Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1894-10-18
FlREMEN'S INSPECTION.
Good Showing Made by All the
COMPANIES.

Last Friday occurred the annual in
spection and parade of the local fire dc.
partment. The clouds of the two pre-
vious days had cleared away and the
streets were well dried from the mud
1t was one of the pleasantest days OF
the autumn, and the weather was just
cool enough to make marching pleas
ant.
About go O'Clock the fire-wardens,
village officials, few visiting firemen
and citizens started ON an inspection of
the different engine and hose houses.
The Shamrock hose house on Kerry
avenue was the first visited. 1t was in
good condition, SO far as the keeping
was concerned, but number of i'm
provements are badly needed. The
most important of these is taller
tower for drying the hose. The pres
ent one is only 25 feet high, and the
hose must be dried double. The tower
should be built 25 feet higher. Last
winter coal stove was put into the
cellar to prevent the water from freez-
ing, and also to assist in drying the
hose, and was found great improve
ment. The old hand engine is stored
here, and though it will probably never
again be needed for use at fire, is
ready for business whenever man-power
is coupled on. The doors of the house,
which We're broken in some time ago
to get the cart out for a fire, though re-
paired have not been painted and look
badly. The bailiffs have given orders
to have the painting done. A larger
house, with better meeting room for the
men, should be built before many years.
Part of the basement could be used to
advantage for storing village tools and
machinery.
The engine house on the island was
next visited. This company have
pleasant and attractive quarters. Their
meeting room has a carpeted floor, and
pictures adorn the walls. The appara-
tus which keeps the water in the boiler
hot is in good condition and everything
is handily arranged for the convenience
of the men.
At the old engine house on Rocking
ham street the men are badly crowded
and have poor accommodations. Here
are kept the hook and ladder truck and
the hose carts of the Abenaqui and
Bridgman companies. New sills have
recently been laid in the building, but
the whole thing should be torn down
erected. The present building does not
cover all the land owned by the town,
which it should. This building was
erected in 1867 or 1868 and like all build
ings of that age is nearing the condi-
tioQ-Xhen it is most valuable if con-
verted into kindling wood. The hall
on the second floor, which is used as a
meeting hall for the department, is bar
rem and unattractive. The floor is
warped and the walls cracked SO that
the men can not be blamed for using it
as little as possible. When a new house
is built provision should be made for
pleasanter quarters which could be
! furnished and used as club room for
the firemen. In the building should
! also be provided quarters for the various
village officers and a vault in which to
keep their records and papers. The
only receptacle for these papers at pres
ent is wooden chest, which is over
flowing. In case of fire all the records
would be destroyed. This is matter
which should be attended to at once,
whether vault is built or not.
Following the inspection of the
houses, the companies formed in line in
the square and were inspected by the
fire chiefs and the wardens. The line
of march was then taken up in the fol-
lowing order:
Fire Wardens and Chief Engineer, c. l..
Wheeler.
Bellows Falls Brass Band.
Mt. Kilburn Steamer Co., No. l, men.
Hook and Ladder No. l, Is men.
Abenaqui Hose, No. l, ID men.
Bridgman Hose, No. 2, Ii men.
Shamrock Hose, No. 3, ID men.
village officials citizens and guests in
carriages.
The parade passed down Westminster
street to Atkinson, up Atkinson to
Henry, to Church, to School, down
School to Atkinson, up Atkinson to
Morgan's park and along Rockingham,
Green, School, Church and Westmin.
ster streets to the square, where the pa.
rade disbanded.
At $40 o'clock the hook and ladder
company started at the engine house on
Rockingham street at signal from the
fire alarm, ran to Towns hotel and
raised the extension ladder with man
on it to the roof. They made the best
run for several years. No time was
taken.
The steamer made the next trial
starting from the engine house on the
island at the signal and running t.
mill hollow. The start was made will