Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-12
THE UGILANT.

tuat the business pOrtlOn OF the town was In
danger of destruction. The Union in great
haste soon arrived on the scene of the rire and
were SO disguised that the language used was
neither select nor complimentary. In return
they received a volley of stones. their engines
and lamps were broken and the crowd pursued
them across the creek. The following day
about forty arrests were made. the whites were
fined and the slaves received lashes The Po-
tomac Hose. with muffied bells and silent
tread, would sometimes steal near the yigilsnt
engine house when the ringing of bells and the
cry Of fire would alarm the Vigilant company,
who would follow as soon as possible for sew
eral squares before they would discover the
hoax played upon them.
RELICS OF THE OLD DAYS.
There are but few relics Of the old volunteer
companies in existence. A brass ship trumpet
about two feet long, inscribed: Presented by
Capt d. S. Hill to Western Star Fire Company,
1885," was presented by George Shoemaker,
president, to Potomac Hose in 1864. When
Potomac Hose went out Of existence the trum-
pet was presented to Col VIM. o. Drew, fire
marshal, who prizes it highly.
Louis p. Lowe, assistant chief Of the fire de-
partment, has in his possession an old leather
fire bucket marked p. b. K, No. 1927, formerly
the property OF Philip Barton Key. who was
killed by Daniel E. Sickles. February 81, 1859.
The veteran volunteer fremen have at their
house, presented by John ID. Angel Of No. s
company hat Of the old Vigilant company,
the word ''yigilant" forming q semi-circle in
large gilt letters. in the center of which 10 an
eye. On the back of the hat is a shield and
eagle inscribed: Instituted 1917, Georgetown,
D. c. Never despair" They have also a silver
trumpet inscribed: Presented by the Western
Hose Company. No. i, of Washington. d. c., to
the Vigilant Fire Company Of Georgetown
ID. c., October 8. 1855"
In a glass case OF relics and souvenirs in No
engine house is the caudal appendage of
Bush, the old fire dog. Bush was OF mixed
breed, OF dark brown color. a volunteer of Fire
Company No. l. He ran with the engine to all
fires and parades, and was a general favorite
with all who Glanced to form his acquaintance
He became careless about his diet ate free
lunch between meals and was taken suddenly
i'll July 4, 1862 The doctors pronounced il q
hopeless case OF arsenical poison. and after sew
eral severe spasms he passed peacefully away in
the sixth year of his age. Liberal contributions
aided In his decent burial Amarillo slab about
two feet square, inscribed Bush. the old fire
dog, died OF poison July 5, 1862, r. /. p" was
placed in the front wall Of the old Vigilant
engine house between the large double DOORS
not only to perpetuate his memory, but as q
warning to all of the fatal results of evil habits
The days OF hand engines and volunteer
companies were soon to be numbered. The in
ventlve genius of man improved on the tedious
and laborious methods of pumping the .'old
machine" andthe volunteer { re association were
succeeded by the steam fire engine and salaried
was not one Of monotonous watching and
waiting. They formed mutual protective asso-
Citations, each member following his daily vo-
cation They gave their dances and picnics
and when opportunity offered went on parade
to inform the citizens thew were vet in exist
ence with ready hands and willing hearts for
the call of duty. The old hand engine was
abandoned April /, 1867, when a steam FIRE en-
CINE was purchased for the Vigilant Fire Com
pany, which from that date became paid or
ganization and thus ended the volunteer COM
panies Of Georgetown.
THE OLD COMPANIES
The name and location Of the first three fire
companies the writer has been unable to dis
cover. The fourth company, the Potomac
Fire Company, was organized in 1918 and con-
sisted of president vice president, clerk, one
principal and two assistant engineers thirteen
engine men, eleven ladder and hook men. two
axmen, ten property men, six sentinels and
five lane men. Each member signing the con-
stitution was assessed fifty cents and twenty
i've cents quarterly. The apparatus consisted
OF engine, hose reel, three ladders. two fire
hooks. one saw. two axes and one crowbar.
Mechanical Fire Company was organized in
1919 and after six years of service disbanded in
1876, the mayor assuming charge of the engine,
which was afterward assigned to the
Columbian Fire and Hose Company, which
was organized March II, 1927, and located in a
frame building adjoining the alley south of
the post office on 3lst street. The COM
pany was disbanded in 1887 and March 26,
1885, the Columbia engine was sold and the
proceeds equally divided between the other
companies
Eagle Fire Company was organized Febru-
airy 1, 1877, and was composed Of president,
vice president, secretary, treasurer, two axmen,
two engineers, two property men and twenty
Tour engine men The written constitution is
signed by the following: John H. King Henry
| Goszler, Thomas Hoffman, Vim. Magruder.
James Goszler, Anthony Hyde, Charles Movers.
George Hyde, Thomas Hills, Il. r. Shekells.
Henry King, VIM &. Walters, Zach NJ Offutt.
George Miller, Henry Dudley, Henry Upper,
Collins. George Lipscomb. John Gillian and
| ID. Colbert The company after few years
| existence was succeeded by the Western Star Fire
Co, which was organized in the spring of 1881
elecnng George W. Haller president and Geo.
W. Shoemaker vice president. Having united
their funds obtained by private subscription
with an appropriation of u 900 donated by the
/ corporation. 1t was decided by the company
August o, 1881, TO purchase q suction and pro
pelling engine and ! 900 feet Of hose with the
necessary reel and carriage. which purchase
| was consummated December IL following. The
/ company occupied q frame building on thu
| west side OF SD street between Prospect avenue
and street, now known Is No. 1912. In 1889 tn,
following officers elected: George Shoemaker
president; John H King, vice president; Edw
s. Wright. secretary: jenkins Thomas
treasurer; George b. Cropley. captain
Of engine. and Samuel Cropley, cap
i tain of hose. May Is, 1913, the sum O
sloo was appropriated for the purpose of re-
moving the engine house to Q more convenien,
location May Is. lS44, S150 was appropriated
| to aid the Western Star TO erect . new engine
house, but the money was expended In repair
\ ing the old house when il was moved from Sac
street on the lot then owned by George Shoe
| maker on the east side Of Potomac street b.
| tween and o streets, whore IL u still stand
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