Evening journal., 1910-10-07
FIREMEN'S PARADE
A GRAND PAGEANT

ion for firemen in 1775. They must
have been very uncomfortable and diff
iicult to keep on The Volunteer Fire
Company from Philadelphia. organ
lied in 1876, had the same old capes
and hats displayed, and an old hand
engine, built in 1884. The Philadelphia
Actiyes also had an old hand engine.
The Darby Fire Company, organized
in 1775, had not only a hand-engine,
but a very old hand-affair. called
"The Darby Ram from a Rams head
ornamenting il. The queer engine was
so small that Il was necessary to
place it upon a float 10 bring il high
enough to be seen.
The Phoenix Company had the only
hook-and-ladder truck in line, and
this and their two ambulances called
forth cheers from the crowd. The
Radnor Fire Company displayed the
only auto apparatus in line. .
OF course, the mascots came in for
great deal of attention, and they
were worth IT, The Weccacoe Com
pany had their beautiful horse "Dan,' -
wreathed in a rose-garland collar.
Dan" was directly behind the engine,
and enjoyed himself hugely eating
the floral recoratiOns of the appa-
ratus as he marched Dan" has been
with the Weccacoe Company for
twelve years, and he has almost hui
man intelligence. He can go any
where over the city. and a driver is
only formality, not a necessity. The
men believe that if any alarm were
wrung, he would know where to go
to, If given the chance. His keeper
is Thomas F. Kenney, and the chill
dren play on his back without his OBJ
jecting.
Boys In the Procession
There were a number of little boys
dressed up as firemen. The Union
Company had little boy dressed as
fireman, and on the hose-cart of the
William Penn Company, Philadelphia,
were three children representing VIII
liam Penn between two Indians. The
drum major Of the Franklin Band.
furnished much fun with his fancy
evolutions.
The miniature hose wagon and fire
engine, Of the Hanley Hose Juniors,
Of Chester, which brought UP the rear
of the procession, we're clever and at
tractive features of the parade.
The masses of flowers added to the
beauty Of the spectacle. They We're
everywhere, carried in big bouquets
in the hands of the men, placed in
the mouths of the silver fire-trumpets.
tied on the horses heads, and over
the engines and hose carts. They
! looked we'll in the engine smoke
stacks. The Brandywine had an elab-
crate floral decoration combined with
I doves, on their hose cart, and the en-.
gine and horses were decked viii
blue and yellow ribbons The libert,
Company was another of several tha
had doves swinging from floral hoops
as decoration on their apparatus.
The uniforms were thick and tn
helmets heavy. and after the parad'
had left Market street, members be
gan TO drop out. II was a surprisi
to those who had seen the Marke
street crowds to note the crowds al
along the route Another feature tha
was striking was the large numbe
OF private houses along the rout
that were plentifully decorated will
bunting.
There were naturally a good man!
excited dogs, with all those band
playing. The Humane Company, o
Norristown. nearly drove a black
and-tan insane by yelping in respOns
TO his yelps.
Well. as some one remarked, Il
went all over town. and the parad
found a hearty welcome and cheer
from crowds all along the way.
was a huge success in every way.
. Everybody Pleased.
Boys. II was fine That was wha
everybody said following the parade
The parade was a grand success
and the public voted its approval b
/ literally applauding the various com
, panies as they marched by.
It was a great day and the freme
did it. Hats of to them.
To tell OF all the interesting fea
lures of the parade would take up al
the space Of a newspaper.
, The music was about the best eve
; heard in Wilmington. Bands of a
MANY as thirty-five pieces were in lin
| and they were applauded, as much a
5 the flremen. Seldom have so man
I excellent bands been heard in on
! parade.
The Wilmington firemen appeare
5 at their best and to give any one G
2 two companies all the credit woul
5 be an injustice to the rest. All worI
Q ed hard TO appear in their best gar
e and each succeeded beyond all el
e pectations.
The work of the police should n,
I be overlooked. Chief of polio
q Black personally took charge of tf
\ Market street squad and he cleare
. that thorOughfare as il was new,
done before. The people were kel
on the sidewalks and the iirement ha
the street TO themselves.
The Reading Hose Company, No.
> OF Reading. Pa, made a splendid al
pearance and received liberal applau'
all along the line.
Athletes Attract Attention.
The members of the West End Att
letic Association, who were in Il
J fifth division. made a hit
: The Fame Company and West Che
n ter Fire Company No. /, Of We
y Chester, made a splendid appearance
Z The bands heading these compani
4 were among the best ever heard
r Wilmington. Both companies had
A large number of men I'm line.
q The Franklin Hose Company.
l. Chester, was headed by two younste
5. attired in the uniforms of fireme
s and these lads attracted the attenti,
n Of Governor Pennewill He cla-
st ped his hands as they marched b
)t but the boys kept step like veterans.
Ie The Hope Fire Company, of Burliu
l. ton, n. j.. appeared i'm line pullh