THE FIREMEN’S DAY: THE CROWNING SUCCESS OF THE SEASON

SIX THOUSAND PEOPLE SPEND A HAPPY DAY

A Gorgeous Street Parade-Elegant Decorations-

Niagara Falls, Ont., Victorious In the Hook and Ladder Race

Welland Wins the Baseball Match From Dunnville

Scenes and Incidents of the Day

[31 July 1891, Welland Telegraph]

It is over. The Welland firemen’s demonstration of 1891 is numbered among things of the past, but it leaves behind a memory that is a monument to the integrity and executive ability of Merritt Fire Company, every member of which worked with a will for success from the conception of the idea until the consummation of the event. No little details were neglected; there is no shirking of responsibility; every man did his part and did it well.

To the citizens of Welland also must be attributed a good share of praise for the success which attended their efforts to extend a hearty welcome to the thousands of visitors who spent a day of pleasure.

The street decorations were gorgeous, and any attempt at a special description would be an exhibition of the inadequacy of the English language to express the real sentiment of admiration. On every street traversed by the parade artistically arranged bunting and evergreen, mingled with myriads of flags, had been arranged by almost every resident and business man. There was a good-natured rivalry, a seeming determination on the part of every man to outstrip the efforts of his neighbor, or to give birth to an original idea in artistic taste. East and West Main street and part of North Main street were avenues of gorgeous beauty, but to particularize would be invidious, where the neat costumes and bright eyes of pretty girls mingled with the decorations and made a panorama of exquisite loveliness.

From early morn the firemen were at work preparing for the reception of their visitors. The 6.28 and 8 o’clock trains brought a few who were anxious to be on hand early, but the first to receive the official welcome was the Port Colborne Juvenile Fire Company, 19 strong, with their fire engine, composed of youths from 12 to 16 years of age-a natty looking lot of boys neatly dressed in white shirts and black pants. Right here it might not be out of place to congratulate Port Colborne on the possession of such a well trained organization, and to express what seems to be the general opinion, viz: Astonishment that a town with the pretensions, advantages and expectations of Port Colborne does not turn out a well equipped adult fire brigade. Next to arrive was the fire department under Chief Jas. A. Lowel, of Niagara Falls South, consisting of Rescue Hose Co., Cataract Hook and Ladder Co., and the Junior Hose Co. This contingent drove in arriving about 10 o’clock. Leaving their conveyances just outside the corporation limits they formed in line, headed by their most excellent band, and marched into town-a fine body of men, and as they marched in fours the red shirts of the Cataracts and blue of the Rescues in alternative formation created a pretty effect, and occasioned many a shy glance from beneath the long eyelashes of feminine spectators. Next came the Champion Engine Co., of Chippawa, arriving by the yacht Dixie, and accompanied by a goodly number of friends and admirers. The 44th Batt. band of Wellandport, arrived about the same time, and when these had been billeted at the different hotels the town firemen and band went to the Grand Trunk station to receive the contingent from Niagara Falls, who arrived by two trains about 12 o’clock, some thirteen coaches, packed with people, pulling into the depot, and bringing the Niagara Falls town band, the Alert Hook and Ladder Co., of Niagara Falls, Ont.; the Active Hose Co., of Suspension Bridge, N.Y.; Young America Juvenile Hose Co., Niagara Falls, N.Y., Merritton Hose Co., and Merritton band. When this last addition had been added to the contests of the town, the population was about 8,000 ( a good time for Fred Wood to get around with his book, if the census enumeration hadn’t been finished.) All forenoon there was a continuous stream of vehicles from the surrounding countryside, town and villages, pouring in from every artery. Nothing else short of a Barnum circus of the old days could have gathered such a crowd.

When the sun peeped up over the eastern horizon a few ominous clouds fringed the western sky, and as the burning god of day rose higher the rumbling of distant thunder created vague apprehensions in the minds of those who for weeks had been assiduously laboring for a successful demonstration. About noon black clouds obscured the heavens and a few big rain drops pattered down as though bent on the destruction of pleasure and sweeping away the realization of many fond and ambitious anticipations, but the creation of gloomy foreboding only served to make pleasure more appreciated when the clouds broke away and Old Sol came out again in all his glory, and with his benign and warming rays sent smiles of pleasure rippling like a silver wave o’er the countenances of the surging thousands.

