Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-07-16

&C, &C., &C.
The quaint regulations of by-gone age
will no doubt excite smile in this day OF
improved appliances for subduing the dam
gerous element, but the present organlza-
ton is but growth from the plans OF
pains-takings and careful generation IN
the past. Our present fire department is
the flower whose seed was planted long
ago growing in subsequent time and
bringing forth its full fruit in the present.
The officers of the present efficient or
ganization are as follows Capt. Thos >.
Crowder. Chief Engineer: Capt. Saml IL.
Cohn, Augusta Fire Co., Capt. John IL.
Wehn, Hook and Ladder Co.; Capt. Chas.
E. Gregory, Newtown Hose Go. tits only
common justice to say that our fire de-
partment is one of the best in the South
in city of this size. Our tremen are
young. active and ever ready and willing
to fight he'dames with faithful fortitude.
We are usder obligations to Newton Ar
genbright, Esq. our present efficient City
Clerk, for a great deal of the material
used in the following
SKETCH OF OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Among the first proceedings of the'coun
Gil of the town Of Stauntou, after its Or
ganiZation, was to pass such orders as
were then necessary for the protection of
the town against fire. In May, 1902. the
citizens were forbidden to allow chlmneys
and stovepipes to burn out in dry wealth
or, without paying a fine of 81, and each
house was required to keep fire bucket
for use in case OF fire. Committees were
appointed from time to time to inspect
the town and report every six days to the
Mayor any danger likely to occur from
fire. In 1906 49 were allowed by the coun-
Gil for six pairs of fire buckets.
In 1906 contract was made with Geo.
Mitchell to build a brick engine house, for
the sun of s3O.14O.
November 4th, 1907, an ordinance
was adopted for the general safety and Sc
curity of the town against fire, permitting
no person ITO smoke segars or pipes in
any street, alley or stable yard of Staun-
TONI
August 18th, 1908, it was ordered
that "henceforth there shall be no fire
whatever kept in the chimney of Philip
| Cloringer, and if fire be found in said Chin
ney hereafter, it shall be the duty of the
Mayor or any Justice to cause the said
chimney to be pulled down and prosJra ted
to the earth.'
March 21st, 1872, an Ordinance was
passed requiring each owner and tenant
of houses to keep two fire buckets" Also
for the use of fire company, two ladders,
one large hook pole, one fork pole, and one
chain.' at that meeting 800 was appro-
priated to the fire company.
April 4th, 1917, a contract was made for
erecting an engine house at the end of the
Jail. in accordance with authority receiv-
ed from the county court, in March, 1912.
The building was to be of stone or brick,
and to afford proper shelter for an engine
and implements. This house was finish
, ed in 1919. by Dabney Cosby. for which he
received $23079.
January 9th, 1920, a petition from the
| sTAUNToN FIRE COMPANY
to the "Worshipful Mayor and Alder
men, submitted to their 'munifcent
consideration the fact that the company
was in debt to the amount of $500. 06a cts,
and asking for its extlngushment, when
a committee was appointed to examine in
to the management of the company and
ascertain the cause of the financial def
ciencv.
May 18th, 1921, petition of citi.
zens asking the appropriation of funds tc
| purchase new .engine, was considered
and rejected.
June 18TH, 1922, Samuel Clarke was
directed to correspond with the agent Of
the Mutual Assurance Society. and ascer
tain what contribution it would make to-
wards the purchase of an engine. The
result was the sum of 800 contributed by
that Society.
February 9Th, 1928, committee was
appointed to ascertain the cost Of new
engine and proper quantity of hose say
100 feet, with a pump for filling said en-
| CINE. The engine, as ordered from Phila
deIphia, was of five inch cylinder, Erequir
ing the power of ten or twelve men tt
project the water through nipple lis Of
an inch, 120 feet horizontal, and 80 feel
perpendicular, discharging IS gallons OF
water per minute. They paid $500 fol
that engine.
November Sd, 1927, the fire company
became extinct. and it was ordained by
the council that the, Mayor should become
CoMMANDANT OF THE FIRE DEPART
MENT,
and in case of fire. should have control OF
the engine, and appoint his assistants
Citizens failing or refusing to perform
any service required of them, under order
of the Mayor, were fined S..
On February 9th, 1888, 240 feet of hose
and fifty pair of buckets were purchased,
and sections of churches having bells were
: requested to ring them on alarm of fire.
October 4th, 1888, a fire ragged in the
town, burning that section fronting On
the corner of Main and New streets, and
at the meeting of the council on Oct. 5th,
| il was resolved THAT the grateful thanks
of this community are due to John Dunn,
| of Petersburg, for the generous aud eff
Gent aid he gave US on the morning OF
| Oct. 4th;'' and further, ''that the graft
tude Of the council belongs to all those
citizens and strangers who distinguished
| themselves by the activity of their exer-
lions and contempt of danger in suppress
| ing the fire." Again, on Oct. 18th, the
town was set on fire, and the Mayor was
authorized to "offer reward of $500 for
| the discovery and conviction of the incen-