Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-12-03
FrREt FIRE,


Torrent Engine Company No. 2. met at their Engine
House on Tuesday evening, Nov. oath, 1857.
The Captain made his annual report and motion Of
Mr. Palmer voted to accept the report of the Captain and
order the with the proceedings of this meeting
be published.
The following officers we're elected for the year ensuing
c. W. stors was. unanimously elected Captain; T. c.
Phnney elected Lieutenant Geo. W. Scott Treasurer and
B. johnson, Clerk
Joel Foster elected first Leading Hoseman and the
following members nominated by him, and approved
by the Company assistants j. B. johnson, John W.
CLARK, N c. stratton, John Voodry and Charles Wade.
On motion voted that the money in the Treasury be
kept on interest," to be used for the any
oil the Company that Shall be made sick hurt while In
the discharge OF his duty at res and the following
mttee were appointed to investigate the of such
pembers G. W. Storrs, I. c. Phinney and Joel Foster
and said Committee shall have power to draw the
Treasuree for any amount they deem proper for the
benefit Of any such person persons.
On motion voted to adjourn at the Court House
on the first Monday in December, at o'clock P. M to
attend the village meeting be holden at that time and
place. JB JOHNSON
CAPTAIN sToRRS' REPORT
Members Of Torrent Engine Company:
GRNTLEMRN,-The past year has been one which will
long be memorable in the history of the Fire Department.
and of the inhabitants of Villages in the number
of fires and destruction of private property but of tn
great public loss to Commonwealth the destruction
by fire Of the beautiful Capitol justly pride glory
of our State, and the noble of our village.
twas the 9th day Of January at about O'Clock in
evening" Of the coolest and most tedious nights
Of the season, the wind driving strong from the Wes
when the fearful cry Of Fire Fire rang from man to
man and from street to street, The State House is on
| Fire."
Our Company Of brave men, dauntea by any Of
the elements, were promptly the ground, and En-
CINE was planted on the ice-bound Winooski. No
time was lost in trailing our hose to Its utmost extent
which we filled with water, but not without great
fears from the nclemency Of the night it might be
come solid with ice But the active energy of Break
man demonstrated the fact that though the watery fluid
might fail to overpower the then advanced stage of the
devouring element 1t not get the advantage OF
them through the agency Of Jack Frost All of our me
and machinery worked admirably the end and IL the
partition walls of brick and stone had permitted us to
have put hose pipe to the seat of the fire. verify
believe that through the power OF Torrent that noble
edhce would have been standing in Its gory but
few short hours saddened in beholding naugh
but her splendid ruins When could ba done and
the surrounding buildings considered OF danger
in obedience to orders from the Chief Engineer, we left
the Breaks and preparedo put up machinery for
quaaers, and in this action, the cold tina
our entire hose became flied with ice, that were
Obliged to carry it length by length to its moorings
No sooner had we got to House than from hundred
Of frantic voices heard the dreadful cry "the Catho
lie Church is on Fire"
despatch at once came from the Chief Engineer fol
help. Our hearts sank within when obliged t.
reply sit is not in power to do anything with gu
machine - at which instance Chief Hoseman asked
for permission go single handed to the dread scene ant
moved with the conviction that if that building burn
1t involved the probable loss of thousands on hous
property in its range he boldly and fearlessly climb
the top of that ediace and with his pail of water and tn
appliance of snow, extinguisled the flames Had it no
been for this we should doubtless have the flares
portion Of village aidin ruins Such prase-worth
acts these, and which this is by no means the sng
instance of that man, will not soon be forgotten.
The next alarm of Fire in the latter part of tn
same month, of the coolest mornings of the wine
and which found to be in the buildings of Sam
Wells We were the ground and prepared for tn
onset waiting the nod of tho Chief Engineer, who had sug
gested that power would needed to subue tn
fire. as Nos. and had commenced the action. But no
proved that though Engine stands on the list
No. 2, not only she but our Company is A. A. No. an
although last in the conflict by no means least an
the from the multitude resounded, No isn't deai
butts alive and in town." We soon retired from tn
scene in comfort to quarters, few with frost
noses nad fingers. -s -
The next alarm OF Fire was for tine Gas Works barn
singular locality for reso deep in the water as
ly to be approached. But thu work was soon done an
there, for months AFTER stood but its Anatomya NOM
ment to the praise Of excellent Fire Department.
The next alarm the build ngs of Mr.. E. c. Lewis
We there the importance of more leading hose whit
il we had had some twenty feet mors might have saved IL
principal part of the buildings.
In conclusion have to say, tender you my acknow
edgmens and thanks for the uniform respect you hay
shown me in your prompt and cheerful obedience to all
commands and In your unrng efforts to save from d,
strucon the property within and without our bounde
limits.
will most gladly step back into your ranks and gi,
place to some capable and efficient to serve 20
as your Captain for the coming year.
Respectfully submitted, G. W. sToRRS