The dinner hour over, all was hustle in preparation for the parade. The echo of brass music, from the clash of a lively quick-step to the soft cadence of a dreamy selection, sounded from all directions; the vast crowd vibrated from side to side and from end to end; the chiefs of the different departments hurried hither and thither, and the marshalls galloped their steeds along the line as the parade formed on Cross and Division streets in the following order:

Chiefs of Fire Departments

• 44^th Batt. Band, Wellandport
• Active Hose Co., Suspension Bridge, N.Y.
• Young America.
• Juvenile Hose Co., Niagara Falls, N.Y.,
• with Hose Cart.
• Niagara Falls, Ont., Hose and Steamer Co.
• Bender Hose Co., Niagara Falls, Ont.
• Alert Hook and Ladder Co., Niagara Falls, Ont.
• Junior Alert Hose Co., Niagara Falls, Ont.
• Cornet Band, Niagara Falls South.
• Rescue Hose Co., Niagara Falls South.
• Cataract Hook and Ladder Co.
• Junior Hose Co., Niagara Falls South.
• Champion Engine Co., Chippawa.
• Merritton Brass Band.
• Merritton Hose Co.
• Port Colborne Juvenile Fire Co., with Engine.
• Welland Juvenile Fire Co., with Hose Reel and Engine.
• Rounds’ Fire Escape.
• Welland Band.
• Merritt Fire Company.
• Steamer.
• Cavalry Escort.
• Town Council and Guests.
• Representatives of County Agricultural Society.
• Press Representatives.
• Calithumpians.

Citizens in carriages.

MARSHALLS- Major Buchner, Major L. C. Raymond and W.J. Best.

The route of this imposing pageant was up Division street to Burgar street, to East Main street, to West Main street, to North Main street, to Merritt street, to Aqueduct street, to Church street, returning to North Main street, to West Main street, to Dennistoun street, and then to the fair ground, where the sporting contests of the day took place. The whole route was lined with spectators, and cheers and admiring plaudits burst forth as some favorite company marched by. When the head of the procession reached the fair ground the line opened out and the town council, guests and press representatives passed in review.

FIREMEN’S RACES

A good deal of interest centered in the hose and hook and ladder races, more especially in the latter between the running teams of the Cataracts of Niagara Falls South and the Alerts of Niagara Falls town. The former had a record of 14 winnings out of 16 contests, and the latter with the phenomenal mark of 44 ¾ seconds in the 300 yard race at Seaforth, made the contestants most formidable rivals. Both teams were accompanied by numerous sporting friends, and on both sides even bets from $5 to $100 were offered with plenty of takers, and to say that $1,000 changed hands on the result of the race is probably a low estimate. While the teams were dressing or rather undressing, for the contest, wads of money were unearthed, and no man could express an opinion on the merits of either team without having a bill thrust at him to cover.

The hose reel race came first, and was a run of 300 yards straight away, making hydrant connection, breaking coupling and putting on the nozzle. Three companies drew for positions:-The Rescues of Niagara Falls South, the Hose Co., of Niagara Falls town, and the Actives of Suspension Bridge, N.Y.

The first run  was made by the Rescues in good form, with a good start, and they came down the stretch at a pace which spoke of determination. The couplings and connections were made without a hitch by John Hollenbach at the hydrant and Wm. Lacy at the branch, finishing in 1:04.

The Niagara Falls town Hose Co. came next. They made a poor start, but once off they ran like demons, covering the ground at a pace which would make an ordinary race horse pall into insignificance. At the hydrant, however, they lost what they had gained in the run by the hose being jerked out of the hands of the man who was to make the coupling. This balk discouraged the team who threw up the sponge without finishing the hydrant connection.

The Actives of Suspension Bridge came next with at least a sure thing for second place, but like the other team they lost the hose and gave up the attempt, evidently losing sight of the fact that had they made a proper coupling, even though consuming an hour to do so, they would have won second money.

The judges declared the first prize of $40 won by the Rescues, and the second prize of $20 not won by either of the others.

Now came the exciting event of the day, the event which was watched with breathless interest- the hook and ladder race between Niagara Falls South and Niagara Falls town. The friends of both crowded around so dense that the marshalls had to be called to clear the track, as the Niagara Falls town team went off to take their places. Every eye was turned to the flag at the starting point, the drop of which indicated that the race had commenced.

