The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1893-03-07
KIND WORDS FOR THE
VOLUNTEER FIRE
DEPA RTMENT.
A Veteran Recalls Many Interest.
ing Incidents and Tells of
People who "Ran with
the Machine."

nish some "reminiscences of the Volun-
teer Fire Department of Honolulu.
The first difficulty that presents itself
is to make proper selection of what
deserves men,lon in the history of the
Department, or of what would at this
time be of interest TO the general pub
lie. The present limits will scarcely
permit of an historical review, and
the selection of isolated incidents in
its history and the special mention of
the more prominent names of its per-
sonnet will very likely invite critic
ism. However, presuming on the
generous consideration OF the noble
members of the organization with
whom | have been associated for over
| thirty years, [ will endeavor to give
some idea of what the Department
was in its palmy days, trusting they
will not take OffenSe at the omission
of many brave deeds ard deserving
names which have formed an INSOFAR
able part of the glorious history of the
| Department. AS the incidents of its
history array themselves before me a
! host of pleasant memories arise, cla-
moring for recognition and suggesting
that the preparation of truthful
chronicle of the services rendered to
the community by the Department
during the forty years of its existence
should have been confided to one who
could treat the subject more imparti-
ally than it is possible for the writer.
The primary object in organizing
the Department was of course for the
protection of the town against fire,
and all members of the community
who were physically able to render
any service cheerfully put their hands
to the brakes or took their stand in
the bucket line; but at an early stage
of its existence the Department
their sphere of action to include So
cial duties as well. The engine
houses were neatly-in some cases
handsomely-fitted up at the ex-
pense of contributions from the
members, literally supplemented by
the business firms and other friends
in the city, and were made pleasant
places of resort for the members and
their friends, being supplied with
writing material and the periodicals
of the day. Mechanic No. had a
considerable library of standard and
reference books. So that in the early
days the headquarters of the several
companies took the place-in meas
ure-of the present reading rooms
and public library which had no ex-
istence till in comparatively late
years. At the beginning the names
of w. G. Parke, so long the faithful
Marshal of the Hawaiian Kingdom,
Benjamin F. Snow, the venerable
public spirited citizen whose kindly
face some of the older hands will call
to mind with pleasure; Alex. j. Cart
wright, the experienced New York
fireman to whose knowledge, skill
and cool judgment, more than to any
other, the Department was indebted
for its early successes; Chas. Brewer,
Z. p. Adams, William B. Wright and
host of others, the best and most
substantial citizens, appeared on the
rolls of the different companies. AS
time rolled on these gave place to
younger men, and we find among the
most prominent names w. +. Allen,
r. b. Neville, g. Z. Williams, VIM.
Hughes, G. n. Spencer, Daniel Foster,
Jno. y. Hassinger and many more,
giving assurance of careful manage
ment and constant efficiency. Al
most from the beginning the Board of
Representatives of the Department,
as well as the several companies, set
apart what was known as a "sick
fund.- from which was drawn assist
ance for sick and disabled firemen-
whose disability had been caused by
active fire service. Many poor
fellow without friends or money
who, by faithful service having
! 0aH 1o1 ichf 70 hi
fund, was helped in this way over a
rough place in his path. And there
are few more touching incidents in
human experience than to have wit
messed the tender care with which the
rough hands of his fellows would min
lister to the wants of some unfortunate
during his last hours, and the rever-
ence and gentleness with which they
would finally consign him to the
grave. Lit was the custom in those
days for the whole Department to turn
out to the funeral of q fireman, how
ever humble or unknown he might
be, and L very we'll recollect the ques-
ton asked by native Hawaiians when
Hawaii, No. 4, was organized in 1860,
| whether the same consideration would
, be accorded them,-being somewhat
doubtful of their reception and stand
ing with the other companies, and a
fireman's funeral occurring on the
very day of their organization, prompt
ing the question. Unfortunately they
had not long to wait. A member OF
No. died; the Chief Engineer was
officially notified of the fact, and the
Department turned out with fuller
ranks than ever before to honor the
- memory of their deceased comrade.
Cordial generous pOOd-fellOwShir
and prompt attendance and devotion
to duty were marked characteristics OF
the old Department., and the many
hard fought battles, intelligently, and
in most cases, successfully carried out
by 1t with the all devouring element,
attest the faithfulness and value of the
old organization to the community
/ and entities it to an honorable place
/ in the history of the city.
In the days of the old hand engines
d l have several times seen the Kane
hamehas, ". and V, on the brakes
themselves, encouraging the firemer
:, and assisting in placing relays of as
slstants from the bystanders to supply
i the places of exhausted firemen. Ka
mehameha ", as Prince Lot, headed
the organization of Hawaii, No. 4
and King kalakaua, as Prince David
was for years foreman of the com
pany.
can hardly expect to be accorded
space to more than merely call t.
mlnd the grand parades and glorious
reunions we used to have, when tn,
whole town turned ont tn caIehra Z,