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

ladders and ladder carriage. The hydraulion
| engine after twenty-six years Of service sue
| cumbed to the hand Of time and December 10,
1907, was sold and the company disbanded
TEE POTOMAC HOSE COMPANY.
The hose and reel were afterward stationed
on the north side Of o street between 2sth and
S0th streets, in an old shed, and conveyed to
and from fires Is occasion demanded, until the
Potomac Hose Company was organized August
IA, 1854 and occupied the Western Star engine
house, when the reel and hose were returned to
their former abiding place. The preface in the
minutes OF the company is as follows: The
Potomac Hose Company Of Georgetown D. c.,
was instituted August IA. 1864 and organized
with the following officers: Charles Dudley,
president; Andrew Blackman, vice presidents
Phihp A. onger, secretary; James Greaves,
treasurer, and Samuel Swan, chief director
| and at the time contained about fifteen men,
bers. II was reorganized January, 1865, by the
election OF John 10y as president and the re-
election OF the remaining officers for one year.
the previous election having been reconsidered
at the expiration OF the first five months of
the companys existence by mutual agreement
| at the first election. The company was incor-
porated by the action Of the mayor and board
OF aldermen and common council in November,
1864, and the power Of the officers confirmed
and the company invested with the priv
llege and powers of actual fremen under the
rules and regulations for the government Of the
hre department of Georgetown, ID. G. The
principal friends and advisers of the company
In its infancy were George Shoemaker and r.
Crulckshank, prominent citizens and aged
nremen, and Thomas Edmonston, then a men,
per OF the common council and chairman of
the IRE committee, to which gentlemen the
company owes its lasting gratitude"
Inc nrst meeting of importance was held
September rs, 1866, when the matter of pur-
CHASING bell, Flagstaff and uniforms we're con-
sfdered. After many meetings and discussions
the purchase of bell and Flagstaff was aban-
doned, and red shirts, leather belts and black
hats were adopted as the uniform of the com
pany. January 81, 1865, meeting was held to
make arrangements for q grand parade on
Mashingtons birthday, to which the Vigilant
Fire Company wss invited. Committees were
appointed to borrow torches, trumpets, flags
and ornaments and hire a band of music. and
the corporation petitioned to appropriate $3.50
to purchase the hose carriage of the Perse-
verance Fire Company. The proceedings Of
the meeting were so interesting that two MEM
bers were fined 10 cents each for swearing.
and a resolution passed that any member
who mentioned the name of the Vigilant Fire
Company should be fined IS cents, and one
who spoke unexpectedly Of the president
of the company should be summarily dismissed
The company during its existence was blessed
with long list Of prominent citizens as
honorary members who contributed literally
toward its support The company went out Of
existence April, /, 1867.
THE OLD vIaILANT COMPANY.
Vigilsnt Fire Company WAS organized in
1877, John Kurtz, president; Arnold Boone
vice president; James Moore, secretary, and
James Corcoran, treasurer The engine was
purchased of John Agnue of Philadelphia, and
christened the Viglant. The engine house was
located on the east side of 32d street until De-
cember IL. 1929, when $50 was appropriated to
move the engine house to the west side of SD
street, where the old Vigilant house now
stands January 8, 1882, $1,000 was appropri-
ated to aid in the purchase of a hydraulion en-
CINE and hose IRELAND for the erection of house
for the preservation Of the same. new house
was not erected. an addition being made to the
old one September g, 1885. at a cost of 800.
F1fty-two dollars was expended for the pur-
chase Of hooks, axes and ladders