Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-09-07
EIREMEN'S SUPPER.

vice rendered by Paramount Engine COM
pany in saying from total loss his store
and library A. P. Upper, Esq, gave the
fire company an entertainment and sup
per in the town hall on the 30th ult. The
tiremen were at about s o'clock escorted
to the hall by the band, where they met
their ladies and were soon seated-to the
number of 100 or more-at the tables,
which were bountifully supplied by Mr..
Pitts, who with his assistants was care
full that all were supplied to fullness.
Among those present were a few of the
lawyers, selectmen and trustees of the
village, who expressed themselves highly
pleased that the village was so strongly
guarded by a company of strong and Wig
orous tiremen. After the eating was fin
ished, Mr.. Upper arose and stated to
those present the reason for the enter
tainment. He said that his library, con-
tanning many rare books, which he had
been gathering at an expense of a good
many thousand dollars, had almost wholly
been saved, after he had gone home sup
posing everything would be burned up.
His store and Office had been repaired at
a comparatively trifling expense, and as
he had no insurance upon the building or
library he was the more grateful. He
then called Mr.. j. Cobb as chairman. Mr..
Cobb, one of the members of the fire
company, read in their order the follow
ing toasts'
A. p. Topper, Esq, our entertainer and
friend. The only real sufferer by the fire in
Union block, prompted by "a correct sense of
gratitude tor the herculean and successful la
Dors OF Fuirmount Engine company, has pro
vided this feast.
Mr.. Topper responded, and after eX-
pressing his thanks to the company and,
in a general way, the confidence he
had in the company in cases of fire, he
called upon Col. Knapp, who was pres
ent, for remarks. Col. Knapp in a happy
manner stated the confidence he felt when
he laid down to rest that his buildings
would be taken care of by our fire de-
partment; for years the whole communi-
ty had felt the same security. He said
that for the great risk of life to the mem
bers of the fire company, their exposure
in wet and cold weather, the destruction
of their clothing, their sleepless nights
and hard labor, he thought the pay they
got was inadequate, etc, etc.
C.s. Murkland-In trumpet tones he gives
the alarm of fire to his fellow men. To those
who heed the cry it Is well.
Mr.. Murkland entertained the audience
for some time with pleasant and instruc-
tive remarks upon city fire companies,
and closed with a few funny sayings and
anecdotes which kept the audience in
good humor to the end.
Our foreman Calhoun-Although associated
with those who use 'soft- solder" literally, he
uses none in company discipline and duty.
Mr.. Calhoun remarked that it was his
intention to maintain discipline, as with
out it the company will go to pieces and
be of no use to the village or themselves
either. He intended that the company
bn,,1 alix-;I 80 Is, n 81 ...l
as guardians In case of danger. etc.
Our Observation-Disclosures he is called Cham.
payne, in all his prohibition gatherings he en-.
t~ertains with nothing but cold water.
Mr.. Champagne being called, it was
stated that he was not present OF account
of sickness in his family.
Mr.. Cobb, the chairman, said that it
might not be generally known by the
younger part of the community and per-
haps of he company that the company
was organized on May 20, 1916. 1t had
30 members. At that time the member
ship included a large share of the bust
ness men in the village; such men as j.
Nj. Slade, Jacob Dewey, Jason Daven-
port, Harry Langworthy, Horace Crane,
ii. w. Pitts, Walter S. johnson,
Harris, X. l.. Fuller all dead
but Jason Davenport, who now lives
in Minneapolis, MINI. OF all the MEM
bers of the company at that time % are
dead. The trustees of the village at that
date were Austin Johnson, David Piper,
+. ID. Barber, j.. 5. Bushnell, Calvin Hill,
Levi Peck-all dead but Mr.. Hill and Mr..
Piper. Mr.. Cobb then recalled som of
the notable fires that had occurred, where
this company had saved large amounts
of property to our citizens and town by
their timely and persevering efforts. on
stable Munroe was called upon and made
remarks in regard to collection of taxes.
Selectmen Chapman and Matthews ex-
cused themselves on account of the late
ness of the hour, and the audience dis
persed, feeling that the gathering had
been a pleasant and profitable one. Some
of the members of the company after
wards stayed until the tables were re-
moved and had a social dance until about
II o'clock. Y.