The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-08-12
FIRE DEP ARTMENT.
Interview With an Old Fireman Re-
Sarding the Service.
Many Fires Attended and History Of
the Companies.
Names of Chiefs and Members.

In his rounds yesterday a reporter met
up with an old fireman, and naturally their
talk was ABOUT the fire department of the
city.
when was the Dallas lire dena nent
organized2n asked the reporter.
About ten years ago. said the old fra.
man, and you bet Dallas has had many
olake since then, and the department
had many ups and downs. Now, I'll tell
you, the people don't really, or, rather the
city government don't appear to appreciates
the service OF the department, and Il is only
when mans property is in flames that he
realizes its true worth. You see, business
men insure their property, bat they are
rather slow in assisting the department
OF rather, their representatives in the city
council are-ior | believe that the mef-
ohants would be more liberal with the de.
parlment, for they have fuller apprecis.
ton OF the service 1t renders, Yes, the de.
partment was organized about ten wears
ago-l forget the exact date-with +. ].
Frank as chief, who served one year.
Then came W. @. Conner, the ener.
geiic chief, who occupied the office
Tor nearly seven years, since which time.
ana up to the present date. Charles Kahn
has been chief.
The various companies and ioremen at
present are: Dallas Hook and Ladder com.
pany No. foreman. Charles Stephens.
Dallas Engine company No. foreman,
conrad Mayors; Engine company No. 9,
formerly HOOK and Ladder company No. 9,
.oremsn, T. J, Wilkinson; Etna Hose COM
pany NO. foreman, - DOYLE. The an
paratus of Hook and Ladder company No.
l, Engine company No, | ana Etna Hose
company No. 2 are located in the lower
story OF the city hall as you know. The
apparatus OF Engine company No. ., Is To-
Gated IN East Dallas. Engine company No.
Is the owner OF a One-story brick building
which they agreed to deed TO the city for
and consideration of two-story brick
erected by the city, for the use OF the com.
pany, on East Commerce street. The de-
partment Is in fine working order, com.
posed OF live and active members, who
nave the interest Of the city at heart and
VINO are working ountarily-neither for
money nor glory, but for the love they bear
TO their fellow.men and the pride they
have in their city. The department Is
steadily improving In every respect
and Notwithstanding their various needs to
render them still more efficient. yet there
is no department In the state which is its
peer. The chief, Charles Kahn, is live.
active and energetic fireman who, knowing
the needs OF the department, Is constantly
at work to supply its wants. Now, that a
new engine is ordered for No. /, and the
companies are very well equipped
II will not be long before
the citizens will look upon the
fire department with muck pride. OF coufse
there are paid drivers of the apparatus, and
engineers who are paid for their services.
Taking into consideration, however, that
at large it is volunteer department, Il Is
credit to the city" Then the old veteran
branched off and talked about the horses
and even the dogs that had been part of
the department, to which he referred with
perceptible feelings.