St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-01-26
EIpEi FTpEi EIpri

Then would the doughty boys tumble
out of bed and don their clothes in such
haste as to be careless of the finer de-
tails Of their toilet, and rush to the old
shed on Sixth avenue south. next to the
big barn that still stands there, and
with trembling haste haul out the cart
and rush to the scene of the confiagra-
ton.
Imagine. if You can. Chief Bracket,
with the tin trumpet to his lips. shout
ing out the word of command. while
Dan Day, S. G. Gutter, Frank S. Nc,
Donald and +. Nottingham stumbled
over each other in their haste to run
out the hose. What need to tell of the
frolics i'll which they INDUCED. How
they played the stream upon the gap
ing rural populace, Or doused some
pOmpous judge who happened to be
looking on, chuckling the while in huge
enjoyment. Who could gainsay them?
Were they not the heroes of the hour,
the gallant fire laddes?
THE FIRST FIRE
to which the company ran was the burn
ing of Cal Church's stable, where Rob-
on May >, 1865. There was a great
time at this fire, for the water
mains burst with the pressure, and the
stream only Just dropped from the noz-
Zle. During the next ten days the com
pany ran TO 115 fires, and who can con-
ceive the number of kegs of beer that
were consumed i'll the aggregate by the
members of the company, for
they used to have one or
two tapped after the battle,
just to refresh their weary limbs. 1t is
a pity the secretary has kept no record
of the matter.
In 1873 the volunteer department had
its
FIRST STEAM FIRE ENGINE,
and great spread was had in honor of
the occasion, in which speeches were in
dulged in and the glorious history of
the department re-hashed. midst the
cheers of the delighted members.
Prior TO that time the company hsd
used only the hose, depending upon the
force of the water works to give them a
sufficient stream. There was an old tub
hand engine on the East side, which
was pressed lnt0the service once or twice
on an occasion of sufficient magni-
tude, and the citizens allowed to exercise
their muscles to their hearts content.
And many are the drops of perspiration
it drew from the brows of men who
since then have had naught TO do but
clip the coupons from their per
TO be published i'll the newspapers.
In 1879 the paid department was In
augurated, but the old volunteer. still
held the reins of that branch of the city
government TO a certain extent, and
theiI word was law to the powers that
were in all matters relating to the fire
department
In short time Minneapolis becama
metropolitan city. aad little by little the
relic of former grandeur lost its grip,
until, as Secretary Mcdonald says.
''There are only Il few of US left"
Still they hang together as body,
MEET ONCE A YEAR,
collect annual dues. recite the triumphs
of bygone days, and as the laugh and
joke goes round, fancy themselves
boys again. With boys ambitions, aud
memories Of their old glories kindle
their eyes as they rise TO their feet and
join in hearty checr for ''old No. IL
The present officers elected last Fri
| day evening are: Martin Walsh, presi-
dent; E. WorthiD.iiam. vice-president:
f. G. Mcdonald. secretary; John Lally,
| treasurer: trustees, =. G. Cutter. John
| Fewer, William ilrgieson. w. NJ.
Bracket. John ra:n> and Gus Plum
| mer.
The company VIII hold an old-fash