The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-02-11
MEETING OF CITIZENS.
A Steam Fire Engine and Water Works
Discussed-A Committee Appointed ("
Report at Town Meeting.

A Steam Fire Engine and Water Work
Discussed-A Committee Appointed Il
Report at Town Meeting.
Pursuant to the call published in oul
last issue a large number OF prominent
citizens met III the office OF the Muiue
Fire Insurance Company of Cecil county
on Tuesday evening to consider the ad
visibility of asking the Legislature tt
authorize the town to issue bonds for the
purpose of using the 'oceeds to pur
chase Il steam fire engine and hose; tt
construct an engine house: and AIS {
cistern or cisterns or other means OF
water supply for the engine.
The meeting was called to order by Mr.
Thomas Drenuen. George A. Blake
E. q, was chosen chairman, :.n,i Joir
Partridge secretary. Mr.. Blake on tax
ing the Chair said he thought the present
movement gave an opportunity for ad
vancement of the interests Of the town
which in public spirit had fallen bohlud
sonie other towns. This was becauSa ne
la ent energy of the town had nos b. IN
ca He'd ont.
,lnbn 5. Writ, Esq. did not hink Ii, at
the call fo: the meeting was broad enough.
He thought many amendments were
needed to the town charter. lie thought
committee should be appointed to con-
slider the matter and report at a town
meeting to be held in Odd Fellows Hall.
He read letter from Mr.. Clayton, of
Middletown, president of the Citizens
National Bank of that place, CONCERNING
the waterworks IN Middletown. the
system there-that with the stand pipe
cost $4,000. He understood that CON-
panys had offered to place water works in
towns providing 5000 year was paid by
the town COVE rnmept. He thought many
changes are needed i'll the powers OF the
town missioners and the mode of
collecting taxes.
George w. Crui!zshank, Esq. did not
think it would cost as much to furnish
Elkton with a water supply as IL did
Middletown, owing to the latter being
situated on table land. Driven wells
aud stand pipe would not be necessary
here. He thought our engine house was
disgrace to the town and enough to
prejudice strangers against the place.
He was opposed to appointing a com
mittee at that stage Of the meeting, as
he thought that was the manner in which
to kill an enterprise.
Mr.. George Johnston was opposed to
the plans for procuring water supply
Elk river was no further away than ever.
The town was over 100 years old and had
never been burned down. He thought
it scheme of some people to spend
other people money.
Mr.. Robert Frazer wanted the town to
get a steam fire engine and get it right
away. An engine could be bought for
two thousand dollars, and good engine
houseprovid=d for the same amount.
The cisterns would lot cost over $1,000.
Mr.. Chas. J. Pavcrd spoke in favor OF
chemical engines. He thought too that
something was wrong with the mode OF
taxation in Etkton, for the people who
owned the most property paid the least
taxes He wanted vacant lots taxed to
their full value.
Mr.. George McQuilkiu gave some in,
formation as to steam engines. their cost,
etc. He also spoke u. chemical engines.
He thought a defect in steam engines for
towns was the number OF persons re-
quired to haul hem around. He did not
think 30 men could haul an engine with
the streets in the condition they were
then.
Mr.. II. c. Hurn to show the uurelia.
bility of steam fire engines in case of fire,
related that Salisbury some months before
the cont1agration in that place purchased
fire engine. For time the young men
had fine time hauling it around and
took the best care OF the engine. The
novelty wore off. however, and when the
fire broke out the engine was found to
have valve out of order, and would not
work. Before the engine was placed in
order half the town had been burned
do yu, although there was water IN abun
dance, and our home insurance company
lost upwards of $4,000.
DR.. James II. Frazer had never heard
of town where the proposed system OF
supplying steam fire engine with water
from cisterns was used. There were
water works in towns of about 1000
population 10 Western Maryland Elktol
had for years illuminating gas, which is
one OF tue requisites OF d live town, and
now water works were needed. Mauufac.
turers from the city could then see that
tie town as live one, and in the line
of advance inent and wonli settle here
The well water of the town was no longer
fit to driuk.
John S Writ Esq, offered the follow
ing resolution which was adopted:
Resolced, That committee of sever
be appointed by the chair to whom shat
be referred the whole subject of provid
ing adequate protection for the towr
against fire, and other needed improve
meuts. with authority to investigate tn,
various plans suggested at this meeting
to adopt plan and to report the SAME
| the cost thereof and the necessary legis
lation to secure the same, to town
meeting to be held in the Town Hall OF
| Tuesday, February 2lst, 1883, at 7.30 p. NJ
The chairman appointed the following
to serve on the committee: DR.. Charlie:
NJ Ellis, John S. Writ, Clinton McCul
Tough, George McQuilkin, VIM. J. Jones
Frank r. Scott and VIM. J. Smith.
A meeting of the committee was helt
on Thursday night and Msssrs. Smith an'
McQuilkin were appointed to investigate
the water works at Havre dc Grace ant
examine the chemical engines il. 9TH
Belt" Baltimore county. They did thi
on Friday.
Methodist Churches in Cecil.
Presiding Elder w. L. S. Murray hat
the following in the last issue of tn
Peninsula Methodist:
| held quarterly meeting Saturday
Sunday and Monday at Zion and Elkton
At Z!on an old time custom is continued
in having the elder to preach before th
| quarterly conference, then the sister