The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-24

particularly is this the case with its early
history. 1t is an old institution dating away
back of the Revolution at which time there
were nearly twenty companies in service. The
first company organized in Philadelphia was
THE UNION FIRE COMPANY.
In speaking of the causes which led to the
establishment of Fire Department in Phila-
delphia, Thompson Westcott, in his History of
Philadelphia which is now being published
serially in the Sunday Dispatch, SAYS
"The increase of fires in the city as the houses
became more numerous and closely built had
been for some time matter of consideration,
and the minds of citizens were gradually pre-
pared for the adoption of some better system OF
extiuguishing them than had yet been possible
under the authority of the corporation. This
was done by the establishment of voluntary
association of citizens on the 7th of December,
1886, which was called the Union Fire Com
pany" The first essay upon the subject of
fires and the best means of acting on such oc-
casions appeared in an article published in the
Pennsylvania Gazette on the goth of Decem-
ber, 1888. This article, which most probably
induced future action, was followed by another
in the same paper on February a, 1735, in which
the plan of fire company was clearly described.
The writer says, "As to our conduct in the
affair of extingulshing fires, though we do not
want order and method, and therefore believe
/ cannot do better than to offer for our
imitation the example of city
in a neighboring province. There
is, as l am well informed, club or society of
active men belonging to each fire engine, whose
business is to attend all fires with it whenever
they happen, and to work it once quarter and
to see it kept in order. Some of these are to
handle the fire hooks and others the axes, which
are always kept with the engine and for this
service they are considered in an abatement or
exemption in the taxes. In time of fire they
are commanded by officers appointed by the
law called Fire,odrds, who are distinguished by
red staff five feet long, headed with brass
flame of six inches. * And disobedience
to these officers in anything at such times is
punished by fine of forty shillings or ten days
imprisonment. These officers, with the men
belonging to the engines, at their quarterly
meetings discourse of dres-of the faults com
mitted at some and the good management in
some cases at others-and thus communicating
their thoughts and experience, they grow wise
in the thing and know how to command and to
execute in the best manner upon every emer-
gency. Since the establishment of this regula-
tiOn 1t seems there have been no great fires in
that place, and wish there never may be any
here"
This idea was carried into execution and oft
BENJAMIN Franklin In his autobiography says:-
'The utility of this institution soon appeared,
and many more desiring to be admitted than we
thought convenient for one company, they were
advised to form another, which was accordingly
done; and this went on, one company being
formed after another, until they became 80
numerous as to include most of the inhabitants
who were men of property, and now at the time
Of ffv1ryf &c rJe a
since its establishment, that which first formed.
called the Union Fire Company still exists.
though the first members are all deceased but
myself and one who is older by year than
am"
In order to show the objects and methods of
operation by this fire company which gave rise
to the Philadelphia Fire Department, we SUBJ
join some extracts from the articles of associa-
tion:--
Articles of the Union Fire Company of PhtLn-
delphta, originally formed Dec. z 1885,
l. That we will, each of U.S. at his own proper
charge, provide six leather buckets and two
bags; the bags to be made of good oZenbergs
or wider linen, whereof each bag shall contain
four yards at least, and shall have a running
cord near the mouth, which said buckets and
bags shall be marked with their names, re-
spectively, and company, and shall be kept
ready at hand, and shall be applied to no other
use than for preserving our own and our fellow
citizens houses, goods, and effects in case of
fire as aforesaid.
ii. That If any of us shall neglect TO provide
his buckets and bags as aforesaid, or when SO
provided shall neglect TO keep them ready for
the uses herein mentioned, or shall apply them
Tor any other purposes, he shall forfeit and paw
into the clerk for the time being, for the use of
the company, the sum of one-eighth of a dollar
for each bucket or bag misapplied or wanting,
except any of them happen to be lost at fire.
III. That II any of the buckets or bags so
marked as aforesaid shall be lost or damaged
at any fire, the same shall be supplied or re-
paired out OF the stock of the company within
four months after such loss or damage.
lV. That we will all of Us, upon hearing of
FIRE breaking out, Immediately repair to the
scene with at least one-half of our buckets
and bags, and there exert our best endeavors
TO extlngulsh such fire and preserve the effects
of such of us as may be in danger. And if
more than one of us shall be in danger at the
same time, we will divide ourselves, with the
remainder OF our buckets and bags, as nearly
as may be to be equally helpful. And to pre-
vent suspicious persons from coming into or
carrying any goods out of such houses as may
be in danger two of our members shall con-
stantly attend at the doors until all the goods
and effects that can be saved are packed up
and carried to place of safety. And upon hear
ing the cry of FIRE in the night time we will
immediately cause sufficient lights to be distri-
Dnted Ia such parts Of such of the houses of
our company as NAV be thought in danger, in
order to prevent confusion and euable their
Ilends TO give them more speedy and effectual
assistance. And, moreover, as this association
is interested for general benefit. we do fur
ther agree that whenever FIRE breaks ont in
any part of the city, though none of our houses
goods, or effects may be in apparent danger
we VIII, nevertheless, repair thither with our
buckets and bags, as before mentioned, and Give
our utmost assistance to such of our felow-citi-
Zens as may stand in need of It, in the same
manRer as II they belonged to this company.