Mountain Democrat., 1857-07-18
-PsaSSvvsISs H8sS DsparsuAoat.

IpGratus and prOgreas since their incip-
mcy have, In . measure, been passed
YER in silence. We intend giving . se.
les Of articles showing the history of
he department from its commencement
the present time. Those philanthro-
lists, and that they are. none can dispute,
ave had their TeveTsals Of Iortune-have
.ncountered diGacultIes the most embar-
asSiDg--hsvs besn subjected to trials Of
he Ssvsrsst nature, yet, with that per.
severance, energy add patience which IL
:harsctSristic Of them, &hey have over.
,Ome I'll obstacles and stand forth the
wsssnt day . proud monument Of the
prosperity Of the city.
Prior TO the spring Of 'Cs, Placcrvi"
could boast Of no regularly organic
Dire company; although by contribution,
number Of unwisldy hooks had been
purchased, which had for their depOsitO-
~ the back-ysTds snd allies Of our, at
that time, town. These hooks, when
Ore Or sn alarm occurred, were manned
BY any and sll.-And a. L. generally the
eaSe, every one was commander.
Such confused state Of affairs with
regard to . Ars department, could not
last long; We had the material for an
efficient department. that material was
animated By the proper spirit, and that
spirit was destined soon to make itself
manifest. We had . large and pOpulous
town built mp Of the most eeombustible
material, and lialls TO bs destroyed by
:irs st any mOmSnt without having an
organised band to do battle for it, de!iv.
aTAnce.
OfNsptune Hose Co., IL being the piO-
nesr company Of the department Of the
city, We propose, In this number, to
speak.
On the evening Of the 28d Of June,
1853, numbss Of the young men Of our
town met together ct "White's HAIL."
with the intention Of uniting themselves
into band that had for its purpose the
protection ollie and property from the
ravages Of the devastating element-witn
the av0wod determination to risk their
ell for the good and welfare oftheir broth.
erhoOd-the human race. The meeting
was called 70 order, Alex. Hunter, Esq,
the present Chief Engineer, elected Chair.
man, and Robt. Cummings, Secretary.
The object Of tho mesting having t.,4
stated, those present proceeded to organ.
Ire "NEPTUxs HOsR Co., No. j." and
adopted their motto --"WR'Rs READYi"
"a motto they have fully sxsmpliAed on
all occasions they have been called upon
to exhibit their prowess. OF this compa-
ny, Alex. Hunter was selected BY its
members, Foreman, and Joseph H. Fish.
%, Assistant Foreman; and the gallant
services rendered thereafter by these gen.
lemen fully assured the company that
they had elevated men to of'ce who were
In all respects worthy Of their confidence
and support Having organized. Il was
usceGsay 70 have Carriage, Hose, &C.,
and committee was appointed to obtain
them. A contract was entered into with
Ar. Frank AllertOn 70 build carriage,
the one that 10 now 10 the company pos.
session, and hose ordered from San Fran.
cisco. The company becoming involved,
was relieved BY Mr. Alfred Bell, whOgon.
erously came to In assistance aud advan.
ced the necessary means 70 free II from
an embarrassing pscuniary situation. 1t
was not destined, however, that Mr.. Bell
should Be compelled 10 wait any lengthy
period to b repaid. MoGsrA Leo 4 Mar.
shal, Of the Pioneer Circus, visited Pla.
cervills and rendered the company ben.
s6t which was gladly and gratefully ~
cepted. BY this aOt Of generosity the
company was enabled 10 pay Of its in.
dsbtsdnsss end b free from liabilities, a.
Il realised 600 90 Ou the evening
Of the hsns6E The hose house at tLis
time was situated on Maiden Lane, now
Centre street, snd the Neptunss suffered
great. inconxenisnCs from their location.
About this period the city charter was
passsd BY the Legislature, aud 10 the
Council the company applied for en- ap.
preparation with which 70 purchase .
hoass and lot In some moro convenient
Iosality. Upoa ths rsosptiOn Of the ar.
pllcation, Vhe Council passed On ordnance
Sfbmlttlng The question on-s'shall special
eaz % levied o. ths property IN the city
1oe The puEposs oeSasslAG 01essn hundred
d6ilaTs 16P The b0nsllt ol the Gre depart.
maene i"-to tAe people emd Il was deci-
ded By great m4ioFity IN the Affirmative.
With ths means thus Faised, house and
lot was puFeheasd by The city authorities
fog the nse eaa beus1t of the department
on Main seS6es, where Dorsey'e block now
sesnds: TIE SnesAesah,e Are Of July last
e ~ know sWspt everything before It.
By this catastrophe, the company sus-
tsined heaNy Lore othsswiBo than their
heuss. IN the way Of furniture, hose, AZ.
tuEsN, sec., A teW days afeur the llre, the
Council seld 70 Ne. Dorsey the lot upon
which the house he'd HtooA thus leaving
H. company without . spOt upon which
Notwithstanding the Neptunes were
ho@less, and u 3 manner pennileos. they
were stiIl Hesleusln thtir cause. and look.