Marion Progress

FIREMEN, ALDERMEN CHASE CHICKEN AT BROTHERLY BANQUET

Another of the social gatherings famous in local fire department annals was held Thursday night at the firehouse, members of Marion's fire department and the board of aldermen getting together to discuss chicken and dumplings.

Fire Chief C. E. "Red" Bolch presided, being up to his usual good form as after-dinner speaker and toastmaster. Chief Bolch directed affairs all through the first act, which consisted largely of determined and successful efforts to put away one of the finest feeds yet served.

Chicken was the main element, the fowls being the gift of Fireman Joe H. Tate and prepared, along with many other good things, by Mrs. J. P. Ray and Mrs. Von T. Ray, for the firemen.

After the heavy firing had subsided and the banqueters had tilted back against the wall for support, Mr. Bolch called on J. F. Wilkinson, mayor pro tem who acted in place of Mayor H. H. Tate, absent in Raleigh on official business. Mr. Wilkinson called on one after another of his colleagues, firemen and aldermen, who entertained the company with speechmaking, song and story until a late hour, when all went their way rejoicing.