The Kenosha telegraph and tribune. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1859-1860, 1859-12-01


to maintain its efficiency. To such let me relat,
fact in my own experience: Many years since
viii lie visiting country town in New England
a dwelling was discovered to be in flames. Some
years before, Fire Engine had been purchased
but the Selectmen deeming that all had beer
done, that was needed for protection, neglected t.
provide suitable accommodations for the comfort
of the Company which had been organized, ant
they, feeling aggrieved, had abandoned their or
ganization. The Selectmen, relying on the read
mess of the citizens in case of emergency. suff
cred them to disband. For a long period the
had no occasion to lament their error-but O,
the night in question, there was hurryinp il
hot haste, to the stable where the Engine wa
kept. Resolutely and msnfully they drew it t,
the scene-after long delay, owing to their ig
norance of the best and quickest mode ST opera
ting. and the total want of discipline so necessa
ry for effective action, they at length succeeded
In filling the Engine with water, and Unnamed
the brakes''-but oh horror at the very frs
stroke, the phole bottom Of the Machine fell out
ana they were poWerless. A serious conhagra
ton, involving heavy loss, was the result
lake another example in our history:
Some years since, and soon after the frs
Fire Engine was purchased, lowing to simila
neglect on the part of the civic authorities En-
CINE Company No. L, was suffered to disband
and the engine was placed in stable. A fir
broke out, near the borders of the creek. Ii
this instance, as in the lprevious one, willing
hands were found to draw the Engine to tn,
place-but instead of taking it to the water, the,
took it to the fire, and looked on in stupid won
der, that it did not cork itself. At length SOM
bright genius suggested that they should tax,
1t to the nearest water-no sooner said thai
hometown to the bank of the creek land ''pla,
away"-but no mater would FILL the Hose-ther,
were plenty of strong hands and much expendi
ture OF breath, but no liquid stream greeted
their anxious eyes. Seon some bold thinke
discovered that there must be connection estab
llshed, between the Engine and the water, ant
SO 0"ct'o" Hose was found, strapped to the
side OF the Engine, and only waiting to be used
Otter much ado, one who had been fireman wa,
found, who knew how to attach it, and now sureI,
all was right. The end of the Suction Hose wa.
quickly thrown over the bank, and as quickly
plunged INTO tie mud Bang, bang, went tn.
brakes and in less time than it takes to write it
rhe Waves were clogged with mud and sand, and
| the IN achine hopelessly disabled The Fire ex
hausted itself unchecked--an amount of propert Y
was destroyed which would have paid for hal
dozen Engines-and the citizens went home saddle
and wiser men,
If in the affairs of State the price of Liberty i.
nal NioiIon ~,
price of protection is unceasing watchfulness Had
there been no organized and disciplined effort Oh
Thursday night last, where would the flames hav
been stayed To you city Fathers, the question
comes home. 1t is not enough that you have pro
vided to some extent, the means for battling with
the destroyer. You must have 1oiling hands to use
those means-and in order tie use them efficiently
and successfully, you must by all proper means
encourage those, who, without pay emolument
are willing to take charge and keep them in con.
slant readiness for service 1t is not enough that
you give them barely the necessary tools-you
must enable them to keep those tools in order-you
must provide them with naforta6le rooms for the
transaction Of their necessary business and so long
as they conduct themselves with propriety you
must lend them helping hand; even if they should
sometimes ask for what they ighEpossi6zy do Nth
out, but which if granted, would show that you
value their services. In our larger Cities, steam
has superseded hand power, and hired labors have
| supplanted voluntary services-but in our smaller
towns and villages, we must even depend upon
the eXertion of those, who without fee or rewards
are willing to sacrifice their comforts and even their
scanty means, to sustain the organization which is
so necessary for effective action Nor let it be
thought that those sacrifices are few or small. II
is not enough that the Firemen be ready at all times
and under all circumstances to encounter the 'sle-
Misunderstanding alike the summer heats, and the
winter frosts and hasten to the post of danger, fear
lessly and unshrinkingly- it is not enough that he
must expend his strength, and risk his health and
perhaps his life, in the encounter with his foe-no
this is not ALL For months, perhaps, there will be
no call for his services, but dailymust he inspect
his apparatus, to see that the sudden galarm NAV
not find him unprepared. Does the sun climb high
in the heavens and pour his vertical rays upon the
parched earth -? He must daily examine the pack
ing OF the valves and piston of his loved machine
to see that they do not become dry and hard and
useless. Does the Frost King lock up every par
tcle OF moisture in his fierce embrace How nee
essary that before he retres to his rest he examine
whether every joint and valve and chamber. is sup
piled with that, which will resist the icy touch and
be ready to answer in an hour of need Nor is tbi,
get all. When called to action no matter what his
occupation at the time or how important to hi,
own pecuniary interests--the summons is inapera.
tfre, and be it storm sunshine, needless of al
save duty he must have thoughts for self or self
interest. Clad he may be, in his Sunday suit-shal
he think of that Shall he hasten to his perhap,
distant home, and while the fierce flames are wrap
pings his neighbors house, coolly proceed to la,
aside his DRESS and one suitable to the worl
to which he is called-No needless of all but how
he may most speedily reach his post of duty. bt
ottentimes IN the midst of flames and water. de
stroys what has cost him days of hard toll to ma,
for and which he i'll afford to spare from hi,
seanty wardrobe, Think of these things, ye who
reap the benefit of his labors and his sacrifices anf
when he asks you to contribute your mite toward
the repair of his Engine, thelfurnit ure of
ting-ward, give him not grudgingly, or parsimoni
ously. Let him feel that you appreciate his self
sacrificing heroism Seek how you may encourage
his efforts and cheer him in his duties-and then
when you seek your nightly pillow, rest with the
sure conviction, that should the accidental snarl
or the incendiarys torch wrap in flames your dwell
ing or your merchandise, band of heroic brother.
VIII hasten to your and repay thousand fold
your appreciation of their services.
AN OLD FIREMAN.