Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1885-04-25
THE COMING CONTEST.
A Brief History of the Fort Worth Fire
Department.
The Candidates for Chief Engineer, with
Short Sketches.
Meeting Of the Department at Central
Hall Last Night.

election for officers takes place on the
first Monday in May, q history OF the
department and few words about the
candidates for chief will be in order.
In 1873, when Fort Worth was a
small place, fire company was organ
lied, with the best citizens as mem.
beers. A truck was purchased and |
named in honor Of Col. M. II. johnson,
who was a big-brained statesman, a |
warm personal friend Of Gen. Sam |
Houston and public-sp'rlted citizen.
For three years no other apparatus |
was used, and many q hot fire was
fought and subdued by the company. |
In 1876 the Panther engine was pur-
chased, when the two companies were
formed into department and Capt. |
John Nichols elected chief. At sub
seqrept elections Whit Monnica,
| Walter Maddox, Richard Wilkes, Il.
l.. Twombly and George Mulkey were
chosen. In 1883 the council saw the
benefits TO accrue from good depart
ment, and having system Of water
works, they purchased two splendid
hose carriages and new truck, built
an electric fire alarm telegraph, and
provided horses for all the apparatus.
In 1884 third hose carriage was pur-
chased, and later fifth company was
organized on the South side which has
hand hose carriage and 400 feet OF
hose IN charge. A central hall was
built on Main stree, which,the firemen
have recently furnished in elegant
style. The members are proud of the
organization and especially OF the fact
that very many Of the members are
among our best citizens, several
OF them being quite well
of. Such men as James w.
Swayne, Walter Maddox, J. b. Askew,
n Il. Maddox, +. l.. Twombly, J. Il.
Wilkes. r. III. Barnes, George Cause,
John Hughes, Henry Field. DR.. H
w. Moore, Stuart Harrison, Los Trim.
BILE, g, Barr, +. V. Gillespie and John
A. Thornton are on the rolls OF the
companies.
The candidates now in the field for
chief are
r. AIATKIN,
the present incumbent, who has held
his office for the past fifteen months,
having been elected to fill the vacancy
caused by George II. Mulkey's resig.
nation, and then reelected to serve
for one year ending on the first Mon.
day in May next. When Mr.. .Mstkin
was elected there were three contest.
, ants, Messers. Don u Adams, r. H
/ Barnes and n. Matkin. On the first
ballot Mstkin received thirty-twC
votes, Barnes twenty-six and Adams
twenty. On the third ballot Mr.
= Adams friends withdrew his name
when his twenty votes went TO Mr.
& Matkin, and he was elected. Th
present chief has always taken a deel
interest in his work, and being able I,
devote his entire time to the depart
o ment, receiving salary of $75 pc
70 month, he has left no stone unturnet
"a to bring the department TO higl
: and impartial, treats all firemel
II with marked courtesy and con
d sideration, is mild in his orders an,
:, has made himself so popular that h
> has frieAds in each of the fire com
panies Of the city.
r Il. j. BowDRY,
Is Is also candidate for the office q
chief engineer. For one year past thi
~ veteran and most efficient fireman ha
u been first assistant chief, In which pc
n sition he has given general satisfaC
- ton. Mr.. Bowdry has been centra
~ figure in the department ever sine
y 1873. when the old hook and ladde
4 truck was hauled over from Dallas an,
:. the village went wild over its recer
!, ton. Capt Paddock, A. G.. Shattucl
!, and p. J. Bowdry as far as known ar
the only ones now here OF the charte
:, members of the company. As fire
- fighter Mr.. Bowdry Is without peel
- No fame is too hot. no danger to
!, great, no wall too high for him, he
a a to the fire and works with will
- Should Mr.. Bowdry be elected
~ would please host Of our citizens.
u DON Il. ADAMS
. has been member of the departmer
= for five years, and has at all times bee
= most energetic in his work. He is
- young man who seeks the Office Il
b b the honor in 1t and because he has
- laudable ambition to improve his p
~ sition. AS quick-sighted fighter,
rs fire he has few IL any equals, and new
"a calls on his brother firemen to 8
~ where he is not willing 10 lead. Don
a. friends are proud OF their candida
,v and are doing their best to secure b
y, election.
u, STANLEY ToAILIHsoN
~ was one Of the organizers of Protectio
~ Engine company, and has been she
. foreman for some time. He was fir
y. man in Louisville for years and undo
&c stands eduties OF the Office perfect,
=. He is practicable and sensible, know
10 how to work and what commands
give. He is q merchant who has q
ways been sober and industri on
Stanley's friends are sanguine OF su
BIZ cess and say they offer the best ma
lis for the place.
~ - ASREW.
oo This gentleman has been candida
w only q short time but Is developin
Its great strength. He has been memb'
by OF Peter Smith Hose company for ov'
an year on the honorary and acti,
ral rolls and has always been thorough
lis interested In the work Of the depar
he ment. When Mr. Askew was chat
ms man Of the committee on fire depaE
he ment Of the council he did more tha
lal any man to equip the department |
IL should be, He was untirinR and Il
:, members always felt that in him thu
All had q powerful and active advocat