie A. Batting, First Assistant Foreman B. w. Jacobs and wife, Sec ond Assistant Foreman Peter Kramer and wife, Mayor D. P. Dunn and wife and some sixty other couples The music as played for the remain 1 ing tWenty-three numbers by Colts
 Armory band was greatly enjoyed by ! the upwards of 100 couples on the | uOOr. OTlnB The concert Lne balcony was crowded, and every available seat { along the sides of the hall was occu- | pied
 Refreshments were served durlno the | evening by members of Francis $. | Long, Woman's Relief corps, No. 2s, | and were of more than ordinary excel lence. The gentlemen in charge of the successful undertaking comprised: {: General director, Foreman Joseph R. Battin; floor manager, First Assistan4 Edgar W. Jacobs; assisted by Second Assistant Peter Kramer. William F.. Tinker F. w. Gerrick, E. Ps Johnson, ! Elmer Norton and A. E. Taylor. Com mittee of arrangements, Foreman Jo- seph R. Batting, First Assistant Ed
 gar W. Jacobs, Secretary Charles Fl.
 Beebe. William Luton and Henry M. COngdon.
 Among the out of town guests were fremen from Norwich, Greeneville and New London.