Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1896-03-04
HISTORICAL REPORT
OF the Citizens Fire Company Since Its
ORGANIZATION, July 18th, 1884.


made historical report of their Company,
we the members of the Citizens Fire Co.,
deem it prudent to let the community know
what our Company has been doing since its
organization. July 18th, 1884. At that time
the citizens Of Charles Town were called to-
gether which was just after the confagration
at Getendaners and the Methodist parson-
age. for the purpose of organizing perma-
nent fire department for our town. The
meeting was held as appointed in Charles
Washington Hall, and the Independent No.
was organized. \ part of that meeting
withdrew, knowing that if there was but
one company in the town the organization
would share the same fate of so many or
carnations of like character They thought
10 make il a permanent and lasting organi-
cation il was necessary to have two compa-
mics. hence the Citizens Fire Company was
organized on the 18th of July, with the result
of the past eleven years which we will en-
deavor to show:
Our first officers were President Jno. 1.
Colston; Secretary, J. W. Garner; Treasurer,
d. ;. Hughes; Capt, J. w. Russell; 1st Lieut.,
r. II. Phillips; md Lieut., T. F. Eddy 5rd
Lieut. C. L. Bishop; Chief En-, Jno. E. Hill
bert; Asst. En-, j. H. Bishop, Chief Hose
man, c. E. Parker.
Our first step was to procure an engine Tor
the protection ofproperty, which was bought
and paid for by suppers; then the Council
bought for us 30 IT. of hose and hose car
riage.
We count members that have signed the
constitution to date, one hundredandtwenty
the majority Of whom are scattered to the
four winds, leayinga balance ofabout thirty
five active members. Out of the above mem
bers we have only lost one brother by DEATH
c. L. Parker
We purchased for ourselves uniform red
shirt blacl, helmet and white belt. en- Feb.
DIST, 1889, a committee was appointed to
arrange for the purchase of Il steam fire en-
zine. Sept 18th, 1891, the Steamer arrived
and fine one she was-a beauty to behold.
Some persons of our community censured us
for the bringing of the above Steamer to our
town. knowing that 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 rs drawn up for first payment
but the fault was with the agent of the La
France Steam Fire Engine Co., Mr.. p. p.
Crowley. Col. +. w. Brown, who transact
ed the business for us, told the committee
thai this agreement held the committee per
sonally responsible for the back payments
on the above engine, which was in exact OPP
position to the contract drawn up by the
above agent; this we are prepared to prove
by contract and letters still in our possession.
On April 18th, 1888, an order was given for
2G new uniforms, drab coats, blue pants with
2 in. gilt stripe, nickle helmet and brown
belt, which uniforms we now have IN good
condition and credit to the Company, at a
cost of S3S1S5.
We find on strict count there has been 10
alarms of fires sentin since organization, and
that we responded promptly to them all and
didour share of the work. There was one
fire at the Charles Town Brick and Tile Co. S
yard for which there was no alarm sent III,
that we did not respond to, and that is the
only one since our organization.
1t is remarkable how we have maintained
our organization, we can account for 1t in
no other way except that we have always
met in harmony, and no discord ever enters
our meetings; we agree rs brothers should
that are fighting for noble cause. We have
been prompt 20 the call of duty, but last TO
receive our share of the community patron
age. We are thankful for what they have
done for us, but we do not think it equal at
all but nevertheless, we exist free from debt
and a small balance in bank. Why the COM
munity treats us thus is what we cannot UNI
derstand We hope TO merit their respect by
being prompt to the call of duty and by obe-
dience to superior officers, it will demand it.
We have been contented with the rudest of
quarters, which does not give us sufficient
room to hold our meetings. We meet in the
same room, 2Ox2O, that our apparatus and
reel are in, and have on an average every
meeting night IS or Is members and often
| we have % and p Just here we claim, and
know the majority of our town will bear
us out. that if there had not been two COM
panies organized in 1881, there would be no
fire department in Charles Town to-day, for
one company stimulates the other there is
that jealousy existing between them that
spurs the one ON to Guido the other. Our
brothers of the Independent Co. No. have
as fine equipment, both in apparatus and
home, as can be found in the Valley. We
are now asking the City Fathers TO make our
Company more efficient by purchasing for us
Hook and Ladder truck, but when we call
on them they cry, no money. Fires come
periodically, and after We are visited with a
disastrous fire, it will be too late TO express
their regret for not doing their part. But
what matters it TO us, whether the commu
nifty equip Us or not if we have nothing tC
fight fires with, can we be criticised for mo-
doing better work, we think not The ma
iority of the members are not real estate
owners and have no interest at stake, eXcep
the pride they take in their Company.
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