The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-10-02

While Roanokes fire department is
not all that is to be desired in every re-
spect, yet it is very crcditable to the
brave volunteer fire laddies. The de-
\ partmcnt is composed of three COM
panies, one in each ward. The city fur
nishes buildings, lights and fuel, and
also keeps tho equipments in good re-
| pair. With these exceptions the COM
panies are sustained entirely by the
/ efforts of tho members. The depart
ment is under the direction of Jas. G.
Knepp, chief; Owen Duggan, first assis-
tant, and Jos. T. Englcby, second assis-
tant. They have charge of the depart
| ment at fires, and each company has it's
9own organization.
'Ihc Vigilant, the Oldest and largest
acompany, was organized January 3, 1851.
Hand was i,nmediatcl. incorporated under
1.-The laws Of Virginia. The officers were
BW. " Orrier, president; c. Marklcy.
5secrctary, and J. G. Kncpp, treasurer.
2The company has enrolled, in all. since
d has ncvcr lost q single ono by death. 1t
anow numbers forty-iivc members with
MGeo. w. Ammen. president: Jas. II.
NPugh, first icc-prcsident: John McDcr-
Hmott second vice president: w. II. lies
aser. secretary. and John Englcby. treas
%urcr. The directors arc j. G.. Knepp,
8IJohn McDermott. b. ID. Wingield. II. {.
#Wiley, Fred Peters, X. $. Wilson. +. c.
#Shadc and c. Poteet
q The Nigilants occupy a handsome
4two-story brick building on jefferson
Hstreet which was erected i'll 1888. at Il
#cost of 10000, including the lot upon
#which it was built. The building was
l$Ierected ny the city from the proceeds Of
Il bonds issued for that purpose On the
5#lfirSt floor .hc equipments, consisting of
'59a fire engine. hose reel, hand reel and
2ahook.anG ladder truck are kept In the
8arear are the stables for the handsome
IMPAIR of iron gray horses. In the front
}part OF tho building on the second floor
'Aare sleeping apartments, occupied by
Efour members OF the company.
IN The remainder of the second floor is
Ntallen up by the hall. There is no pref
|sNtier or more elegantly fitted up hall in
Maine city than that of the Nigilants
#YThc floor 10 covered with q beautiful
#vclvct brussels carpet The chairs. of
F1which there are 15G. are the best lea ther
ISlcushioncd. There are half Il dozen leather
|Rfcushioncd sofas, and a handsome presi-
lsRlents desk. There are two 500 chan
shelters. The walls arc adorned with IL
|snumbcr Of appropriate notices and pic
|8af urcs. The hall furniture, the hook and
e3gaddcr truck, the uniforms. the gum
El,oats. hats and belts, the hand reel and
G&hc horse are the property OF the COM
&bany, and are worth about -. 800. The
Ehorses are valued ut SEQ and the hall
Eaurniturc 200. The engine and hose
EAecl belong to the city. The city also
@mployes Il janitor for the building. who
Ess the only paid man in the service and
W&eeds the horses. In the tower of the
@)uilding IS the ire bell.
M The funds for the support Of the com
@banics are raised by fairs and suhscrip-
lions by the members and their friends.
Arhc cost to the members is about two
@lollars per month. The company OK
Mendcd 1000 in 1889 and so far. about
@600 this year.
III Meetings arc held on Monday night.
livery two weeks, and series OF
@nonthly lectures is now being given for
Hhe entertainment of the members.
~ The Junior Hose Company No. = was
mrganizcd February % 1883, and in
Incorporated February %, with the fol-
Moving members: Chas. w. Oney. Lew
Mllyn L,ol:abill, Sam c. Henry. c. c.
$Iitchell, +. K. Hurt, l.. y. Clingenfeel,
~. Il. Thomas, Il. l.. Traynham, Geo. f.
Hlyilliams, Il. +. s;toncbraker. A. X.
Meal. w. II. Hester, j. ~ Barksdalc,
III. r. Garland. w. II. Dickinson.
81 The first officers were Geo T.. Will
Jams, president; Il. Lookabill, first vice
@resident; Frank Stonebraller, second
Mice-president; c. c. Mitchell. treasurer.
H The company now numbers thirty
Xix members. with the following officers:
Names McFall, president, T.. H. Rich
#rdson, vice president: j. f. Rocker.
@ecretary; l.. IIookabill, treasurer.
81 The directors are James McFall. j. j.
@avis, Il. l.. Richardson. James T..
Moollcr, w. l.. Thomson, l.. Lookabill,
III. O. Moody and III. ID. Nash. The meet
bhgs are held regularly every Thursday
Might, and the annual election of officers
% held in February
n The quarters OF the company are in
Vie rear of Rorer Hall, on Roanoke street.
owns a thousand dollars worth of
Aased recently at cost of $780, uni
Brms, and other equipments.
q The actual expenses necessary to keep
he company together are about 5000.
@esides meeting this, the Juniors have
Ibid for their new reel making an ex-
Hnditure of 5000. This has been raised
EE fairs, excursions and voluntary sub
@riptions. They are now arranging for
@eir third annual fair, which opens the
18th of the month.
HThe Friendship Fire Company was or
AIMED and incorporated from the
Eoion Hose COmDanv last January tbo