Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1886-01-26
CuAnLEsrowN. Dec. 18th. 1885.

CHAsLEsTowN. Dec. 18th. 1885.
Officers ard Members of Independent Fire CONF
pdny, No. 1. of CItG''leStOtcm. W. Va:
GESTJ,EMESi -Thinking that a review. in q
condensed form. of the Company from its or
ganizat;on down to the present time, would not
be amiss, and,aviti the view that it may be tn-
tcresting to you all. have the honor otasab-
hitting the following informal report:
On July 10th, 1854, q public meeting was
held with reference To orssanizins;-a Fire Com
pany. Our worthy Mayor. and fellow fireman,
was called to preside. and after considerable
discussion lay number of those present, a
committee was finally appointed to submit q
plan of organization.
at which time was effected the organization OF
the independent Fire Company, No:~ /, as IL
now is, with u membership of sixty men, /
having had the honor of being elected Captain.
After the organization was completed the
Town Council were notified OF the fact, and
apparatus asked for ut their hands. Five hum
drcd dollars were appropriated by the Council!
for the purchase of hose.
The next step taken was to uniform the Com
pany. and in order to secure sufficient funds
with which to purchase uniforms. festival
was held on the I'd day of August. ut which was
Noted the sum of S16l.45. but this amount not
being enough. each member was requested to
pay S. so additional. and in this way about 81
uniforms were procured.
Frequently the company met for drill. until
we became quite proficient in going through
with the various movements OF marching, &c.
The question of procuring steam engine
arose. and various plans for securing the money
wherewith to make the purchase of the same
were suggested. and finally ] decided that
shares, of $40 each. be issued to be paid i'll
monthly installments. A committee was ap-
pointed to receive subscriptions for these
shares. and after fair trial it proved failure.
But we never doubted but what in some way
or other the money would be secured to make
the purchase of steamer.
About this time proposition was received
from the agent of the Mansfield (O.) Machine
Works, by the committee appointed on the
purchase of an engine. who agreed to furnish
an engine for 1,5O0. After due consideration
it was decided to take the engine. if it proved
satisfactory. 1t is needless forme to state how
this matter terminated. and will only say that
after several trials the engine proved altogether
unsatisfactory and we declined to accept 1t.
4 proposition was received from the Slisby
Steam Engine Company offering to furnish an
engine at $4,000. but no action was taken by
the company i'll regard to it.
Also received proposition from the Clapp
Jones company. who agreed to furnish an Gu
CINE at % 800 or ono at - ,O00 No action ever
taken in this.
On the 21st day of May last the company in q
body proceeded to Winchester. to participated
a torch light parade with the Union Fire Com
pauy of that city. You well know how hospi-
tably VIC were received. and what fine time
we had. Right here wish to compliment you
all on your good behavior in ranks and ont.
and on your fine marching and the precision
with which the movements were all made
Veterans in the service could not have done
better.
Eventually came the proposition from the
Button Steam Fire Engine Co.. of New York.
The proposition. terms and guarantees of Mr..
Button were made known tothc company and
accepted at once. and to-day no better engine
than the .Idella" is owned by any OrganiZa-
ton in the State. The cost of the engine. reel
and hose. including freight. was ~. C3S the
price of the engine being $1,000.
Mr.. Cleon Moore. our Treasurer. informs me
hEsl
received is 1928 90. and of this he has paid out
SS16.3 80. There is q balance due on the engine.
as per statement of Treasurer. of SLED. The
amount realized at the recent festival is not in
cluded in the foregoing amounts stated by the
Treasurer.
In conclusion. desire to say that the indie
pcndcnt Fire Co.. of Charlcstown. w. Va.
stands to-day second to none. anywhere. We
are fully and substantially equipped ready for
any emergency. and the men are good and
true. willing to do. and if need to be suffer. for
the protection of life and property; and l
believe we command the respect of all our
citizens, who though not having patrOniZcd
us as largely as think they should have done.
yet they have very materially helped us in
different ways.
We have struggled hard to reach our present
position. we have given of our time and of our
limited means, and | am satisfied that all of
us are willing to do even more yet. and that the
only motive which prompts us to this action Is
our love for our homes and our loved ones, and
bless the noble firemcn and may strict sense
of duty impel us to maintain Our integrity, and
inspire Us to rush to the rescue of those who
are in danger. remembering that united we
stand. divided VIC fall" May the motto of
each one of us he - We STRIFE 10 SAGE"
| cannot close without returning to You my
heartfelt thanks for the honor which you have
ttrice conferred upon me: its an assurance on
your part that you rGposc confidence i'll INC.
and that have your respect and esteem and
good will. Ny only thought is-have mcrted
all this d? III the discharge of my duties. as
your Captain. have tried to treat one aud all
the same. and if i'll any instance have erred.
it was Il mistake of the head and not of the
heart. And must thank you fer the willing
and cheerful manner in which You have always
responded to every summons of mine.
Now. gentlemen. one word and have done.
Let us at all times stand by our constitution
and bylaws. always yield ready compliance
to the commands of our superior officers: when
on duty each man ready at his post: under all
circumstances. at home or abroad. nnintain
our good name: cndcavor to win the respect
and admiration of everybody. and above all
let lis honor one another as brethren.
RcTrettng that cannot be present with you
tonight. am yours.
Most Respectfully and Fratcrnaly.
JULIUS c. HOLMES.
Captain.