The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-11-17
Editor Daily Item:

~~APA' VI VIC PupiiSnerS Oh the Daily
Item in giving space for discussions
OF public affairs, and the patience
OF your many subscribers, the latter
OF whom are protected by constitu-
tional prerogatives which give them
the right to refuse to read any news
| paper article which they may con-
! slider not worthy of perusal or pub
| lication, and the further delicious
right, and pleasure, reserved by many
people, of disagreeing, without in the
least offending, with any opinions ad-
vanced, tempts, or rather prompts
the writer to risk making a fool of
himself in the following suggestions
and comments which are offered for
discussion at the big Chamber Of
commerce rally, love feast, and reor-
ganization, to be held next Thursday
evening, November 18th.
| Some time during the month of
May, 1910, the South Carolina Fire
mems Association is to hold its meet
ing In Sumter. There is to be held in
connection with that meeting an In
| ter-State firemen's tournament which
Will bring thousands of visitors to
| this city from all over South Carolina
| and most particularly from the great
Pee Dee section from which our mer-
chants, wholesale and retail, and our
| factories draw hundreds of thousands
of dollars annually in trade.
There are in Sumter two organiza-
tions composed of as fine, enterpris-
ing, brave, and creditable young
South Carolinians as this State pro-
duces, the officers and members of
the Sumter Light Infantry, and the
| Sumter volunteer fire department.
The Sumter firemen have saved
hundreds of thousands Of dollars of
property, risking their lives and their
health, and some of them have sacri-
feed their lives, health and limbs, in
la.$patriotic, duty which has reflected
glory and credit upon the firemen,
and no less credit uopn the city Of
Sumter.
The gallant old Sumter Light IN
| fantry has, come down through the
years from 1872, to the present time.
| rejecting credit upon the Gamecock
city and county, and upon that COM
| mand. This military company has
preserved order and proved itself
efficient and to be composed of brave
men upon numerous occasions, and
during the dark days of 1868, this
command played an important part
in redeeming this State from corrupt
| negro and carpet bag rule
In times Of war, as we'll as in times
OF peace this company has ever been
to the front when called upon or VOL
unteers were needed. The IS. L. 1 >"
| as 1T Is more familiarly known to
many former as well as present mem
bers, Is very dear to the hearts of
| many Sumter men, some of the "old
guard" now having sons in the as.
L. l."
Then sir, there are living in Sum-
ter also many gray haired, and pity
1t is. some bald heads who were
members of the gallant old 'Inde-
pendent" and the old Eagle" fire
companies during the days when we
mad to haul our "hand engines"
through miles of sand, six inches
deep, and when "elbOw grease" was
the motive power that furnished the
pressure" and water from the old
time fire we'll, to put out the fires.
The memory of our bright red
shirts, red coats and white pants the
latter starched as stiff as God fish
aristocrat's billed shirt" is indellibly
engraved upon the golden page Of the
memory of many an old fireman who
ran with the Independent" and the
Eagle" engine.
Now, Mr.. Editor. the rs. L. l." has
but recently covered itself with glory
NY whining the nrSt company drill
prize, and one Of the company win
ming the individual drill prize.
"The youngsters as We old SOL
diers and firemen call the present day
firemen and soldiers, "the youngsters
of the rs. l.. L. are very much en-
Unused over their recent victory, and
L understand that they are very anxi-
Gus to have big military day, pa
rade, prize drill, regimental review,
ETC., right in their own home, Sum-
ter.
The local firemen are looking for
ward with pleasant anticipation to
the big tournament next May. And
Sumter should see that the brave fire