The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-08-08
THAT Old HAND ENGINE
II viii Be Presented 10 The Volunteer Fire
men Tonight.
LETTER OF DR.. and Mrs. THROOP
They Assign Their interest in the Old
Machine to the Flremen's Associa-
tion-Presentatio Speech viii Be
Made by Robert Reeves and the En-
gine viii Be Accepted by G. w.
Roesler for the Association.

George S Throop, whose sad death in
tho prime and vigor Of manhood left q
gap among Scranton's progressive and
honorod citizenry. will receive D most
fitting testimonial Of remembrance this
evening upon the occasion Of the pres
entation at Durr's hall on Lackawauna
of the old relic. the double decker Nsp.
tune hand pump. to the Volunteer Fire
Department association.
Away back in the "tifties' this old
hand engine was purchased by the
Neptunss, aud its record ut tho fires in
the early days OF Scranton looms up
most crsditaOly. The Frankliua, OF
the West side, owned an apparatus
5imilar to the Neptunes but OF dffsr-
ent pattern, and tine rivalry between
Doth companies IS to the ability of
their engines was not settled until one
day challenge was issued aud both
Companies agreed to make u test.
Accordingly 1t was decided to make
o trial on Washington avenue and the
stseple Of the First Presbyterian
church, then the highest point In the
city, WAS selected. The FrGnkl!ns
were unable to reach tho pinnacle OF
tho steeple, but when the old Neptune
double decker, manned by Its sturdy
Teuton crew, beaded by their foreman,
ex-Alderman Charles H. Rossler, took
It's turn In tho contest the stream burst
forth from the nozzle OF the hose and
scared upward beyond tho highest
point OF the Franklius effort, aud an.
other vigorous pull at the bars sent
the stream over the steeple.
The improved and more modern fire
equipments displaced the old hand
pumps and before long they were re-
garded only as remembrances of the
past.
PURCHASE OF HAND ENGINE.
The Neptune company clung dearly
to their old fire wagon and parted most
reluctantly with it. The story of how
they let IL go is as follows: Last
Thanksgiving Day Dr.. George S.
Throop was visiting on the South Side
Councilman z, J. Hickey met him ana
during q conversation on fre depart.
ment matters said:
Doctor, why don't you buy the old
Neptune hand engine and make pres
ent of it to the Volunteer association
well, will. if money can buy il"
said DR., Throop and soon after he be-
came the owner of the relic.
His regretted death foreclosed his
intention OF presenting it tC
the Volunteer association. Select
Councilman Charles H. Schadt has
been tho custodian of the old hand
pump since Doctor Throop bought il
and has kept it stored away most
guardediy.
The officers of the association are as
follows: President, John r. Kline;
vice president, Miles Biesscker, finan-
cial secretary. A. r. Simrell; cor
responding secretary, F. W. Zizleman
treasurer. 2. j. Hickey.
The venerable DR.. B. H. Throop,
father of the owner of the handpump,
understanding his sons intention OF
presenting the relic to the Volunteer
association and desiring to carry it into
effect, ON July % addressed the follow
ing letter to the association:
LETTER OF DR.. THRooP
To the Veteran Association of FiremeL
| of the city Of Scranton:
GENTLEMEN-Having learned with pleas
ure Of late that, t,our son, George S. Throop,
had purchased the old Neptune hand en-
CINE, as relic of olden times, for the pur
pose Of presenting it to you, the knowledg,
of that fact affords us great pleasure il
carrying out his purpose: and we hereby
relinquish to you all interest, hoping
you will enjoy it rs q memento of ancien
! times for the good it has done and respect
| for the valuable relic.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servants,
II. THRooP,
MRS B. Ii. THRooP.
Scranton, Pa, July 25, 1871
At 8 o'clock this evening the fremeI
of tho city and all those also who's
years have rendered them incapable o
active service in the department viii
assemble at the rooms over Fred J
Durr's hotel on Lackawanna avenue
where the exercises Of presentation vii
take place.
The speech Of presentation will b
delivered by Robert Reeves, supsrin
teudent OF the Scranton Gas and Wate
company, who Is executor OF the estat
OF the late DR.. George S. Throop, an
1t will he accepted by ex-Aldermai
| Chnrlol w Ropsler IN iphalf nP th