The Washington herald., 1912-06-13
TRIBUTE IS PAID
TO CHIEF WAGNER
Citizens Honor Veteran Firsashssr
on his FifHsth Wedding
Anniversary.
PRESENTED $1,lOO IN GOLD
AS TOKEN OF APPRECIATION
Public Celebration Held in District
Building, at Which otRcials Con-
gratuIats Veteran and Wife.

The golden wedding anniversary OF
Frank J. Wagner. Chief OF the Fire De-
partment. and Mrs. Wagner. was fittingiy
| celebrated yesterday afternoon in the
board room Of the District Building be-
fore a large ssssmblaSe Of municipal
oficials and other friends OF the veteran
.nre nghter. As q token OF appreciation
for the services rendered the people OF
the city by the IRE chief, he and Mrs.
Wagner were presented with SIsloo In
gold.
Never before had the board room as
suned such a beautiful aspect. Upon
three large oak tables at the north OF
the room were massed huge bouquets Of
flowers, The han veritable Moral
garden shortly before o'clock. the
hour for the festivities, Chief Wagner
entered the room with Mrs. Wagner,
gowned in lavender, on his arm. They
were accompanied by their i've children
and two grandchildren.
Given sack of Gold.
Special chairs had been arranged for
the members OF the honored family in
conspicuous place in the center of
the hall
Henry Franc, jr., chairman OF the citi-
zenS' committee, which planned the cele-
bration, delivered a felicitious address,
IN which he praised the courage and In
tegrity Of the fire chief and lauded the
good wife Of the veteran fireman At the
conclusion Of his speech, he presented
Chief Wagner with a silk sack, con-
tanning S1.l0o In gold.
CHIEF Wagner thanked those in the as
semblage for the honors which they had
bestowed upon him and then gave an
Interesting talk which was greeted with
great applause. He told how in times
when the shadows began to fall over
his life, the sunshine emanating from his
good wife burst forth in all its brilliancy
and turned the valley Of the shadow into
a Paradise. He said that he was un-
able to understand why he should be
so highly honored, as, in his estimation,
he had done nothing more than his plain
and simple duty during his thirty-tour
years OF service in the Fire Department.
Following the address the CHIEF and
Mrs. Wagner shook hands with the long
line of friends who had come cut to do
them honor. Commissioners Rudolph and
Johnston were among the first to con-
gratulate the couple. Former Commis-
sioner Henry B. F. Macfsrland was also
among the FIRST 10 shake hands with
Chief and Mrs. Wagner. Among those
who attended the celebration were Mai.
Richard Sylvester, superintendent of po-
lice; William F. GUIDE, treasurer OF the
committee which arranged the celebra-
ton; Isaac Cans, Joseph Strasburger,
Mrs Strasburger, officials of practically
every branch OF the District government,
and large delegation Of firemen.
Hold Family Reunion.
Last night a family reunion and cele-
bration were held at the chiefs home.
1910 Eighth Street Northwest Chief
Wasner's i've children who attended the
celebration at the District Building were
Mrs Elizabeth Mcqueen. Mrs. Belle
Kennedy, Mrs Teresa Berberich. Miss
Ida NJ. Wagner. and William J. Wagner.
Many congratuhtory messages were re-
ceived yesterday by the chief One of
the most highly prized was from Presi-
dent Taft 1t read: 1t is a great pleasure
to me to send to you and Mrs. Wagner
my hearty congratulations In connection
with the celebration OF your fiftieth we'd
ding anniversary. I trust that you may
enjoy many more years Of happiness"
Among those who sent flowers to Chief
and Mrs. Wagner were Engine Companies
2 and "a, the members of the chiefs Of
fee, Fire Marshal Nicholson. William F.
GUIDE, Ralph Pratt secretary to Commits
sioner Johnston; W. C. Ecksteln, N. T.
II. Ohle, and A. c. Mayer.