The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-08-15

their house and hall IN Queen7strees oeins u9-
stroved by that disaster. By direction OF the
citv authorities the ed1fce has been rebuilt,
under the supervision Of MIR. Geo. W. Eaean'
the contractor. The company moved into their
new quarters last night. as the occasion wiz
form an important epoch in their records, 1t
will not be inappropriate in this connection 20
review their history from the date OF organiza'
ton to the present time.
The Rtna Company was formed in 1879, by
few gentlemen who met at Rhame's Hah,-n
Meeting-street opposite <Hayne, and succeeded
in perfecting the organization. The following
are some of the names that appear on the first
roll Of the company: ". W. Gibson, Chas. d.
Bryant, R. s. Hamet, Sidney Browne, Horatio
Browne, James Petsch, W. P. Forbes, Stephen
Thomas, ST., WI. Prince, ]. ]. Ellis, Leo d.
Pillet, e. Prince, J. B. Nixon, ST., and others.
The company was incorporated in lSSo' anu
was at first bucket company. They afSor-
wards procured what was known as q slae-
lever piano" hand engine, which was used WIN
great effectiveness for several years. during
this time the company kept their engine ana
held their meetings at Rhame'5 Hall.
In 1889 the company, which had grown IN
numbers and usefulness, decided to procure
another engine Of superior make. Ihis
was known as the "Old Bed Box, and continued
in active service unt1 1877, when new ma
chine was ordered from Zimmerman Co.,
Boston. This engine, was dubbed "Our Sam,
in honor Of MIR. Samuel Gilman Cotrtenay, who
was then president Of the company. During
this period, in the iyear 1856, the Etnas paid q
visit to Savannah, and in the contest which
took place were proclaimed the victors, "Our
Sam" having thrown stream of water dis
tance Of two hundred and nine.feet.
! In 1859 fourth engine, also OF the Hume
man make, but, ranking as No: l, was pro-
cured rom Boston. !. This saw but little ser
vice, iss during the war the company removed
it to Columbia for safekeeping and relied on
"Our Sam i When Columbia was, destroyed
by Sherman thu new engine shared the fate Of
the city and, persisted in the flames. At the
close of the war IN March, 1855, the company
procured their present fine, steamer from M.
B. .Glapp, New York, ct q cost OF "a, 900. This
engine is iaoW il nse and is one OF the best in
the departm6nt.Q SEii f,.-s.As =:
. For some years .Rhafne's Hall was used as
place OF meeting, but was given up for house
lin Bersstord- street, owned by the company.
This, at d later day, was also exchanged for the
hall on eaeen-street, burnt by the fire OF 1851,
and now rebuilt on the same site. The Etna's
have paid several visits to the neighbsring
cities, and during, the first, bombardment OF
Fort Sumtsr !#efessnt to: that postto assist in
exting1ishing The flames. Their uniform,
which is.uoW aired coat and white pants, was
formerly u White blue faeinsa and TRIM
mings.. q.c.e sc...'cAf :.tT b,-5g@- q ..i-'- -
Since the ? oganizstion Several presidents
have been elected, each serving for term Of
years: Ia, WV. Gibson. one q the founders
az the company was elected the first president
August fs, 1879, and served until 1888. O. q.
BEsant served fom August L 1888, TO- Decem-
ber IA 1888. .e.W. Forbes TO- September 4, 1889.
| G. g., Bryant was then re- elected and aeryedto
December a. 1s40; Jno. B, ,aeriot Ito .Deoem-
Der IA, 1914; H. Casey to December Il, 1850;
George Rs:Richards to 1853; & g. Courtensy to
1850; E. F. sweegsn to 1867; and John A.
Quackenbush. the present incumbent, was elect
ed on the resignation of Mr.. Sweegan, at the
anniversary meeting of December il, 1857.
The contract tor the new hall in Queen
etreet wss awarded to Mr.. Geo. W. Eagan dur
ing the administration Of Mayor Cogswen
The hall is somewhat similar to that destroyed
by the FIRE, being rather moro recessed from
the street. & Thsainterior work: is completed
sufficiently toallow the company to. take pos
session, but the soaffolding still remains, and
the exterior is as yet unfinished.
The formal transfer Of the steamer "Little
Nedn to the new quarters was made last night,
two of the oldest members taking 1t IN the
house. The company, with their invited guests,
then repaired to the upper hall. where boun-
tiful collation. had been prepared The presi-
dents Of other fire companies, the officers OF
the board and a number Of brother fremen,
were present. Every seat vas filed, and after
the substantials had disappeared the glasses
were charged and ,toasts aud sentiments e1-
changed. The entertainment was furnished
by Tally in his best style, and the party did not
separate until a late hour, a.
The new house is on the west side Of the
building, end is large and c1mmodious. The
dimensions Of both stories is the same, 25 by
60 feet, and the ceilings Il and Is feet high.
The walls Of the lower story are partly wain-
scotted and the plastering is rough, az In the
Phoenix house, and of o cream tint. The stairs
are at the southeast angle. The upper story
Ia q fine hall, admirably suited for the purpos-
ca intended, being well ventilated and lighted.
There is small yard in the rear OF the build
ing. The ,Etnas were the first company to
establish reading room and library, and they
design that their new house shall be equal IN
every respect to that which was destroyed.
ACTION OF THE BOARD OF FIREMAsTERs.-At
an extra meeting of the Board Of Fremasters,
held yesterday afternoon, the following resolu-
tioniwas adopted in reference to the silly re-
port set aAoat by United States Marshal Ep-
ping: p,,,,, surns ~
.7sas .-:r} s-El August IA, 1868. -
Whereas, It appears from the reports in the
daily papers that the United States Marshal
in a speech before the Republican party, has
made charge against the Fire Department OF
Charleston, that they "are armed" clearly m
tending to create the impression that the
members thereof are armed with the view
and for the purpose Of disturbing the pubic
The Undersigned, members Of this, Board,
WHICH is composed Of the Chief and Assist
anita and all the Presidents Of the Volunteer
Department, do hereby deny the charge, IN
-,eIo ond IN ,urt and pronounce the same