The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-10-24
Engine Company No. 1 HOnOrs
Its Former Chief.
. . Mr.. CURTIS J. TReNcAARO
In a Social Meeting They Take Him
by Surprise and Present q Hand
seme Testimonial.

A large number of members and their
invited guests assembled last night in the
spacious paaGors OF Engine Co. No. /, OF
the Astoria Fire Department That some
thing more than the ordinary was in the
wind was apparent from a glance about
the room. Everybody had on their Sun
day Clothes and there was general look
of expectancy upon the countenances Of
all. Just in front OF the presidents desk
was al snac1 table covered with a cloth.
AS the hour of meeting approached the
Silence THAT comes before a storm set
tied over alI and when President Gratke
dropped thls gaved one could hear a pin
drop.
After few general remarks the presi-
dent of the company stated that the OBJ
ject of the evenings gathering was to
do honor to their retiring foreman, Mr..
@. j. Trendhard, who for twenty-five
years had been a member OF the depart
ment and for fourteen years foreman OF
Engine Co. No. l.
Descending to the front OF the desk,
President Gratke called Mr.. Trenchard to
tho fore and said:
Brother TrencClard, on behalf OF the
company, have the pleasure OF present.
ing you with this testimonial of their
esteem for you and your untiring efforts
in their behalf" Uncovering the small
table at his hand he revealed a magni-
ficert silver tea service OF five pieces,
each of which was engraved, Presented
to G. j. T-enchard from Astoria Engine
CO. No. l."
The applause was loud and deafening,
and cries Of Speech, Speech" were heard
on all sides: Mr. Trencha-d gracefully
replied, and sad in part:
'If this was meant for surprise Vt has
certainly been most successful. I was
urged this afternoon by several OF the
members to be sure and be here tonight,
as there was business Of Importance,
and in speaking OF the matter to my wife,
VINO Is sick, both she and my daughter
urged me to come down. Evidently some
OF the m5mberS had caLed upon them
before broached the subject.
II became member Of the volunteer
fire depaElbnent many years ago ana
reccDest the difficulties which beset those
times when tnIe old hand pumps were in
use: Many members OF the force OF those
times are now missing and their pbaces
will know THEM no more. Engine Com
pany No. 1iaias been cailed on for many
charities ana has never fas1ed a worthy
cause. No one need be ASHAMED 10 own
this membership In the Astoria Volunteer
Fire Department. Not long since AS
torla received uhe credit of having the
best volunteer fire department on the
coast and think still retains the PEN
nant. '''
This nretanod tonight OF showing your
attachment to me was not needed, but
" anything, I feed more fully your at-
fecuton, IwIhlidI was already assured. Long
may the good name of the Astoria Fire
Department remain on hign."
Mr.. Trenchhrd's acknowledgment was
loudly apparuded when the president ca:l-
ed for renrarans from some OF the oder
members.
Mr.. C. s. Wright was introduced as the
first president of the Astoria Volunteer
Fire Department. who made a few brief
and most appropriate remarks. He said
ne lyad tnhny pleasant recoEeetions OF
the Old days Of the hand pump, and that
Engine Company No. was his first love
with whom he was Always glad to meet.
He spoke of Mr.. Trenchard's long ana
ralghf'A service and said that the company
was SOLD company, with so1h en-
glne and solid boys.
c. ]. Curtis was next called to the
floor and gave some interesting facts
of Mr.. Trcnchard's RUE in the company
and enlarged upon the wed-earned repu-
tation of the department. Success came
because OF hard work on right lines
Mr.. c. H. Stockton, ex-chief engineer
then gave shbrt address on the history
Of 1.-THE department AMI stated that he was |
afraid Mrs wTlent with GGs new system
Of water works had knocked out mucn |
Of THE usefulness OF the boys, but that
they would still be found on deck and
that new hydraDcs would be found, no
doubt. much more convenient than run
ming long Tine Of hose to the river.
Speeches were also made by Counclmen
weiDh, Thomson, and Bergman; DR.. L.
P. AIulinlN Sheriff Hare, DIR. o. B. Estes,
Judge X, osburn. F. L. Parker, r. M. |
Stuart. p y. Goodman, VIM. Book and
otlIers. ~, sf Nr
After the speeches a general sociabae |
and good time was mad cigars we're pass
I'd around. and good fellowship ruled the
hour. Engine Company No. certainly |
mas NO cause to be ashamed of it's timely |
Of The services Of its most |
'aiuhlrl leader.