Maryland free press. [volume] (Hagerstown [Md.]) 1862-18??, 1867-02-14
Meeting OF the Firemen,

In pursuance TO a publishedscall the frenen
OF this town, representing the First Hose, Antie-
tam and Junior Companies, assembled in mass
meeting at the County Hall on Saturday evening
last, to consider the best action by whichthe Fire
Department may succeed in Obtaining the neces-
sary means to sustain the companies, and place
the various apparatus0s in perfect order.
Judge Mex. Keppler, President Of the Antie-
tam Company, called the meeting to order, and
upon his motion Mr.. G. Fl. Henson, of the Ju-
niors was declared President with Col. d. NJ.
Mobley and Mr.. Robert Quail as vce-Presidents,
and J. Howard Blake, IVice-Presdent of the First
Hose, as Secretary. ..... .,.-
Judge Mex. Ksppler, in few pointed remarks
cited the disadvantages under which the COM
panies labored, being without means to keep
their apparatus in order, and remarked that with
out the aid and coun!enance Of the property
holders 1t was unreasonable and selfish to expect
more of the fremen. At the late disastrous fire,
remarked the Judge, some of the property-holders
stood quietly by with their hands in their pock-
cts, while the firemen, who as a class, had moth
ing at stake, were working manfully under many
disadvantages, to stay the dcvouring element
This was disceuraging, and sufficient to make
the fremen resolve not to work again at fires; but
this was not the nature of the noble and true
fremen. When fireman heard the alarm, and
saw the fiery flames bursting forth, his ever gen.
erous nature was aroused, and looking upon the
devouring element as his deadly enemy, he rushed
forth to the rescue with determination to con-
quer. 49,. ........-.. ..-.. g. ' .r...
Upon motion committee of three, one from
each company, consisting of Judge Mex. KEEP
pier, COL +. NJ. Mobley and W. S. Williamson
was appointed to draft resolutions expressive
of the sense of the meeting. The committee re-
tired, and upon returning reported the follow
ing -r.t.r -.-... ....'...i
WHEREAS, the apparatus Of the different Fire
Companies of this town are sadly out of repair
and almost unfit for use, and the different COM
panies are also sadly ont Of the means requs te
and necessary to put their respective apparatus
in proper repair and render them fit for use.
AND WHEREAS, the present condition of the
said apparatus is due and owing to the extrem-
tiles TO which our companies are driven in times
of fire for supplies of water, there being but few
places in the town proper, to draw water from,
or that would yield anything like an adequate
supply; and to the want of means to keep said
apparatus in repair.
AND WHEREAS. all the hose belonging to the
different Fire Companies in the town and reliabl.
for service is not larger quantity than either of
our companies actually require for efficient service
especially for points west and north of the Court
House; south and east of the Lutheran Church.
and east and northeast of the Market House,
therefore be it =
Rssolced. That the Mayor and Council of Ia
gerstown be and they are hereby respectfully re-
quested to appropriate n sufficient sum of money
to the said companies to enable them TO repair
their apparatus; to pay for the services Of engine
Keepers, and for necessary annual repairs, to
build cisterns of large dimensions, at least two
in the Public Square; one at the German Re-
formed Church one at the Uneted Brethren
Church; one at or near the corner of ntietam and
Locust streets one at or near Thurston's ware
house on Franklin street; one al the corner of
West Washington and Foundry streets !. and one
at the corner Of Franklin and Jonathan streets.
Resolved That the town authorities be also
requested to have suitable waterfboxes placed in
the town run at all points where the run can be
made use OF by the firemen for supplying their
apparatus with water.
-pesoiped, That we are as willing now as of
yore to do our duty as hremen in protecting the
property of our citizens from the ravages Of the
devouring element but We cannot do this work
perilous aud dangerous as it is aud thcn pay out
of our opn pockets The funds necessary TO keep up
our part, run all risks; meet danger day or night
but we must be furnished with the money
wherewith 10 do To ffective work
Resolred That Messrs be committee
to lay these resolutions before the Mayor and
Council, and that this committee report the re-
suit of their interview with the Mayor and Coun-
Gil to the 6remen Of W,gerstewn, at a meeting to
be held thereafter at the call of the President of
this meeting.
Resolrsd further, That that committee to wait
upon the town authorities be also instructed TO
wait upon the Mutual Insurance Companies of
this County and insist upon those companies ma
king an annual appropriation to the Fire Depart
ment of this town.
Mr. Jacob Powles moved that Aessrs Mex.
Kepler, iAobley, and Williamson be appointed
The committee called for in the above resolutions
which was agreed to, and the resolutions adopt
ed In body unanimously.
The Secretary IT,. Fl. Blake) was then directed
TO furnish the above proceedings to the various
papers of the town for publication, and the meet
ing adjourned subject to the call of the Prssi-
dent. . 1.- -'"'.
S-Mr. James N. Letter. of this county, has