Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1896-03-10
Historical Report
ofthe Citizens Fire Company Since
It's Organization, July Isth, 1854.

It's Organization, July 1871, 1851.
The Independent Fire Co. No. i having
made a historical report of their Company,
we the members of the Citizens Fire Co.
deem it prudent TO let the community know
what our Comp any has been doing since its
organic alton, July 18th, 1884, At that time
the CT tizens of Charles Town We're called to-
gcther, which WAS just after the contlngra-
ton at Getzen daner's and the Methodist par
sonagc, for the purpose CT organizing n per-
manent fire department for our town. The
meeting was held as appointed in Charles
Washington Hall, and the Independent No. i
was organ lied. A part of that meeting with
drew, knowing that if there was but one
company in the town the organization would
share the same fate of so many organizations
of k charac ter. They thought to make 1t a
permanent and lasting organization it was
necessary to have two companies, hence the
Citizens Fire Company was organized on the
18th of July, with the result of the past eleven
years, which we will endeavor to shows:
Our first officers were, President, Jno. T.
Colston; Secretary, j. W. Garner; Treasurer,
d. s.. Hughes; Capt, j. w. Russell; LIST Lient.,
r. d. Phillips; 2nd Lieut., L. F. Eddyi 3rd
Lieut., c. E. Bishop; Chief En-, Jno. f. Hill.
bert; Asst. En-, j. H. Bishop; Chief Hoseman,
C. E. Parker.
Our first step was to procure an engine for
the protection of property, which was bought
and paid for by suppers; then the Council
bought for us $50 #. of hose and o hose car
riage.
We count members that have signed the
constitution to date, one hundred and twenty,
the majority of whom are scattered to the
four winds leaving q balance of abont thirty
five active members. Out of the above mem
bers we have only lost one brother by death.
c., E Parker.
We purchased for ourselves 9 unif
shirt, black helmet and white belt On Feb.
21st, 1889, q committee was appointed to ar
range for the purchase of q steam fire engine.
Sept. 18th the steamer arrived, and a fine one
she was-a beauty to behold. Some persons
of our community censured us for the bring
ing of the above steamer to our town, know
ing we did not have money to pay for it. Just
here we will say for their benefit, that we
were fully prepared to meet the obligation as
drawn up for frat payment, but the fault was
with the agent of the La France Steam Fire
Engine Co.. Mr.. P. p. Crowley. Col. F. w.
Brown, who trans acted the business for us,
told the committee that this agreement held
the committee per sonally responsible for the
back payments on the above engine, which
was in exact opposition to the contract drawn
up by the above agent; this we are prepared to
prove by contract and letters still in our pos
session.
On April 25th, 1885,, an order was given for
90 ne W uniforms-drab coats, blue pants with
y in. gilt stripe, nickle helmet and brown
belt-which uniforms we now have in good
condition and q credit to the Company, at a
cost of $3S1.S5.
We find on strict count there has been As
alarms of fire sent in since our organization,
aud that we responded promptly to them all
and did our share of the work. There was
one fire on the Charles Town Brick and Tile
Co.'s yard, for which there was no alarm sent
in, that we did not respond to, and that is the
only one since our organization.
It is remarkable how we have maintained
our organization, We can account for it in no
other way except that we have always met in
harmony, and no discord ever enters our
meetings; we agree as brothers should that
arc fighting for a noble cause. We have been
prompt to the call of duty, but last to receive
our share of the community's patronage.
We are thankful for what they have done for
us, but we do not think it eqnal at all, but
nevertheless, we exist, free from debt and q
small balance in bank. Why the community
treats us thur is what we cannot understand.
We hope to r4erit their respect by being
prompt to the call of duty and by obedience
to superior officers. it will demand it, We
have been contented with the rudest of quar-
tiers, which does not give us sufficient room to
hold our meetings. We meet in the same
room, 20x20, that our apparatus and reel are
in, and have On an average every meeting
night 16 or IS members and often we have 23
and 25. Just here we claim, and I know the
majority of our town will bear us out, that II
til ere had rot been two companies organized
in 1884, there would be no fire department in
Charles Town to-day, for one company slim
ulates the other, there is that jealousy exist
ing between them that spurs the one on to
Guido the other. Our brothers ofthe Indepen-
dent Co. No. 1, have as fine equipment, both
in apparatus and homo as can be found in the
Valley. We are now asking the City Fathers
to make our Comp any more efficient by pur-
chasing for us a Hook and Ladder truck, but
when we call on them they cry, no money.
Fires come periodically, and after we are Wis
tied with q disastrous fire it will be too late
to express their regret for not doing their
part. But what matters it to NE, whether the
community equip us or not, if we have moth
ing to fight fires with, can we be criticised for
not doing better work, we think not. The
majority of the members are not real estate
owners and have no interest at stake, except
the pride they take in their Company.
j. W. RUSSELL, Capt.