Glen’s Falls in the Apostrophe Era — Friendship among ‘fire laddies’

This is the latest in an occasional series of posts based on local 19th century news reports before Glen’s Falls dropped the apostrophe from its name.

Firefighters visiting from Rutland, Vermont at the Glen’s Falls Fourth of July celebration in 1872 drew editorial praise.

“And let us remark that the Rutland firemen are especially deserving of praise for their excellent appearance, quiet, unassuming demeanor and gentlemanly bearing,” The Glen’s Falls Republican reported on July 9, 1872. “Seldom have we seen so hue a body of men together.”

Fire fighters from Glen’s Falls, Rutland, Whitehall and Sandy Hill (now Hudson Falls) participated in the day of patriotism and fire fighting skill competitions.

“Indeed there was little boisterous or unseemly conduct on the part of any of the firemen visitors,” the Republican reported. “On the whole they behaved like men, and our own ‘fire laddies’ may feel a just pride in the circumstances of having treated their guests with that consideration and kindness due to strangers.”

The only boisterous behavior was on the part of the “storm king,” who dumped a mid-morning downpour on the village, delaying line up for the parade.

“But the hidden forces of nature were against us. There was a deep laid conspiracy between the clouds and the storm king to thwart our efforts, as if all the work and preparation of mere mortals were to them of no importance what soever.”

There was “a cessation of liquid hostilities” at noon, and the parade got underway with the four fire companies, Glen’s Falls Cornet Band, Rutland Martial Band, Glen’s Falls Martial Band, Captain Lenox’s Artillery Band, and the Canadian Republic Society participating.

Part way through the parade there was another downpour.

Marching units ducked out of the elements as they reached the Civil War Solder’s Monument, and speeches that had been planned were canceled.

By mid-afternoon the sky had cleared and the fire fighting competitions went on as planned.

Click here to read the most recent previous post in the series.