Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1830-01-28


The remark has been frequently
made, since an Engine has been procurcc
Tor the use of the Town, that the first house
that takes fire viii inevitably be consumed
II Is thought that many pers sons rely too much
upon the Engine. and viii withhold exertions
which, under other circumstances, would
nave been made until they see an experiment,
OF lite powers; and in the meantime the flames
wiii have made such progress as to render
subsequent Efforts unavsiing. confess that
my own mind has been disquieted with this
apprehension. The denomination on Nom
day evening has, however, considerably aba
ted my anxiety on this score. The good
people OF this place, ON occasions of FIRE
heretofore. have been distinguished for great
ptomphtude. activity and vigor. and ia the
use OF very slender means, have almost
wrought miracles in the preservation of prop
erty
On the occasion just referred to. I thought
saw indications OF the same qualities. and
oil readiness, II there had been q necessity
Tor their services. TO avail themselves of the
expedienss tirst at hand, TO stay the progress,
Of the devouring elemeat Thus il should AL
ways be when fire breaks out: there Is no ex
cuse for hesitation and DELAY. Ills immed;.
ate effort, if any. which is efiectnal. Bot
GOODNESS and intrepidiiy are not Incompatible
WIN the most prompt and vigorous action;
and the timely application OF few suckets OF
water, or the strokes OF few well handled
axes upon an exposed situation, viii generally
avaii mere than streams poured from an I'm.
gine alter the favorable crisis shall have pas
sed by.
The Engine, then, should be viewed in no
other light than as furnishing the means of
projecting, with great power and facility. OBJ
lects not easily and sometimes, either from
heat or height, not at all accessible in a,,y
other way; and as constituting. in the hands
OF the company, powerful auxiliary to the
EFFORTS OF the people at large. II, then, q case
OF The KIND spprehended should occur--that
the individuals who might first appear at
nre should delay operation until am opportu-
n,ty was had for displaying the powers Of the
Ensme--those persons, and not the members
oil the company. would deserve blame.
Let, then, upon an alarm of fire, every man.
no. connected with the Fire Company, repair
TO the spot with his utmost speed. and 10 The
best use of the best means al hand. do his IT.
most for its extnguishEent The Eng;n.
will not be far behind; but it must never he
waited for, or exclusively depended on. Let
there also be good understanding between
those belonging and those not belonging To
the company; and this should be expressed
in a few simple regulations Afew suggestions
for the consideration of the company. il is
hoped, will not be taken amiss:
They ought, as speedily as possible. place
their apparatus IN a situation more eligible
than the one it now occupies. When taken
to fire, separate and well known positions
near the Engine, should, for the moment. be
assigned TO the respective corps, so that each
man as he arrives may know the spot to
which he shall repair, and where he may find,
and be found by, his proper officer, and be
sent upon his appropriate duty. Say the
Property Guard in front the Hosemen ON tho
side OF the Suction--the Engine men oppo !
site---and the water Guard strung out in the
rear: and let every man come, not with a ,cater
bucket, but bntcke. Of tsater in his hand. In
this last mentioned department. boys will act
with great efficiency, and females; If there be
necessity, will contribute their share in the
general effort. Let every man do his duty
and much may be done for the extiaguisi
ment of fire-and let tho pipes upon cooking
and other stoves, in the very heart Of the
town, be carried safely through instead Of
Just under low roofs, and chimneys and ash
barrels carefully watched, and more may be
done fer its prevention.
A LooKER-or.