Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-09-04
A TEAM FOR THE ENGINE
Nelson Bennett Will Buy 1t
if the City Will Donate
the Oats
Special Meeting of the Council
Appoints Committee to
Wait on Bennett
The Firemen Have a Holiday in
Honor of the Depart
ment's Patron

Nelson Bennett, who presented to
the city the fire engine i'm Use 10y the
department, yesterday supplemented
this gift by an offer to donate team,
costing any amount up to $500, for the
use Of the department, provided the
city would agree to properly care for
the horses. The offer was made by Mr..
Bennett during the exhibition test Of
the engine, made for his benefit by the
fire department yesterday morning.
The entire department took "a holiday
yesterday i'm honor Of Mr.. Bennett.
The festivities began with the lunch
con rendered Hose company No |, at
The Fairhaven on the preceding even
ing, during which Mr.. Bennett eX-
pressed the wish to see the engine
work. 1t was Immediately resolved to
make the exhibition. The fire bell
called the department together at :
o'clock in the morning. The engine
was taken to the corner Of Harris and
Twelfth, and for an hour and half
tests were made with one, two and
four streams. Everything worked like
"a charm, and was witnessed by large
crowd.
Immediately after the offer to do
nate the team was made, Captain StOrk
and Captain Matthews, Of the two hose
companies, called on Mayor Wilson at
his home, where he il confined by sick
ness, and obtained his order to call a
special meeting Of the council
at 10 o'clock to take action
ON Mr.. Benefits proposition.
Councilman Christopher occupied the
mayors chair As the acceptance of
the Gift would involve the apprOpria-
ton of funds for the keeping OF the
team, which would cost about Sl25 per
month, no action could be taken, the
city charter providing that no appro-
priation of money can be made at spec
ial meeting. 1t was the sense Of the
meeting, however, that the offer be ac-
cepted and that vote Of thanks be
rendered Mr.. Bennett. The cost of
keeping the team was fully discussed
and the suggestion was made
that the team might be used dur
ing the day on street work. This prop
Ostion was not cOuntenanced for mo-
ment by the tiremen, they claiming
that Mr.. Benefits proposition was TO
give the team to the fire department
for use on the engine. A committee
consisting of Colonel u. w. Christie
pher, w. G. Allerton and J. NJ. Oar
ling was then appointed to wait upon
Mr. Bennett and ascertain the terms OF
his proposition, and report at the regu-
lar adjourned meeting Of the council
this afternoon, when the council will
act in the matter.
This committee met Mr.. Bennett be-
fore he departed i'm the evening, and
he stated that his offer was to donate
the team for the use of the fire depart
ment and not for street work.
At & O'Clock last evening Bennett
Hose company who, in addition to their
regular uniforms wore neat white coats,
Wardner Hose company, accompanied
by their band, drew up before the
Hotel Fairhaven. Mr.. Bennett was
To leave on the Steamer Sehome for
Tacoma at $3.50 and the boys Of the fire
department resolved to escort him
to the ocean dock. Shortly after
six Mr.. Bennett entered a hack driven
| by fireman TruaX, and Chief Gibson of
| the department took seat beside him.
The band led OFF playing lively air,
| followed by the COACH then came Ben
nett and Wardner Hose companies,
looking as neat and orderly as old vet
Grams.
Gamwell d Warner were alive to the
occasion, and In very few moments
| had the front of their office and the
| sidewalk as well, decorated with flags
| i'm honor of Mr.. Bennett. Harris and
| Twelfth streets were lined with people,
and as Mr. Bennett passed down the
avenue "a genuinely hearty cheer burst
Iunpremeditatedly from the spectators.
| There was no mistaking the hearty,
whole-souled tone i'm which it was rem
dered. Mr.. Bennett lifted his hat and
| bowed, and there was another cheer
which was heard for blocks around.
| Then the firemen moved ON.
Arriving at the dock, Mr.. Bennett
made brief but pithy speech. He
| thanked the fire boys for the distin-
guisbed consideration with which he
had been treated, and he thanked them
heartily. He cOunseled them to be
good and brave and true to themselves.
! He complimented them on their fine
appearance, and he told them they
would ever find a friend in Nelson
Bennett. Cheer after cheer went up,
until the Sehome had cast of her lines
and steamed out into the bay.
The firemen returned to the engine
house and last night they had recep-
ton i'm the fire hall. The boys felt
good after the distinguished manner in
which they had been treated by Mr..
Bennett Speeches were made, songs
were sung, and a general good time
was had. Captain Stork, Of Bennett
hose company, led off in witty
speech, and he was followed by Chief
Gibson, Engineer Ryan, and Captain
Matthews, Of Wardner hose company.
Fireman George Chappell sang several
songs, receiving hearty encores. ]. A.