The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-04-28
THE FIREMEN'S GALA DAf!
4 SPLENDID PAGEANT
APPEARANCE OF EACH COMPANY AND
ITS APPARATUS.
THE CONTEST AND TIE PRIZES.
4 NOVEL TRIAL BETWEEN The HOOK AND
LADDER COMPANIES.
INCIDENTS OF TIE DAY-LAEING OF CORNER
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
&C., &C., &C., SC.
/. NOVEL TRIAL BETWEEN The HOOK AND
LADDER COMPANIES.

mempers Journey pliSllin-iihes PiedSeAoDi. 49,
ticipating the hour when they may bow before
the shrine and do homage to the event. 1t is
true of nearly all the associations OF our city
that they meet with sacred punctuality to full
fl the purposes for which they were created,
and to perpetuate the memories OF the past;
but to no body of men is an annual celebration
more welcome, more enjoyable, or more stlmu-
lative to the esprit du corps which knits them
together, than the Fire Department OF Charles
ton. And why not II is composed OF the
best material of which any city can boast; Of
the brain and Drawn that lend wings to enter
prise, and conceive and accomplish results, the
sum total of which is progress. It is composed
of those in whom courage, generosity and gen.
tility are hereditary virtues. For two or three
generations the names of sire and son have
filed hono1ed places on the company roll, and
to-day there is no worthier type Of the chivalry
of true manhood to be found than among the
Charleston fremen. The stern stuff OF which
they are moulded has been testified upon
score of battle-felds, and by wounds that have
since become the scars of glory. In 1860, out
of six hundred and fifty active members of the
Department, three hundred and eighty enter
ed the army as volunteers. Of these more
than two-thirds have ''gone down to dust in
bloody shrouds and sleep in nameless tombs."
Peace to their ashes. They sleep In silent
eloquence.
"Perchance the ktnd dark angel drew
Them in the secret shadow OF his cloud,
Out of our warm and golden air, to hide
Them from some fearful fate fast hurrying up"
Nor are those who were detailed at home du-
ring the war entitled to less praise than the
men who sought the dangers Of the field. 1t
was no holiday task to encounter, in addi-
tion to the fury OF terrific fire, the most
formidable missiles of death that ever were
concentrated upon city. 1t was time for
the display Of the perfection Of human cour-
age and fortitude, when the fragments OF
bursting shells were falling CT every side, end
the demoralizing effect OF three hundred
FOUNDER, adding its internal treble to the crack
ling chorus of the warning flames. But there
were no craven hearts. then, ''whose blood cur
died white i'll the face"
A detailed history Of the Fire Department
would doubtless entertain our readers, but we
shall dwell at present only upon the most i'm
portant events which constitute the mile-stones
OF the narrative.
Previous to the year Of the great fire Of 1888
the organization scarcely deserved the name
of eFire Department" in the sense in which it
is now understood. Our grandfathers still
speak of it as nothing but bucket concern"
In other words, the engines were small affairs,
the supply of hose was limited, and there be-
ing few, if any, public wells in the city, buckets
of water were passed along line of specta-
tors impressed for the service, to the reservoir
of the engine, and by another line returned to
be filed. The custom is described IN Schillers
clay of the Bell"-
..swung from hand to hand with zeal along
By the throng.
Speeds the pail
The axe, rope, hook, ladder and wet blanket,
at that time performed the lions share Of the
work; and We can imagine the exceedingly
lively getting-out- that occurred
when these aboriginal devices failed in the
fight. The Department at that time consisted
of but six companies, namely-the Charleston
Fire Company of Axemen, which had been in
stituted in 1901; the Eagle Engine Company,
instituted in 1916; the Yigilant Engine Compa-
nv, instituted in 1919; the Phoenix Engine
Company, instituted in 1926; the Charleston
Engine Company, instituted in 1926; and the
Etna Engine Company, instituted in 1929. OF
these, the Charleston Tor Pioneer), the Phe-
nix and Etns Companies, are now provided
with steam engines, and their efficiency hand
somely compensate for the shortcomings Of the
old fashioned tubs that were wont to wrack
and torment the pulmonary apparatus Of We
ancient bremen. II one Of these ancestors
could hare been present yesterday, with what
astonishment would they have witnessed their
with nervous energy "the Song Of Steam:"
81 blow the bellows, forge the steel,
In all the shops OF trade;
hammer the ore and turn the wheel
Where my arms of strength are made.
manage the fire, the mill, the mint,
I carry, spin weave;
And all my doings put in print
On every Saturday eve."
After the fiery episode Of 1888, the Depart
ment was reorganized, and Gen. John Schnierle
elected it's first Chief. Other companies were
Incorporated, and system was inaugurated,
which for many years served al, the purposes
of the organization, and made it most efec-
tive public servant. The present Chief, MIR.
NJ. q. Nathan, has now discharged the duties
of his Office FOR ten years. fact which speaks
whole pages Of tribute to his ability and pru-
dence as an No. 1 fireman.
Formerly the Board of Fire masters was COM
posed OF citizens, and no special regard was
had to their fitness for the Office, by reason OF
experience or qualifications. These can alone
be acquired by long practical acquaintance
with the workings of the Department. OF late
years the City Council have been electing an
nually four citizens, who must have been MEM
bers of Incorporated companies for five years.
These, with the presidents of the several char
tered companies, constitute the Board of Fire
masters. All matters pertaining to the De-
partment are adjusted by this board. The four
Firemasters, elected by Council, are known as:
Chief, First, Second and Third Assistant
Chiefs.
The first steam engine used in Charleston
was constructed some eight or nine years ago,
by Mr.. Archibald Cameron, one Of our fellow
citizens, but it was burned in the fire Of 1861.
Notwithstanding the introduction of others
since the war, the boys still cling fondly to the
s'brakes," and on trial day like yesterday
there is nothing more inspiring than the half