Putnam patriot., 1911-10-20

Thousands of people thronged Put nam's streets last Thursday for it was Muster Day. The firemen owned the city and the largest gathering of reo- pie in the history of Putnam were out from early until late to see what they would do with it. They used il as a temporary outdoor theatre in which to stage a continuous performance ot events, giving line of speciaties which their long training has fitted them for, and made every act head liner, as the advance notices would say. And the participants were cheer ed and applauded by the vast audi ence that is always on hand when an opportunity is given to see the work ing of the men who are trained to pro- tect their homes from the flames.
 And it was grand free show. The firemen finance the enterprise, prepare the properties, are themselves the act ors, and receive and look out for the welfare of the guests This is great undertaking entailing great deal of work and great deal of nice calcula- tion in order that the many varied parts may so be fitted together, after being separately planned, as to make perfect whole.
 Just glance at the various phases of the undertaking and little refiec- tion to appreciate what the men have done so that ample credit may be giv- en them. The financing of the muster meant the raising of some $l ,500 to be expended in prizes, music, entertain ment of visitors, with a hundred other expenses. It has taken not months but years of self denial, careful saving, and hard work to accumulate this fund.
 The properties consist of decorated apparatus mostly. This is brought overland by the visitors and returned at the end of hard day to the differ ent headquarters from whence the visiting companies come.
 The events themselves call for many rehearsals, a walk over a line of march of several miles, then the contests that require quickness, accuracy and endur- ance.
 The entertainment of the guests con- sists of feeding seven or eight hundred people and seeing that they enjoy themselves. Besides this concert and ball is given in the evening.
 These are the main considerations entails hundreds of details to be work ed out and looked after. And not penny comes to the men in return. The price they ask is that everybody have a good time, and everybody did; and thus the tired promoters of the days festivities get their reward and are satisfied.
 We said last week that the weather man was always good to the firemen and they were trusting him for one of his best days. They got it. Not one of his best October days but one he had carefully saved out from last Au- gust. It was warm, but not hot; cool, but not cold in fact, just right. True, Jupiter Pluvius let down few drops early in the evening just to show what he might have done just to be mean, but the stars were out again before one hardly had a chance to open an um- brella.
 Wednesday night was decidedly quiet. At 9 o'clock the streets were practically deserted. The Kilties band of Scotch pipers arrived in the evening from W aterbury. They came into the square shortly after 9 o'clock and gave a few selections. People came running from all directions and the streets, de- serted moment before, were soon thronged with people who listened to the weird music and generously ap- plauded each number.
 Thursday, the big day. long antici- pated and impaliently waited for, | dawned at last. A curtain of fog hung | over the city but rolled away as the early morning trains and trolleys rol- | led in with the first arriving yisitos 5. | At o'clock the souvenir vendors were
 busy dispensing badges and cares
 This was solely in charge of the depart
 ment. Everyone had to show The
 colors in one form or another and most l were anxious to do so.
 i As the different companies arrived