The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-02-20

Though the alarm Of fire may wake
Roanoke from It's "downy sleep" and
the rumble OF wheels dispel a pleasant
dream, still can the city nod passively
in its guarded couch, protected as it is by
over seven score volunteer hremen.
The Roanoke volunteer fire depart
ment reflects great credit upon the
ingle-mtndedness OF the citizens Of
which it Is composed, who by their
energy have been able to protect the
city Against any serious entertainments
by fire. These companies, though CON-
posed Of volunteers, bear comparison
with the best paid fire companies in the
country. They are we'll equipped
throughout and additions to the appara-
tus is constantly being made by the city.
Every member Of these companies works
with singular life and dash and spare
neither labor nor money in perfecting
their separate organizations. The good
natured rivalry which exists among
them is in itself guarantee OF perfect
work.
The labor has been systematized, and
under careful training these volun-
teers work with the precision of paid
veterans. Combining this with the
magnificent water power it is impos.
sible for fire to make any inroads upon
the city.
The general officers Of the department
are: j. G.. Knepp, chief; James
McFall, first assistant chief; and
Thomas OConnor. second assistant
chief.
The Vigilant Fire Company occupies
two.story brick structure on South
Jefferson street, just below the Terry
building, which was erected In 1888.
The company moved in during October
OF the same year. The first floor ia
30x70 feet. with a stable 16xIs feet in
the rear. This room is the general
room of the company and contains all
OF the carriages, implements, ETC., used
by the firemeu. The second floor con.
tains parlor BOXES feet, bedroom 16
feet square and bath room Four
members sleep in the house. There is
sliding pole from the bedroom TO the
ground floor.
There are forty-two members in this
company, OF which G. II. Waring is
president, John Engleby foreman, A. S.
Cook assistant foreman, X. S. Wilson
captain Of hook and ladder truck and
w. K. Hesser engineer. The mechan-
ical supply of the Vigilants consists of
one double pump, full size steamer La
minute, one hook and ladder truck
Aeriel turn-tablo sixty-fve feet
long. This is the only life saving ap-
paratus IN the city. 1t has portable
fire escape and is constructed to throw
streams of water into upper windows
1t also carries two ak gallon chemical
fire extinguishers. The company also
owns one hose wagon, which is their
own private property, one hose carriage
and one hand reel. The city has
ordered two new six gallon chemical
eXtinguishers.
Pompier scaling ladders have been
ordered for the company. Eight hun.
dred feet OF hose are carried on each
wagon and a reserve coil of hose, 1000
feet in length, is left in the fire house
to DO used in case of accident All of
the wagons are supplied with axes,
forks, crowbars and all apparatus neces.
sary in case Of fire. The house is fur
nished with all the electrical appliances
now in use in case of an alarm. Two
Kentucky thoroughbred horses, Cliff
and Joe, and a wise Scotch collie COM
plete the outfit.
The Friend ship Fire Company occupy
three story brick building in East
Roanoko, built expressly for the COM
pany by the city. 1t is 50x5O feet. The
company moved into the house in Janu-
airy, 1892. The first floor is a carriage
room with stable, bath and feed room
adjoining. The stable is 12x2O and con.
tains three large stalls. The second
floor has parlor 24x4S, ono meeting
room, 16x16, and two bed rooms, lOx12
rect and sxlo feet, respectively, closets
and toilet rooms The upper floor has
largo gymnasium and store room
There Is a hose WE'LL as feet long, OK.
tending from the upper floor to the car
riage house. The apparatus of the
company is one hose wagon, with 500
feet of hose, and one hook and ladder
wagon. They will shortly have two six.
gallon chemical extinguishers.
They have two we'll trained hourses
Bert and Harry; pair OF Newfound-
land pups also play an important part
IN case Of fire. The company has fifty
active and twelve life and contributing
members, with Lynch Gardner. presi.
dent; James Smith, first vice-presldent
q: H. Eppes, second ,vice-president:
william Quinn, secretary; Ed Nc.
Donald, assistant secretary. j r. Bean
is driver and the foreman is II. S.
Powell; assistant foreman, E. o. Don.
nelly; Frank Moore Is captain of the
hook and ladder and A. n. Butler first
Lieutenant. j. w. Stinnett, A. N
Butler and E. O. Falls are the police.
This company on October 6, 1892 won
gold lined silver trumpet at Charlottes-
Vile. Va, by throwing stream 600 feet
in one minute and three and one-fourth
seconds, which was eight seconds better
than the other competitors.
The Juniors, located on Campbell
avenue under the old Jail. is an organ
ization composed of young men who in
their spirited work ketp tho other COM
panies busy. They make their home