The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1873-03-01
YOUNG AMERICA.
XIX ANNIVERSARY.
Orangeburs's Fest-A Gala Day
Parade and Banquet.
The Orangeburg Fire Department.

The 21st day of February, 1873 was
the nineteenth anniversary of the Young
America Fire Company.
This day is also the anniversary of
another event which may bo said TO have
been the cause Of the organization of
this Company.
On this day, 1854. destructive fire
reduced large portion of Orangeburg
to ashes. This found our community
without any organization or appliance
with which to resist the destructive
element. The necessity for some such
preparation WAS clearly evrnccd.
Ono or twp of our citizens took the
matter into serious consideration
Prominent among the early organizers
were Captain f II. w. Briggmann, our
present honored Mayor and Mr.. George
Elliott, son of our venerable citizen
DR. Thomas A. Elliott. The result ras
that this Company was 1rgpnized DR.
Thomas y. Elicit was chosen the First
President An engine was purchased.
and house built The first house stood
upon the corner of the Baptist Church
lot. Many of our citizens remember
This old building and the Catawba tree
that stood at the corner. This tree
used to be an old landmark, but it stood
in the way of the growth of the town
and has been sacrificed.
The present house and hall OF t he
Young Americas was built in the year
1859 1t was painted in 1869 aud the
hail afterwards pnpcred and handsomely
flushed.
Dp. Elliott, the first President, was
succe, ded by Haypin RIGS, Esq,
worthy citizen our late efficient sheriff.
The list of subsequent Presidents is as
follows: Mr. George Elliott, Captain
Briggmann, Mr.. Riggs again, Joseph z.
Harley. Esq, Mr. Riggs again, Captain
Briggmann agaiA, aud Mr. j. w Nose
ley, the present popular Preside-t May
hu ln.Ez La. thu last. Alifura ,i.u for mr.
Presidents are liyin except Mr.. George
Elliott
One of the earliest institutions OF
0saagcburg, .his Company has grown
with our midland city, and to day is Que
of its prides and ornaments. Identified
with, past aud parcel of, and Including
some of the most eucr. .ctic and sujstan.
tiul of oar citizens, this company con-
sists OF the builders, as well US tlle pre-
servers of our prosperity.
Approaching well the high mission
and Offices of the Fireman, this company
has by its Thorough organization, reSu-
lar and st ady discipline, readiness aud
devotion, we'll acted out the proud old
motto of our State ''Aminis @, i6usQue
purati."
Ready ever, they have been, to crush
beneath foot or through cold wuter upon
any little effort OF the fire -fcnd' in
these parts. But with few exceptions
their services have prosidcntially not
been needed.
1t has been said that tie introduction
of insurance in Orangeburg has been
followed by frequent fires; but the
reverse of this fogyism is certainly the
case ". .th our Fire Department.. Better
even than saviours, they have been pre-
ventcrs !!
While the horizon has CLEANED With
and the belt of fire has
lighted the iuucraF Fpyres of great cities,
VIII lie Chicago, Boston and our own
Abbcville and Laurens have been black
ened and ruined, our loved and pretty
town has been spared.
AL these considerations, the long re-
cord oE the past, with its growth and
its graves, its tolls and successes, its
efforts and. victories, its memories of
pleasure and pain, its, retrospection the