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WELLAND FIREMEN TO THE FRONT
Thorold News
[Welland Tribune, 28 August 1885]
Thorold celebrated her civic holiday on Wednesday with great eclat. The day proved fine, and an immense crowd of spectators gathered in town.
The principal features of the day were the Firemen’s display and games, and the Trades’ procession which was large, creditable and representative. Music was furnished by six bands. The street of the town were handsomely decorated and spammed by two beautiful arches, one at the firemen’s hall, the other near the Welland House. The latter was composed of ladders.
The Welland Firemen attended, accompanied by the Fenwick Band, and had the distinguished honor of winning both the hose reel race and the prize for best uniformed company, and that with the crack companies of St. Catharines and Niagara Falls South to compete with. In all six companies of firemen were present.
In the hose reel race the Welland team comprised Capt. Hutson, M. Vanderburgh, P.W. Raymer, G.B. Swayze, C. Eastman, B. Ellsworth, B. Doan, Thos. Hammond, Peter McMurray, George and Adam Bowman, Wm. Rosette and Wesley Doan. Ed Rounds and John VanWyck acted as starters at the wheel and gave the “masheen” a hoist that hold well on the first fifty yards. The race was to run 300 yards, then lay 150 feet of hose and make two couplings. The time was: St. Catharines Neptunes, one minute thirty-one seconds; Welland Merritts, one minute nine seconds. The Merritts accord especial praise to their couplers, W. Rosette and Wes. Doan for their rapidity, which tended largely to the success won.
Credit is also due Capt. Ritter for the efficient manner in which he has drilled the company, making an almost incredible improvement during the past two or three weeks, which actually comprises their term of training.
The “boys” it is unnecessary to say, felt highly elated at their success, and returned with brooms aloft, indicative of the sweep made. Long may they wave.
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