Hundreds of watches were held in hand to note the time; Judges Griffith and Riddle stood on the stand with stop watches ready to note the moment the flag dropped. The vast crowd was almost silent in its breathless anxiety. Down went the flag, and with a bound that almost jerked the ladder truck clear of the ground the team was off like one man. Every eye was turned towards them, every heart thumped like a sledge hammer against anxious breasts. Down the stretch they came like like a whirlwind, every man on the team with his nerves and muscle strained to the utmost tension. The coaches ran along side; hats, handkerchiefs and parasols were waved by enthusiastic admirers in an effort to cheer the boys on to victory-and $40. The track was in a splendid condition and every step was sure. The scratch was reached, and out came the 18 foot ladder, and before one had time to realize the excitement of the surging mass Frank Groom had touched the top round and finished the race in 45 seconds. The time, though quarter of second more than given at Seaforth, was remarkable, and the people of Niagara Falls sent up a lusty cheer for their favorites.

The Niagara Falls South team next took their places, with lips firmly set and a determination to win, every man knowing every possible effort and power was necessary for success. The same excitement was visible as when the Cliftons were running, and the cheers of encouragement from friends were just as loud and lusty as during the previous run. Down they came with every muscle bent to give speed and making a heroic effort to gain every possible point of advantage. When about 25 yards from the scratch the team appeared to weaken and slightly slacken their pace, as though the strain was too much. When the scratch was reached an unfortunate balk was made, the ladder slipping out of the hands of those who were pulling it off the truck, and was carried some feet past, but with lightening agility it was carried back and Art Spencer was at its summit almost before people could see how it was done. It was too late, however, as every part of a second was precious, and according to the stop watches in the hands of the judges, the time from start to finish was 50 seconds, losing the race by 5 seconds. Even had they got their ladder off at the proper time they could not have won, as they lost speed in the last few yards of the run, their time to the scratch being 45 ¾ seconds.

Cheer and cheer rent the air from more than a thousand throats of Niagara Falls people. The Alerts were wild in the ecstasy of their joy at victory. Several of the runners were carried off the field on the shoulders of their admirers; hats flew in the air, and for ten minutes the confusion of joyousness on the part of the victors was a scene beyond the limit of the descriptive pen. $1,000 or more exchanged hands, and the Alerts of Clifton have the fastest record in the world.

Nest came the juvenile hose races, 100 yards with same connections as in the men’s races. The youthful Alerts of Niagara Falls made the first run, and ran well, but missed their hydrant connection in consequence of the hose being jerked out of the coupler’s hands, and by the time they carried it back and completed the race 57  seconds had been consumed.

The Port Colborne juveniles made the next attempt, making the run and connection without a hitch, winning the race in 47 seconds.

ATHLETIC SPORTS

At the conclusion of the races the athletic programme was carried out with the following result:

• Half mile race-1st, John Disher, Niagara Falls, Ont.; 2^nd, J. Brown, Niagara Falls. Ont.
• 200 yards race-1st, Fred Vokes, Buffalo; 2^nd, Chas. Newman, Niagara Falls.
• 100 yards race- 1^st. Chas. Newman; 2^nd, Fred Vokes.
• Boys’ race (under 16)-1st, Bert Cole, Niagara Falls; 2^nd, D. Tipton, Dunnville.
• Boys’ race (under 12)-1st. Bert Cole, Niagara Falls; 2^nd, Smithers.
• Three-legged  race-1st. Moore & Moore; 2^nd, Brown & McLean, Niagara Falls.
• Standing jump- 1^st,-J. Connolly, Buffalo; 2^nd, Moore, Norwich.
• Running hop, step and jump-1st, Moore; 2^nd, J. Connolly.
• Running jump-1st, Moore; 2^nd, J. Connolly.
• Three jumps-1st, Moore; 2^nd; J. Connolly.
• Boys’ standing jump- 1^st, C. Spearman; 2^nd, F. Dawdy.

Walking greasy pole- Money divided between R. Doan, H. Spearman, H. McCann, F. Spearman and S. Robins. The contest was quite amusing, but the poll was too greasy, and none of the boys were able to hang on long enough to capture the flag.

Tub race-1st, H. McCann; 2^nd, H. Spearman. Spearman capsized when part way across, but was rescued without more harm than a wetting.

