Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-08-02
On Fire Matters.

The following letter from an old
time citizen of Olympia, who has al
ways felt lively interest in all our
local affairs, will be read with interest
by our people. Mr.. Williams is, prob
ably, as much of an expert in matters
appertaining to fire-engine service as
anybody in the United States. He has
made it his study all his life, and has
attended many tournaments for the
exhibition of devices for saving life and
property from the devouring element,
and his opinion of the capability OF
"Old Reliable" Columbia No. l, is
therefore exceedingly gratifying. 1t is
hoped that test will be made by our
Department, to ascertain not only ii
our hand engine will maintain her
record of 1865, but to give evidence as
to the relative effectiveness of the noz.
zles, rs suggested by Mr.. Williams:
NEwBURGH, N. v, July 90, 1889.
To the Officers and Members Of Columbia
Engine Company No. l.
GENTLEMEN Il thought that YOU
might possibly feel an interest in a
brief description of a firemen's tour
nament held in this section of the
country, and having an invitation to
attend one at Catskill, have thought
hit to send you an account of the same
If that quaint old city of Catskill,
which Is so beautifully nestled among
the mountains as to be nearly hidden
among the recesses of their hills, had
ever an awakening from the Rip Van
Wrinkle lethargy which it is said still
clings to the jewellers along its hill
sides and valleys, it was surely on
Wednesday last, when the city, from
its highest staff to its lowest arched
doorway, was quiveringly alive and
fairly electric with its beautiful display
OF national colors, in flags, bunting,
drapery, and in every conceivable COM
bination of the cred, white and blue"
Welcome" was written over all the
engine houses, entwined in evergreens
across the streets, fluttering in notices
from every flagstaff, and perhaps more
plainly still was delineated upon the
countenances OF all the inhabitants.
Every car, steamboat and wagon COM
ing to the city brought additional
persons who joined in swelling the
vast numbers of those who, from early
morning until long into the night,
thronged its streets.
The prize for maneuvering men upon
the streets was awarded to Rescue
Hook and Ladder Co., of Athens. This
company drilled with so much precis-
ion, and were so warmly applauded by
the citizens who lined the sidewalks,
that all competitors withdrew from the
field, without permitting comparison.
The hose carriage race was won by
Lafayette Hose, Valatie, N. Y, who
made attachment hydrant, ran off with
carriage 3O5 feet of hose, broke COUP
ling and attached pipe. Time dis
puted, but about Az seconds.
The hand engine trial attracted a
large crowd, among which were many
tiremen, who were greatly interested
in the working of the engines, and in
their several distance plays.
The first prize, 500, for distance,
was awarded to Hudson River Engine
Co., of Coxsackie, N. Y, which played
10 16 inch stream OF solid water 1873
feet and 8 inches. This was a IC-inch
cylinder, crane neck, Button and Blake
engine, which drafted her water, 4 feet
perpendicular, worked with SO men on
her brakes at once, through $50 feet of
hose. She vas worked on her 6-inch
stroke, using ring nozzle.
The second prize, $50, was won by
McNawomac Engine Co.. of Athens, N.
Y. This engine was also one of Messrs.
Button & Blake's, with 91-inch cylin-
ders, which was worked by double.
banking brakes, with 60 men at once,
suction as before, with $50 feet of hose,
on her 6-inch stroke, using Finch
ring nozzle, liz feet and 9 inches.
The third best play was made by the
G. X. Porter engine of Cairo, which
was Jas. Smith, piano box, with g.
inch cylinders, working 6-inch stroke,
with 81 men on brakes at once,
through $50 feet of hose, suction as
above, 5-ring nozzle, 161 feet.
These plays were all made from the
reservoir, and were favored by ten
foot down grade. 1 considered the
play as not very creditable to any of
the engines, and very sincerely wished
that | had my old Columbia crew and
engine there, tha! me might hare cap
tured the first prize, which they assur-
eddy might have done had they been
there, and in condition as in 1865,
when they played under similar cir
cumstances 5-inch stream, on level
land, 1877 feet.
With kindest regards to the men,
bers OF the company, wishing them
every success, remain, with many
pleasant memories of the past,
Very firmly vn,,ro