Calithumpians- 1^st, R. Clement and partner; 2^nd, R. Spencer and partner; 3^rd, H. Spearman and partner.

THE BASEBALL MATCH

The game of baseball between the two old rivals Welland and Dunnville, was one of the most gentlemanly games ever seen on the home grounds. Not a single kick of any magnitude was heard, and everything went off as satisfactorily as could be desired,owing in a great degree to a meritorious resolution of both teams to play ball, and to the unerring decisions of the umpires, Messrs. McLaughlin, of Dunnville, and Flynn, of Niagara Falls, N.Y. Welland went first to bat and ran up 3 ty safe hitting, while Dunnville only reached the unit, two men being left on the bases. The 2^nd and 3^rd were disastrous for the local team, who were blanked while the visitors made 3 and 2 respectively. The 4^th, however, was a Waterloo; every man of the home players went up to spoil the ball, and they spoiled it to the tune of 13 runs. The visitors braced up made six in their half, but that was not enough. The 5^th gave Welland I, and the Grand River representatives a like number. In the 6^th, 3 men from each team stepped put and died without injuring the ball. In the 7^th, 3 of the home team did it again, and when their foes for two men on bases without any outs, the sun seemed to shine on the ice and dazzle the skaters. The next three made it all O.K., by their failure to get to first, and the game was ours. Bolger’s pitching was fairly good, but a little wild, while Johnstone was very easy but every effective. The fielding of the  home team was on the whole superior to that of the visitors, but both teams threw very wildly.

The score:

About 6 o’clock the visitors began to move towards home, the Merritton people being the first to leave. But until the Niagara Falls special left about 10 o’clock, “there was sound of revelry by night,” but there was no disturbance. The boys and their friends came to have a good time and they had it, and were free to do what they pleased. The made plenty of noise, but none of them ever forgot they were gentlemen.

It was a successful day all through, and everyone was satisfied, and we can only hope that Welland’s gallant firemen may be induced to undertake another demonstration on a grander style than ever next season.

SQUIRTS

The hotels did a land office business.

The young Alerts, of Clifton, have a heavy weight captain.

The procession was about three-quarters of a mile in length.

It was after sundown when the last of the games were completed.

The total receipts at the grounds for gate money and entrance fees were $265.

Merrit Company’s band rendered some of the finest musical selections of the day.

The Wellandport band and a good number of people came down the river by the yacht Nautilus.

The Alerts, of Niagara Falls, carried brooms emblematic of victory as they paraded to the depot.

O.H. Rounds’s patent fire escape excited a great deal of curiosity, and several exhibitions of its utility were given.

The Drummondville band is a dandy, and leader Kerr merits the highest praise for the proficiency of the organization.

The calithumpians took the eye of the little folks, and big folks didn’t try to suppress their smiles of amusement.

Mr. J. Williams, of the Bender Hose Co., entertained the boys with some good vocal selections while waiting for the train.

The Active Hose Company of Suspension Bridge, N.Y., were forced to leave their hose cart behind, as they could not get it on board the cars. John Disher, one of the Alert hook and ladder team, fainted just after the race, but was soon revived, feeling very little the worse of his great run.

Fakirs played the shell game with a good deal of success, and more than one man experienced the fallacy of trying to beat a sharper at his own game.

The press was represented by Messrs. Shultz, Suspension Bridge Journal; Anger, Niagara Falls Review; Waltho, Niagara Falls Record and Burrows, St. Catharines Journal.

Drummondville turned out four fine organizations; a  hook and ladder company,  hose company, juvenile company, and a band that need never be ashamed of their music in any gathering.

The horse ridden by Major Buchner attempted to execute some fancy movements on North Main street, and came near throwing its rider. But the Major’s powers of tenacity soon brought the animal into subjection.

The Cataract hook and ladder company though beaten are not discouraged. They are an organization full of plunk and perseverance, and believe they are equal to anything within the power of mortal man. A little thing like one beating is not going to bother them much.

Pick-pockets got their work in on several as they were buying tickets at the gate. Mr. C. Steele, of Humberstone, was relieved of $6.00 in bills and some loose change. Mr. E. Shotwell, of town, lost between $10 and $12 in the same manner, and several others are reported, but no particulars are given.